Registration
We are delighted to register new patients.
Under the terms of the GMS Contract of 2003, patients now register with practices rather than individual GPs, although we do encourage continuity of care for our patients. Patients can, however, express a preference as to which doctor they wish to see when booking an appointment.
To register at this Practice, please see the staff in our Travel Clinic / Physio Reception who will check your entitlement to receive NHS care at this Practice and ask you for some basic administrative and health details.
The Partners
| Dr Paul Heatley | M | MB BS (Lond 1977) FRCGP DRCOG FPA Cert (GP Trainer) |
| Dr David Kerry | M | BSc MB BS (Lond 1983) DRCOG FPA Cert |
| Dr Victoria Crane | F | BM (Soton 1993) |
| Dr Zunia Hurst | F | MB BS (Lond 1977) FRCGP FPA Cert (GP Trainer) |
| Dr Kathryn McFarlane | F | MB ChB (Sheffield 1987) MRCGP DRCOG DFFP |
| Dr Elisabeth Brazier | F | MB BS (Lond 1990) DCH DRCOG MRCGP DFFP |
| Dr Anthony Hybel | M | MB BS (London 1997) DRCOG DFFP MRCGP |
| Dr Helen Cutler | F | MB BS (Lond 2000) DRCOG MRCGP DFFP |
| Dr Fiona Osuagwu | F | MB BS (Nig 1990) DFFP MRCOG DCH MRCGP |
| Dr Meelan Trivedy | M | MB BS (Lond 2001) BSc (Hons) MRCGP |
| Mrs Sandra Gower | F | Managing Partner CIHM FIHM FRCGP (Hon) |
Associate Doctors
In addition to our partners, we are also pleased to work with a number of associate doctors.
Catchment Area
The normal practice boundary is the eastern part of the Hemel Hempstead area of Dacorum Borough Council.
Surgery Location
Research & Training
We are also a training Practice and participate in the further training of doctors who, already experienced in hospital medicine, wish to make their career in general practice. Additionally, with patient consent, we facilitate the training of medical students, nurses, managers, physicians, assistants, administrative staff and work experience students.
Committed to research and development, our Surgery is a member of the Medical Research Council's General Practice Research Framework. When we take part in a study we may pass anonymised information from your medical records or our practice computer to the researchers co-ordinating the study.
Quality Assurance
The Bennetts End Surgery Team is committed to continuous quality improvement. Since 1991 the practice has undertaken external quality assessment and was one of the nine pilot practices throughout the UK to be selected by the Kings Fund to set up and test standards for primary care. Currently, in addition to conducting an annual, nationally accredited patient questionnaire, we are involved with national quality initiatives of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Institute of Healthcare Management and the Health Quality Service.
Accessibility
For the disabled there is reserved marked parking at the front entrance and easy access to the Surgery facilities. Consulting rooms, treatment rooms, waiting rooms, toilets and the reception area are fully accessible to wheelchair-bound patients. A wheelchair is available by request at reception. Those patients who are elderly or disabled and have transport difficulties should mention this when making appointments. Our reception staff will endeavour to help you make suitable arrangements to attend the surgery.
Would all patients please note that the car park is a public area and when using these facilities you do so at your own risk.
History
Hemel Hempstead is an old town 21 miles north west of London. In the 1950s a New Town was added to the old and November 1951 saw the setting up of the practice by Drs Sheila and John Fletcher at Adeyfield. Soon after, the new neighbourhood was developed on a bare plateau of land and a second surgery was started from two rented rooms in a cottage at Bennetts End in 1953. At this time Dr John Jamieson joined this flourishing practice which was caring for nearly 2000 patients just five years after the start of the NHS. In 1955 a new purpose-build surgery at Bennetts End was rented from the development corporation and improvements were made to the Adeyfield Surgery. The partnership gradually expanded to five doctors at Bennetts End and four at Adeyfield with Drs Drake and Lim joining in 1974.
From the start, the doctors held infant welfare and antenatal clinics in the surgeries. In the 1960s the experienced doctors became GP and medical student trainers and new services for patients, such as family planning clinics, were added. The Practice also established an early interest in research. Whilst today it works in conjunction with the Medical Research Council and the Primary Care Research Network, it was involved in the RCGP Pill Study from as early as 1968!
In 1981 the two practices came together and built one new surgery building at Gatecroft, opening in 1986. The new GP contract and fundholding presented new opportunities during the 1990s for the delivery of health care services. In partnership with many local people, the surgery building was once again extended, this time to provide additional new facilities for in-house physiotherapy, counselling, adolescent health and travel services as well as a refreshment area from which the Friends of Bennetts End Surgery (FOBES) provide a warm welcome. The extended services for patients were opened in 1999 by Sir Donald Irvine, President of the General Medical Council, and Lady Sally Irvine. This development has gained national recognition with an NHS Beacon Award.