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

Withycombe Lodge Surgery
123 Torquay Road
Paignton
Devon, TQ3 2SG
Tel: 01803 525525

Health Charities

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

GMC guidance on assisted suicide

The General Medical Council launches guidelines on assisted suicide to help it decide if doctors should face a disciplinary panel on the issue.

NHS translation bill 'tops £23m'

The NHS in England spends £59,000 a day on translating documents and providing interpreters, according to a health think tank.

Campaign to cut smoking in cars

A campaign to stop people smoking in cars when carrying children - and which could pave the way for a ban - is launched by the Welsh government.

Transplant jaw made by 3D printer

An 83-year-old woman is fitted with a jaw made by a 3D printer in what doctors say is the first operation of its kind.

'Birth defect risk' for diabetics

The risk of birth defects increases four-fold if the pregnant mother has diabetes, a study of 400,000 pregnancies in England suggests.

'A little too much drink' warning

Drinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.

Malaria toll 'is twice as high'

The number of deaths worldwide from malaria has been underestimated, according to data published in the medical journal the Lancet.

Health bodies reject NHS reforms

Physiotherapist leaders have joined the Royal College of GPs in calling for the health bill in England to be scrapped, increasing pressure on the government.

Under 10s have eating disorders

A number of children under 10 are treated in hospitals in Northern Ireland for eating disorders, the Department of Health says.

Weekend hospital admission fears

Research which suggests that patients are more likely to die in hospital if they are admitted at the weekend is backed up by a major study.

Health Protection Agency

Current alert level: Level 3 - Cold Weather Action in one or more regions of England

There is a 100% probability of severe cold weather between 1000 on Monday and 1000 on Friday in parts of England.

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.

New Guidelines to Control Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infections in UK Hospitals Launched

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) together with the group A streptococcal (GAS) Working Group* has today launched new guidelines for the investigation, control and prevention of GAS infection in acute healthcare settings, including maternity units, in the UK.

Whooping cough cases increase

Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England and Wales have more than doubled from 421 cases in 2010 to 1040 in 2011. Increases in levels of whooping cough are seen every three to four years and figures in 2011 are in line with cases reported in the last peak year of 2008.

HPA publishes second migrant health report

The Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) second report on Migrant Health, and the first UK-wide report is published today.

Levels of norovirus within seasonal norms

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.

HPA warns winter sun seekers to seek protection from malaria

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is reminding UK travellers visiting friends and family or taking winter sun holidays to ensure they take anti-malaria tablets when visiting countries where malaria is prevalent.

Doctors

Nursing Staff

Practice Team

Healthcare Team

Doctors

Dr William Nolan (m)
MB Bch MRCGP
Dr William Nolan joined the Practice In April 2008. Originally from Ireland, Dr Nolan has travelled the world and has settled here in Devon with his wife and 4 children.

Dr Keira Goss

BMBS DCH

Keira Dr Goss qualified from the Peninsula Medical School in 2007. Keira first worked here at Withycombe in 2009 and has now returned to complete her GP training after spending 18 months at Torbay Hospital gaining additional experience in Diabetes & Endocrinology, Stroke Medicine and Paediatrics.

Dr Nicki Spicer (f)
MBBS DRCOG MRCGP
Qualified from Kings College Hospital,London in 1985. Nicki joined the practice in June 2003 & became a partner in May 2004. Special Interests include Womens health, chronic disease management, preventative medicine. Nicki is married with two sons.

Nurses

Rhianydd and Beverley run our treatment room. They can often deal with minor ailments and queries without the need to see a Doctor.

Rhianydd Walsh RGN

BSc (hons) 2008

Diploma in Nursing 1997

Rhianydd previously worked on the Respiratory & Coronary Care Wards at Torbay Hospital for over 7 years and has been a Lead Practice Nurse for Coronary Heart Disease management for many years before joining the Withycombe Lodge team in March 2011.

Rhianydd’s other clinical interests/skills include:

Chronic disease management: coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, asthma, COPD, hypertension
Womens health: cervical screening, HRT & contraceptive advice, breast care
Childrens immunisations
Travel health & vaccinations
Wound care & leg ulcer management
Audiology & ear irrigation
ECG recording
Lifestyle & general health advice: smoking cessation, weight management etc

Beverley Light

Health Care Assistant – Level 3

Bev is a highly skilled HCA with over 9 years previous experience in General Practice.

Bev’s clinical skills include:

Venepuncture
INR monitoring
BP recording
Weight management
Smoking cessation
Wound care/dressings

Practice Management

Lesley Jones
Practice Manager
Is responsible for the day to day running of the surgery, she deals with all non-medical matters. If you have any comments, complaints or suggestions please pass them on to her.

Administration

Reception staff Karen Lindsay & Anne are here to help you. They will book your appointments, organise repeat prescriptions, advise you of any specimen results and answer any non-medical queries you may have.

Catherine is our Practice Secretary. She deals with referral letters and public health screening appointments with the nurse or health visitor.

Community Midwives

Sylvia holds an ante-natal clinic at the surgery on alternate Friday mornings from 9.00am. Please contact the surgery to make an appointment for this clinic. Sylvia can be contacted by leaving a message with our receptionist.

Community Nurses

Lorraine, Sandra, Caroline, Jennie, Sue, Bernie and Trish together provide essential home nursing, but their time is limited and they are unable to provide home nursing for patients that are able to get to the surgery for treatment.

Health Visitors

Christine is based at the surgery and can be contacted on – 553109, or if its urgent via the normal surgery number. Christine organises a child development clinic on Wednesdays by appointment

Attached Staff

Trish Darke is our Carer Support Worker and is based at the surgery on Mondays. She provides an information and support service for Carers. If you are looking after a relative or friend, & need advice contact Trish on 01803 527006.

Further Information

For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS Direct

NHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services