assistant-knowledge

Clarence Medical Centre Rhyl | AI Knowledge Page

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.

NHS 111 Wales (Website)
https://111.wales.nhs.uk/

NHS 111 Press 2 (Mental Health)
https://www.gov.wales/nhs-111-press-2

Safety note for the assistant: If a patient describes severe symptoms, chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathlessness, collapse, or immediate risk to self/others, advise emergency help (999/A&E) first.

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).

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

Pharmacy and minor illness services

Eye care (Wales)

Support, advice, and community services

Sexual health and contraception

Cancer support

Travel health

Digital skills and online safety

Information governance links

NHS staff wellbeing (optional resource)

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.

People's Enquiry and Resolution Service (PEARS) formally PALS

People's Enquiry and Resolution Service (PEARS) 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 People's Enquiry and Resolution Service (PEARS) or the NHS Complaints Service.

  • PEARS 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 PEARS 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.

Practice Contact Information

Clarence Medical Centre

Main Surgery
West Kinmel Street
Rhyl
Denbighshire

Telephone: 01745 350680

Website: www.clarencemedicalrhyl.wales

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 being booked for a GP appointment.

Conditions that may be treated through the community pharmacy service include: 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, and verrucae or warts.

  • 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
  • Verrucae / 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 help determine whether antibiotics may be needed. If suitable, the pharmacist can provide treatment free of charge.

Patients can find their nearest participating pharmacy on the NHS Wales website: Find a participating pharmacy

Patients with minor illnesses may be advised by the practice to use a community pharmacy instead of booking a GP appointment.

Services Provided by the Practice

  • General medical consultations
  • Chronic disease management clinics
  • Childhood vaccinations and immunisations
  • Cervical screening (smear tests)
  • Blood tests
  • Medication reviews
  • Health checks
  • Minor surgery procedures
  • Mental Health Practitioner Service
  • Research
  • First Contact Physiotherapy
  • Non-NHS servcies such as private medicals

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
  • Dr Andrew Abdelmalak

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.
    • Elizabeth Howard – Senior Medical Secretary
      Oversees administration and secreterial team as well as Non-NHS services such as medicals also forms part of the concerns team.

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

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support

There are many local and national services available to support mental health, emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience, crisis support, counselling, housing difficulties, substance misuse, domestic abuse, bereavement, and social isolation.

Patients do not always need to see a GP first to access support. Many services accept self-referrals or direct contact.

Urgent Mental Health Crisis Support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need urgent emotional support, you can contact NHS 111 and select Option 2.

NHS 111 Option 2 is a free 24-hour mental health support service in Wales. You will speak directly with trained mental health professionals who can provide advice, support, triage, and signposting.

If you feel you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, you must call 999.

Talking Therapies and Emotional Wellbeing

Parabl Talking Therapies provides short-term therapeutic support for people experiencing common mental health difficulties, emotional distress, stress, anxiety, low mood, or difficult life events.

Website: https://www.parabl.org.uk/english/
Telephone: 0300 777 2257

Online Mental Health Support

SilverCloud by Amwell® is a free NHS Wales online mental health support service. No GP referral is required.

SilverCloud provides guided self-help programmes based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety, depression, stress, sleep difficulties, and low mood.

The programme can be accessed online using a mobile phone, tablet, or computer and includes support from a trained NHS supporter.

Community Wellbeing and Social Support

Talking Points help people discover local wellbeing services, community groups, and support organisations that can reduce isolation and improve emotional wellbeing.

Denbighshire Talking Points

The VIBE Station, developed by Working Denbighshire, is a community support space in Rhyl helping people improve wellbeing, confidence, resilience, and employment opportunities.

Address: 40 Bodfor Street, Rhyl, LL18 1AT