Download Newsletter Issue 8

Norbury Medical Practice
Newsletter – October 2013
FLU JABS
If you are in one of the “At Risk Group” or have a Serious Medical
Condition” then you should book an appointment NOW for your Flu Jab. A
routine offer of vaccination is also now being offered to all 2 and 3 year olds
(but not 4 years or older) wef 1 September 2013
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious respiratory illness caused by a flu virus. It
spreads rapidly through the coughs and sneezes of infected people. Seasonal
flu immunisation, or the flu jab, is the injection of a vaccine against flu. It gives good protection from flu
that lasts for one year.
For most people, seasonal flu is unpleasant but not serious and they recover within a week. However,
certain people are at greater risk of developing serious complications of flu, such as bronchitis and
pneumonia. These may require hospital treatment. A large number of elderly people die from flu every
winter. The seasonal flu vaccine is offered free of charge to these at-risk groups to protect them from
catching flu and developing these complications. If you think you need a seasonal flu vaccination check
with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist.
At Risk Groups. It is recommended you have a flu jab if you:
 are 65 or over,
 have a serious medical condition (see below),
 live in a residential or nursing home,
 are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill,
 are a healthcare or social care professional directly involved in patient care
Serious Medical Conditions.
 chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, including severe asthma, COPD or bronchitis
 chronic heart disease
 chronic kidney or liver disease
 chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease or motor neurone disease
 diabetes, or a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS)
 certain treatments (such as cancer treatment).
APPOINTMENTS
We use an appointments system in this surgery. Appointments may be made by telephoning or by calling in
at the surgery. If you make an appointment by telephone, please make sure that you mark in your diary so
that you don’t forget. If you make an appointment by calling in at the surgery, then the receptionist will give
you an appointments card for you to keep and remind you of the date and time.
Patients are also invited to complete a form giving the Practice their mobile ‘phone number,
and the automated text reminder system will text appointment reminders to patients.
If you are unable to attend an appointment with one of the doctors or nurses, then please inform
us as soon as possible as this will assist others waiting for appointments. By giving us as much
notice as you can you are helping us to make sure that someone else is given your slot.
PLEASE TURN OVER
Norbury Medical Practice – Newsletter – October 2013
Produced by Patient Participation Group
EMAIL ADDRESSES.
The Practice has been collecting patients’ email addresses so that Newsletters and other helpful information
can be emailed to patients’ home computers. We will also be using the email addresses to invite patients to
be involved with on-line surveys about the Practice. If you have not already provided your email address,
you may complete a form available from the reception desk.
ON-LINE PRESCRIPTIONS.
Norbury Medical Practice now offers patients the opportunity to access your
prescriptions on-line. You will need to ask the reception desk for a registration form
and provide photographic identification (such as a driver license or passport) and ask
to be registered for Patient Access. You will be given the necessary passwords. Once
you've created an account you will be able to use the on-line services of the Practice
from your home computer to order repeat prescriptions.
APPOINTMENTS & DNAs
The Practice looks after nearly 11,000 patients, and whilst the NHS requirement is to provide 777
appointments per week, a recent audit of Quick Access appointments, Morning & Evening & Telephone
consultations indicated that the Practice is currently providing in excess of 1,000 per week.
However, there continue to be a large number of DNAs where patients book advance appointments and then
Do Not Attend (DNA) without informing the surgery beforehand. This typically “wastes” at least 200+
appointments per month, and those appointment slots could have been offered to other patients waiting.
The Practice will be taking a strong line on DNAs, and if patients miss two appointments without informing
the surgery beforehand, the Practice will write to the patient giving a warning.
PHARMACY FIRST
If you are suffering from one of the ailments listed below, you may not need to go to your GP for treatment
– at least not initially. So instead of waiting for a GP’s appointment, visit your local Pharmacist who will be
able to give you advice and medication, if appropriate, in the same way as your GP.
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Acne vulgaris (mild)
Athletes foot
Low back pain
Cold sores
Common cold, sore throat and cough
Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
Constipation
Contact dermatitis
Cystitis
Diarrhoea
Ear ache (acute otitis media)
Ear wax
Fever
Haemorrhoids
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Hayfever, allergic rhinitis and allergies
Head lice
Headache
Indigestion/dyspepsia
Insect bites/stings
Mouth ulcers
Nappy rash
Scabies (diagnosed)
Sprains & strains (soft tissue)
Teething
Threadworm
Toothache
Vaginal thrush
Warts and Verrucas
You may go straight to one of the pharmacies taking part in this scheme, where the Pharmacist will see you
without an appointment. You may be asked for evidence of registration with your Doctor. This could be
your NHS medical card or a repeat prescription slip, for example.
PATIENT REFERENCE GROUP
If you would like to join our Patient Reference Group and receive information by email, please let us know
your email address if we do not already know it. A form is available at the Reception Desk.
Norbury Medical Practice – Newsletter – October 2013
Produced by Patient Participation Group