Healthcare Team

Community Nurses

District nurses are registered nurses who have undertaken additional education and training as specialist community practitioners. Each district nursing sister manages a team, which usually consists of a number of community staff nurses (registered nurses) and healthcare assistants (HCA). Together they look after a ‘caseload’ of patients.

District nursing is different from other nursing practice in other settings. District nurses work unsupervised and independently, and make their own decisions in quite complex situations. They work with individuals but also with families and communities and other agencies.

Health Visitors

The health visitor is an experienced nurse with midwifery experience and additional special training. Her main concern is child care and development for children between 0-4 years of age, but also helps everyone within the family. She will discuss health and family problems and/or help you find the right services. She can be contacted on 0300 300 0123. This may be an answerphone but messages can be left.

Attached Staff

Many other people work from the practice even though they are actually employed elsewhere. Together we provide a much fuller service just where it is needed.

Midwives

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Iceni Midwifery Team is responsible for the maternity care of pregnant patients and liaises with the GPs as required. A midwife holds an antenatal clinic in the surgery one day a week and can be contacted on 01366 386232.

Juniper Community Midwives

(Cover Downham Market, Swaffham and Fakenham and surrounding villages). They are based form Downham Market. There is parking available in the Tesco’s car park (free for 3 hours)

Address:

Priory Road,
Downham Market,
PE38 9AW

They provide care in the following GP surgeries: Watlington, The Hollies, Bridge Street, Howdale, Upwell, Feltwell, Campinglands, Plowright, Manor Farm, Litcham and RAF Marham. We aim to provide a named midwife for each woman in order to provide you with seamless care.

You can self-refer by calling the hotline – 07787 841 986 or alternatively completing the online self-referring form;

Dietitians

The community dietitian based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital conducts a clinic every four weeks at the surgery on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon between 14:00-17:00. She does not see patients who are just overweight, they should try to reduce weight through a weight watchers or similar programme. GPs will refer patients who have more complex medical needs coupled with a dietary problem.

Family Action Service

Family Action, formerly the WellFamily service, a national charity, works closely with the practice providing practical, emotional and financial support to individuals and families. Patients can be referred by their GP or refer themselves to Family Action. They can be contacted on 01760 720302.