Walnut Tree Health Centre - Doctors surgery opening times and what to do when we are closed

Walnut Tree Health Centre
Blackberry Court
Walnut Tree
Milton Keynes, MK7 7PB
Tel: 01908 691123

This practice will close from 12pm-5pm on Thursday 23 February 2012 for Protected Time Staff Training. If you need URGENT medical attention during this time, please call MKUrgent Care Services on 01908 201022 or Broughton Gate WIC in 01908 874444. For medical advice please call NHSDirect on 0845 46 47.

Useful link for those needing advice or help from Age Concern: www.ageuk.org.uk/miltonkeynes

As a member of the public you have a right to be involved in decisions about health and social care services in Milton Keynes. By sharing experiences and ideas with your Local Involvement Network in (LINk:MK) you can influence the way services are run.
The job of LINk:MK is to find out what people like and dislike about services. They then feed this information back to health and social care providers, helping them to plan and deliver better services that reflect the wishes of local people. If you would like any further information please use the link: www.miltonkeyneslink.co.uk

As from 1^st October 2011, we are changing our DNA (did not attend) policy. Patients who fail to cancel appointments 2 times in any one year will be sent a warning letter that they will be removed from the practice list should they fail to attend again.

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.

Opening Hours

Closed for Protected Time

When We Are Closed

The Practice is open between the following times:

clock_6

Monday	8:00am – 6.30pm
Tuesday	8:00am – 6.30pm
Wednesday	8:00am – 6.30pm
Thursday	8:00am – 6.30pm
Friday	8:00am – 6.30pm
Weekend	closed

Please note that doctors, nurses and HCA’s offer clinics at a variety of times during the opening period of the practice.

We also provide an evening surgery for pre-booked GP and nurse appointments. These are held on:

Monday (6.30pm to 9.15pm)

The practice is not open for other day to day services during this time. Once the practice is closed you will be asked to call the Out-of-Hours Service MK Urgent Care Services after 6.30pm Monday to Friday and during the weekend. MK Urgent Care Services are available on 01908 201022. If you require medical information you can also call NHS Direct on 08454647 which is available 24 hours a day.

'Protected Time' Closures

The Health Centre will close from 12 noon until 5pm on the dates listed below so clinicians and other staff members can attend vital training sessions. Whilst we are closed should you require urgent medical advice, please call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Should you require urgent medical attention, please call MKUrgent Care Services on 01908 201022 or attend one of the local walk-in centres.

Protected Time dates for 2011:

Tuesday 25 January
Wednesday 23 February
Thursday 24 March
Tuesday 19 April
Wednesday 25 May
Thursday 23 June
Tuesday 26 July
Wednesday 21 September
Thursday 20 October
Tuesday 22 November

When We Are Closed

closed_sign Please telephone the surgery on 691123 as usual and you will be asked to call the Out-of-Hours Service to obtain medical attention or you can choose to go to the Walk-In Centre at the Hospital which is open from 7.00am to 10.00pm Monday to Sunday.

NHS Direct

In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can call NHS Direct (0845 4647) to speak to a triage nurse. Your needs will be assessed and advice offered or arrangements made for you to see a doctor.

Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.

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