Polden Medical Practice

Welcome to Polden Medical Practice

The Doctors and Staff at Polden Medical Practice in Edington and Woolavington are proud to offer the highest standard of Patient-Centred Healthcare.

We run many Clinics for the management of Chronic diseases such as Asthma and Diabetes and offer a wide variety of other medical services including Antenatal and Postnatal care, Minor surgery, Childhood Vaccinations. 

Feedback and suggestions are always welcomed by the Practice please call Helen Jackson, Practice Manager to have a confidential discussion about any concerns.

Our Vision: A Modern Country practice demonstrating excellence in Patient Centred Healthcare with a Personal and Caring approach.

Our Mission: To Be A Professional and Effective Team Supporting Each Other to put Patients at the Heart of All We Do.

Stop Press

Flu Season Is Here!

Don't underestimate the risks of flu and support your practice by getting the flu vaccination with us.  Clinics are now available for booking. Please ring and book your appointment!

The department of Health recommends a vaccination if you are in any of the following groups:

65 years or Over Automatically qualify for a flu vaccination

Under 65s (In one of these At Risk groups)

• If you are pregnant or diabetic or with a BMI >= 40
• If you have a long term condition of the: Lungs e.g. COPD,  Asthma (if on steroid inhalers),
• Long term condition of the Heart, Brain or nervous system, Kidneys, Liver, Immune system, Spleen
• If you are a registered Carer or Work in Health and Social Care setting

Current Flu Clinics ( More to Follow Soon !)

• Wednesday 10th October, 2 pm to 4 pm at Edington (Over 65 patients only)
• Saturday 20th October, 8.45 am to 11.45 am at Woolavington (Under 65 at Risk patients only)
• Wednesday 7th November, 2.15 pm  to 5.15 pm at Edington (Over 65 patients only)
• Monday 12th November, 2 pm to 4.pm at Edington (Over 65 patients only)
• Wednesday 14th November, 9.45 am  to 11.15 am  at Woolavington (Under 65 at Risk patients only)
• Wednesday 14th November, 2.30 pm  to 4.15 pm at Woolavington (Over 65 patients only)
• Friday 16th November, 4 pm to 6 pm at Edington (Under 65 at Risk patients only)
• Saturday 24th November, 8.45 am to 11.45 am at Woolavington (Under 65 at Risk patients only)

Children 2-3 years Intranasal Flu Clinics

• Friday  19 October, 9.00 to 12.30 at Woolavington
• Friday 26 October, 2pm to 6pm at Edington

Medicines for Self-Care

Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group has made certain  medicines of limited clinical value or for minor or self-limiting conditions NON FORMULARY. This means they should no longer be routinely prescribed in Somerset.

As a  practice we have been advised to no longer prescribe certain medicines that can easily be purchased at a Pharmacy or Chemist and  as a practice we have agreed to endorse this approach to prescribing medication.

Why? This decision has been taken because:

• In Somerset we are working to ensure patients feel more empowered and informed to manage their own health.

• All of these products are the same strength that the GP had been prescribing and are readily available along with advice from pharmacies, as well as some shops and supermarkets (which are often open until late)

• Some of them do not actually work very well, e.g. cough syrups

• In Somerset we spent almost £5million last year on these medicines. This money could be better spent on treating more serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease and mental health

You may seek healthcare advice from your community Pharmacy or practice, which may include a recommendation for you to self-care by purchasing your own medicines:

Please follow the links below to see the full Leaflet and which medicines you will be asked to purchase yourself at a Pharmacy, Chemist or shop

Medicines for Self-Care Leaflet

List of Medicines for Self-Care

Change in Opening Hours

From 1st February 2018, our Saturday opening hours changed and we moved all our Saturday clinics and dispensary collections to Woolavington.

We would like to assure you all that there are no plans to close Edington Surgery completely, now or in the future. All our usual Monday to Friday clinics and our daily operations are running as usual.

The main reason for making this decision was the introduction of the Improved Access to Primary Care appointments which started earlier this year, where we now provide appointments for the extended Bridgwater area on a Saturday morning.

There are notices in each branch on all our Edington medication collections, to advise our patients of the changes. If you usually collect your medication at Edington on a Saturday, please discuss this with one of our dispensary team.

Pharmacy Application Latest

Please click on this link to see the practice information leaflet

Pharmacy Application Latest

Prescription Line

For your information

The prescription line for ordering Medication opens between 10am and 1pm Monday until Friday.

Telephone Menu System

In December we  implemented a new telephone menu system and you have  five options to choose from, which will allow your calls to be diverted through to the appropriate member of our team. The telephone number is still 01278 722077

The options now available are as follows:

• Press 1 -  to book or cancel an appointment

• Press 2  - for our repeat prescription line.  This line is open (every day except weekends) between the hours of 10am to 1pm. Please Note: online ordering for repeat medication is available via your  'EMIS Patient Access Online' account.  If you don't have an account please contact the Practice reception to request one.

• Press 3 -  for test results and sick notes.  Please note this service is available between the hours of 2pm and 5pm

• Press 4 - for referrals and hospital appointments. Please note this service is available between the hours of 10am and 3pm

• Press 5 - or hold for all other enquiries

Next Scheduled Closures - 2018 (closures apply to both Surgeries):

• Wednesday 17th October
• Thursday 15th November
• Tuesday 11th December

The Practice will be closed between  2pm to 5pm on the above dates.

For information on all upcoming closures please Click Here.

General News

Our news stories include:

• Liquid Nitrogen Service
• Named Accountable GP
• Meningitis Vaccination
• Would you like to be part of our Virtual Patient Participation Group?
  Read more...

Other Useful Information

• Prescription Ordering Advice

• Appointment Booking Guidelines