Read our Newsletter - The Baldock Surgery
Transcription
Read our Newsletter - The Baldock Surgery
The Baldock Surgery Dr Thomas and Partners Winter 2015 Surgery News Did you know? Staff Notices: You can book appointments, and request repeat prescriptions online at www.baldocksurgery.co.uk Shortly you will also be able to view certain health records. We are pleased to announce We are sad to report that Dr Elizabeth Castell passed away on the 22 January nd 2015. She retired as the senior partner of this practice in 1990. She will To activate your online account be remembered by many of please present a form of our patients. The service is identification at reception. that Michele has been promoted to Deputy Team Leader in Reception. Our receptionist Matthew has left the surgery and we wish him well for the future. at Harwood Park on Friday 13th February at 4.15pm Did you know? That on selected Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays we Car Park have extended hours surgeries. (this is currently under review) These appointments are only available to book in advance. As you are aware the car park does not belong to the surgery and therefore please DO NOT PARK beyond the new sign Have you made sure that we have your up to date mobile number and email address? That way we can keep you up to date with all your appointments and any surgery news. Just check with reception. Telephones and Text messages However, if you hang up before The Surgery’s new telephone Please bear with us as we answer system queues all of our incoming all telephone calls as quickly as telephone calls. possible. we have answered the call you will lose your place in the queue. Our reception staff work hard to give you an appointment when you would like it but it is the doctors who design the appointment system Seasonal Advice We are hoping that in each newsletter some of the practice Doctors will provide some seasonal advice: complications e.g. pneumonia or bronchitis, ensure you have a flu vaccination each year. People at risk of complications following flu are:1. Colds and Flu All people aged 65 years and over Autumn and winter sees a rise in the 2. All pregnant women number of patients suffering with 3. All children aged 2-4 years (a colds and flu-like illnesses. Both are caused by viruses though nasal flu vaccine is offered) 4. there are many more viruses that cause colds. All people with one or more of the following:- Serious heart or chest Symptoms can be similar but flu is problems, including those usually much more severe. You are requiring inhaled steroids for likely to be bed bound for some days. Sneezing, coughing, headache and asthma sore throat are common to both but flu Serious kidney or liver disease will usually come on much more Diabetes quickly and is associated with a Lowered immunity due to persistent high fever (38-40C˚), muscle aches and pains, sweating, dry cough and exhaustion. illness or treatment Stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) A cold will be less severe and start Children aged 6 months – 17 years with a runny nose with clear mucus to who fall into one or more of the risk start, becoming thicker and green as groups are offered a nasal vaccine.(If the cold progresses. Earache, tiredness they have an allergy to the nasal and mild fever are commonly seen. vaccine the injectable vaccine is offered If you are generally fit and healthy you as an alternative). can usually manage the symptoms yourself. Rest and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to prevent dehydration. Decongestants can help with a runny nose but must be stopped after a week of use. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with the aches and pains. When you cough or sneeze remember to use a tissue and throw it away as soon as possible. Wash your hands afterwards. If you have a medical condition that puts you at a higher risk of developing Babies under 6 months of age cannot receive the flu vaccine –it is recommended that their mother protects them by having the vaccine whilst pregnant. Please speak to reception if you need a flu vaccination. Shingles Vaccine What is shingles? It is a common disease that can cause long-lasting, severe pain, has been known to cause permanent disability, occurs more frequently in those over 70 who are also more likely to have worse symptoms. The Vaccine The vaccine is expected to reduce significantly the number of cases, will reduce symptoms in vaccinated people if they still develop the disease, and has been used extensively in the USA and Canada. Who will get the vaccine? New criteria from September 2014 If you were born on or between the dates below you will be eligible for this vaccine 2 Sept 1943 to 1 Sept 1944 2 Sept 1935 to 1 Sept 1936 2 Sept 1934 to 1 Sept 1935 Further information Speak to your GP or practice nurse, for further information before or after you’ve had the vaccination. You can also visit the NHS choices website at www.nhs.uk/shingles. Please speak to reception to book your shingles vaccination. Nurse Bernadette and the practice nurse team. Norovirus Introduction Norovirus, sometimes known as the winter vomiting bug, is the most common stomach bug in the UK. The virus is highly contagious. It can affect people of all ages and causes vomiting and diarrhoea. There is no specific cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run is course. Although having norovirus can be unpleasant, it is not usually dangerous and most people make a full recovery within a couple of days without having to see their GP. Symptoms of norovirus The first sign of norovirus is usually suddenly feeling sick followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people may also have: A raised temperature (over 28 C/ 100.4 F) Headaches Painful stomach cramps Aching limbs Dehydration Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, other suitable drinks include squash and fruit juice. If you find it difficult to keep fluids down, try taking small frequent sips to keep yourself hydrated. If you are worried you are becoming dehydrated, you can buy sachets of rehydration powders from your pharmacy which you add to water. Babies and young children can still drink milk. Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest Stay at home – do not go to see your GP because norovirus is contagious and there is nothing your GP can do Contact your GP to seek advice if your symptoms last longer than a few days or you already have a serious illness. Preventing norovirus spreading Norovirus is easily spread. If an infected person does not wash their hands before handling food, they can pass the virus on to others. You can dehydration from your body losing also catch it by touching contaminated water and salts from vomiting and surfaces or objects diarrhoea. Follow the measures below to help Thirst is the first sign of dehydration. prevent the virus spreading. Dizziness or light-headedness Headache Tiredness Dry mouth, lips and eyes Dark concentrated urine Only passing small amounts of urine (less than three or four times a day) Mild dehydration is common and can Wash your hands frequently Do not share towels and flannels Disinfect surfaces that an infected person has touched If you have norovirus, you may continue to be infected for a short period after your symptoms stop. You and direct contact with others for at have plenty to drink. least 48 hours after your symptoms The young and elderly are more at risk have disappeared. of becoming dehydrated. It is therefore Avoid visiting hospitals if you have important that you speak to a doctor if had typical symptoms of norovirus in you think your child or an elderly the past 72 hours. Norovirus is more relative is becoming dehydrated. serious and more easily spread among Treating Norovirus people that are already ill. below to help your symptoms TRAVEL VACINATIONS The surgery can offer the following travel vaccinations Tetanus, Diptheria, Polio, Hepatitis A and Typhoid If you think you will need vaccinations before travel please find out which vaccines you will need before booking an appointment with the nurse. You can find out which vaccines are suggested for each country by visiting either: should therefore avoid preparing food easily be reversed by making sure you If you have norovirus, follow the steps Once you have registered for our online services you are now able to request repeat prescriptions online. It takes us a minimum of 2 working days (Mon to Fri) to process your prescription. while you have it The main risk from norovirus is Other signs include: ONLINE PRESPRIPTIONS Dr. Somani and Partners www.masta-travelhealth.com or www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk Travel vaccinations should be given at least 4 weeks before travelling NHS Health Check National No Smoking Day 11th March 2015 Over 10 million people in the UK still smoke, and around 100,000 die every year from smoking-related causes. That’s 100,000 deaths too many. for people aged 75 years or older. This health check is being offered to assess your risk of developing conditions that effect older people, such as stroke and memory problems. If there are The campaign is run by the British Heart Foundation, and helps smokers who want to quit by creative a supportive environment, and by highlighting the many sources of help and advice available. any warning signs together we can do something about it. The check lasts approx. 20 minutes and is based on straight forward questions and measurements such as age, height, weight and blood pressure. Following your check Medication Reviews The ‘Review Date’: you will see at the Late Arrivals acts as a reminder to both you and the doctor that you may need to meet again in a consultation to review the medication and the problem it is treating. This may, in some cases, be a reminder to us both that a blood test is due, or perhaps a blood pressure check with the nurse. Its purpose will vary with each individual patient. Its main aim is to act as a trigger for both the doctor and patient to consider the need for any such action. advice about what you can do to stay healthy. bottom of a repeat request slip that there is a ‘Review Date’ given. This you will receive personalized Please be aware that if you arrive late or call to advise you will be late, then you may be asked to rebook, if it is imperative that you are seen that day then you may be added at the end of surgery or you could be put on the Duty Doctor’s call back list for a triage appointment - however this at the Doctors discretion!!!!! If you would like a health check please come to reception to book an appointment. Did you know? We need a minimum of 2 working days to process prescriptions. We need time to print them, check them and get them signed before we can file them ready for you to collect. Any non-routine requests or amendments, or if your review date has passed may take longer. If you submit a repeat request after the We accept requests in person, ‘Review Date’ has passed, the doctor online, by post or fax. will be alerted to the request, rather than it being processed automatically. This system works as a good ‘safety Some local pharmacies will process your prescription for you so all you need to do is collect net’. If you are not sure what action is your medication. Ask at your necessary with a pending ‘Review local pharmacy for details Date’, please discuss this with your doctor or nurse. Some of the services available at Baldock Surgery We offer a wide variety of services these include: Nursing Clinics The practice nurses can help you with: Blood pressure checks Warfarin clinic ECG's Cervical smears Dressings Family planning advice Repeat contraceptive pill checks and prescriptions Minor injuries and ailments Dietary advice Ear syringing Immunisations Travel vaccinations Childhood immunisations Removal of stitches Removal of clips Respiratory Clinic: Asthma and COPD A doctor and nurse with special interest and training in asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and certain other respiratory conditions run this clinic jointly. It aims to help diagnose, treat and monitor patients with asthma and respiratory problems with a heavy emphasis on patient education and self-management plans. The clinic has special lung function testing equipment (spirometry) available. Patients are generally referred to this clinic by their doctor, but if you have asthma or COPD and have never been to this clinic then please feel free to make an appointment yourself. If you have an appointment at the respiratory clinic please bring any inhalers or peak flow meters you have been given with you to your appointment. Diabetic Clinic The aim of this clinic is to help diagnose, treat and monitor patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes, with the aim of optimising control of blood sugar levels and preventing or minimising, as much as possible, the damage done by the disease. As with the respiratory clinic, there is a heavy emphasis on patient education and self-management plans. A nurse with special interest and training in this field runs this clinic. All insulin-dependent diabetics continue to be looked after by hospitalbased clinics. Coronary Heart Disease Clinic This clinic is dedicated to the management of patients with established coronary heart disease. Also, patients with a high risk of developing this condition, such as those with cholesterol and blood pressure problems, may benefit from careful monitoring, advice and treatment. A doctor and nurse who both have special interest and expertise in this area run this clinic. Minor Surgery Clinic We provide a service to our patients whereby various minor surgical procedures and operations can be performed in the practice, saving referrals to hospital. This should help to reduce hospital waiting lists, and be more convenient for our patients. The service includes various procedures, such as removing lumps and bumps on the skin, cryotherapy (freezing), some joint injections and removal of ingrowing toe nails. Please ask your doctor for details. Dietician We have a visiting dietician at the surgery. Please speak to your doctor or practice nurse who can arrange an appointment for you where necessary. The practice nurses can also give dietary advice. Phlebotomist We have a visiting phlebotomist who takes blood samples for us. Please try to see the phlebotomist for blood tests rather than the nurse whenever possible. This can then free up nursing time. Other Services and Attached Staff These services and the staff providing them are not based in the surgery but function very much as part of the same team with surgery-based staff. Physiotherapy We have access to a limited physiotherapy service. This is currently based at the Community Physiotherapy Department in Letchworth. Access to this is by a referral from your doctor. Community Nurses These nurses have great expertise in providing nursing care and advice in the home. If you are house or bed bound and need nursing help then your doctor can arrange for a community nurse to see you at home. For patients needing community nursing care after discharge from hospital, this should be arranged directly by the hospital, prior to discharge. Please contact the surgery, however, if any problems arise in planned community nursing input after a hospital stay. They can be contacted by telephone on 07818421164 during normal working hours, or via your doctor or practice nurse. Health Visitors The Health Visitor is a qualified nurse who has undergone additional training, particularly with regard to child health and the promotion of good health within the family and community. They are happy to give any advice you need in these areas. They are based at the Park Drive Health Centre (next to Tesco) and can be contacted there or by telephone on 01462 892274 during normal working hours. To access any of these services please discuss with your doctor From October 2014 to December 2014 The practice received 30768 telephone calls We issued 13802 prescriptions Out of 7339 available appointments 92.2% of patients attended their appointments. Thank you Dates for Your Diary CLOSED - 3nd February 2015 – 1pm onwards CLOSED – 10TH February 12.30 – 2pm The surgery will be closed due to staff training. If you require medical advice please dial 111 Surgery Information Opening Times Monday to Friday 8:15am to 6:30pm Appointments: 01462 892463 (Lines are open 8:15am to 12:15pm and 2:00pm to 6:30pm) Enquires, home visits and results: 01462 892458 (No appointments can be made on this line) Fax: 01462 490821 Please note all incoming and outgoing calls at the surgery are recorded Health visitors: 01462 892274 (available during office hours) District Nurses: 07818421164 (available during office hours)
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