DR S P THOMPSON & PARTNERS RINGWOOD MEDICAL CENTRE Patient Participation Group NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2016 Friends Of RMC Welcome to our summer newsletter, which seems to be repeating the summer of 2015 in so far as the weather has not been consistent, wet/windy or soaring temperatures, which are difficult for some people to tolerate. With that in mind some useful tips on keeping well. When outside, wear light and if possible cotton clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat. This is particularly important for babies/small children and anyone at risk due to health problems or inability to recognise the dangers of excessive heat or humidity. Always keep hydrated, ensure that babies in particular are given drinks of previously boiled and cooled water between feeds as they get thirsty and it may reduce fretfulness. All of us should increase our intake of water during hot weather. Most other drinks dehydrate us. Try to avoid going/sitting outside between 11 am and 3 pm when the sun is at its hottest and most damaging to the skin. Keep our house cool by closing curtains and keeping windows shut. Don t forget your pets. Do not leave them in cars with windows closed. If possible, leave them at home with a cool drink.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection We are delighted to inform out patients that the Practice has been rated as GOOD by the CQC, following our inspection in July, across all categories: The full report can be found by following the link to the CQC website: www.cqc.org.uk, but the report summary is shown below the following rating pages. 2 P a g e
Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Dr S Thompson & Partners on 5 July 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good. 3 P a g e
Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows: There was an open and transparent approach to safety and an effective system in place for reporting and recording significant events. Risks to patients were assessed and well managed. Staff assessed patients needs and delivered care in line with current evidence based guidance. Staff had been trained to provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment. Patients said they were treated with compassion, dignity and respect and they were involved in their care and decisions about their treatment. Information about services and how to complain was available and easy to understand. Improvements were made to the quality of care as a result of complaints and concerns. Patients said they found it easy to make an appointment with a named GP and there was continuity of care, with urgent appointments available the same day. The practice had good facilities and was well equipped to treat patients and meet their needs. There was a clear leadership structure and staff felt supported by management. The practice proactively sought feedback from staff and patients, which it acted on. The provider was aware of and complied with the requirements of the duty of candour. The practice had adopted a campaign to promote more compassionate care in the NHS. The campaign focussed upon ensuring that staff 4 P a g e
introduced themselves and their role to patients. Patients told us that they were pleased the practice was supporting this campaign. We saw an area of outstanding practice: The Patient Participation Group reviewed anonymised complaints from patients to deliver a patient perspective and enhance any learning from complaints. GP CHANGES WITHIN THE PRACTICE As many of you will know Dr Andy Pestridge left us at the end July; we wish him well in his next venture. We have experienced difficult times recently due to recruitment issues nationally, which has meant extra work has been taken up by Drs Simon Thompson, Anne Wilson, Rachel Barrass- Stones and Kate Knight. Other members of the Practice have helped where they can. Dr Neate is currently on sick leave and we wish him well, and hope to see him back in the future. Every effort has been made to meet the needs of our patients and we thank you all for your understanding and being patient patients! The good news is that Dr Sarah Williams joined us on 15 th August (6 sessions a week), Dr Zoe Wingrove will be joining us in mid-september (3 sessions a week) and Dr Claire Wedderburn in October. We will also have support on Mondays by Dr Lesley Ayling and Dr Vicky James on Wednesdays. Dr Victoria Wright is currently on maternity leave, but will return in May 2017. We have two qualified doctors, who are at various stages of their training to become General Practitioners; Dr Rebecca Smith and Dr Hannah Stowe. 5 P a g e
SEASONAL IMMUNISATIONS - FLU CLINICS These clinics will be held by appointment only, 8am until 12pm; there will be No Walk-In service on the following dates: Saturday, 8 th and 22 nd October Saturday, 5 th and 19 th November Patients aged 65 or over, those with long-term health conditions and pregnant women, please contact Reception at the beginning of September to book your appointment. Look out for more information in the Surgery and on the website over the next few weeks. DEMENTIA LAUNCH The Launch was held on 12 th April and was a great success and Dr Thompson and Partners of Ringwood Medical Centre were accredited with being a Dementia Friendly Practice. The event was attended by the Mayor of Ringwood, Specialist Healthcare Professionals, Doctors/Staff of the Practice and Members of the Patient Participation Group (PPG), and Friends of R.M.C. The event was a culmination of work carried out by Clinicians, Staff, PPG and Friends. After a short supportive speech by the Mayor, Mrs Katherine Barbour, Senior Project Manager of the Dementia Quality Improvement Programme explained the journey undertaken by the Practice to achieve this status. Katherine presented the Dementia Friendly Certificate to Dr Anne Wilson, GP Partner and lead at the surgery on this project. Dr Wilson thanked everyone involved in making this happen and ensuring success of this event. This was followed by the cutting of the cake made by Edna (PPG Secretary) which was iced with the logo for dementia friends. 6 P a g e
Dr Anne Wilson This campaign was started in August 2013 by Dr Kate Grainger MBE, a Consultant Geriatrician, who had been battling an aggressive form of cancer and who sadly died recently at the age of 34. As a patient she realised many of the staff looking after her in hospital did not introduce themselves. Dr Granger found it was important during her illness to know who was communicating and caring for her. The Practice is now adopting her inspirational campaign whereby all staff will introduce themselves by name to you. The staff are now wearing lanyards and badges, purchased by the Friends of Ringwood Medical Centre. We are also in the process of placing a Hello my name is.. poster on the Consulting Room doors, with a photograph of the Doctor or Nurse you will be seeing. Staff are also ensuring they say their names on the telephone. Friends and Family Test The Practice encourages all patients to complete a short questionnaire regarding the service they have used, as well as a follow up question that highlights the good and bad patient experiences after each visit or consultation. The Practice displays feedback in the Reception area. Friends and Family survey results are displayed on the website; www.ringwoomc.co.uk 7 P a g e
Patient Contact Information It is very important to keep the Practice up to date with any change of address or change in your contact information. It is very helpful to know which your preferred method of communication is. How would you prefer to be contacted? Help Us Help You The Practice wants to make sure you can read and understand the information they send you. If you find it hard to read their letters or if you need someone to support you at appointments, please let the practice know. Do you need information in braille, large print or easy read? Do you need a British Sign Language interpreter or advocate? The practice wants to know if they can support you to lip-read or use a hearing aid of communication tool. Please tell the receptionist when you arrive for your appointment, or call us on 01425 478901. OVER THE COUNTER How to get the most from your Pharmacist What to do if you run out of medicine on holiday in the U.K. If you are running short of your prescription pills, lose them or forget to take them with you, a Pharmacist can dispense emergency supplies. The Emergency Supply scheme covers any medicine the Pharmacist agrees you should not be without. There may be a fee for this service, although some offer it for free. However, the best plan is to ensure you order in good time from your Doctor. 8 P a g e
SEPSIS - Information from the Sepsis Trust. If a child or adult who has had any infection even a mild cold develops one or more of the following symptoms, call 999 immediately and say you think they may have sepsis. Abnormally cold to the touch Breathing rapidly/struggling for breath Very lethargic/difficult to rouse No urine (or wet nappy) for more than 12 hours Skin mottled, bluish or extremely pale. REMEMBER that sepsis can begin under the cover of any infection, such as flu, a tummy bug, a chest infection or even a sore throat. If sepsis is suspected by doctors, treatment with antibiotics must begin as soon as possible, ideally within 1 hour of diagnosis even before blood tests are given. More information from www.sepsistrust.org AND FINALLY Please let us know what you think about the Newsletter or any other things in/around the Surgery. We welcome some feedback, indeed it would be nice to have some letter from you to include in further newsletter or any funny stories. If you have any comments, views or suggestions to share with us please do so via e-mail at whccg.ringwoodmc-ppg@nhs.net write to us at PPG, Dr Thompson & Partners, 2 nd Floor, Ringwood Medical Centre, The Close, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 1JY, or post a note in the red post box/suggestion box on the wall in reception, or by letter addressed to Patricia Farwell, Chair, PPG and Friends, care of Ringwood Medical Centre. The PPG always welcomes new Members. 9 P a g e
Are You A Carer? Do you have a Carer? We are conducting a survey of our patients to determine, the number of Carers within our Practice. These questions are attached to the back of this newsletter for you to answer, tear off and return to the surgery. 10 P a g e
CARER SURVEY Do you look after someone who is unwell, frail, disabled or mentally unwell? If so, we would like to support you. Do you care for someone on a daily basis, for a few hours or overnight? Is the person a family member/friend/acquaintance? Yes No What support do you receive? Do you know how to get support? Yes No What age group are you, the Carer? 5y to 10y 11y to 15y 16y to 25y 26y to 65y 66y to 75y 76y to 85y 86y+ CARERS Full Name What age group is the person Cared For? 5y to 10y 11y to 15y 16y to 25y 26y to 65y 66y to 75y 76y to 85y 86y+ Person CARED FOR Full Name Address Address Contact No. Relevant Information Contact No. Relevant Information There is space for your comments on the reverse of this page, which we welcome. 11 P a g e
Comments Box: If you are a carer please indicate if you would like additional information regarding Carer Support Groups. Yes No Please return the completed survey (pages 11 & 12) to Reception Thank you. PPG/Carer Survey July 2016 12 P a g e