Opening times, making appointments and what to do when we are closed

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

News:

Out of Hours
Please telephone the surgery on 691123 as usual and you will automatically be directed to the MK Urgent Care Services to obtain medical attention.

Appointments
To make an appointment, telephone our reception staff 8am to 6.30pm, Monday-Friday.

Cancelling your Appointment
If you are unable to attend an appointment with one of the doctors or nurses, please telephone the surgery as soon as possible so your appointment time can be offered to another patient. If you prefer you can use the link at the bottom of this page to cancel your appointment.

Protected Time

Please note that the Health Centre will be closed from 12noon to 5pm on Wednesday 22 September for staff training. Should you require a doctor during this time, please ring MK Urgent Care Services on 01908 201022. For medical advice, please ring NHSDirect on 0845 4647

New Diabetes Website

NHS Milton Keynes has just launched a new Diabetes website. This website is aimed at supporting local people with diabetes. Please go to the link below and click on the moving image to enter the website.

www.miltonkeynes.nhs.uk

Launch of new NHS website for young people with cancer

A new NHS website offers 19-24 year olds recently diagnosed with cancer an informed choice in their place of care. Visit the website on NHS Choices or click in the link below

www.nhs.uk/youngcancercare

Staff News

We are sorry to inform patients that Dr Morrison is on continued sick leave until further notice. We will advise of a return date once it becomes known.

Announcements

01 Sep - 01 Oct
NHS Smokefree

Find out about all of the free NHS services available to support you as you go try to give up smoking.

01 Aug - 01 Oct
NHS Summer Health

Stay safe in the sun, including sunscreens, sunburn relief, heat exhaustion, eczema and moles. Summer holidays are great fun for children, but can bring risks. Find out more

01 Jul - 01 Oct
Change for Life

Would you like loads of tips and help to make changes for a healthier future? As part of Change4Life, you will receive tons of helpful information, recipes, tools, tips, and games for the kids.

Yahoo Health

Expert warns of complacency after swine flu fizzle (AP)

Robert Webster, chairman of the Department of Virology and Molecular Biology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., attends the Options for the Control of Influenza conference in Hong Kong Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 in Hong Kong. Webster urged health authorities around the world to stay vigilant even though the recent swine flu pandemic was less deadlier than expected, warning that bird flu could spark the next global outbreak. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

AP - A leading virus expert urged health authorities around the world Sunday to stay vigilant even though the recent swine flu pandemic was less deadly than expected, warning that bird flu could spark the next global outbreak.

Cholera kills 41 in Central African nation of Chad (AP)

AP - Health officials in Chad say an outbreak of cholera in the Central African nation has killed at least 41 people.

Can home cooking be hazardous to your health? (AP)

AP - Could your kitchen at home pass a restaurant inspection?

Botox maker to pay $600M to resolve investigation (AP)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg speaks to reporters during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, Wednesday, Sep. 1, 2010, regarding a major settlement with a pharmaceutical company for False Claims Act and off-label marketing violations. Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a years long federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

AP - Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a yearslong federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug.

New test seen as big advance in diagnosing TB (AP)

This undated photo released by Cepheid, shows a Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF cartridge. The cartridge is part of a test that is a major advance in diagnosing tuberculosis and can reveal in less than two hours, with very high accuracy, whether someone has the disease and if it's resistant to the main drug for treating it. (AP Photo/Cepheid) NO SALES

AP - Scientists are reporting a major advance in diagnosing tuberculosis: A new test can reveal in less than two hours, with very high accuracy, whether someone has the disease and if it's resistant to the main drug for treating it.

Journal editors question sale of diet pill Meridia (AP)

AP - Editors of a top medical journal call Meridia "another flawed diet pill" and question whether it should stay on the market as a study shows it raises the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with heart problems.

Study: Diet Drug Meridia May Boost Heart Risks (Time.com)

Time.com - A new study finds that some users of the weight-loss pill Meridia may have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke

For Bonobo Males, Mom Is the Best Wingman (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - To most human males, the thought of your mother anywhere near your sex life is probably horrifying. Not so for the bonobo, one of our closest primate relatives. A new study confirms that hanging out with mom boosts male bonobos' chances of getting intimate with a fertile female.

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 3, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

More parents 'redshirting' kindergartners (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - As schools start back into session around the country, some parents of young children face a difficult question: Send their little ones to kindergarten as soon as they become age-eligible, or hold them back in hopes that an additional year of maturity will give them an academic boost?

MedPage Today

Washington Week: Insurance, State Actions Top News

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- Several studies highlighting insurance issues were released this week, including one on federal programs for kids and two others focused on employer-provided medical coverage.

FDA Approves New Eye Pressure Drop Formulation

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The FDA approved a new formulation of the drug bimatoprost (Lumigan) in a 0.01% solution as a first-line treatment to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Kids on HAART Would Benefit from Revaccinations (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Children with HIV who received standard childhood immunizations before starting on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) could benefit from revaccination, a review suggests.

New Guidelines Out for Pneumococcal Vaccine (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Adults with asthma and those who smoke should receive the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine to prevent pneumococcal disease, according to new recommendations from the CDC.

OSHA Should Dictate Residents' Hours, Group Says

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The consumer group Public Citizen is urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to regulate the work hours of resident physicians.

Four Factors Increase Risk of Opioid Dependence (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- A combination of four factors appears to significantly increase the risk of opioid dependence among patients taking prescription painkillers, researchers have found.

Low IgG Poses Infection Risk With Rituximab (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Certain subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly those who have low levels of IgG, are at risk for severe infections when treated with rituximab, French investigators found.

ESC: Stockholm Take Home Message -- Watch the 'Not' Warfarins

STOCKHOLM (MedPage Today) -- An investigational antiplatelet -- ticagrelor (Brilinta) -- emerged as a big winner from the five-day long European Society of Cardiology congress, but the buzz here focused instead on a trio of investigational oral anticoagulants -- dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban.

Admitting Clinical Errors Not Always Best Policy

(MedPage Today) -- Wide-scale disclosure of clinical errors seems intuitively to be the ethical choice for hospitals and physicians, but researchers from the University of Washington suggest that disclosure should be decided on a case-by-case basis rather than a one-size-fits-all solution

PTSD May Be Risk Factor for Dementia (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Older veterans with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk for developing dementia, even if they had not been wounded in battle, researchers found.

WHO Swine Flu

Influenza - update 115

Worldwide, H1N1 2009 virus transmission remains most intense in parts of India and in parts of the temperate southern hemisphere, particularly New Zealand and more recently in Australia.

Influenza - update 114

The situation in New Zealand and India remains largely unchanged since the last update. Influenza H1N1 (2009) virus transmission remains locally intense in parts of India and New Zealand.

Influenza - update 113

Influenza H1N1 (2009) virus transmission remains locally intense in parts of India and New Zealand.

Director-General statement following the ninth meeting of the Emergency Committee

The Emergency Committee held its ninth meeting by teleconference on 10 August 2010.

WHO recommendations for the post-pandemic period

The world is now in the post-pandemic period. Based on knowledge about past pandemics, the H1N1 (2009) virus is expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal virus for some years to come. While the level of concern is now greatly diminished, vigilance on the part of national health authorities remains important. Such vigilance is especially critical in the immediate post-pandemic period, when the behaviour of the H1N1 (2009) virus as a seasonal virus cannot be reliably predicted.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 112

As of 1 August 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18449 deaths.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 111

As of 25 July 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18398 deaths.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 110

As of 18 July 2010, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18366 deaths.

Monitoring patterns and levels of worldwide activity

As part of regular monitoring of H1N1 pandemic influenza, the WHO is in close dialogue with public health experts in countries worldwide, specifically to determine whether H1N1 activity has returned to levels and patterns normally seen for seasonal flu.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 109

As of 12 July, worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 18337deaths.

Opening Hours

Appointments

Doctors Working Patterns

Nurses/HCA Working Patterns

The Practice is open between the following times:

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
Saturday	closed

appointments 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 two evening surgeries for pre-booked GP appointments. These are:

Monday (6.30pm to 9.15pm)
Wednesday (6.30pm to 9.00pm)

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.

Walnut Tree Health Centre will be closed on the following afternoons for Protected Time. This is a Government Initiative and is time set aside for staff training:

Dates for 2010

Tuesday 26 January
Wednesday 24 February
Thursday 18 March
Tuesday 27 April
Wednesday 26 May
Thursday 24 June
Tuesday 20 July
Wednesday 22 September
Opening times will be : 8am - 12noon and re-open at 5pm

Should you need to see a GP urgently during the time we are closed, you should ring MK Urgent Care Services on 01908 201022. For medical advice you should ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647

To make an appointment, telephone our reception staff 8am to 6.30pm, Monday-Friday.

Advanced Booking:

Appointments can be booked up to 4 weeks in advance with a doctor of your choice. These appointments are normally for 10 minutes. However, should you need to discuss several matters or need extra time, please advise the receptionist who will be able to book an extended appointment. Please note that if you are more than 10 minutes late for any appointment it is unlikely you will be seen.

Appointments available the same day:

Each doctor has a limited number of appointments that are available for their patients on request the same day. These appointments are very popular and you are advised to ring early to avoid disappointment.

Click here to book/cancel your appointment online

Urgent Appointments:

Urgent appointments are 5 minutes in duration. We set aside time each day to accommodate these appointments. You will be offered the next available appointment which may not necessarily be with the doctor of your choice.

If the demand for urgent medical attention is exceptionally high you may have to wait to be seen. If you accept one of these appointments then please present the urgent matter only. Other patients may be waiting with significant medical problems.

The doctors currently work on the following days:

Dr Ann Howard Tuesday morning/afternoon

Wednesday morning

Thursday morning/afternoon

Dr Dee Morrison Monday morning/afternoon

Thursday morning/afternoon

Alternate Friday morning/afternoon

Dr Keith Thomas Monday morning/afternoon

Tuesday morning/afternoon

Wednesday morning/afternoon

Thursday morning

Alternate Friday morning/afternoon

Dr Sue Baxter Tuesday morning/afternoon

Thursday morning/afternoon

Dr Cathy Bruce Monday morning/afternoon

Tuesday morning/afternoon

Friday morning/afternoon

Dr Khatereh Emambakhsh Monday morning/afternoon

Wednesday morning/afternoon

Friday morning/afternoon

Dr Vannan Canthaboo Monday morning/afternoon

Wednesday morning/afternoon

Friday morning/afternoon

Dr Andrew Nnadi Monday evening

Wednesday evening

The Nurses currently work the following days:

Sister Karen Freeman Monday morning/afternoon

Tuesday morning/afternoon

Wednesday morning/afternoon

Sister Belen Plaza Tuesday morning/afternoon

Wednesday morning/afternoon

Thursday morning /afternoon

Friday morning/afternoon

Sister Maria Snee Thursday morning

Friday morning

Kim Chapman Monday morning/afternoon

Tuesday morning

Wednsday morning/afternoon

Thursday afternoon

Friday morning

Lynn Malins Monday morning

Tuesday morning

Thursday morning

Friday morning

Practice Information

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