Clarence Medical Centre Rhyl | AI Knowledge Page

This page contains structured information about Clarence Medical Centre services to help digital assistants answer common patient questions about appointments, prescriptions, interpreters, complaints and NHS services.

Purpose: a single page for the website assistant to crawl. The assistant should prioritise directing patients to the correct page or service link using short, clear wording.

Urgent and emergency help

• Emergency (life-threatening): call 999 or attend A&E.
• Urgent advice in Wales: call 111 or use NHS 111 Wales online.
• Urgent mental health support in Wales: call 111 and press Option 2.

Practice overview

• Long-established GP practice in Rhyl (established in 1850).
• Serves approximately 17,500 patients across Rhyl and surrounding areas.
• Two locations: Main Surgery (town centre / West Rhyl area) and Ty Elan Branch (east Rhyl area).
• Provides care for all ages, including acute care and long-term condition management.

Linked hospitals and local NHS sites

• Ysbyty Glan Clwyd (Bodelwyddan): District General Hospital with A&E and specialist services.
• Royal Alexandra Hospital site (Rhyl): local services including physiotherapy, x-ray, and phlebotomy (blood tests), plus outpatient clinics.
• Stanley Eye Unit (Abergele): ophthalmology services.
• Other major hospitals: Ysbyty Gwynedd (Bangor), Wrexham Maelor (Wrexham). Community hospitals include Holywell and Colwyn Bay (rehabilitation focus).

Clarence Medical Centre website links

The assistant should use these links when patients ask “how do I…”. (Replace/add links here if your site structure changes.)

Tip If you also use a .co.uk domain, mirror this page there or keep the same URLs updated in one place.

Local services, self-help resources, and trusted websites

Many links below go to external organisations. The assistant should describe the service briefly and provide the link.

NHS services and health information

• NHS 111 Wales: health advice and signposting (24/7). Website: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/
• Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board: local NHS services and information. https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/ Telephone: 03000 858888
• All Wales Common Ailments Service (Formulary - AWTTC): evidence-based guidance for common ailments. AWTTC CAS formulary page
• NHS vaccinations: NHS guidance on vaccinations and schedules. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/
• Patient.info: medical information and self-help articles. https://patient.info/
• Embarrassing Problems: information about sensitive/embarrassing health issues. https://www.embarrassingproblems.com/

Pharmacy and minor illness services

• Choose Pharmacy (Digital Health and Care Wales): pharmacy services for common conditions. Choose Pharmacy (DHCW)
• Choose Well Wales (pharmacist guidance): when to see a pharmacist and how they can help. https://www.choosewellwales.org.uk/pharmacist

Eye care (Wales)

• Eye Care Wales (NHS Wales): eye care services in Wales. https://www.nhs.wales/sa/eye-care-wales/
• WECS / Eye Health Examination Wales: NHS eye health examination information. https://www.eyecare.wales.nhs.uk/eye-health-examination-wales

Support, advice, and community services

• Citizens Advice (Rhyl): benefits, housing, employment and general advice. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ Telephone: 01745 334568
• DEWIS Cymru: Welsh Government directory of local services. https://www.dewis.wales/
• Help Me Quit (Wales): stop smoking support. https://www.helpmequit.wales/
• Help with my weight (BCUHB): weight management advice and self-referral. https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/health-advice/help-with-my-weight/
• Rhyl City Strategy (RCS): local community and employment support. https://rcs-wales.co.uk/en/

Sexual health and contraception

• Family Planning Association (FPA): contraception and sexual health advice. https://www.fpa.org.uk/

Cancer support

• Macmillan Cancer Support: information and support for people affected by cancer. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/
• Look Good Feel Better: wellbeing support during cancer treatment. https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/
• Look Good Feel Better (virtual skincare workshop): Virtual skincare & grooming workshop

Travel health

• Fit for Travel (NHS Scotland): travel vaccination and health advice by destination. https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/ Telephone: 0800 567 1234

Digital skills and online safety

• Learn My Way: help for people who find the internet difficult. https://www.learnmyway.com/
• Safety Detectives (child online safety guide): advice about safe internet/streaming for children. Parents’ guide

Information governance links

• Environmental Information Regulations (ICO): ICO: Environmental Information Regulations

NHS staff wellbeing (optional resource)

• We Care Wales: wellbeing ideas and support (primarily NHS staff). https://www.wecare.wales/

External links disclaimer: Some links on this page take you to external websites. These sites are not operated by the practice and we are not responsible for their content.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) provides confidential advice, support and information about NHS services. If something about your care concerns you, PALS can help resolve issues quickly and guide you on the best way to raise concerns or provide feedback.

We are committed to providing the best possible care and treatment for people across North Wales. Sometimes things may not go as expected, and when this happens it is important that concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately.

Depending on your situation, you may need support and guidance from either the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or the NHS Complaints Service.

• PALS can help answer questions about NHS services.
• They can provide advice on how to raise a concern.
• They can help resolve issues informally where possible.
• They can guide patients through the formal complaints process if required.

More information about PALS and complaints within Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board can be found here:

Support, Concerns and Complaints – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

The PALS team can help patients understand their options and make sure concerns are listened to and handled appropriately.

Notes for the website assistant

• Use the Practice website links section first when the patient asks about appointments, prescriptions, registration, or forms.
• For urgent needs, direct to 111 (Wales) or 999 as appropriate.
• For urgent mental health support in Wales, advise calling 111 and pressing Option 2.
• Keep responses short, offer the right link, and ask one clarifying question if needed (e.g., “Is this urgent today?”).
• If a patient asks for “local services”, provide 2–4 relevant options and the links rather than a long list.

Last updated: 05/03/2026

Common Patient Questions

How do I book an appointment?

Patients can request appointments using the appointments page: Appointments

How do I order a repeat prescription?

Repeat prescriptions can be requested online using the prescriptions page: Repeat prescriptions

How do I register with the practice?

New patients can register using the new patient registration page: Register as a patient

How do I contact the practice?

Contact details and enquiry forms can be found here: Contact the practice

Assistant Safety Rules

• The assistant does not provide medical diagnosis.
• The assistant should not replace professional medical advice.
• If symptoms may be serious or urgent, the assistant should advise contacting 111 or emergency services.
• The assistant should direct patients to official NHS or practice information pages whenever possible.

Community Pharmacy Services (Choose Pharmacy / Common Ailments Service)

Many minor illnesses can be assessed and treated by community pharmacists through the NHS Wales Common Ailments Service. Patients do not need to see a GP first and can go directly to a participating pharmacy for advice and treatment.

If a patient contacts the practice about one of the conditions below, they may be directed to a community pharmacy instead of booking a GP appointment.

• Sore throat
• Indigestion
• Athlete's foot
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Piles
• Head lice
• Teething
• Nappy rash
• Colic
• Chicken pox
• Threadworms
• Acne
• Dermatitis
• Intertrigo
• Ringworm
• Scabies
• Hay fever
• Back pain
• Ingrowing toenails
• Cold sores
• Mouth ulcers
• Conjunctivitis
• Dry eye
• Oral thrush
• Vaginal thrush
• Verruca / warts

Some pharmacies may also provide a Sore Throat Test and Treat consultation. This includes a clinical assessment and, if appropriate, a throat swab to determine whether antibiotic treatment may be needed.

Patients can find their nearest pharmacy providing these services through the NHS Wales website:

https://www.choosewellwales.org.uk/pharmacist

First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP)

Our First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) are experienced physiotherapists who work as part of the general practice team. They specialise in assessing and diagnosing musculoskeletal problems such as joint pain, muscle injuries, and back or neck pain.

An appointment with an FCP allows patients to receive expert advice and assessment without needing to see a GP first.

FCPs do not usually provide ongoing physiotherapy treatment within the practice. Instead, they assess your condition and may:

• Provide advice on managing your condition
• Recommend exercises or self-management strategies
• Refer you to appropriate physiotherapy services if needed
• Request investigations such as X-rays where appropriate
• Refer you to other specialist services if required

This service helps ensure patients receive the right care and are directed to the most appropriate service for their condition.

Clinical and Management Team

This section lists core clinical and leadership staff. For the most up-to-date team information, see the Meet the Team page on the practice website.

General Practitioners (GPs)

• Dr Simon Dobson – Senior Partner
• Dr Rebecca Ryvar – GP Partner
• Dr Ben Lane – GP Partner
• Dr Martika Mann
• Dr Nia Kelly
• Dr Taisir Al-Tameemi
• Dr Jonathan Harvey
• Dr Ming-Wei Lee

Nursing Team

• Nicola Anderton – Clinical Nurse Manager / Advanced Nurse Practitioner
• Hollie Davies – Nurse Practitioner
• Liza Galea-Tostevin – Nurse Practitioner
• Lisa Evans – Nurse Practitioner
• Linda Hughes-Roberts – Nurse Practitioner
• Lisa Owen – Nurse Practitioner
• Sian Turner – Practice Nurse
• Jo-Ann Harris – Practice Nurse
• Catrin Kingswell – Practice Nurse
• Hannah Rogers – Practice Nurse
• Bethan Wood – Practice Nurse

Practice Management Team

Practice Management Team

• Gwyn Hughes – Practice Manager
  Responsible for the overall management of the practice, including staffing, operations, patient services, and complaints handling, and strategic development of the practice.
• Ali Ellis – Business Manager
  Oversees business operations, finance, contracts,
• Maisie Wrightson – Research Assistant
  Supports clinical research projects and coordinates patient participation in approved research studies within the practice.
• David Bown – Reception Supervisor
  Supervises the reception team and supports the day-to-day running of the patient services desk.
• Sarah Kendrick – Prescribing Supervisor
  Oversees prescription administration and supports safe and efficient processing of repeat prescriptions.

Patients may be offered appointments with a GP, nurse practitioner, or practice nurse depending on clinical need.