SUNNISIDE SURGERY
7-8 Dewhurst Terrace 
Sunniside 
Newcastle upon Tyne 
NE16 5LP  
Telephone: 0191 4883200 
We wish to extend a warm welcome to all patients.
We hope this information booklet will be helpful to patients to make the most of the services we can offer.

Patient Registration 
To register with the practice, each patient will need to complete a general medical service form available from the practice website or to collect from reception. 
Please note we only register patients that live within our boundary area and for this purpose the following documents are required when registering at the surgery.
Birth certificate 
Marriage certificate 
NHS Medical Card 
Valid UK driving license. 
Valid passport 
Utility Bill-Electric, Gas, Council Tax, Telephone 
Local authority rent card/housing association card. 
Bank or building society card or statement. 

New patients must attend a new patient health check with one of the practice nurses after their request to register with the practice. This health check usually takes approximately 20 minutes. 
Surgery hours 
The surgery is open:
Monday 	
7.30-18.30	

Tuesday 	
7.30-18.30	

Wednesday 	
7.30-18.30	

Thursday 	
7.30-18.30	

Friday 	
7.30-18.30	

Saturday	
CLOSED	

Sunday 	
CLOSED 	

Extended hours  
Early mornings from 07:30 am five days a week Please ask reception staff for information. 

Partners 
-	Dr Kathleen Mather MB, BS, BMedSci, DRCOG, DFFP, MRCGP Revalidated 2019 
-	Dr Lindsay Marshall MRCGP - CCT, DRCOG, MBCHB Revalidated 2023

Salaried GP’s
-	Dr Elizabeth Lewis-Barned MBBS (2008 Newcastle) MRCGP, DRCOG 
Revalidated 2021
-	Dr Clare Patel MBChB (2004 Sheffield), MRCGP, DFSRH 
Revalidated 2022

Practice Members
Cath Fairley	Practice Nurse 	
Beth Mercer	Practice Nurse 	
Heather Bloxam and Sarah Rutter
	Healthcare Assistant/ GPA Assistant	
Helen McIntyre	Practice Manager	
Lucy Flowers 	Assistant Manager	
Joy Lenny      	Head Receptionist/ Secretary 	
Amanda Small 	Receptionist/Administration	
Dawn Lewis	Receptionist/Administration	
Demi Povey	Receptionist/Administration	
Yvonne Wakefield	Receptionist/Administration	
Rachael Spragg	Receptionist/Administration	

Practice Nurse 
The practice offers a full range of nursing services. 
Monday 	7.30-17.30	
Tuesday 	7.30-18.00	
Wednesday 	7.30- 17.00	
Thursday 	7.30-17.30	
Friday 	7.30- 17.00	
Saturday	CLOSED	
Sunday 	CLOSED 	

Clinics 
Baby vaccination clinic 1.30pm-2.30pm booked appointments only. 
Post-natal check 1.30pm-2.30pm booked appointments only. 
Thursday  
Midwife 1.00pm-4.00pm booked appointments only 

Making an appointment 
We can usually offer routine appointments within 1 week. If you feel your problem is urgent and you need to be seen on the same day, please stress this to the receptionist who will try to make an appointment if suitable or signpost to a suitable service.

If possible, you will be offered an appointment with the doctor of your choice. However, if that doctor is not available, then it may be necessary to see another GP. You can also book your appointment online or use the e-Consult service Please ask a member of the administration team for further details.
Attending appointments  
We appreciate that situations can arise which mean that you are unable to attend your appointment, if you are unable to attend, please contact the surgery as soon as possible and we can then give the appointment to someone else. The practice will also ask that you reschedule an appointment if more than fifteen minutes late for arrival.

Wasted appointments result in wasted doctor/nurses time as well as other patients being unable to see the doctor/nurse on the day they would like. The surgery will not allow patients with a high DNA level to stay on our panel. After three non-attendance appointments (within a six-month period) patients will receive a warning in a letter and then remove them from the panel. 
Threatening behaviour 
The surgery operates a zero-tolerance policy, towards any patient who is threatening or being abusive to our staff and doctors, will be removed from our patient list. 
Visits  
If you feel you are too ill to get to the surgery and need to see the doctor, please telephone the surgery before 11.00am if possible. Usually, Visits usually take place during the early afternoon. If you feel your condition requires urgent attention, then please tell the receptionist. 
Repeat Prescriptions 
Prescription requests can be made between 2pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday. 
If you request a repeat prescription for long term medication, then please allow 48 hours for your request to be processed. We encourage patients to request medication via the NHS APP rather than ringing the surgery, if this is the only method for you to use then Prescription requests can be taken over the phone between 2pm and 6pm, when the reception staff are less busy. There is also a repeat prescription box at reception to request or through your chosen pharmacy.   

Medication reviews 
The practice takes patient safety very seriously and patients taking repeat medications will be invited for medication reviews from time to time. Reminders for these will be included in your prescription and we would ask patients to make every effort to attend these reviews. You may need blood tests or blood pressure measurements which can be done by the nurse.  

Test Results 
Test results can be given between 2pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday, results that have been achieved by the GP are also visible on your NHS APP if you have this facility.
 
If you have had any tests conducted at the surgery, please call after 2pm for the results 48 hours after the sample was sent off. We will only contact you if there is an abnormal result. It is your responsibility to get the results. 
 
If you are unwell and the surgery is closed 
Telephone the surgery. A recorded message will give you another number to telephone. Your details will be taken by an operator who will pass them to a doctor who will then contact you. After discussion with the doctor, you may be offered advice, asked to attend a special Centre, or offered a visit. 
 
Students  
Our practice is training and therefore this involves regularly having students. Because of this, patients with specific conditions may be contacted to come to surgery to help in the training of these students. However, patients are under no obligation to attend and can decline to do so at any time. 
 
Other services 
BABY CLINIC
DIABETIC CLINIC
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
IN-HOUSE PHARMACY
LARC /SEXUAL HEALTH
MINOR SURGERY
SMOKING CESSATION
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSILLING 
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING LINK WORKS
COMPLEX NURSING TEAM

Patient Forum 
Our practice has a Patient Forum which meets quarterly at the surgery. 
The forum helps the practice understand the views of patients on health-related issues and encourages patient involvement within the practice. 
Any patient wishing to join the forum can contact Lucy Flowers Assistant Manager for further information.
 
Carers
Are you a carer?  Do you care for family members, relatives or friends?  If this is the case, could you please let a member of staff know and these details can be added to your records. Should you be a young career, please ask at reception what help there is available for you. 
 
Premises  
The practice also has suitable access into the surgery for disabled patients with a permanent ramp at the rear. 
 
Useful Numbers 
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 	 	 	 	 	0191 4820000 
RVI and Freeman 	 	 	 	 	 	0191 2336161 
Bensham Hospital 	 	 	 	 	 	0191 4820000  
NHS Emergency 	 	 	 	 	 	111 
 
Walk in Centres 
Walk in centers are available for patients at the following locations: 
Shibdon Road 
Blaydon on Tyne 
Gateshead 
NE21 5NW 
Tel: 2834600 
Opening hours are 8am till 8pm seven days a week (Please note this service may not be fully operational due to Covid 19 restrictions we advise you check before travel) 
 
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 
Sherriff Hill 
Gateshead  
NE9 6SX 
Tel: 4820000 
Opening hours are 7am till 10pm, seven days a week. 
 
The centers run a no appointment necessary system for any patient and provide treatment for minor illnesses and injuries which include: 
Coughs and cold and flu-like symptoms  
Stomach upsets 
Minor eye conditions and infections 
Bites and Stings 
Minor skin infections and rashes 
Cuts and bruises 
Minor burns and scalds 
Ear and throat infections 
Strains and sprains 
Emergency contraception  
 
Sunniside Surgery is part of a PCN group called Gateshead Inner West below are the four surgeries that we work together with 
 
Whickham Health Centre 
Chainbridge Medical 
Glenpark & Teams Medical Centre

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 
From 25/5/18 there will be a new data protection law in place.  
 
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area. It also addresses the export of personal data outside the EU and EEA. The GDPR aims primarily to give control to citizens and residents over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU. Please ask at reception for further information. 
 
Complaints  
 
They should be addressed via email to nencicb-ng.a85617@nhs.net or in writing and be addressed for the Practice Manager Helen McIntyre, they should include as much detail as possible. We shall acknowledge your complaint within three working days and aim to investigate your complaint within ten days of the date raised with the surgery. 
 
Alternatively, if you feel you are not satisfied with the above, you can contact: 
 
PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) 
Dunston Hill Hospital 
Gateshead 
Tyne and Wear 
NE11 9QT 
Website http://www.qegateshead.nhs.uk 
Email: pals@ghnt.nhs.uk 

Or 
 
To our local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) 
www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Clinical-Commissioning-Group-/LocationSearch/1 
 
Or  
 
Contact the commissioner of that service-either NHS England# https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/