Download It happened to me - Station Medical Group

STATION MEDICAL GROUP
Spring 2016
Inside This Issue
 News
 Staff update and news
 Fund raising activities
 Proposed merger of Station
and Waterloo practices
 Patient satisfaction
questionnaire
 Promoting Health
Skin Cancer - Be Sun `Aware
 Meet our Team - Ryan Davies
–Placement Student
Emergency Health Care
Plans
 It happened to me
Personal patient
Perspective
 Did you Know?
‘Going Online’
Prescriptions – The cost of
unused prescribed drugs
 Healthy recipe
ISSUE 8
Practice News
In the 6 months since the last newsletter was published there have a
number of developments at Station Medical Group. On the staffing
side:
 Dr Pepper Atkinson went on maternity leave and is delighted to
announce that she now has a beautiful baby girl called Georgia.
During her absence, Dr John Waddell (known to many patients,
and who retired as a Partner at the end of September) has kindly
been providing locum cover for the last 5 months.
 Dr Helen Harman is also expecting her first child in June and as
such will shortly be going on maternity leave from mid May. To
help provide GP cover during this period we will have 2 new locum
GP’s at the practice for the next 6 months, these will be Dr Rashmi
Karle and Dr Anne-Marie Cole. Both GP’s have an excellent
reputation and the Partners at Station Medical Group feel that
they are an excellent addition to the Practice.
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: Help for
Heroes, Cystic fibrosis and Text Santa.
Proposed merger of Station Medical &Waterloo Medical Groups
Due to the increased demands on Primary Care and problems with GP
recruitment and retention, the doctors at Station Medical Group
and Waterloo Medical Group are proposing to merge practices. We
hope that this will enable us to continue to provide a high standard of
health care in increasingly challenging circumstances . We would like
to reassure patients that there will be no changes to the level of care
you already receive. However, we do hope that by merging we are
able to offer more GP appointments and offer more specialist care
within the practice by potentially developing new services.
The proposed merger would take place in April 2017. Full details and
‘Frequently Asked Questions’ are available on our website or at the
surgery. Drop-in information sessions at the surgery are also planned.
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
doors
are open from 0830-1230 and 1330-1800
prescription line option - available from Hours:
0930-1200
and
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)
PAGE 2
One of the questions anticipated would be about the Blyth Acute
Centre eg: Q: Will Blyth Acute Service still run as it does now?
A: Since the BAS first started in Feb 2015 it has proved a huge
success with patients from both practices, with 95% of patients either
very likely or likely to recommend the service to friends and family.
As such, we will definitely be continuing this service.
Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire
A random survey of 120 patients - attempting to cover
as diverse a population as possible, was held at the beginning of the
year. We would like to thank everyone who participated for their
time. The results have been reviewed and will be reported back to
patients in due course.
Promoting Health - Be Sun Aware
In every issue we will
highlight a particular
health topic.
This issue covers
SUN AWARENESS
Information on this topic is
available in the waiting
area
Skin cancer is very common in the UJK. Finding skin cancer early
can save lives.
The main causes of skin cancer are too much ultraviolet radiation
from the sun, and excessive exposure or the frequent use of sun
beds.
 Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin
cancer. Fortunately it is slow growing and rarely spreads to
other areas or organs in the body,
 Squamous Cell Carcinoma is the second most common form
of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma are fortunately
slow–growing and usually remain in the outer layer of the
skin. If left untreated it has the ability to spread to other
organs in the body.
 Malignant Melanoma (also known as Melanoma) is the most
serious form of skin cancer and is more likely to spread if not
treated in the early stages.
It is important that it is
recognised early.
What to look for:
Get to know what your skin normally looks like. Notice any changes
in how your skin looks or feels. Skin cancer may appear as a new
mark or mole, or it can be something you have had for a while but
has changed.
See your Doctor if a mole or mark on your skin:
 Grows
 Bleeds
 Changes in appearance in any way.
 Never heals completely
 If any existing moles change shape, colour or texture.
Spring - April 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 3
Risk Factors
SUN AWARENESS
Anyone can develop skin cancer, but some people are more at risk
than others and can include the following:




More information on Skin
Cancer will be displayed in
the practice waiting area
during the summer months
.
Please take the information
leaflets and booklets,
which will be available.





Fair skin.
Light coloured eyes.
Natural blonde or red hair.
An outdoor occupation and being exposed to the sun without
the use of sunscreen.
Have been sunburnt in the past
Numerous freckles.
Outdoor hobbies without use of sunscreens.
A history of skin cancer.
Taking medication that suppresses the immune system,
Avoiding Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can occur on any part of the body, but most frequently
on sun exposed areas such as the face, neck, lips, ears, hands,
shoulders and limbs.
 Check your skin regularly
 Report any changes to your doctor
 Do not use sunlamps or sunbeds
 Always protect yourself from the sun by applying a high factor
sunscreen and reapply regularly.
 Cover-up: wear a T-shirt, a wide brimmed hat and
wraparound sunglasses.
 Stay in the shade between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm.
 Keep young babies out of the sun.
Did you know?
Going Online

Medical Records

Prescriptions
Sun awareness information will be displayed on the notice board in the
patient waiting area during the summer months.
Please take the information/advisory leaflets and cards available.
The above information was taken with permission from the British
Association of Dermatologists, The Wessex Cancer Trust and Cancer
Research UK.
Online Access
 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. Once registered,
you will be able to access parts of your medical record including
medications, allergies and immunisations.
You will also have the option to order repeat medications and book
appointments online.
Spring - April 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
Did you know?
Going Online

Medical Records

Prescriptions
 Appointments
___________________
PAGE 4
How do I register?
You will need to come down to the surgery with photographic ID to
verify your identity. If you do not have any photographic ID (eg
passport or driving license with photograph) please bring a recent
utility bill showing your name and home address (bank statement etc).
You will then be given a registration document containing your pin key
and account ID, this is the information you need to register online. You
would do this by visiting our website at www.stationmedicalgroupblyth.nhs.uk and clicking on the online appointments or repeat
prescription ordering button on the main page. You will then be taken
to the registration page where you can enter all your details and
create your account.
What are the benefits of online access?
Repeat prescriptions
Saves you time as you can
 order your repeat medications 24hrs a day at your
convenience.
 order prescriptions when the prescription line is closed (helpful if
you can’t find the time to ring during opening hours).
 add messages to your order.
 have your repeat medications sent directly to a pharmacy - this
saves a trip down to the GP surgery.
Online Appointments
A percentage of appointments will be available to book online, again
this can be accessed 24hrs a day (please note only one appointment
per person can be booked).
The appointments are released in the same way as our current
appointment system.
Other parts of medical record
No need to ring the surgery to find out immunisation and allergy details
as these will be displayed in your online access account.
In the future there will be more online access medical records
available.
Spring - April 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
Meet our team
Ryan Davies,
Placement Student
This section is used to
get to know members
of the practice team;
about them personally
or their work and
interests.
This article was
provided by a Medical
Student on
secondment to the
practice, to gain
invaluable first-hand
experience of working
in general practice –
mentored and
supported by our GPs.
PAGE 5
Emergency Health Care Plans
and why they should matter to you –
Ryan Davies, Newcastle University Medical Student
Emergency Health Care Plans (EHCPs
If you’re reading this and you or a family member have a long term
medical condition, read on. If that condition deteriorated and possibly
required a hospital admission, GP home visit or access to the Blyth
Acute Service, would you know which option to choose?
Well; Emergency Health Care Plans (EHCPs) are documents designed
to do this. They also help reduce unplanned hospital admissions and
are for specifically identified high risk patients. They are not produced
to stop anyone from going to hospital when needed and the potential
reduction in admissions will actually equate to a better standard of
care overall in other services. They are also important in allowing
patients more ownership and decision making with regards to their
own treatment.
EHCPs should be completed by a health care professional in
conjunction with the patient and/ or their family or carer. It outlines
medical history, current health issues and medication. It also states the
patient’s wishes and what to do in specific anticipated emergencies.
It should be kept by the patient at their home and referred to in the
event of an emergency by themselves, their family/ carers or
ambulance staff.
Sound useful? This is the theory at least.
As a medical student recently attached to Station Medical Group, I
was tasked with assessing how well these documents were actually
used by their target cohort – you the patients. The results showed that
we needed to raise more awareness of these so a follow up and
review programme has begun.
Many patients who may require an EHCP also have a carer or family
member who is actually the one who takes much of the responsibility
for their well-being. For instance, 21% of patients with an EHCP also
had a diagnosis of dementia and 36% were care home residents.
Therefore, their carers should also ideally be present when the
document is agreed and the plan put in place, or at least alerted to its
existence thereafter.
Finally, if you have or look after someone who has an EHCP –
remember to have it handy should you need to call an ambulance or
go to hospital. It can save a lot of time to have a document with all
relevant medical details to give to them. If it’s not an emergency, but
you’re worried about a condition deteriorating – remember to refer to
it. When done well, it should help you make decisions about what to
do; whether this is starting to take a rescue pack for COPD or Asthma,
changing medication dose or what symptoms/ situations may require
either a call to the GP surgery or an ambulance.
If this applies to you or someone you care for, please find out more.
Spring - April 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.
COELIAC DISEASE
I was a teenager when I first noticed some of the symptoms of Coeliac
Disease. Like lots of teenagers, I was often tired, but I also kept getting
sore tummies. On evenings out with friends I often had a bod stomach,
felt faint and had to go home early. It gradually got worse and eventually
when I was feeling generally unwell, I went to see the doctor.
After visiting the doctor I had blood tests taken – they came back
showing low white blood cell count. Further biopsies and an endoscopy
(a camera down into my stomach) came back with results showing signs
of coeliac. I had to change my diet, but noticed a huge improvement. I
was more alert, less bloated and gradually had an increase of energy.
It was quite difficult at times to accept my new diet, but I felt so much
better. I miss bread and the convenience of fast food – ie. MacDonalds.
After a night out with friends, often they fancy a McD or a takeaway, but I
can’t – which is a bit of a drag.
My mum has been able to source gluten free flour and bread and
fortunately manages to even make gluten-free cakes and other nice
recipes which everyone can eat so I don’t always need to eat differently
from the rest of the family.
Now I am 25 and have become used to this way of life. I don’t really
have a choice because Coeliac Disease cannot be cured – it has to be
managed by following a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.
I am actually
eating a much better and healthier diet, as you eat more fresh food. But
you do get used to it and I go out with my friends anyway and join in the
fun. The most difficult thing is when eating out. Even when there are
items marked gluten-free you have to be careful as it is easy for there to
be cross contamination. At least now it is much easier to find gluten-free
products than it used to be and you can find quite a good range in most
supermarkets as well as specialist shops.
What is coeliac Disease?
Coeliac disease (pronounced’ see-liac’) is a serious illness where the
body’s immune system attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten. This
causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body cannot
properly absorb nutrients from food. It is not an allergy or simple food
intolerance. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Some
people may also be sensitive to oats.
Around 1 in 100 people have coeliac disease, although it remains underdiagnosed. Coeliac disease does run in families, but not in a predictable
way. Overall, about 1 in 10 close relatives of people with CD may be
susceptible.
I am a member of Coeliac UK who support sufferers and campaign and
research this disease. They also publish latest information on new food
products and suppliers. For more information they can be contacted on
Tel: 0333 332203; www.coeliac.org.uk; www.facebook.com/Coeliac.uk
Spring - April 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
PAGE 7
MEDICINES WASTE
Did you know
Medicines Waste and
the cost to the NHS
HOW DOES IT OCCUR AND HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Sometimes patients receive medicines they don't actually use, or use
only occasionally. This means that they can lose out on the intended
health benefits of their prescription. And that can be a major
headache in more ways than one.
Not only does it meanthat their symptoms can get much worse if left
untreated - the latest Department for Health report suggests this can
cost the NHS many, many millions in avoidable extra treatment costs - it
also means that these medicines cannot be used again and need to
be incinerated.
The reasons why patients don’t take all their medication can vary and
audits have shown that around half of all the medication returned had
not even been opened. This means that patients are ordering and
receiving medication that they don’t even start to use.
It is estimated that as much as £300 million is wasted every year on
unused or partially used medication. That's money which could be
reinvested into more front line care and services for the benefit of all.
To put this into context, here's what £300 million could buy:





80,906 MORE hip replacements*
101,351 MORE knee replacements*
19,799 MORE drug treatment courses for breast cancer*
11,778 MORE community nurses*
300,000 MORE drug treatment courses for Alzheimer's*
*Based on average costs
How can you help?




Please only order the medicines that you need
Do not stockpile medication
If you STOP taking a medication please inform the surgery or
your pharmacist as soon as possible
Double check your prescription order before placing it and
when you receive it to ensure you have the correct items.
Visit http://www.medicinewaste.com/ for more information
Comment: Do you have a pile of unused medications, tablets etc. in
your bathroom cupboards/a drawer? If so , why? Do not put them
down the toilet, give them to someone else or put them in the bin.
Return them to any pharmacy who will dispose of them safely, no
questions asked. Do not re-order these meds. Cancel them from your
prescription, and tell your GP you no longer need them.
The money saved could go towards something important.
Spring - April 2016
STATION MEDICAL NEWSLETTER
Tasty and inexpensive
recipe
Tested and recommended
by one of our patients
PAGE 8
Ham and Cheese Bake ( or savoury bread pudding!)
Serves 4 people
Ingredients
Butter for greasing
1 baguette (I used wholemeal bread cut into pieces)
90gm sliced ham torn into small pieces (I used some cooked bacon
and some boiled ham)
150gm/5oz. Gruyere cheese grated. (I used strong cheddar)
5 eggs
half pint milk
284 pot single cream (I used Elmlea light single cream)
1 tblsp Dijon mustard.
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

Grease the bottom of a deep 20x30cm baking dish with
a little butter.
Tear or cut the baguette into bite sized pieces then
arrange over the bottom of the dish. Tuck the ham
pieces and grated cheese in between the gaps.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream and mustard and
pour over the bread. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours
or preferably overnight (in fridge).
Heat oven to 180c/fan160c/gas 4. Bake for 40-45
minutes until the top is crisp and golden and the egg
mix is cooked through. If the topping browns a little too
quickly, cover with foil for the remainder of the cooking
time. Serve immediately.
Note:
I used the bread as I would when making a sweet bread pudding
but in layers with ham and cheese between them.
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.
Spring - April 2016