BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURES

Monday 18th March 2024, Monday 1st April and Tuesday 2nd April 2024

during this time if you have a medical emergency please contact the

Out of Hours Service 02838 399201

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"ORCHARD FAMILY PRACTICE IS A PAPER LIGHT PRACTICE"

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THE PRACTICE IS OPERATING A FULL TRIAGE SYSTEM

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PLEASE CONTACT THE PRACTICE BY TELEPHONE ONLY

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• To help reduce the potential spread of infection, we are advising all patients to phone before coming to the surgery.
• When you ring us, our staff will ask you some questions to determine your condition. Some of these questions may include if you have a temperature or a cough. These questions help us to determine the best action to take but also helps protect our staff and other vulnerable patients.
• If appropriate, you may receive a call back from a GP or be given other relevant advice.
• If you need a repeat prescription, please request this on our Repeat Prescription line. You should not arrive at reception desk to order your prescription, we have removed the post box.
• If you have an appointment, please ring from the car park and inform staff that you have arrived. We will let you know when it is safe to enter the building.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO USE THE SANITISING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. 

IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS SUGGESTIVE OF COVID, PLEASE WEAR A FACE COVERING IF YOU ARE ASKED TO COME TO THE PRACTICE.

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ACCESSING EMERGENCY CARE

(A&E and Minor Injuries) Patients who are feeling unwell and are considering travelling to Craigavon Area Hospital, Daisy Hill Hospitals' Emergency and South Tyrone Minor Injuries Unit are advised to "Phone First" before they attend.

0300 123 3 111

You can use the Interpreter Now App: https://interpreternow.co.uk/hscni or "Phone First" text relay number: 18001 0300 123 3 111

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THE NHS ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

The practice operates the NHS Zero Tolerance Policy to safeguard staff and patient welfare. Our Team will always show respect & courtesy when dealing with Patients. In turn, we would require Patients to do the same. No form of racism or aggression whether verbal or physical in nature, towards staff or patients, will be tolerated & will result in the Patient being removed from the surgery list.

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PRACTICE HISTORY

The Orchard Family Practice has its roots in two established Portadown practices.  Dr Paul McConnell was appointed to his practice in 1982, after many years in which patients had seen several changes of doctors following the death of Dr Eamon Fleming in 1957.

Dr James Mathews established his own practice on the Killycomaine Road in Portadown in 1949 and then moved to Portadown Health Centre in 1972 and was joined by his son Dr Colin Mathews in 1985.  In 1988 Dr Paul McConnell and the Mathews Practice merged and welcomed Dr Trish Carson, Dr Colin's wife, to the team.

After 45 year in practice Dr James fully retired in 1994 and then Dr McConnell retired in 2008.  It was at this time that Dr Stephen McCluskey joined the team and became a partner in 2009.  The practice then moved to our new Portadown Health & Care Centre in April 2010.

In March 2012, Dr Carson's invaluable contribution to the practice ended with her sad and untimely death on the 22nd March, at age 56.

Following some time spent as a locum within the practice Dr Claire Williamson joined the team in April 2013 as a partner.

Dr Anna McKeag also joined the team in 2013 as a part-time salaried G.P. and we are very happy to announce that she has since joined the team as a Partner in December 2016

Dr Colin Mathews 31 years of contribution to Primary Care in Portadown ended in July 2016 when he retired from General Practice, both patients and staff attended his farewell event on Saturday 25th June 2016 (Article - Portadown Times). Additional local article of interest Mathews Family GP's

We all wish him the very best of good health and happiness in his retirement. 

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