DR ROGER JOHNSON graduated from Birmingham University in 1978 and joined the practice in 1983. He holds the qualfication in General Practice (MRCGP) and also in anaesthetics (DA).
He is particularly interested in medical education, having been an accredited trainer in General Practice and working in local schools. He is Divisional Surgeon to North Petherton St John's Ambulance Brigade.
He has a special interest in the treatment for Drug Addiction, and hence works in the Bridgwater branch of the Somerset Drug Service.
DR DONAL HYNES qualified in Galway in 1979. Having worked in London and Bristol hospitals for some time he obtained the specialist qualification in General Medicine (MRCP). He joined the practice in 1988, and has since obtained an MSc degree from Exeter Univeristy.
He has special interest in family medicine and children. He is involved nationally in the care of elderly and rheumatic disease. He is doctor for the Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Football Club.
Dr Hynes is currently the Chairman of the Somerset Coast Primary Care Group (SCPCG)
DR JANET SHACKLETON was in General Practice for eight years in Bromley and joined Redgate Medical Centre in August 2000. Dr Shackleton specialises in child and family health and is involved in 6-week baby checks, 4 years old pre-school development checks as well as routine appointments.
DR WULF FRANZEN is the assistant GP at Redgate Medical Centre. He specialises in dermatology and once a month runs a cryotherapy clinic at the surgery for skin disorders.
DR SYED AKHTER qualified from Dow Medical College, Karache, and trained as a surgeon in Ireland before joining Redgate Medical Centre in 2002. He obtained fellowship in surgery in 1996 from the Royal College of Surgeons. His main interest includes Extended Minor Surgery in which he holds the specialist qualification (FRCS). Dr Akhter moved to Bridgwater with his wife and family in 2002.
Sister Sue Johnstone has been with the practice since March 1990. She specialises in diabetes care, coronary heart disease, familly planning, the taking of smears and assisting with minor surgery.
Sister Sue Beecher specialises in asthma care and diabetes, leg ulcers and tissue viability care, and circulation monitoring.
The nurses carry out a wide range of procedures from post operative care, blood tests, ECG (heart trace) and treatment of emergencies, to vaccinations and smears, fertility and dieting advice.
Sally Billing is our Health Visitor who is a registered nurse and qualified midwife who has spent a further year training to help you and your family to stay healthy.
She is usually available in her office between 9.00 am - 10.30 am each day and at other times a message can be left on the answer phone Tel: 01278 426353. Sally will answer your call as soon as she is available.
Home visits are made according to family and individual needs. A home visit is made around the eleventh day after the birth of a new baby. Ideally, all new babies should be seen and weighed by the Health Visitor weekly until their first development check, and monthly afterwards. You are welcome to attend the Child Health Clinic as often as you like.
The Child Health Clinics are held every Wednesday between 1.30pm and 3.30 pm. All babies and children of pre-school age are welcome. It is a good opportunity to weigh your babies and discuss all kinds of child care issues with us, as well as meet other parents.
| 8-10 weeks | Developmental assessment by GP and Health Visitor |
| 7-9 months | Hearing tests and developmental assessment by Health Visitor | 2 years | Birthday party and opportunity for development assessment by Health Visitor. Plus questionnaire |
| 3½ - 4 years | Developmental assessment plus hearing and vision testing by Health Visitor. |
| 4 years plus | Physical examination by GP. |
The Health Visitor is also involved in activities for all age groups. These include community health programmes, eg smoking, breast feeding awareness campaigns, parentcraft, group work teaching on all aspects of health, child protection and training of other professionals.
Mary Gillies and Arlene Batstone help with all aspects of pregnancy and labour. Mary runs the Antenatal Clinics on Tuesday afternoons, and Arlene runs Wednesday afternoons."Parents to be Groups" and a "Drop-in" antenatal and post-natal service in the Sydenham Family Centre in the surgery neighbourhood.
Home deliveries and deliveries in the local community hospital's midwifery-led unit are also undertaken.
The midwives run a 24 hour advice line and 'on-call' service, and can be contacted on 01278 444517.
Breast feeding workshops are held in conjunction with parenting groups.
The team is led by Sister Caroline Bawden attached to Redgate Medical Centre providing nursing care at home and in residential settings.
The aim of the District Nursing Service is to provide assessments, nursing care, support and health education for both patients and their carers.
Nursing care is provided for patients with long and short term illnesses, patients with disabilities, terminal illness and those recently discharged from hospital.
The District Nursing team can be contacted by telephoning: 01278 445023 or by leaving a message on the answer phone, which the District Nurse Team will answer as soon as they can. So please speak slowly and clearly leaving your name, telephone number, and a brief description of the problem.
Mrs Sandie Sealey is the Business Manager and manages the staff and premises; and has been the driving force in the implementation of 'paperlessness' and best practice. She is able to help you with any administrational or non-medical matters.
Mrs Sealey is also available to discuss suggestions, comments or complaints.
Mrs Julie Elliott is the Office Manager who deputises in Sandie Sealey's absence, and will deal with any suggestions, comments or complaints.
Mrs Anita Ellis is the Data Manager responsible for the computer system, which plays a key role in all aspects of patient care, in particular immunisations, smear recalls, repeat prescriptions and research.
Mrs Carla Meynell is the Medical Secretary and supports the clinical Healthcare Team with administration.
Ann, Carol, Debby, Janet, Lisa and Sarah are trained and experienced staff who are here to help with all your repeat prescriptions, certificates, appointments and other queries. During all surgery opening hours, there will always be a receptionist available who can help you. THE RECEPTIONIST IS YOUR LINK WITH THE SURGERY.