We are a rural dispensing practice, situated in the Lake District National Park. The practice is situated in purpose built premises in the centre of the village of Caldbeck, on the edge of the Northern fells. The surgery is fourteen miles from Carlisle, and the practice area has 4,800 patients spread over approximately 700 sq. miles.
We have 4 permanent GP partners, (2 full time and 2 3/4 time), 3 practice nurses and a healthcare assistant. The practice is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to teamwork and high quality patient care.
We are under the umbrella of the Cumbria PCT. Out of hours care is covered by the Cuedoc service. We are proud to be a training practice, working with the East Cumbria Vocational Training Scheme.
Our practice nurses are skilled in delivering acute as well chronic disease care. This includes giving immunizations, removing stitches, giving injections, treating minor injuries and other general health matters. We also have nurse leads in diabetes, asthma, cardiac care, well women clinics, travel health and chronic airways disease. In addition we have a nurse lead well women clinic, anticoagulation monitoring service and weight clinic.
Our practice also offers a Benefits Assistance Service, and a special service to all housebound patients, involving a yearly overview and needs assessment undertaken by one of our practice nurses.
Our attached staff include district nurses, a midwife, health visitor, smoking cessation counsellor and a psychologist who works closely with the practice.
We also participate in the local BASICS immediate care scheme for which we attend most emergencies and road traffic accidents in the area.
The practice has close alliance with the Northern Fells Group and we have a Caldbeck Surgery Charitable Fund of which donations from patients or their families, are used to provide services to patients in special need.
We have been noted as leaders in patient involvement with our Caldbeck VOICE group, which is a patient involvement focus project. We have an excellent in house educational program with a commitment to providing training and appraisal to all practice staff.
In 1998 we were awarded Kings Fund Organisational Award for achievement of high standards in primary care. We also participate in national collaborative projects.