History of the Practice
Meadowfields started back in 1998, following a successful proposal by Catherine Baraniak to open a new kind of practice that was nurse led. It was given the go ahead as a 3 year project that would need to prove both its efficiency in meeting the health needs of the patients and also being financially viable.
The search for suitable affordable premises had many false starts, but eventually the Derby City Council allowed the erection of a portacabin on the grounds of Chellaston Park, and the work began. Much had been done behind the scenes of course – the team at that time was Catherine Baraniak, Pat Hassall, Dr. Joe Zammit and Pippa Evans. Planning, negotiating with service providers, advertising and employment of staff had all been happening for several months when the weekend before the opening, the new 7 strong team Catherine, Caroline, Joe, Pat, Pippa, Janet, and Julie gathered at the portacabin with mops and buckets. Also there to help was Sue Myatt, for many years the Chairperson of our P.P.G, and various relatives and friends who we had managed to rope in. We had no furniture, just the bare essentials – everyone had to raid their homes for spare desks, carpets etc. The Health authority helped out with some much needed equipment like the photocopier, but basically we were to open our doors on 24th August with the bare minimum of equipment and staff. Joe had brought with him about 400 patients from his previous practice, and we were going to offer them the best and friendliest service we possibly could. We were already different in that we were nurse-led, but another thing that made us special was this feeling of being part of a new family, all pulling together to make this new exciting project a success. The traditional ways of working involving dragon receptionists, nurses at the doctor’s beck and call, and the superiority of the G.P were out of the window – we were going to change all this. Our pioneering situation helped this come about – who can have airs and graces when they have mopped the surgery floor!
Patients soon learned of our new ways, and our list grew and grew. We needed shelves building for notes in the records room, rooms began to be shared, new staff was employed. The patient participation group began and supported us with both practical and counselling help.
One highlight was the official opening by Frank Dobson Secretary of Health on 18 December 1998. We all put on our best togs and ordered a buffet. The local dignitaries attended and we were on cloud nine, everyone was congratulating us.
Back to earth, we soon realised that a bigger list and a success story meant that our portacabin or ‘caravan’ as we affectionally knew it, was getting too small for us. We needed an extension. Patients became well used to the sound of hammering and sawing in our practice – as we were continually having to adapt and alter our premises, working practices and staffing to keep up with the rapid growth. Some days even the doctor or nurse would arrive at work to find their consulting room full of workmen!
At the end of the 3 years we were formally audited both in monetary terms and against successful medical practice criteria. The staff were interviewed, patients questioned about satisfaction and issues that they were concerned about and we all held our breath. The result came back – we passed. Meadowfields was officially a success. To celebrate we held a party at the practice, put up bunting and balloons, and went out for a very expensive meal at a posh hotel.
Determined to go on achieving, Pippa entered us for the Investors in People award. More interviews followed, and more searching questions, but we were eventually told that what we knew all along was true – our practice did work well as a team and everyone was invested in. Another plaque for the wall and another excuse for a meal out followed!
Along the way our staff have also had their own great achievements. Pippa was awarded the Manager of the Year award, Catherine got her Masters Degree and the O.B.E, Julie studied for a BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science, Diane has done an NVQ, Pat has studied for the Nurse Prescribing course, Janet became a grandma, etc. etc.
After 5 years and another party, Catherine decided that we could take on more work, and proposed the takeover of the existing Allenton practice when the G.P let it go, so on October 1st 2003, the Upper Moor surgery was born. This is a branch of Meadowfields, working to the same system with the same ideals, but with slight differences to allow for the different needs of the patients registered there. We kept on the existing staff who wanted to stay, and our first joint Christmas outing took up the whole side of a large function room! Sadly, Jean who had been with the existing Allenton practice retired, but we have employed Janice and Carol to fill her place (one person wasn’t enough!) and the branch is doing well.
A big blow to the practice was when the first member of the original ‘family’ decided to leave us. Dr.Joe Zammit felt that it was time to resign. We were all stunned. Joe had been the doctor throughout all our ups and downs and was a major part of the happy atmosphere at the practice. How would we manage without him? The answer is that the same pioneering spirit has carried us through, initially with the help of others such as Dr Freeman and Dr. Barber, the support of the patients and the health authority, we have managed not only to survive but are still expanding. Unfortunately finding a G.P to take Joe’s place did not prove easy, but we were determined to continue to offer the good service that we are known for.
The next major news was after nearly 3 years of waiting and false starts, Meadowfields was getting brick built premises!! Even the patients had tired of asking – “any news on the new building yet?” we had had so many disappointments. Finally the powers that be got their act together and made a start. At the time of typing, we have been in this building for over a year. No more cold and draughty winters in the caravan -although air conditioning should have been on the criteria!
Following the new building came the best news of all – a marvellous new G.P to work full time with us! Dr Francis joined us in January 2006 and we also employed Dr Jaya Palekanda around the same time. So from struggling with locums for a long time we now had a full complement of doctors and everyone has felt the benefit.
Our history has been eventful so far – what will happen next we wonder? One thing is certain - working at Meadowfields is always something new and challenging!
Disclaimer: The Meadowfields Practice accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any information given on this site.