Download THE WILLOWS MEDICAL CENTRE

THE WILLOWS MEDICAL CENTRE
NEWSLETTER 2012
SURGERY STATISTICS FOR 2011
APPPOINTMENTS BOOKED AND HOW MANY DID NOT ATTEND
Appointments
Jan & Feb
2011
March &
April 2011
May &
June
2011
4,449
86
930
81
634
23
46hours
July & Augst
2011
Sept & Oct
2011
Nov & Dec
2011
Doctors
Did not attend
Nurse
Did not attend
Other clinics
Did not attend
Total hours
wasted
4,420
94
1,668
69
364
16
37hours
4,762
111
1,647
101
483
17
51hours
4,420
87
1,479
83
433
10
43hours
4,870
90
1,553
66
445
9
39hours
4,607
87
1,468
78
393
10
36hours
Other GP Duties
Jan & Feb
2011
March &
April 2011
May &
June
2011
July & Augst
2011
Sept & Oct
2011
Nov & Dec
2011
246
225
233
242
247
264
1,340
1,325
1,290
1,050
1,050
959
GP ring backs
Scripts not on
repeat
MINOR SURGERY CLINICS
DR WRIGHT PERFORMS MINOR SURGERY PROCEDURES AS WELL AS A BEING A GENERAL
PRACTITIONER. HE WORKED FOR 12 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC SURGERY HERE
IN BRADFORD IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING THE BRADFORD FIRE AND HAS CONTINUED TO
PERFORM MINOR SURGERY IN THE LOCALITY EVER SINCE, THE LAST 8 YEARS AT WESTWOOD
PARK.
HE HAS PARTICULAR EXPERIENCE IN REMOVING UNSIGHTLY/ANNOYING LESIONS FROM THE
FACE WITH THE EMPHASIS ON GIVING COSMETIC RESULTS.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN HE WILL BE PERFORMING FACE LIFTS. HOWEVER, IT DOES MEAN THAT
IF YOU HAVE THINGS, ESPECIALLY ON YOUR FACE, WHICH YOU WOULD LIKE REMOVING, YOU
NEED TO BOOK A CONSULTATION WITH DR WRIGHT AND IF APPROPRIATE HE WILL ARRANGE
ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO REMOVE IT FOR YOU HERE IN THE SURGERY.
NAPROXEN IS THE NEW DICLOFENAC
Diclofenac has commonly been prescribed in the past to treat inflammation and pain.
However, recent studies have shown Diclofenac to have some cardiovascular risk even with
short term use. In simple terms Diclofenac can increase the risk of a thrombotic episode,
for example a heart attack.
Naproxen and Diclofenac are in the same medicine class (called Non Steroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs) and are equally effective; we will be prescribing Naproxen in
preference to Diclofenac.
Ibuprofen, which can be purchased over the counter, is also a lower risk preparation.
EXTENDED HOURS
There will be no extended hours on Monday February 20th.
MEDICINE MONITORING
If you take the following medicines, frequent blood tests are necessary to monitor any
adverse effects the medicine could have to your body.
Blood tests every 2 weeks
 Chlorambucil
Blood tests monthly
 Penicillamine
Blood tests every 2 months; more frequently if you have just started on the medicine or
changed dose:
 Azathioprine
Ciclosporin
Leflunomide

Methotrexate
Mycophenolate
Sulfasalazine
Blood test 6 monthly
 Hydroxychloroquine
PLEASE CONTACT RECEPTION IF YOU ARE DUE A BLOOD TEST.
DO YOU LOOK AFTER SOMEONE – CARERS RESOURCE
If you look after a family member, friend or neighbour who has a physical disability, mental
health problem, drug/alcohol addiction or who needs extra help due to their age and
infirmity, then you are a carer.
The Carers’ Resource gives tailored support and information to unpaid carers and
vulnerable people. It is an independent, award-winning Yorkshire charity which is open to
everyone and offers emotional and practical help to enable them to cope.
To find out more about any of their services please don’t hesitate to contact them on
01274 449660 or stop by and visit them at Unit 15, Park View Court, St Pauls Road,
Shipley, BD18 3DZ.
VANDALS - PLEASE BE VIGILANT WHEN THE SURGERY IS CLOSED
IF YOU SEE ANYONE HANGING AROUND THE SURGERY WHEN WE ARE CLOSED, PLEASE INFORM
THE LOCAL POLICE ON 01274 376625.
RECENTLY WE HAVE HAD LEAD STOLEN OFF THE ROOF, WHICH HAS CAUSED DAMAGE INSIDE
THE BUILDING.
BOWEL CANCER AWARENESS
What is Bowel Cancer – The Bowel is divided into the small bowel (small intestine) and the
large bowel (colon and rectum).
Nearly all bowel cancers develop in the large bowel, two thirds of these are in the colon
and one third in the rectum. Bowel cancer is also referred to as colorectal or colon cancer.
Signs





& Symptoms – The symptoms of bowel (colorectal) cancer can be:
Bleeding from the bottom and/or blood in your poo.
A change in bowel habit lasting for 3 weeks or more especially runny poo.
Unexpected weight loss.
Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy.
Causes & Risks – Although the exact cause of bowel cancer is unknown, there are certain
factors that may increase your risk.
 Gender and age – It can affect both men and women. In the UK around 95% of cases
occur in people over the age of 50.
 Family history – People with a first degree relative(such as mother, father, brother ,
sister under 45 or with two or more first degree relatives with bowel cancer may be
considered for further testing.
 Diet and Exercise – An inactive lifestyle and a poor diet that is low in fresh fruit and
vegetables increase the risk of bowel cancer. A high intake of red and processed
meat, smoking and excess alcohol may increase the risk.
 Other conditions – People with diabetes, a history of Cohn’s disease in the large
bowel or ulcerative colitis, or people who have had previous polyps removed, may also
be at an increased risk.
Prevention & Minimising risk – By taking some simple steps to improve your diet and taking
regular exercise can help reduce your risk of bowel cancer. So it is important to:
 Consider what you are eating.
 Eat plenty of fibre.
 Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
 Avoid processed meats and have no more than 500g of red meat per week.
 Keep active with regular exercise.
 Keep hydrated and avoid drinks with containing caffeine.
 Know your alcohol limits.
 Do not smoke.
 Know the symptoms of bowel cancer and act on them if you have any concerns.
 Take part in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in your area when you are
invited. This involves completing a simple test which can help identify whether
further investigations is necessary.
FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION
If your resolutions are always finished before the last of the turkey, then it may be time
to make some SMART goals.
What are SMART goals?
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely.
Specific - Make your goal clear; think about what’s going to motivate you to make a change.
Instead of saying” I will eat healthy”, TRY “I will eat fruit instead of chocolate for morning
and afternoon snacks”.
Measurable – Put a number to what you want to do and you will focus much better. You will
also no what progress you are making and when you have succeeded. This will help you stay
on track with your goal. So instead of saying "I will do more exercise”, say “I will go
swimming twice a week”.
Achievable – Start small and easy and build your goals up gradually as you progress. If you
set yourself goals that are unrealistic, when you don’t reach them you will feel like a
failure and will probably be tempted to give up on the whole thing altogether. Instead of “I
will run a marathon” say “I will aim to run for 30 minutes at a time”.
Relevant – If your goal doesn’t make sense to you, it will be much harder to stick to and
achieve. Make sure your goals apply to you. So do not make it your goal to have an apple for
every mid-morning snack when it’s your least favourite fruit. Don’t agree to go dancing
every week if you hate dancing
Timely – Give yourself a clear deadline to reach your goal, put it in your diary/calendar and
mark off the days. Think about what you can realistically do in a set period of time.
Instead of "I will give up smoking” try “I will go to the pharmacist to get support and throw
away my cigarettes and I will be smoke free by the end of the month”
WHY SET GOALS AT ALL?
Quite simply, goals give you a purpose in life. Making a goal encourages you to focus your
time, energy and resources on a specific objective, increasing your chance of achieving it.
This in turn makes you feel good. If you are reading this thinking “but I never set goals”,
then you probably do without actually realising it. For instance, just writing a ‘to do’ list of
tasks for each day is as much of a goal as a New Years resolution.
Vist - bhf.org.uk/lifestylecheck to find out how you could improve your lifestyle with
SMART goals.
Or to help and support you set your goals :
Make an appointment with the Practice Nurse or Health Care Assistant to for a
consultation on Exercise, Diet, Weight Management and Stop Smoking.
REGISTER FOR ON-LINE
Patients registered at The Willows may also book or cancel appointments and request
prescriptions online. To use this service a password (obtainable from reception) will be
required. You can browse the website www.thewillowsmedicalcentre.co.uk
Or you can request a prescriptions by E-Mail address is
[email protected] if you have not registered for the online facility.
PRACTICE TRAINING DAYS FOR 2012 from 12pm to 2pm
JANUARY 11th
FEBRUARY 8th
MARCH 14th
APRIL 6th
MAY 9th
JUNE 4th
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
JULY 11th
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
th
AUGUST 8
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
th
SEPTEMBER 12
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
th
OCTOBER 10
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
th
NOVEMBER 14
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
th
DECEMBER 12
surgery closed 12pm – 2pm
SURGERY CLOSED FOR BANK HOLIDAYS IN 2012
APRIL 6th
APRIL 9th
MAY 7th
JUNE 4th
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Monday - May Day
Monday - Spring Bank
JUNE 5th
Tuesday - Queens Diamond Jubilee
th
AUGUST 27
Monday - August Bank Holiday
th
DECEMBER 25
Tuesday Christmas Day
th
DECEMBER 26
Wednesday Boxing Day
When the surgery is closed, patients who need urgent medical attention, may ring the
surgery and they will be transferred to Local Care Direct who provide the out-of-hours
service.
Alternatively, patients may get advice from NHS Direct, a nurse led helpline, on 0845
4647 (24 hours) or on NHS Direct Online website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the
surgery re-opens.
Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an
emergency.