S Pinfold Medical Practice Newsletter (Spring 2015 Edition) Pinfold Lane, Butterknowle, Bishop Auckland DL13 5NX Tel: 01388 718230 Fax: 01388 718645 www.pinfoldmedical.co.uk Rod of Asclepius Surgery Consulting Hours By Appointment Only 1 patient 1 appointment Appointments are in 10 minute slots, if you need more time, please ask our Receptionist when booking your appointment. Monday 3.00pm 7.00pm Tuesday 2.00pm 4.00pm Wednesday 3.00pm 5.30pm Thursday 2.00pm 4.00pm Friday 3.30pm 5.00pm The practice is closed Weekends and Bank Holidays Reception Opening Hours Monday 8.15am 6.30pm Tuesday 8.15am 4.45pm Wednesday 8.15am 6.30pm Thursday 8.15am 4.45pm Friday 8.15am 5.45pm Closed Weekends and Bank Holidays Developing Safer Services for our patients This year, the practice wanted to introduce a new patient safety initiative as part of our ongoing work to develop safer patient services. Many patients are recognised by the health service as experts in their own condition and this expertise can be harnessed to help identify risks and devise solutions to patient safety problems. The practice wishes to actively involve its patients in developing safer services to ensure they are sufficiently informed, given time to consider key information before making a decision, helped to understand any information given to them and aware of benefits care can provide but also the risks. Speak Up was developed by the US Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organisations and has been adapted for the UK. Speak up if you have any questions or concerns and if you don t understand: Don t worry about being embarrassed if you don t understand something Don t be afraid to ask about safety Don t hesitate to tell healthcare staff if you think you have been confused with another patient or if you think you have received the wrong medicine; Tell healthcare staff if something doesn t seem right. Pay attention to the care you are receiving and make sure you are receiving the right treatment and medication: Make sure you are clear about what treatment you have agreed to and don t be afraid to ask for a second opinion; Make sure you are aware of any possible risks or complications your treatment may entail; Expect healthcare staff to tell you who they are; Make sure healthcare staff confirm your identify when they give you medicines or administer treatment Notice if healthcare staff wash their hands before and after your treatment or when you are being examined it is OK to remind the staff to do this. Educate yourself about your diagnosis and treatment: Ask more questions such as: how does your condition affect you? How is your condition treated? How should your condition respond to this treatment? Ask if there is any written information available to back up your discussion; Gather information about your condition from reputable sources, such as well-researched studies, journals and books, expert groups and validated websites;
Dispensary Opening Hours & Services Monday 2.00pm 6.30pm Tuesday 2.00pm 4.45pm Wednesday 2.00pm 6.15pm Thursday 2.00pm 4.45pm Friday 2.00pm 5.45pm The Dispensary CLOSES daily between 12.30pm 2.00pm. Please give staff 2 working days notice for repeat prescriptions. Write down the important facts so you can easily refer to them later; Read all forms you are asked to sign and ask healthcare staff to explain if you don t understand anything; Make sure you get your tests results and don t assume no news is good news ; If you have to use any equipment, make sure you understand what your role is. Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate: Your advocate can ask questions for you if you are under stress; Your advocate can help remember answers to questions you ask; Make sure your advocate understands your preference for care Know what medicines you are taking and why: Ask what the medicine or treatment is for, if there is any written information about it, and what possible side-effects, complications or risks there may be; If you don t recognise the medicine, verify that it is for you; Tell healthcare staff about any allergies and reactions; If you are on multiple medicines ask staff whether they can be taken together; Make sure you can read your prescription if you can t read it, your pharmacist may not be able to either Understand more about your local NHS organisation: You have a choice of the treatment prescribed for you find out all the options Don t be afraid to ask for a second opinion at any stage the more information you have about the options available, the more confident you will be with the decisions made Has your primary care organisation been assessed by CQC? What did they report? You can order your repeat prescription by:- Signing up to e-ordering (register with Reception Desk first) Faxing or posting your repeat prescription form Dropping in your repeat prescription form at the Dispensary. Participate in all decisions around your treatment: Agree with health care staff exactly what will be done during each step of your care; Participate in decisions around your treatment such as medications or investigations; Participate in decision taken to refer you to secondary care. How do I provide feedback about the primary care organisation (PCO): Options include: Friends & Family Test (link available on practice website) Friends & Family Test Elephant Kiosk (entrance lobby) Service User feedback forms provided both on the practice website AND entrance lobby/suggestion box Write to the Practice Manager Join the practice vprg virtual Patient Participation Group using the link provided on the practice website. The practice is closed Weekends and Bank Holidays Look out for... Speak Up featured on our Reception Desk appointment slips & the Speak Up message appearing when you book an appointment using Systmonline.
Emergencies & Out of Hours cover Free NHS Health Checks In the event of a heart attack, collapse, severe difficulty breathing or other medical emergency, please dial 999. The out of hour s service is available for patients needing medical advice or help when the surgery is closed and the matter cannot wait until the surgery re-opens. You can either ring our number and a recorded message will give you further instructions or call NHS 111 You'll be eligible for an NHS Health Check every five years if you are between 40 and 74 years old, as long as you don't have an existing vascular condition. Thousands of people have already had an NHS Health Check. They are now armed with information and support to reduce their risk of developing heart and vascular problems. Why not join them? How do I make an appointment? Making an appointment for a Check for Life is easy: Ring our Receptionist and ask to book an ½ hour appointment with a GP or Practice Nurse. You will be given the results of your test at the same appointment! What next? If you meet the criteria above, give us a call and book an appointment at a time that s convenient to you! The link below gives you more information about the NHS Health Check (check4life). http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/pages/what-is-an-nhs-healthcheck.aspx Five Tips to Reduce Hay Fever Symptoms (NHS Choices) Springtime paints such a delightful scene Cute lambs gambol in the fields so green Warm winds whisper through the leafy trees Blossoms float down on a swirling breeze Daffodils daintily dance and shake their heads Bringing bright yellow sunshine to our flowerbeds (Jan Allison) 1. Reduce your stress: Try to reduce your stress levels. The survey showed a clear link between stress and the severity of hay fever symptoms. Almost seven out of 10 stressed-out hay fever sufferers rate their symptoms as unbearable or debilitating. As stress levels drop, symptoms become milder. For more information, read about stress management 2. Exercise more: Regular exercise can improve your hay fever. The survey found that people with hay fever who exercise most have the mildest symptoms. Exercise will help reduce your stress levels, too. Aim to do 150 minutes (two and a half hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as cycling and fast walking, every week. However, during hay fever season, it's best to avoid exercising outdoors when the pollen count is high. This is generally first thing in the morning and early evening. Instead, exercise in late morning or afternoon when pollen counts tend to be lowest. If pollen counts are really high, stick to indoor exercise, for example at your local gym or swimming pool. For more information and practical advice on exercise, read about getting fit. 3. Eat well: The survey suggests that people with hay fever who eat a healthy diet are less likely to get severe symptoms. Eat a varied, balanced diet with plenty of fruit
The Rod Of Asclepius Five Tips to Help you reduce Hay Fever Symptoms (cont d). In Greek mythology, the Rod of Asclepius (), [1] also known as the Staff of Asclepius (sometimes also spelled Asklepios or Aesculapius) and as the asklepian, [2] is a serpent-entwined rod wielded by the Greek god Asclepius, a deity associated with healing and medicine. The symbol has continued to be used in modern times, where it is associated with medicine and health care, yet frequently confused with the staff of the god Hermes, the caduceus. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/rod_of_asclepius Asclepius healing a patient and vegetables, but be aware than some healthy foods can make hay fever symptoms worse. Foods that can worsen hay fever symptoms for some people include apples, tomatoes, stoned fruits, melons, bananas and celery. Eat foods rich in omega 3 and 6 essential fats which can be found in oily fish, nuts, seeds, and their oils. These contain anti-inflammatory properties, and may help reduce symptoms of hay fever. Get more tips and information about eating healthily. 4. Cut down on alcohol: Watch how much you drink at your summer picnics and BBQs! Alcohol worsens hay fever. Beer, wine and spirits contain histamine, the chemical that sets off allergy symptoms in your body. As well as making you more sensitive to pollen, alcohol also dehydrates you, making your symptoms seem worse. For more advice on how to cut down on your drinking, read these articles about alcohol. 5. Sleep well: Try to avoid too many late nights during the hay fever season. The survey found that people with hay fever who get a good night s sleep tend to have the mildest symptoms. Just one in eight (13%) people who had at least seven hours sleep a night reported severe symptoms, compared with one in five (21%) who regularly had five hours sleep or less a night. For help getting a good night's sleep, read about sleeping better. Read about treating hay fever. http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/hayfever/pages/allabouthayfever.aspx Durham County Carers Support Index of articles featured in previous newsletter editions (website) Winter 2015 (First Edition) Healthwatch County Durham Online appointment booking & repeat prescriptions RSVP Surgery Transport Scheme Virtual Patient Participation Group NHS 111 Service Additional clinics & services at the practice Stop Smoking Advisor Service Did Not Attends survey results Exploring the History of (Nursing) Medicine 10 myths about flu & the flu vaccine Are you the parent of a child under aged 18 years old who has additional needs or is going through a diagnosis? If so you can meet other parents in an informal environment. This group is made up of parents whose children have additional needs and who may have experienced similar issues. Children and siblings welcome but must be supervised at all times. Refreshments available at a cost of 20p each. Guest speakers will be invited on topics such as Health, Education and Development. You can also find out what support services and funding is available for your child. Parents will be invited to register as a parent carer with Durham County Carers Support (more information available on request). Who to contact:- Catherine Jordan, Parent Carer Volunteer E-mail catherinejordan338@btinternet.com Durham County Carers Support Tel: 01325 524606
This edition we feature.. The Weight and Wellbeing Programme This is a Specialist Weight Management Service to support patients with a high BMI (Body Mass Index). Every patient who enters this programme has a minimum of 6 months support which is medically led and offers a full range of management options to ensure that patients are seen and managed for their weight issues according to need and ability. This includes Physician support, weekly nutritional and specialist dietetic input (for the first twelve weeks and then fortnightly), and psychological support. Who can be referred to the Weight & Wellbeing Programme? Any patient with a BMI of 35 and over and who is willing to engage with the weight management service described above. What other options are there? Any patient with a BMI of 30 35 can be referred to Slimming World for twelve weeks on the NHS. Any patient with a BMI of 25 and over can be referred to Exercise on Prescription on the NHS. Any patient with a BMI of 25 and over can be referred to the Dietetics Service on the NHS. I am interested in the service but would like more information, what do I do? Please ring the surgery and book a double appointment with Dr S G Chandrasekhar, GP Lead for this service at the practice. Working together to provide high quality cost effective primary healthcare services. Vulnerable Adults Wrap Around Service In order to support the care delivery on the local and national strategy for frail elderly people, Durham Dales Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group have commissioned services described as vulnerable adult wrap around service (VAWAS). The Durham Dales Health Federation (DDHF) employ Advanced Nurse Practitioners - Jacki Robson, Judith McKimm and Community Matron Liz Stirk, who also work alongside care co-ordinators - Tracey Stores and Syd Graham, to support GPs in improving quality care for older people and those with complex health needs. The team aim to offer to visit patients identified at risk of hospital admission to provide a health assessment, medication review and develop a care plan, which includes their choice of preferred place of care. This proactive approach is to help patients manage to stay healthy at home and reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and A+E departments. In addition the service aims to support early discharge from hospital and a point of contact should health / care needs change. If you would like any further information on this service please contact Project Manager - Cherrie Hirst, via e- mail: cherrie.hirst@nhs.net
New law on driving having taken certain drugs Key messages A new law on driving after taking certain drugs (including some medicines see below) is coming into force in March 2015 This law states that it is an offence to drive with certain drugs above specified levels in the body, whether your driving is impaired or not If you are taking these medicines as directed and your driving is not impaired, then you are not breaking the law Keep taking your medicines as prescribed Check the leaflet that comes with your medicines for information on how your medicines may affect your driving ability Do not drive after taking your medicines until you know how they affect you Do not drive if you feel drowsy, dizzy, unable to concentrate or make decisions, or if you have blurred or double vision If your driving is impaired then you are guilty of breaking the law What is the issue? A new law on driving with certain drugs above specified limits in the body is expected to come into force on 2nd March 2015.1The list of drugs includes certain medicines that are sometimes abused, such as medicines used to treat: 1 Dependent upon the approval date of the regulations by Parliament extreme pain (morphine, diamorphine, ketamine) anxiety or inability to sleep (diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam) drug addiction (methadone) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD (amphetamine) multiple sclerosis (nabiximols) If you are found to be driving with any of these medicines above the limits in your body, you could be guilty of breaking the law. But if you are taking the medicines according to the advice of your prescriber or leaflet in the package, and your driving is not impaired, then you are not guilty of breaking this law. What will happen if I m stopped by the police? The police may use a roadside test to see if you have taken any of the drugs. If the test detects any relevant drugs, the type and level of the drugs in your body can be confirmed by a blood test taken at the police station. The law provides you with a medical defence. This states that you are not guilty if: the medicine was prescribed, supplied, or sold to you to treat a medical or dental problem, and you took the medicine according to the instructions given by the prescriber or the information provided with the medicine. But if your driving is impaired, you are guilty of breaking the law. What should I do if I need to take any of the specified medicines? Keep taking your medicine as prescribed. Check the leaflet that comes with your medicine for information on how your medicine may affect your driving ability. Do not drive while taking your medicine until you know how it affects you. Do not drive if you feel drowsy, dizzy, unable to concentrate or make decisions, or if you have blurred or double vision. For further information on this new law, go to: www.gov.uk/government/collections/drug-driving