Download Newsletter June 2016 - The Willows Medical Centre

The Willows Medical Centre Newsletter
The Willows Medical Practice works as part of the Westcliffe Group in that there are formal ties within
the partnerships of these practices linking them together. This allows for the sharing of clinical and
non-clinical staff and therefore expertise across a group of practices as well as joined up strategic
planning for service delivery. Other practices that are part of the Westcliffe Group are Westcliffe
Medical Practice, Cowgill Surgery (Clayton) and Thornton & Denholme Medical Practice.
STOPPING SMOKING CONSULTATIONS
Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health, so if you smoke, try to
stop.
If you need help and support book an appointment with one of the nurses who do smoking
cessation and they will advise you the best method for you.
SELF ASSESSMENT ROOM – Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is simply the force of blood against the walls of our arteries, similar to the way
water exerts pressure inside a plastic pipe.
We need to keep a certain level of pressure in our arteries to maintain normal body function,
though this varies from person to person.
To keep a track on your Blood Pressure we have a Self Assessment room on the right hand
side of the reception area, where you can print off your blood pressure reading then hand the
slip into reception with your name and address on so we can record it in your medical
records.
WE DO NOT ISSUE PRESCRIPTIONS OVER THE TELEPHONE, UNLESS, A DOCTOR HAS
AGREED THIS AND IF A PATIENT IS HOUSEBOUND
We require the script in writing for audit purposes- THANK YOU
To order a prescription you can:
Register for On-Line – ask for a registration form at reception – Check out the website
By email – [email protected] - we DO NOT reply to requests. It is the patients
responsibility to follow up any queries you may have.
Back of the prescription – Please complete the counterfoil on the back of your prescription
On reception desk – Please complete the white requisition on reception desk
REMINDER 48 HOURS FOR A PRESCRIPTION
June 2016
COHENS PHARMACY AT THE WILLOWS MEDICAL CENTRE
If you have a minor ailment you might not have to see your doctor.
DID YOU KNOW, YOUR PHARMACY IS THERE TO HELP
If you are exempt from prescriptions charges, you might be able to get medicine from
COHENS for FREE, today, without an appointment!
Treatments are available for FREE, go and see your COHENS pharmacy!
THE SCHEME COVERS: SORE THROATS, ATHLETE’S FOOT, FEVER, COLD SORES,
THREADWORMS, THRUSH, BLOCKED NOSE, BITES AND STINGS, EARACHE, TEETHING,
HAY FEVER AND SPRAINS.
TREATING HAY FEVER
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Before visiting your GP, you could first visit your pharmacist and try treating your
symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines.
If these fail to improve your symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP as you may need
treatment with prescription medications.
Treatment options are discussed below.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines treat hay fever by blocking the action of the chemical histamine, which the body
releases when it thinks it is under attack from an allergen. This prevents the symptoms of the
allergic reaction from occurring.
Antihistamines are usually effective at treating itching, sneezing and watery eyes, but they may
not help with clearing a blocked nose.
They are available in tablet form and also as nasal sprays.
LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF AND OTHERS DURING HOT WEATHER
It is best for your health to avoid getting too hot in the first place. Remember to think of those who are
more at risk from the effects of heat.
Below are some tips to keep yourself and others cool:
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Keep windows closed when the room is cooler than outside. Open windows at night when the
temperature outside has dropped.
Reduce heat from sunlight coming through the windows. External shading, like shutters is
best. Metal blinds and dark curtains may absorb heat and make the room warmer – it is best to
use pale curtains or reflective materials.
Have plenty of cold drinks: avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.
Have cool showers or baths, wear loose cotton clothing, put a damp scarf on the back of the
neck, spray or splash your face with cold water frequently to help keep your body cool.
June 2016
IF YOU ARE A CARER, THERE IS A CARERS HUB YOU CAN ATTEND
The Trust’s Carers Hub will provide vital support for people in the district caring for loved ones. The
new facility will offer a space for one-to-one support, access to professional and clinical staff providing
information on relevant topics and health awareness sessions and a timetable of activities (attached)
such as art and pampering sessions.
Carers can drop in Monday – Friday between 10.00am – 4.00pm. (Excluding bank holidays)
The hub is the first phase of a wider plan to provide support to carers across the district. As the
model evolves, a range of activities are being developed in other centres across Bradford, Airedale,
Wharfedale and Craven to ensure carers are reached.
WHAT IS THE NHS FRIENDS AND FAMILY TESTS
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR SURGERY – YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT
The NHS wants to ensure that you have the best possible experience of care.
The NHS Friends and Family Test is a way of gathering your feedback about your experience so we
can make improvement to our services.
Your feedback will help us learn more about what you think about our service – what you like and
what you think we could improve. Ultimately you’re helping us to make changes that will improve our
services.
You don’t have to give your name or contact details, you can do, if you chose and we might get in
touch to find out a little bit more about your feedback. If you need support when completing the
question then a volunteer may be available to help you .
COHENS PHARMACY AT THE WILLOWS MEDICAL CENTRE
If you have a minor ailment you might not have to see your doctor.
DID YOU KNOW, YOUR PHARMACY IS THERE TO HELP
If you are exempt from prescriptions charges, you might be able to get medicine from
COHENS for FREE, today, without an appointment!
Treatments are available for FREE, go and see your COHENS pharmacy!
THE SCHEME COVERS: SORE THROATS, ATHLETE’S FOOT, FEVER, COLD SORES, THREADWORMS,
THRUSH, BLOCKED NOSE, BITES AND STINGS, EARACHE, TEETHING, HAY FEVER AND SPRAINS.
BRADFORD AND AIREDALE - MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCAY GROUP
Are you a service user or carer who has contacted the First Response Service?
The Link Project – Bradford & Airedale would like to hear your views!!!
The Link Project is a mental health advocacy group
Have your say and CALL them on 01274 770118 OR email [email protected]
June 2016
TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE
With your consent the surgery can send you text messages. Listed below are some examples of
when we might use text messaging. We need your signed consent beforehand as there is risk your
family and friends could see the messages and you may not want them to.
Please complete the slip on reception if you want us to send SMS text messages to you.
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Remind you about your booked appointments
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Give you general information about the practice, for example, new services, or changes to
opening hours, or the arrival of a new doctor
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Remind you to book an appointment, for example, your annual diabetes review
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Give you the results of bloods test and other investigations but only as far as saying it was
‘normal’ or ‘please ring the doctor’
Free NHS prescriptions - Do you qualify?
Form FP92A Application for prescription charge exemption certificate
People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption
certificate.
You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you
have:
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a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy or ileostomy) which needs
continuous surgical dressing or an appliance;
a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is
essential;
diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism;
diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone;
hypoparathyroidism;
myasthenia gravis;
myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement);
epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy;
a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person; or
cancer and are undergoing treatment for:
- cancer;
- the effects of cancer; or,
- the effects of cancer treatment.
You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your
condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free .For more information go to:
http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HelpWithHealthCosts.aspx
June 2016
TRAINING DAYS 2016 – We will be closed from 12noon until 6pm
July 21st
August 18th
September 18th
October 20th
November 17th
December 18th
BANK HOLIDAYS 2016 – We are Closed ALL DAY
Summer Bank 29th August
Christmas Day 25th December
June 2016
Boxing Day 26th December
Bank Holiday 27th December