• Dr Smith's retirement
• Patient Matter

Patients Matter

At Swallowfield Medical Practice we are always looking to improve the services we provide to patients and your viewpoints really do matter to us. To gain input as to how we can further develop healthcare and services and to acquire a ‘Patients Eye View’ we have formed a Patient Participation Group.  

The Group consists of a GP, a practice manager and seven volunteer representatives from amongst our patients.  We meet quarterly to discuss a variety of issues regarding Swallowfield Medical Practice and the services provided to its patients.   

If you have a topic that you wish to raise through the PPG please feel free to either  contact any member (see below), write to us care of Swallowfield Medical Practice or email us at ppg.smp@nhs.net.   

We look forward to hearing any ideas and opinions you might have. If you feel you would like to join the group and help improve our medical services then please contact Fran Leafe on 0118 9883134.

Members:        Jane Goold                              Arborfield
                          Michael Pearson                     Beech Hill
                          Sandy Smith   (chair)              Shinfield
                          Yvonne Whiting                        Shinfield
                          Jennifer Thompson Spokes   Shinfield
                          Andrea Madigan                     Spencers Wood
                          David Boddington                   Swallowfield

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Dr Smith’s Retirement 

We are sorry to have to announce that Dr Martin Smith is finally retiring at the end of June after more than 37 years loyal service to the community, the last 16 of which have been as Senior Partner of the Practice. 

The way patient care is organised and delivered is very different from how it was when he first came to Swallowfield:  “Having started working for the NHS in 1970 I have been a part of it for 2/3rds of its existence.  The change has been enormous, largely driven by advances in drugs, surgery and technology.  We can do more for people now, but their expectation often seems insatiable.  It has been a privilege to live my life as part of this local community, working as a GP in Swallowfield.” 

Arrangements are in place to appoint another GP to replace him – we will hopefully be able to give you more information in the next issue of Loddon Reach.  It is anticipated that the majority of Dr Smith’s ‘regulars’ will transfer to the new GP. 

In response to enquiries from a number of patients, we have set up a ‘retirement fund’.  If you wish to contribute, please contact Fran Leafe at the Swallowfield Surgery.  The surgery telephone number is (0118) 988 3134.

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