Natural medicine Holistic approach Complementary and alternative therapies

The first month - A new journey begins by Dr Dora Perger

It has been a month now since The Natural Practice closed with some practitioners moving to Winchester’s St Clement’s Surgery, where we are renting a room from the Brandford House Chiropractic Clinic.

The genuine intention of providing continuity of care to patients comes with the responsibility to ensure that the needs of patients are met. There are many palpable feelings and emotions in the ‘air’ including a sense of expectation, excitement, some concerns, and lots of curiosity from all involved. It is both rewarding and humbling to connect with lots of patients to whom The Natural Practice provided a long-standing, reliable and reputable service for decades.

Developing a new service on the foundation of a long-running and much-respected healthcare service and settling down to a new way of operating can be daunting. There is much of ‘getting used to’ to do. The new clinic space is very modern with easy access to the consultation rooms.  Being set in a GP surgery brings a ‘clinical’ environment: this modernity comes with calm freshness and an invitation for trust.

Patients are still able to reach me through the ‘old’ Natural Practice email addresses enquiries@thenaturalpractice.com and dispensary@thenaturalpractice.com. The 'old' Phone numbers (01962 856 310 and 01962 858 227) will also be working, but for now patients can reach me via my mobile (07763 891 900), with responses to queries occasionally slower if I am not free to answer.  By the middle of May, a new phone system will be in place (still using the old phone numbers) which will make contacting the new service much easier.  Already in place is a new electronic patient management system, which can have its own ‘peculiarities’; again, it will take time to work out some of the issues. The dispensary is now remote from the clinic space meaning that patients receive their remedies through the post.  

As I reflect on this first month, I realise how many different skills are required for running a practice. Clinical skills are crucial and the heart and centre of what I provide to patients. These are my anchors as I start walking in the footsteps of The Natural Practice. However, operationalising a practice is a completely different ‘ballgame’. There are systems to sort out, logistics to manage, suppliers to engage with and the list just goes on. While the challenges of learning these new skills fill me with excitement, I need to be patient with myself and view every learning opportunity as a stepping stone on the way of developing my support team and system.

This is a new journey for me and I hope you will join me!  As The Natural Practice seeks to embrace the winds of change, I am confident that, in time, these will be just a Gentle Breeze!