The Leeds Road Practice. Summer Newsletter Useful Telephone Numbers. Welcomes/Farewells

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1 The Leeds Road Practice Welcome to the Summer issue of the Practice Newsletter. The letter is to provide patients with any news, information or forthcoming events. If you have any suggestions as to what you would like to see in your newsletter, please inform a member of staff. Summer Newsletter 2017 Useful Telephone Numbers Surgery Main Number: Appointments - Option 1 Welcomes/Farewells Summer has arrived in Harrogate, which means we welcome Dr Katie Pickles, in the role of GP Registrar until December Unfortunately this also means the time has come to say farewell to Dr Leila Hummerstone who has been with us for the past 6 months and completed this stage of her GP training. We would like to once again thank all our patients who have enabled trainees to be present for consultations as this is an invaluable part of their training, and the development of the healthcare workforce for the future. Results (2pm-6pm)- Option 2 Admin (Referrals) - Option 4 Other Enquiries - Option 5 Website - Out of Hours (Primecare) 6pm-6:30pm At all other times, please call 111 STAFF TRAINING DAYS The surgery will be closed on Wednesday 11th October for essential staff training. We will close at 13:00hrs & re-open on the following day at 8:00am. If you need a doctor during this time please call NHS 111 BANK HOLIDAY CLOSING The surgery will be closed on August Bank Holiday (28th August). If you need medical attention during this time, please call NHS 111.

2 *** Electronic Prescription Service*** Please be aware the Practice would like all patients at the practice who receive repeat prescription to be using the safe and secure Electronic Prescription Service by September Please be aware patients can nominate pharmacies inside and outside of the practice area. Please obtain the pharmacy address and if possible please ask for the ODS Code. There are several pharmacies within the practice area, we now have a display board in Reception for you to choose your nominated pharmacy. Please then speak to a reception team member to enable future prescriptions to go to your nominated pharmacy. Please note this facility is already set up for our Dispensing patients.

3 Have you changed your contact details or moved home since we last saw you? Please can you ensure that you provide us with your up to date mobile number, address and your home address. To do this please come in to the Surgery and advise reception of this information and they will happily update this for you or alternatively you can do this via our surgery website. Please note we also send SMS and s out to patients who have consented to this. If you would like to receive appointment confirmations, blood results reminders and practice information, please speak to reception. Online Medical Records Do you want access to your health record? Patients who wish to access this part of the record can request this when logged onto SystmOnline or via the surgery directly. By having access to detailed health information such as test results this can save you, the patient, a call to the practice. The system can also show details that are coded in the record. Readings such as blood pressures, weight and height are recorded in the record for the GP s, but you can also access it too. The services continues to have the usual booking of appointments and ordering of repeat prescriptions. We do ask patients to print out a confirmation sheet when ordering medications as the process now has a further step.

4 PPG UPDATE Our Patient Participation Group led by Mr Malcolm Wailes recently took part in the National PPG Week here at the surgery. During the week members of the group took the opportunity to hold daily clinics where they met with patients and obtained feedback in regards to the services delivered here at Leeds Road and in the wider health and social community. Patients were asked if they would recommend the practice depending on their visit on the day. You can still take part it this survey by visiting our practice website or Facebook site and completing the Friends and Family Test. MASTA TRAVEL CLINIC Coming into the Summer it is important you are fully vaccinated for your holidays abroad. Leeds Road Practice and a number of other local GP practices have partnered with MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad) to provide a specialist Travel Health service for our patients and patients in Harrogate, Knaresborough and the surrounding area. The Travel Clinic is an accessible, expert service located on the ground floor of the Mowbray Square Medical Centre, Mowbray Square, Harrogate, HG1 5AR. Vaccines available free of charge on the NHS will remain free of charge. Non NHS vaccines that were charged privately previously will continue to be charged privately. To book an appointment please visit the MASTA website. Alternatively call MASTA on This number is charged at local rate. A full range of travel health vaccinations, anti-malarials and retail products are available at the clinic.

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6 FIRST AID FOR INSECT STINGS AND BITES To deal with any redness, swelling and stinging or burning pain: 1. Remove the sting if you can see it. 2. Clean the wound with soap and water. 3. Apply something cold to the skin - for example a damp cloth or ice pack 4. Raise the hand, foot or leg it that s where the sting is. If the bite or sting is on the face, call 111 for FIRST AID advice because the reaction can be more severe. To reduce the risk of infection apply antiseptic to the bite or sting and try not to scratch it or burst any blisters. Self-Help can include: Relieve the pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Reduce swelling and redness with antihistamines or calamine lotion. Relive itching with antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream. See your GP if: The symptoms don t improve after 2-3 days. You re worried about the bite or sting. Signs of infection appear - such as pus, swollen glands or flu like symptoms. Signs of an allergic reaction appear - such as swelling or redness that is spreading. Preventing insect bites and stings: Use an effective repellent those containing 50% DEET (diethyltoluamide) are most effective. Cover exposed skin especially at sunrise and sunset when insects are more active. Cover food and drink because the colours and smells attract insects. Don t disturb insect nests check if your council can remove the nest for you or search online for pest control services. Your pharmacist CAN HELP with insect bites and stings

7 LEEDS ROAD PRACTICE CARE NAVIGATORS ARE HERE TO HELP YOU 26% of patients seen by a GP present with problems that can be managed by an alternative health care professional or support worker. Recently many of our reception services team have successfully completed Active Signposting (non-medical telephone triage) training, one of the outcomes highlighted by the government s vision for General Practice via NHS England's General Practice Forward View. A strategy which outlines practical and funded steps targeted to improve infrastructure and the quality of care. The Active Signposting training has upskilled our receptionists to be Care Navigators enabling them to sign post patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional for their needs, making it easier and faster to get the help you require. In the future when you ring to make an appointment a Care Navigator will ask you for a little more information. Please share this with them, it is entirely confidential and helps the GP s to triage matters quicker. This also ensures you see the most appropriate member of the practice team, as quickly as possible. It could also mean that you are signposted to the appropriate service in a timelier manner. Thank you for understanding and working with us to develop our services.

8 ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY The Zero Tolerance policy includes aggression or threats made in person, over the telephone or in a written communication. The use of aggressive, threatening or abusive language (including raising of voice, swearing, cursing, shouting) which threatens or intimidates staff. Attempted or actual aggressive threatening physical actions towards any member of staff. The Practice operates a zero tolerance policy with regards to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. NHS Health Check - Are You Between the Ages of 40-74? An NHS health check is where your risk of health disease, kidney disease, stroke and diabetes will be assessed through some straight forward tests and simple questions about your lifestyle and family medical history. Please speak to reception if you think you may be eligible for this. DID YOU KNOW THESE SIMPLE FACTS? An call out costs a minimum of 223!!! A visit to costs at least 114!!! A visit to your costs a minimum of 36!!! A call to cost 12!! THE COST OF SELF CARE IS FREE!!!