We are proud to have built a highly qualified and diverse clinical team enabling us to provide caring, appropriate and efficient services for all our patients’ needs. We believe not only in giving the highest quality medical care possible but also greatly value continuity of care. In view of this, although you are free to book with any clinician of your choice, we do ask that you try and see the same clinician if possible.

MB, BS, MRCGP, London 1985 

I qualified as a Doctor from UCH in London in 1985. I spent several years enjoying the contrasts between working as a junior hospital doctor and travelling, yacht racing and expeditions before settling down as a GP registrar under the tutelage of Dr Laing. I formally joined the practice as a Partner in 1993 and have enjoyed being part of a vibrant and developing practice ever since. I became a GP Trainer in 2003 and my main interest is in sports medicine. I still remain a keen sailor.

MB, BS, MRCGP, DFFP London 1995

I qualified from Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals and moved to Southampton to undertake my GP training. I spent a year as a GP registrar at the practice in 1998/99 then worked as a locum GP in the area before returning as a partner in 2001.

I am particularly interested in Women’s Health/Family Planning and Palliative Care. I am also involved in the education of Medical Students.

I have a young family and spend my spare time with them developing their keen interest in sailing.

BSc, MBBS, MRCS, MRCGP, London 1999 

I qualified from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in 1999 and initially embarked upon a career in General Surgery. After 5 years I finally realised that I couldn’t talk to my patients whilst they were asleep and went down the path of General Practice! I have been working at Blackthorn Health Centre since 2006, initially as a trainee. I still maintain an interest in surgery and minor surgery in particular. My other medical interest includes diabetes along with other forms of surgery. I have a family and spend most of my spare time with them. My hobbies include exercise, tennis (badly), football (as a fan of Tottenham Hotspur), cooking, fine food and wine. 

MBBS, B.Sc., MRCS, MRCGP

After graduating from Guy's and St.Thomas' Hospitals in 2003 I worked in both Guildford and Portsmouth as a surgical trainee with a particular interest in orthopaedics. After completing my general practice training I went on to work in Gosport prior to becoming a partner at Blackthorn in 2011. I am excited to be part of such a friendly and dynamic practice and enjoy being part of the local community. I still maintain my interest in surgery however love being a generalist. I enjoy spending time with my family along with travelling, gym activities, running and watching Manchester United win trophies.

Salaried GP  BM, MRCGP

I graduated from Southampton University in 2011. I started my first job in Poole Hospital and after completing two years of my foundation training there, I returned to Southampton for GP training, which I completed at Blackthorn Health Centre.  I am now fully qualified and am very glad to have stayed on part time at Blackthorn.  Outside of work I enjoy travelling and socialising. I have an interest in International Health, having had experience in hospitals in China and Cuba, and working on a large project in the slums of Mumbai, India. I also speak a few languages.

Salaried GP   MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFFP London 2003   

Soon after graduating from Imperial College School of Medicine I moved to the south coast where I worked as a junior Dr and completed my GP training in Bournemouth & Poole in 2007. I moved across the border to Hampshire in 2011.

My areas of clinical interest include Family Planning and Womens Health and Diabetes, although it is the variety within General Practice that still engages and challenges me.

Spare time is spent with my young family, walking the dog, exploring the New Forest by bike and sailing.

Salaried GP   BMBS, MRCGP, PGDipED 

I trained to be a doctor at the (then brand new!) Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, graduating in 2007. I worked my first two years in the West Country before moving back to Hampshire to be nearer to family and to take up a GP training post.

Since then I have worked as an Education Fellow for the Wessex Deanery, a Programme Director for GP training in Southampton, a GP Partner and also a GP trainer. I work with medical students and do ad-hoc work with the deanery and Royal College of GPs. I joined Blackthorn recently due to the lovely team and the exciting training opportunities the surgery offers to juniors. I also have a small side interest in design and 3D printing - very different to medicine I know!

Outside of work, I enjoy getting out on the water on my little RIB, travelling and camping in my campervan and trying my hand at DIY around the house. I occasionally play (and lose) at squash and like running having completed the ABP 10k and Great South Run recently.

The nursing team aims to provide a high standard of holistic nursing care as part of a multidisciplinary team to all members of the community we serve. The nursing team will do this using evidence based practice and are committed to continuing professional development. The team will approach patients’ needs with respect and dignity in a friendly, compassionate and professional manner and act as the patients advocate.

Our service to patients will aim to offer high quality nursing care with education and support to promote self-care and enable each individual to make informed choices in a safe environment.

Practice Nurse Managers

RGN, (BSc Hons), Dip HE, Diplomas in COPD, Asthma & Diabetes

Infection Control Lead

I trained at Southampton University School of Nursing in 1995 and qualified in 1998 after which I worked in respiratory and general medicine. I then pursued a career as a respiratory research nurse for Southampton University. In 2003 I moved into general practice and specialised in chronic disease management, also extending my role to include insulin management. I took over as Nurse Manager for the Practice in April 2009.

RGN (BSC hons), Diplomas in COPD, Asthma & Diabetes

Infection Control Lead

I worked for 10 years as senior health care assistant at Southampton General Hospital and in 2004 commenced nurse training at Bournemouth University, qualifying in 2007. I worked as staff nurse on an upper GI ward until 2009 and then specialised as a tissue viability sister. In 2011 I moved into general practice and thoroughly enjoy all aspects of this job. I have recently joined Blackthorn Health centre and am job sharing the nurse manager role. Along with chronic disease, wound care, general treatment room work I am able to triage and see many minor illnesses in both adults and children. My hobbies include cooking, live music, dancing and foreign travel

Practice Nurses

RGN

I trained and qualified at Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital in 1987. Since then I have worked on a variety of mainly surgical and some medical wards in hospitals throughout Hampshire Wiltshire and SW London. I joined Blackthorn surgery in 2003 as a member of the Practice Nursing Team. I have special interests in women’s health and family planning. Since further training I am able to insert and remove contraceptive implants and offer a full range of contraceptive & sexual health advice. I am also the main facilitator for baby, child and teenage immunisations.

Healthcare assistants support practice nurses with their daily work and carry out tasks such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), blood pressure measurement and new patient checks. They may act as a chaperone when a patient or doctor requests one.      

NVQ 3

I joined the practice in 1997 as a Health Care Assistant. I undertake a variety of duties including phlebotomy, assisting with minor operations, new patient checks, ECGs and giving smoking cessation advice. I thoroughly enjoy the variety of work and patient contact. My hobbies include DIY, gardening, swimming and keep fit.              

NVQ 3

I joined the practice in 2004 as a phlebotomist and have recently gained an NVQ 3 in Health Care. I now undertake a variety of duties as well as my original phlebotomy including new patient checks, spirometry and assisting in minor operations.              

Practice Manager

Deputy Practice Manager

Finance Manager

Secretary & PA to GPs

Medicines Management Pharmacy Technician

NVQ Level 3 in Pharmacy Services and Foundation Degree in Medicines Management

Sarah liaises with GPs and the wider healthcare team and is able to identify those patients most vulnerable to adverse events associated with their medication regimes and make appropriate interventions.

If you need some help with organising your medicines or just need some advice about your medicines please call Sarah on the surgery telephone number. Her working days are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday morning, Thursdays and Fridays. Sarah is also able to make home visits for housebound patients.

The Management Team work closely together and pride themselves in driving the practice forward. The team meet regularly as communication is a vital part of the running of the Health Centre.

This makes us a high achieving practice with both our Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets and preventative medicine enabling our patients to have the highest quality of care.

We are constantly developing new services in the Practice in order to enhance the care we are able to give and for this to be delivered close to our patients

Our dedicated team of administration staff carry out a variety of duties behind the scenes to ensure the general smooth running of the practice.

Office Manager

I joined the surgery in September 2008 as a Receptionist/Administrator. I became Deputy Office Manager in February 2012 and Office Manager on the 14th July 2014. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family especially long walks with our West Highland Terrier.

Deputy Office Manager

I joined the surgery in March 2011 as a Medical Receptionist. I became Deputy Office Manager in July 2014, working alongside Sam. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family especially watching my 3 boys playing football.

Under the supervision of our Office Manager, Samantha Cant, the Blackthorn Reception Team work very hard to ensure that the objectives of all Practice policies and procedures are adhered to. We believe that patient satisfaction starts with first point of contact and strive to offer a high standard of service to all.

Although this is not the full list, here are some of the duties our reception staff perform:

• Take all incoming phone calls


• Book appointments and telephone consultations


• Deal with results enquiries and give normal test results to patients


• New Patient Registrations


• Filing and retrieving paper notes


• Make emergency calls for ambulance


• Deal with repeat prescription requests


• Action queries & requests from website


• Deal with queries from pharmacies


• Patient change of address


• Liaise with nursing homes for care and monitoring of patients

Please Remember

As our nursing team offer a variety of services you may be asked by the receptionist the nature of your appointment. This is to help us ensure that you see the appropriate nurse.

Administration Team

Our dedicated team of administration staff carry out a variety of duties behind the scenes to ensure the general smooth running of the practice.

Although this list is not exhaustive, the duties include:

• Registration of new patients


• Deduction of patients moving elsewhere


• Scanning hospital and clinic letters into the patients records and coding appropriately


• Daily downloading of test results received and forwarding to GP for appropriate action


• Sorting incoming post and responding to requests from the PCT, Solicitors, Insurance Companies etc.


• Monitoring of patients who need regular blood tests


• Clinical reminders for chronic diseases


• Summarising notes from paper records onto computer for new and old patients alike to ensure all relevant information is recorded for each patient


• Medical stationery ordering ie prescriptions, sick notes, exemption forms


• Administering patient call up for innoculations


• Support for medical team on flu clinics

The Health Visiting team is a skill mix of Health Visitors, Community Staff Nurse and Community Nursery nurse and a healthcare support worker. We deliver our service through the Healthy Child Programme in partnership with parents, carers and families. Our aim is to help children under 5 avoid illness and stay healthy.

Health Visitors are registered nurses with specialist qualifications in child and family health and wellbeing.

A Community Staff Nurse is a registered nurse with additional experience in maternal and child health and development.

A Community Nursery Nurse is qualified in childcare and development with training in prevention of sleep and behaviour problems and promotion of healthy eating.

The health visiting team also works in partnership with the Windmill Children's Centre, Long Lane Bursledon. We work closely with GPs, hospitals, midwives, school nurses, speech and language therapists, Children's Services, pre-schools and schools in promoting health and wellbeing of young children. Contact with the health visitor begins in pregnancy and ends when a child enters primary school.

Contact us:

Southern Parishes Duty Health Visitor Telephone Line - Mon - Fri 9.00 am - 5.00 pm : 023 8047 5177

www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/healthvisiting

School Nurses

The School Nursing Service works in partnership with children, young people and their families to ensure that children's health needs are supported within their school and community.

How can we help?

School Nurses also work closely with Education, Social Care and other health professionals, to help children and young people to remain healthy and to ensure that key areas of a child's development and welfare are met.

School Nurses provide :

• Important health information to children during their transition periods (Reception and year 6/7)
• Immunisations within school as directed by Public Health England
• Safeguarding for Children and Young People
• and now provide a free texting service for 11 - 19 year olds who wish to talk to a school nurse.  The ChatHealth number is : 07507 332160

School Nurse Website can be found at www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/services/childrens-services/school-nursing

The School Nursing Team includes :

1 Clinical Team Leader

2 School Nurses

5 Community Staff Nurses

2 Nursery Nurses

3 School Nurse Assistants

1 School Nurse Administrator

Community Independence Team

The Community Independence Team (CIT) is the new name for Hampshire County Council's Community Innovations Team. CIT is a multi-disciplinary service designed to support older people and those over 55 to maintain independence. There is no charge for this service.

Who can access CIT?

People aged 55 or over, who do not meet Hampshire County Council Adult Services 'eligibility criteria' for access to care services but who are experiencing difficulties maintaining their independence and wellbeing.

How does it work?

For every individual, CIT provides an assessment of their situation and planned support to enable them to maintain independence.

There is no cost for the involvement and time of the Community Independence Team, although individuals may have to meet costs associated with any community resources and services they subsequently decide to access.

CIT teams have a broad knowledge of the local voluntary social care sectors, community groups and primary health services in particular awareness of the needs and issues faced by those over 55 – the teams are committed to enabling people to experience an improved quality of life and well-being.

The Community Independence Team is a preventative service designed to support people's independence and reduce the likelihood of them requiring Adult Services' care management involvement. Through providing trusted support, information and advice, CIT enables people to access community resources and services, build confidence and capacity for independence and maintain wellbeing.

They can be contacted direct on 01590 625112

These are the locality's CIT:

Cathy Dunne - Care Manager (Based at Botley Surgery 01489 790902)