Highcroft Surgery - The doctors, nurses and other staff at our practice

MOBILE PHONE NUMBERS

It is becoming more and more important that the practice maintains an accurate record of mobile phone numbers for patients. New technology is reliant upon us having this information and will enable us to reduce the number of letters that we send out to patients. Hospitals are also keen to ensure that contact numbers are accurate to assist prompt appointment booking.

We now have a system whereby we can send automated reminders by text to patients about pre-booked appointments. We are hopeful that this will reduce the number of patients who fail to attend their appointments and also reduce the manual administrative work that we carry out significantly. We can also let you know promptly of any unavoidable changes to your appointment more easily. Let us know your up to date mobile phone number here

Health Charities

01 Dec - 28 Feb
Marie Curie

Marie Curie Cancer Care is a UK charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. Over the financial year 2010/11, we reached a total of 31,799 patients

01 Dec - 28 Feb
YouthHealthTalk

Youthhealthtalk enables young people, their family and friends, and professionals such as doctors and teachers to understand young people's experiences of health, illness and life in general. The website feature real-life accounts of issues such as effect on work and education, social life and relationships, consulting health professionals and treatment.

03 Sep - 28 Feb
Macmillan Cancer Support

One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.

BBC Health

Time link to sudden cardiac death

How the time of day can increase the risk of dying from an irregular heartbeat has been identified by researchers.

NHS 'will be Cameron's poll tax'

Labour leader Ed Miliband tells David Cameron he risks making NHS reform "his poll tax" - in noisy Commons clashes over the health bill.

Male extinction theory challenged

A new study comparing chromosomes in humans and rhesus monkeys suggests genetic decay of the male sex chromosome has all but ended.

Heart symptoms 'differ in women'

Fewer women than men suffering from a heart attack appear to experience chest pain symptoms, according to a study in the US.

Nurses 'should sign Dignity Code'

Nurses and care workers should sign a Dignity Code guaranteeing that elderly patients are treated with respect, say a group of politicians and charities.

Baby P duo made 'serious errors'

Two of Baby Peter's social workers committed a "serious error of judgement" during an incident which saw him "disappear" for 12 days, a tribunal hears.

US record kidney donor chain ends

The world's largest chain of organ transplants ends in the US after 30 patients received kidneys from living donors.

Diabetes patients miss key tests

More than 1.3 million diabetes patients could be missing out on vital and potentially life-saving health checks, the BBC learns.

Fatal fungal probe awarded £5.1m

Aberdeen researchers are awarded £5.1m to lead an investigation into fungal infections which cause death.

Government 'not trusted on NHS'

Over two-thirds of people do not trust the government's handling of the NHS, a poll commissioned for BBC Radio 5 live suggests.

Health Protection Agency

Update on measles outbreak declared on Merseyside

A measles outbreak has been declared on Merseyside. There are 13 confirmed and 16 suspected cases ranging in age from nine months to adults aged in their 20s. Six people, four children and two adults, required treatment in hospital. This compares to just one confirmed case on Merseyside in the first six weeks of 2011 and one in the corresponding period of 2010.

Measles outbreak declared on Merseyside

Update on Legionnaires’ Cluster Associated with a Hotel in Spain

10 February 2012, 1400hrs. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has this week been alerted by the Spanish public health authorities about a further case of Legionnaires’ Disease in a UK resident who stayed at the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca, as well as two French cases. This brings the total number of UK residents associated with this cluster to 12, with three deaths.

Development made in breakdown of a Meningitis B vaccine component

Scientists from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are a step closer to ensuring the stability of a component of a vaccine that may one day be used to protect against Meningitis B. The research is published today (Tuesday) in Vaccine.

Update on Legionnaires’ Cluster Associated with a Hotel in Spain

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware of nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease in English holiday makers associated with the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca since January 2012, in addition to four Spanish cases so far reported. Subsequently two of the English patients are reported to have died from their illness.

Outbreak of Salmonella Newport

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating an outbreak of a strain of Salmonella Newport infection among 30 people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the beginning of December 2011. Cases of illness caused by the same strain have been confirmed in Scotland, Ireland and Germany.

Health Protection Agency confirms new incinerator study

A new study to further extend the evidence base as to whether emissions from modern well run Municipal Waste Incinerators affect human health has been approved by the Health Protection Agency.

HPA helps solve radon problems in West Oxfordshire homes

Hundreds of homes across West Oxfordshire have been found to have high levels of radioactive gas radon. Last summer, the Health Protection Agency invited about 9,000 householders across West Oxfordshire to apply for a free test for radon, a naturally occurring gas present in all homes.

HPA helps solve radon problems in Orkney homes

Hundreds of householders across Orkney are being advised to act to protect their health, after HPA tests detected high levels of radioactive gas radon.

Cornish radon hotspot targeted

Thousands of households in a part of Cornwall with historic radon problems are being offered a free test for levels of the radioactive gas radon.

Doctors

Nursing Staff

Practice Team

Doctors

Dr Philip Gard
Qualifications: BSc MBChB MRCGP Dr Gard is a full-time partner, working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Appointments are available on these days in the morning and afternoon/evening.

Dr Fiona McCracken
Qualifications: BmedSci BMBS MRCGP Dr McCracken works two days a week. Her surgeries are on Mondays and Thursdays. Morning and afternoon/evening appointments are available on these days.

Dr John Brendan McKeating
Qualifications: MSc BMBCh MRCGP
Dr McKeating is a full-time partner, working Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Appointments are available on these days both in the morning and evening.

Dr Smita Jobling

Qualifications: MBChB Dr Jobling is at present working two days per week, with clinics available on Monday and Wednesday mornings and afternoon/evenings.

Dr Matthew Wilkins
Qualifications: MBBS MRCGP Dr Wilkins is a full-time partner, working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Appointments are available on these days both in the morning and evening.

Dr Katharine Bradbury
Dr Bradbury works part-time on Thursdays and Fridays. Appointments are available in the morning and evening on these days.

Dr Tariq Bashir
Dr Bashir as a full-time partner working four days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) with morning and afternoon/evening surgeries

Dr Andrew Barber
Qualifications: BMedSci BMBS DROCG DFSRH MRCGP

We welcome Dr Andrew Barber as our new Salaried GP, working Tues, Weds and Thursdays with morning and afternoon/evening surgeries.

Dr Hussain Ahmed
Dr Ahmed is our full-time GP Registrar, working Mon, Weds, Thurs and Fridays doing morning and afternoon/evening surgeries.