The Doctors

Dr Michael Redmond joined the practice in 1996. His interests include Minor Surgery and Maternity Care. He also has an interest in Diabetes and Psychiatry and holds the Diploma in the Management of Patients with Diabetes.

Dr Simon Baird joined the practice from Antrim Area Hospital where he completed an MD in Cardiology and continues to be actively involved in this area of expertise. He is a member of the Royal College of Practitioners, has a BSc in Genetics and holds Diplomas of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Faculty of Family Planning. His specialist interests include Cardiology, Acupuncture and Acute Medicine.

Dr Laura Bunting joined the practice in July 2001. Dr Laura holds Diplomas in Child Health, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Family Planning. Her special interests include Family Planning and Paediatrics. She is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Dr Jan Ferguson joined the practice in October 2003. She holds Diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Practical Dermatology and is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Her special interest is in Dermatology, and she holds a Diploma in Family Planning.

The partnership is contracted to the Health And Social Care Board as a General Non-limited Partnership. They can be contacted by telephoning the Integrated Care Directorate on 028 2531 1034 or writing to them at: 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1QB.

Interpreting Service

Non-English-Speaking Patients

Patients who do not have English as their first language can avail of an interpreting service ('The Big Word') provided through the Northen Ireland Health and Social Interpreting Scheme. It is very important to discuss this requirement prior to your registration visit.

Doctors

If you need to speak to a doctor during surgery hours, a message will be taken and the doctor will contact you by telephone at a time you will be advised of. Non-urgent telephone calls will not be taken in the afternoon.
Please telephone in the morning before 11.00am.

Practice Nurses

Mrs Sharon Espie and Mrs Margaret Gage
The practice nurses hold special clinics for patients with Diabetes, Asthma, Coronary Heart Disease, Hypertension and for Smoking Cessation, Cervical Screening, Family Planning, Osteoporosis and Learning Difficulties. In addition to these special clinics, screening is also undertaken for patients who have a family history of any of the above conditions.

The practice nurses also undertake general well person screening at three-yearly intervals for men and women between the ages of 15 and 64 years. Please respond promptly to any letters you receive from us. If you cannot attend your appointment please let us know as another patient can make use of the time available.

Hours of Attendance (by appointment only)

Weekdays (Monday to Thursday, excluding Wednesday afternoon)
IF YOU NEED TO SPEAK TO THE PRACTICE NURSE PLEASE TELEPHONE BETWEEN 12.30 & 1.00PM

Treatment Room Nurses

Mrs Alison Patterson, Mrs Alison Lynn RGN and Mrs Linda Cameron HCA.

The nurses in the treatment rooms undertake first aid, dressings and all child health vaccinations. They also carry out a wide range of tests and treatments as requested in advance by the doctors to meet the needs of our patients and to ensure their continuing good health. The health care assistant undertakes routine blood tests for a number of different conditions these include the management of patients on Warfarin, patients attending for Smoking Cessation, Weight Management and simple dressings. Please ensure you respond to letters you may receive to attend her clinics.

Administration Staff

Mrs Peggy Butler Dip PM AMSPAR IHM, Practice Manager

Miss Francine Magill, Office / Administrator Supervisor

Mrs Alison Robinson, Clerical Officer / Receptionist

Mrs Catherine Linton, Clerical Officer / IT and Audit Co-ordinator

Mrs Donna Sloan, Clerical Officer / Receptionist

Ms Melaine Hoey, Clerical Officer / Receptionist

Miss Corrine Robb, Clerical Officer / Receptionist

Miss Naomi McClintock, Clerical Officer / Receptionist

Mrs Janine Mairs, Clerical Officer / Receptionist

Mrs Peggy Butler holds the AMSPAR (Association of Managers in General Practice) Diploma in Practice Management and she is also a member of the Institute of Healthcare Management.

Community Health Team

These are employees of the Health & Social Care Board who are attached to the practice and are a dedicated team of community health professionals who visit and provide skilled care for housebound patients in their own homes.
Telephone 0845 600 3111.

The health visitors routinely visit mothers and babies from 11 days until school age. They advise on feeding, immunisation and developmental progress. They can be contacted by telephone: 028 2586 3077 or 028 2531 3155.

The midwife is in attendance at the antenatal clinic each Tuesday at 2.00pm - by appointment only.

The dietitian attends on a Tuesday morning. Appointments are by referral from the practice nurses or the GP.