OTHER INFORMATION

Emergency Surgery

An emergency surgery is held at Brecon every morning between 9.00 and 10.00am. Patients who have a medical need to be seen on that day (ie emergencies) will be seen without an appointment during these times. However, we ask for your assistance during these surgeries as one doctor only is responsible at each emergency surgery and will on average see 40 patients. Please do not attend these surgeries for routine or non-urgent consultations as this delays treatment for urgent problems. Waiting times at these surgeries will depend upon the numbers that attend. An emergency/open access surgery is held at Sennybridge Health Centre every morning in addition to pre-bookable appointments.

Urgent appointments required at other times can be arranged by contacting reception. A consultation time will be arranged with a doctor who is available to see you.

DISPENSING

Our dispensaries in Ty Henry Vaughan Surgery and Sennybridge Health Centre are open during normal surgery hours.

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday	8.30am-12 noon	Sennybridge
	8.45am-5.00pm	Brecon
Monday/Wednesday/Friday	2.00-5.00pm	Sennybridge

Acute prescriptions can normally be dispensed immediately after the surgery consultations. Repeat prescriptions are usually available for collection two working days after placing your order.

MEDICALS

All patients aged 75 years and over are offered an annual medical on request. All other patients may request a routine medical check every three years. The practice also offers private medicals by appointment for employment and insurance purposes.

CAR PARKING

At the main surgery, the patients' car park is situated at the side/rear of the building off Silver Street. This is a small car park and we would ask that cars are not left there other than when attending the surgery. The parking area outside the main entrance is reserved for staff and for disabled let down/pick up only. Please note that the Bridge Street entrance is closed to patients' vehicles. Cars parked at the front of the building overlooking the river obstruct access for doctors. The Bridge Street access is for emergency and the doctors' use only.

At Sennybridge, please park behind the building; there are two reserved disabled car spaces at the front of the building. Please do not obstruct these spaces.

BRECONSHIRE WAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

The community around Brecon for many years has been fortunate to be served by a community hospital that has provided hospital services close to patients’ homes. The hospital in turn has regularly benefited from the appreciation shown by patients and relatives. The “community spirit” that has sustained the hospital is now helping to advance the quality and variety of care provided at Brecon. In recent years the changes in healthcare provision have accelerated the improvements at “our” hospital: the care of the elderly wing, colposcopy unit, new X-ray department, new theatre suite and recovery/day unit and palliative care suite and a minor injuries unit.

The Brecon Medical Group Practice has supported and involved itself in the changes and we are proud of the hospital's reputation. All the practice partners are actively involved in providing patient services at the hospital. Patients are admitted under the care of their general practitioners in the medical, surgical and maternity departments.

The hospital has 45 surgical/medical/rehabilitation beds, six maternity beds and a 10-bed EMI unit available at the hospital under consultant care. Visiting consultants from surrounding district general hospitals regularly attend and provide both outpatient clinics and surgical lists.

When attending Brecon Hospital, patients are advised to park in the visitors' car park whenever possible and not around the hospital entrance as this may obstruct emergency vehicles.

PATIENTS' PARTICIPATION GROUP

The practice has a Patients' Participation Group for which the terms of reference are available at reception. You may leave at reception any written communication for the group which will be forwarded to the Secretary.

ZERO TOLERANCE

We strongly support the NHS policy on zero tolerance. Anyone attending the surgery who abuses the GPs, staff or other patients be it verbally, physically or in any threatening manner whatsoever, will risk removal from the practice list. In extreme cases we may summon the police to remove offenders from the practice premises.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – PUBLICATION SCHEME

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available. This scheme is available from reception.