The practice was originally formed about 150 years ago by Dr Thomas Benson in Stanley, Co Durham. A few years after he arrived a great many pits opened in the area and he became the colliery doctor. During the war, and in the years up to the start of the National Health Service in 1948, three further practitioners joined the practice. At this time the surgeries were mostly in the partners houses.
Today the partners are Dr Gayle Thorpe, Dr Claire Hamilton, and Dr Rob Cowley. Joining them are Dr P Barker, Dr D Elkhatib, Dr T Butler, Dr D Tan, Dr S Meikle and Dr S Abbott as Salaried GPs.
The practice operates from purpose built premises which have recently been substantially extended. We have also refurbished our waiting areas, including installing an automated check in screen, and a screen for health promotion.
The practice has a strong clinical and administrative team. We have two nurse practitioners and a generalist practitioner working alongside the doctors dealing with day to day acute problems and visits. We have two specialist practitioners and a team of four practice nurses who maintain the majority of the preventative work throughout the practice, and operate protocol based chronic disease management, including Asthma, Ischaemic Heart Disease, COPD and Diabetes. We also employ two health care assistants, involved in taking blood, measuring blood pressures and other checks.
GPs include joint injections, minor surgery, coil fittings, acupuncture, skin lesion clinic and poorly children clinic.
The usual community nursing and health visitor support is also available, as well as practice based counselling and locally based physiotherapy.
Tanfield View Medical Group is a well established, busy urban/rural practice with a well organised, supportive and friendly environment.
The practice works in contract with North Durham CCG:
NHS North Durham CCG
Rivergreen Centre
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TS
01916053248
www.northdurhamccg.nhs.uk