The Health Centre

THE DOCTORS

Dr Donal O'Shaughnessy (male)
Year of Qualification - 1978
Medical School - University College Galway
Qualifications - MB BCh BAO MICGP FPC
Member Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine
Full-time

Dr John Shannon (male)
Year of Qualification - 1987
Medical School - Queens University Belfast
Qualifications - MB BCh BAO DMH
Full-time

Dr Elizabeth Shannon (female)
Year of Qualification - 1984
Medical School - Queens University Belfast
Qualifications - MB BCh DRCOG DCH MRCGP
Part-time

Dr Brian McCann (male)
Year of Qualification - 1980
Medical School - Queens University Belfast
Qualifications - MB BCh DRCOG MRCGP
Full-time

Locum GP's

Part-Time

HEALTH CENTRE STAFF

Practice Manager

Annie O’Hare is the Practice Manager and is responsible for the administration of the practice. She is assisted in this role by Beatrice Davidson, the Senior Receptionist.

Reception Staff

Anna Hamilton, Margaret Magill, Ruth Bingham, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Ciara Matthews, Julie Andrews, Laura Cousins and Alex Simpson are the reception staff. They work at the reception desks and answer the telephones to assist you in making appointments, obtaining repeat prescriptions, answering questions and offering assistance at all times.

Domestic Staff

Betty McDowell is responsible for the hygiene and cleanliness of the premises.

Practice Nurses

Mrs Barbara Knapton BSc (Hons), RGN, Mrs Helen Burns BSc (Hons), RGN and Mrs Susan Ervine RGN are our Practice Nurses. They are specially trained to provide support to patients in the following areas:

Patients are seen by appointment.
When a patient phones to speak to the Practice Nurse these calls are recorded as telephone appointments and the Nurse will return the call.

District Nurses

District nurses work as part of the primary health care team attached to GP practices. They offer a home visiting service to clients and families who, due to illness or disability require nursing intervention, support and advice in their own homes.

Treatment Room Nurses

The treatment room nurses work as part of the district nursing team.

They are available from 9.15am-12.15pm and 2.15-4.30pm.

Their numerous tasks include:

• Investigations
  
• Wound care
  
• Health promotion and advice
  
• Ear syringing
  
• Prophylactic treatments as prescribed by GP

They also assist the doctors in minor surgery and are available to offer professional advice.

Health Visitors

Mrs S Russell, Ms C Toner and Ms K Clark are the health visitors. They are nurses with special training to give health advice on matters relating to family and child health. They perform necessary and routine assessments on babies and young children, visit the elderly and provide lifestyle advice.

Midwives

The midwives will share all aspects of your care during pregnancy with the doctor. They also arrange parentcraft classes and, following the baby's delivery, will visit you at home for the first 10 days or longer if required.

CPNs

The community psychiatric nurses provide psychiatric care and assist and advise patients with mental health problems.

Physiotherapist

Miss Ann Spencer is a state registered Physiotherapist who specialises in treating musculo-skeletal conditions. Physiotherapy clinics are held in the Health Centre by Ann or her colleagues. There is also a community service available. To access the physiotherapy service you will require a referral from your general practitioner.

Podiatry (Chiropody)

Miss Eilish McQuade is a State Registered Podiatrist. She is available by appointment on Monday and Wednesday. To access the podiatry services you will require a referral from your general practitioner.

Social Services

Mrs Liz Armstrong is the social services liaison person for the practice and is available on Tuesday afternoon from 1.30 - 4.00pm in the health centre and at other times at Ivybrook House Social Services, Newry - telephone (028) 3026 6026.

Support Services Co-ordinators (Newry And Mourne Trust)

Elaine Fitzpatrick and Mary Polland are the Support Services Co-ordinators. They provide administrative support to district nursing, podiatry, physiotherapy, health visiting, social services and community psychiatric nurses. Elaine is available Monday to Friday 9.00am-1.00pm. Mary is available 2.00 to 5.30pm. They would be happy to answer any queries relating to the above services.