Medical Centre Closed

Haddenham Medical Centre will be closed on Wednesday afternoon, 17th July, for a Training Half-Day.

For those inclined to suspect this has more to do with the GPs' desire to improve their golfing handicap or to get over to Silverstone for a Track Day with their Porche, the truth is likely to disappoint!

As Dr Howcutt explained to a U3A meeting recently, Training sessions are part of an important process of continuing professional development, enabling staff to remain fully up-to-date in their knowledge and expertise. Some of the activities are dictated by governing authorities, while others are determined by the practice, and may involve visiting speakers or external advisors.

The precise nature of the Training Days will vary, of course, but might include any of the following:

• Basic life support
• Child protection
• Fire safety
• In-house learning on clinical topics
• Discussions and reviews of "near misses" or of complaints and audits
• Central commissioning/PCT meetings

So, next time you are feeling frustrated that a 'Closed for Training' session has made it a little more difficult to get an appointment with your local GP, rest assured that the staff are using the time to enhance their abilities to serve the patient population more effectively.

Future Training Sessions will be as follow:

• Thursday 5th September
• Wednesday 9th October
• Thursday 21st November
• Thursday 5th December
• Wednesday 15th January 2014
• Wednesday 12th February 2014
• Thursday 6th March 2014