Download Newsletter October 2016

STATION MEDICAL GROUP
Autumn 2016
Inside This Issue
 News
 Staff update and news
 Update on planned merger
of Station and Waterloo
practices
 Patient satisfaction
questionnaire
 Promoting Health
 Lung Cancer
 It happened to me
 Sleep Apnoea
Personal patient Perspective
 Did you Know?
 ‘Going Online’
 Support Groups

Seasonal recipe
ISSUE 9
Practice News
In the 6 months since the last newsletter was published there have been
a number of developments at Station Medical Group.
On the staffing side: Dr Pepper Atkinson has now returned from
maternity leave after the birth of her daughter Georgia. We are also
delighted to announce Dr Helen Harman has had her first child – a
beautiful girl who she has named April.
Update on merger of Station Medical &Waterloo Medical Groups – To
be known as the Railway Medical Group
The proposed merger of Station Medical Group and Waterloo Medical
Group has been formally approved by both NHE England and
Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group with the proposed
merger date of April 2017. Some reconfiguration of the 3 premises
occupied by the two practices is planned (Gatacre Street, Blyth Health
Centre and Newsham surgery) and further details of the merger will be
announced in a special newsletter at the beginning of 2017.
Staff at both groups were invited to propose a name for the new
merged medical group. A number of suggestions were made, but the
most popular was the Railway Medical Group. As most people know,
the health centre housing the Waterloo practice and the nearby
Station group were built on the site of the old Blyth Railway Station
which was closed in 1960s. It was felt the new name will represent the
future joint endeavour and acknowledge the history of both practices
Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire
Earlier in the year the practice Patient Group devised a patient survey
which was completed by a random selection of nearly 100 practice
patients. We would like to thank all patients who kindly gave their time
in answering the various questions in the survey. The key points that
came out of the survey were:
Practice Opening Hours:
 Main doors are open from 0830-1830. Appointments available 0830-1115; 1355-1745. The reception is open but there is
 Practice
Opening Hours: Main doors are open from 0830-1230 and 1330-1800
no clinical cover between
12.30-1.30
– Friday.Telephone lines are open from 0830-1830 Monday to Friday – (includes
 Main telephone number:Monday
01670 542630.

ctice
Opening
Main
are open from 0830-1230 and 1330-1800
prescription line option - available from Hours:
0930-1200
anddoors
1330-1600)
Monday
–
Friday.
 Out of hours phone: for Medical Emergency 999; for routine medical assistance 111.
 Website: stationmedicalgroup-blyth.nhs.uk
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
Practice News (contd)
Patient Survey Results
PAGE 2
Contacting the Surgery
o 81.5% of patients surveyed phoned the practice to make a GP or
nurse appointments with only 12.3% of patients using the Internet (the
remaining patients made appointments at the reception desk).
o At peak times such as 8.30 when the practice opens this can result in
longer than desired waiting times to speak with a receptionist, which is
backed up by the practice survey results
o The main negative patients gave about phoning the surgery for an
appointment was that on occasions it could take multiple attempts to
actually get through to the practice and at times once you did get
through there were no appointments left.
Physically the practice can only accommodate a certain number of
telephone receptionists and consequently the practice will look to promote
the advantages and flexibility of patients registering to make appointments
via the Internet.
Appointments
o Disappointingly the survey showed that 12% of patients do not contact
the practice to cancel an appointment if they are unable to attend
o Earlier in the year the practice did a survey of the number of ‘no show’
appointments, which showed that in one month, 27 GP appointments,
68 nurse appointments and 23 Health care appointments were missed.
Waiting times for appointments within the practice can be reduced if patients
remember to cancel appointments they can’t attend – which in turn can
then be offered to other patients
Quality of Consultations
o It was extremely pleasing to see that 72% of patients rated their
consultation with a GP as “very good” with 22% rating their
consultation as “good”.
o Similarly 55% of patients rated their consultation with a practice nurse
as “very good” and 42% rated it as “good”
Reception staff
o Despite having a very difficult job at times, such as having to explain
to patients why they had no appointments left, the service provided
by the reception staff was acknowledged by patients with 26% saying
that their experience with staff on the phone was “very good” and
45% rating it as “good”
o These results were replicated for patient’s experience of reception
staff face to face with 34% of patients rating their receptionist
experience as “very good” and 44% rating it as “good”
Whilst these results are very pleasing it is acknowledged that customer service
can always be improved and as such throughout the next 12 months
customer service and telephone training is planned to assist and support
reception staff in their challenging role.
Autumn – October 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
Practice News
Patient Survey
-
Results (contd)
Due to space
limited by reporting
back on the patient
survey, there is no
‘Meet the Team’
article this issue.
This item will
reappear next
year.
PAGE 3
Practice Newsletter
o Disappointingly only 27% of patients surveyed had read the
practice Newsletter and 38% did not know that there was a
practice Newsletter.
o On the positive side, 24% of the patients who read the Newsletter
thought it was very good with another 50% rating it as “good”
To increase awareness of the newsletter it was agreed that all new patients
would be provided with a copy of the Newsletter as part of their new
patient check. A link to an electronic version of the newsletter will be put
on the practice facebook page linking to the practice website to make it
more accessible to a broader group of patients,
Summary conclusions - going forward
Whilst the majority of the results in the 2016 patient survey were very
pleasing it was acknowledged that lack of appointments was the biggest
concern to patients. Station Medical Group is constantly striving to offer
more appointments to its patient population. However there are limitations
due to budget constraints within the NHS as well as a national shortage of
GPs.
Going forward it is the intention of the Practice to increase the number of
telephone consultations provided by GPs at the practice.
Where
appropriate, this which will enable more patients to be dealt with and able
to access GP advice.
This should reduce appointment waiting times.
Further details of this service will be released within the next few months.
Patient Group
The GP Partners and Chris Watson, Practice Manager, would like to thank
all the members of Station Medical Group’s Patient participation Group for
all their hard work in devising and designing the patient survey this year.
This was done over a number of weeks and involved asking patients visiting
the practice what type of questions they would like in the survey and what
other patients thought was important to them.
Should you wish to join the Patient participation Group and get involved in
future projects then please leave your name and contact details with a
member of the reception team and these will be passed onto the patient
group members.
Other News
Finally, since the last Newsletter the staff at Station Medical Group have
undertaken 3 fund raising activities to support both local and National
charities. The charities they have provided donations for are:
Chrysilis
Cystic fibrosis
Text Santa
Autumn – October 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 4
Promoting Health - Lung Cancer
In every issue we will
highlight a particular
health topic.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK. Most cases
occur in people over the age of sixty. Smoking is the main cause of lung
cancer.
This issue covers
All cancers develop when certain cells escape from your body’s control
and start to change. These abnormal cells start to increase and may
grow to form a lump called a tumour.
Promoting Health Lung Cancer
Information on this topic is
available in the waiting
area
Please take the
information leaflets and
booklets, which will be
available.
Tumours can be malignant or benign.
 Malignant tumours are cancerous
 Benign tumours are non-cancerous
There are two main types of lung cancer tumours:
 Small cell lung cancers grow quickly
 Non small cell cancers grow more slowly
Non-smokers are more likely to develop one particular type of lung
cancer, called adenocarcinoma.
Some of the typical signs and symptoms listed below are common (but
may not necessarily be caused by lung cancer). If you have some of
these symptoms and are concerned, contact your doctor who will refer
you for further tests and investigations, including chest x-ray, if necessary.
What are the symptoms of potential lung cancer?
 A cough that lasts more than three weeks
 A change in the cough you have
 Feeling out of breath
 Wheezing from one side of your chest (this might make it difficult
to sleep on one side)
 Coughing up blood – even a small amount
 An ache or pain in your chest or shoulder
 Unexplained weight loss
 Loss of appetite
Treatment
In the last ten years progress has been made in the treatment of lung
cancer. Treatment offered will depend on the stage and type of your
cancer and may include any of the following.
 Surgery: an operation to try to remove the tumour.
 Chemotherapy: medication taken to destroy cancer cells.
 Radiotherapy: high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells.
 Targeted therapy: medication to stop the cancer cells growing.
 Palliative care: medication and other treatments used to control
symptoms and help improve quality of life.
Lung cancer information will be displayed on the notice board in the
patients’ waiting area during the winter months. Please take the
information booklets and leaflets available.
Autumn – October 2016
If you need further information or support, phone the British Lung
Foundation:
Helpline: 0300030555, or
E-mail: enquiries @blf.opr.uk
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 5
Online Access
Did you know?
Going Online

Medical Records

Prescriptions
 Appointments
___________________
What is online access?
Station Medical have the facility for patients to use their website
www.stationmedicalgroup-blyth.nhs.uk via your own home computer or
‘tablet’, to communicate with the practice, instead of/or as well as
using the phone or calling in in person.
As well as finding news items and information about the practice, you will
also have the option to order repeat medications and book
appointments online.
Once registered, you will be able to access parts of your medical record,
including prescribed medications, allergies and immunization history.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Did you know?
Northumbria Health Care
Trust: with
Macmillan Cancer
Support
___________________
Macmillan Cancer Support provides a wide range of support to cancer
sufferers in our area and nationally.
This ranges from providing
specialized nursing support personnel working alongside NHS health care
professionals, to providing excellent information booklets on every form of
cancer, covering most questions and issues patients will need. These are
aimed at helping individuals suffering from cancer and their families, and
are written in factual, but easy to understand language,
Another service from Macmillan has come to our attention which we feel
will offer valuable local support.
‘Drop In Fridays’
The drop-in has been created to provide information and support for
people affected by cancer and other serious illnesses. Go along and
meet other people in a similar situation or talk to someone privately if you
prefer.
The drop-in provides a wide range of resources: knowledge of local
services and access to specialist services, including welfare and benefits
advice, social work support and auricular acupuncture.
The drop in is held at Nursery Park Health Centre, Nursery Park, Ashington,
NE63 0HP
‘We get Crafty’
If you’re living with cancer or caring for someone who is, come along to
our craft group where you can meet new people, share experiences and
receive support whilst trying new crafts and learning new skills.
“If you would like to join us contact the team on 01670 855533 or email:
[email protected].”
Autumn – October 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 6
It happened to me ….
It happened to
me…
It could happen to
you?
A personal
perspective from
one of our patients
As a regular topic
we include an
anonymous article
from one of our
patients about their
own very personal
experience with an
illness. This is their
own experience, in
their own words
and not a
professional view,
but it might be of
interest to help
fellow sufferers or
their carers.
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA
What IS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA?
Although not everyone will have heard of it, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is
a relatively common condition where the walls of the throat relax and narrow
during sleep, disrupting normal breathing. This leads to regularly interrupted
sleep, which can have a big impact on quality of life and increases the risk of
developing certain conditions.
“It is a few years ago now, but for quite some time, I had been waking up in
the morning feeling exhausted and I was constantly tired during the day,
sometimes nodding off during meetings at work.
It was a chance meeting with someone whilst on holiday that led me to put
two and two together. Our new friend Brian mentioned how he had been
falling asleep at work and only when he dozed off briefly at the wheel of his
car when waiting at traffic lights had he decided he must see a doctor.
My wife had noticed that I frequently gasped and spluttered in my sleep,
which was exactly what Brian had done prior to his diagnosis of OSA and
subsequent therapy. He told me that he now wore a mask connected to a
small machine at the bedside to help his breathing, and that it had changed
his life. He now felt a different person at work and in his personal life.
The first doctor I saw refused to believe in the existence of OSA (this was 13
years ago and not at Station Medical!). At my insistence I saw another GP
who referred me to a specialist at the Freeman Hospital where I underwent a
sleep assessment involving being attached to monitors overnight. The result
was clear – I had OSA. I was going through a cycle of falling asleep, being
woken briefly because I had stopped breathing and then falling asleep again.
The cycle was repeating every few minutes but I was unaware of it because I
was never fully asleep or fully awake. This condition put me at increased risk
of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. I was issued with a CPAP
(Constant Positive Airway Pressure) machine and mask, which I was initially
apprehensive about wearing.
It isn’t the most flattering night wear!
Fortunately my wife insisted that I persevere and now I don’t even think about
it. As soon as I started CPAP therapy I regained my energy and no longer felt
tired during the day. This is a lifetime condition. If I am away on holiday or
away from home ,even though I have to take my machine and mask
everywhere with me, it’s worth the inconvenience and I can live a normal
active life again.”
Some facts:
Apnoea and hypopnea
There are two types of breathing interruption characteristic of OSA:
 apnoea – where the muscles and soft tissues in the throat relax and collapse
sufficiently to cause a total blockage of the airway; it's called an apnoea when
the airflow is blocked for 10 seconds or more
 hypopnoea – a partial blockage of the airway that results in an airflow
reduction of greater than 50% for 10 seconds or more
People with OSA may experience repeated episodes of apnoea and hypoanoea
throughout the night. These events may occur around once every one or two minutes
in severe cases.
Autumn – October 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
It happened to me
Sleep Apnoea
PAGE 7
Symptoms of OSA
The symptoms of OSA are often first spotted by a partner, friend or family member
who notices problems while you sleep.
Signs of OSA in someone sleeping can include:
 loud snoring
 noisy and laboured breathing

repeated short periods where breathing is interrupted by gasping or
snorting

Some people with OSA may also experience night sweats and may wake
up frequently during the night to urinate.
 During an episode, the lack of oxygen triggers your brain to pull you out of
deep sleep – either to a lighter sleep or to wakefulness – so your airway
reopens and you can breathe normally.
 These repeated sleep interruptions can make you feel very tired during the
day. You'll usually have no memory of your interrupted breathing, so
you may be unaware you have a problem.
 When to seek medical advice
 See your GP if you think you might have OSA.
Causes of OSA
It's normal for the muscles and soft tissues in the throat to relax and collapse to
some degree while sleeping. For most people this doesn't cause breathing
problems.
In people with OSA the airway has narrowed as the result of a number of factors,
including:
 being overweight – excessive body fat increases the bulk of soft tissue in
the neck, which can place a strain on the throat muscles; excess stomach
fat can also lead to breathing difficulties, which can make OSA worse
 being male – it's not known why OSA is more common in men than in
women, but it may be related to different patterns of body fat distribution
 being 40 years of age or more – although OSA can occur at any age, it's
more common in people who are over 40
 having a large neck – men with a collar size greater than around 43cm (17
inches) have an increased risk of developing
 taking medicines with a sedative effect – such as sleeping tablets or
tranquillisers
 having an unusual inner neck structure – such as a narrow airway, large
tonsils, adenoids or tongue, or a small lower jaw
 alcohol – drinking alcohol, particularly before going to sleep, can make
snoring and sleep apnoea worse
 smoking – you're more likely to develop sleep apnoea if you smoke
 the menopause (in women) – the changes in hormone levels during
the menopause may cause the throat muscles to relax more than usual
 having a family history of OSA – there may be genes inherited from your
parents that can make you more susceptible to Treatment options for OSA
include:
lifestyle changes – such as losing excess weight, cutting down on alcohol and
sleeping on your side

using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device – these
devices prevent your airway closing while you sleep by delivering a continuous
supply of compressed air through a mask

Autumn – October 2016
wearing a mandibular advancement device
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
Special Christmas
Recipe
Tested and recommended
by one of our patients
PAGE 8
Christmas Cake
8oz plain flour, sieved into a bowl with 1tsp mixed spice and pinch of salt
2oz flaked almonds
8oz each seedless raisins and sultanas
4oz Currants
4oz glace cherries, halved
4tblsp Brandy or Rum
6oz muscovado sugar
6oz margarine
2tblsp black treacle
4 beaten eggs
Grated rind and juice of half an orange
Greased and line an 8” loose bottom tin.
Method:
Delivering a service
for approximately
10,000 patients in
the Blyth area
Please
use
the
Suggestion Box on
Reception and PPG
to voice your views.
Newsletter:
We
welcome
ideas
for
topics of interest from all
ages,
and
would
especially like to hear
from young people.
PPG
1. Rinse the dried fruit and cherries,
drain and soak in the spirit in a container overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 170 C/325 F/gas Mark 3
3. Cream the sugar and margarine until fluffy and pale, stir in the treacle.
4. Add the beaten eggs, alternating with the flour, beating after
each addition.
5. Add the orange rind, juice and almonds, then stir in the soaked
fruit and mix well.
6. Put into the prepared tin, levelling the surface and cover
with a double thickness band of brown paper.
7. Bake for 3-3.5 hours. Checking with a skewer so that it comes
out clean in the centre of cake.
8. Allow to cool in the tin, then remove and wrap in greaseproof
paper when absolutely cold and store in an airtight tin.
Enjoy
Seasons Greeetings…
A Happy, Healthy New Year to everyone.
The Patient Participation Group is made up of volunteer patients who attend meetings every two months with
practice staff to give feedback from/represent all patients and to take a proactive role in building the relationship between
the SMG and their patients. We would like to represent all member s of the community and all ages. If you would like to be
involved, particularly if you are 18-30, we would like to hear from you. Ask at reception.
Autumn – October 2016