Download THE MEADO W S SU RGERY Happy Retirement!

Summer 2015
NEWSLETTER
Dr Julie Patuck retired from The Meadows Surgery at
the end of June 2015. We wish her all the best for a
happy & healthy retirement.
THE MEADOWS SURGERY
Here is a farewell message from her...
“After 25 years I have now reached retirement age! I joined
the Practice in 1990 and I have really enjoyed my years here, it
has been a great privilege to look after such lovely patients and
to share in your lives during this time. Babies I did 6 week
checks on have now gone on to have their own babies and I
have done checks on these. It has been lovely to watch families
growing & evolving. I have also been so lucky to have worked
with such wonderful colleagues over the years, they have always been so cheerful, hardworking & supportive to me.
The practice has evolved so much over the years originally
based at North Street in very cramped premises, we have
moved to become The Meadows Surgery, in our wonderful
new premises. Exciting to watch it being built and lovely to
work in it. I expect many of you remember the fish tank at
North Street Surgery! Hand written paper notes have been
replaced with computerised patient records. Patient care has
improved & progressed so much, with a wide range of health
services now available at the Surgery.
The practice team has expanded to include health care assistant's & secretaries. The practice has always been so well
supported by the enthusiastic members of the Friends Association, who continue to fund raise for the Surgery. Thank you for
all your cards, flowers and gifts you have sent and for your
many good wishes for a Happy Retirement.
I shall be sad to leave you all, but I know you will continue to
have wonderful care from the Meadows Team. I am looking
forward to having more time to spend with my lovely family
and to catch up with friends. David and I are hoping to be able
to do more sailing, cycling , skiing and travelling in the future.
My music skills may improve! I feel very lucky to have had a
career that I have enjoyed so much and I wish you all well in
the future. I expect I shall continue to bump into many of you
in Tescos!”
Happy Retirement!
Staff Profiles
Hay fever
Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions. It is
estimated that there are more than 10 million people with hay
fever in England. Hay fever usually begins in childhood or during the teenage years,
but you can get it at any age.
Hay fever is more likely if there is a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or
eczema. Hay fever is a common allergic condition that affects up to one in five people
at some point in their life. Symptoms of hay fever include; sneezing, a runny nose,
itchy eyes. The symptoms of hay fever are caused when a person has an allergic reaction to pollen.
Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. Pollen
contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become
swollen, irritated and inflamed.
Mrs Katie Masterson
Receptionist
“I am originally from
Brighton. I love walking
My dog, Fern, listening to
Music and floristry.
I started working at The
Meadows Surgery in October
2014, when we moved to
Ilminster and I love it here.”
You can have an allergy to: tree pollen, released during spring. Grass pollen, released
during the end of spring and beginning of summer, or weed pollen, released any time
from early spring to late autumn
Treatment
There is currently no cure for hay fever but most people are able to relieve symptoms
with treatment, at least to a certain extent.
In an ideal world, the most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. However, it's very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months when you want to spend more time outdoors. Treatment options for hay
fever include antihistamines, which can help prevent an allergic reaction from happening and corticosteroids (steroids), which help reduce levels of inflammation and
swelling. Many cases of hay fever can be controlled using over-the-counter medication available from your pharmacist. But if your symptoms are more troublesome it’s
worth speaking to your GP as you may require prescription medication.
Self-help tips
It is sometimes possible to prevent the symptoms of hay fever by taking some basic
precautions, such as; wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your
eyes when you are outdoors. Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body, try to stay indoors when the pollen count is
high (over 50).
Appointment Booking
In order for the GP’s to manage patients
sufficiently and to avoid waiting times,
patients are reminded that when
booking appointments, is it one appointment for one person and
one problem. If you require another member of your family to be
seen by a GP, please make a separate appointment for them.
Likewise, if you feel like you need more time with a GP to discuss
more than one problem, which could take more than 10 minutes
please ask the Receptionist for a double appointment.
Thank you
Mrs Tracey Gold
Receptionist
“I have worked at The Meadows Surgery since March
2015. I am really enjoying it
here. My background is as an
administrator and working
with
vunerable children. I am married and have a
gorgeous Grandson who is 12
weeks old. I love taking my
two dogs out for walks and
can be spotted on the cycle
path from time to time. “
Blood pressure
We have an automatic
blood pressure machine
located in reception.
Patients are welcome to
use the machine at any time to check their blood
pressure. The machine will print out your reading on
a piece of paper, which we ask you to hand to reception so that we may record this on your medical
records. If you need assistance please ask a member
of staff who will be happy to assist you.
Dispensary Information
If you are ordering your medication early due to holiday, please let us know , a hand written
note at the bottom of your prescription if fine.
Please also remember that we require a minimum of 48 hours notice when ordering your
repeat medications.