Practice Team

Practice Nurses

Our Practice Nurses, Rachel Hutchings, Julie Diffey and Denise Sharratt, hold regular clinics at Brent House. They can help you with ….

Phlebotomist/Healthcare Assistant

We employ a Phlebotomist/Healthcare Assistant, Carolyn Arrigoni, who performs routine blood tests, blood pressure checks, ECGs and Smoking Cessation clinics and advice.

Health Visitors

Our Health Visitor Team is Sandra Crabtree RN RM HVCert, Mary Rowe RN BSCHons PHN and Sue Hodkinson RGN RSCN. They are trained nurses who work in the community in partnership with families and other agencies to promote a healthy lifestyle and positive parenting. They undertake child and family health clinics. Sue is a qualified contraceptive advisor.

Community Nurses (District Nurses)

The Community Nursing Team is led by District Nurse Edwina Vickery RGN NDN BSc (Hons), and has two Community Nurses; Samantha Stoker and Carolynne Clarke. The team is based at the surgery and is available between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. They also work very closely with the Community Nursing teams based at Taunton Road Medical Centre, North Petherton Surgery and Nether Stowey.

The Community Nursing Team is here to provide nursing care for people in the community who are housebound. They also offer support and advice to families and carers working very closely with all the professionals in the practice.

Community Midwife

Our midwife, Jenny Hill RGN RM BSc(Hons), is the lead professional caring for women during pregnancy, at the delivery and for a few days after birth before handing over care to the Health Visitors. She is the link between your GP and the doctors at the hospital. She runs an antenatal clinic at Brent House Surgery and Parenthood classes for expectant parents. Messages can be left at the surgery or Bridgwater Community Midwives Office – telephone 436745.

Dietitian

Alison Booth, Community Dietitian, visits the practice regularly on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Appointments with her are by referral from your doctor.

Practice Counsellors

Ali Leftwich, BACP registered counsellor, and Kirk Russell, Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) hold clinics at the surgery to help patients with anxiety, stress, depression, bereavement, problems at work etc. They also offer counselling to individuals and couples who are experiencing relationship difficulties. If you think they could help you, please talk with your doctor who can give you more details.

Practice Manager

Dawn Underhill (IHM) has a strategic planning role within the Practice and manages the finance and staff. If you have any queries, suggestions or complaints, please speak or write to her; she is here to help you.

Deputy Practice Manager/IT Manager

Catriona Toplis (MAMS NEBSM) works with the Practice Manager. As well as looking after the practice computers, her work also includes word processing, audit and general office administration.

Practice Secretary

Joanne Blake types letters and reports in the practice and follows up enquiries from patients regarding hospital appointments and results.

Practice Administration

Linda Charles, Jill Roberts and Ann Webber have administrative roles supporting the Practice Manager. These include summarising medical records, computer work, financial administration, organising rotas and appointments and general office administration duties.

Receptionists

Our team of receptionists is fully trained to do a very difficult job well. They may have to judge the urgency of your request so please try to give the receptionists the information they request. These questions are part of our policy aimed at making the practice run smoothly.