Download Issue 19 - Spring 2016.rtf

HINGHAM SURGERY
NEWSLETTER
www.hinghamsurgery.co.uk
Issue 19 – Spring 2016
SURGERY NEWS
Firstly, a big thank you to all our patients who took part in the
national GP Patient Survey which resulted in
Hingham Surgery being ranked 8th in the country.
A great morale booster for all staff!
GOODBYE!
We have said a fond farewell to Alex Cooper, Receptionist.
We wish her all the best for the future!
We are sure you will join us in welcoming
Dr Elizabeth Branson and Dr Felicia Roberts
to the Practice.
Dr Branson will work on a Tuesday and
Wednesday morning and Friday.
Dr Roberts will work on a Monday and Wednesday
morning and Thursday afternoon.
Detailed Coded Record
We have now enabled the functionality on our clinical system to
allow patients to request access to their Detailed Coded Record
(DCR) via SystmOnline.
Detailed Coded Records contain anything ‘coded’ in your
medical record such as medication, allergies, illnesses,
immunisations and some test results.
If you already have access to online services you can make the
request when logged in. If you would like to apply for this
access, which is part of the appointment and prescription online
service, please enquire at Reception. To register you we will
require photographic ID (e.g. driver’s license, ID card, passport).
Access to online services is managed with the use of passwords
and we strongly recommend you keep these safe and do not
share them with anyone else.
Further information about your Detailed Coded Record is
available on the surgery website. Should you have further
queries please contact Patrick Hartnett at the surgery.
We aim to respond to all Detailed Coded Record requests within
28 days.
ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES FOR
MILITARY VETERANS
All military veterans (somebody who has
served at least one day in the UK Armed
Forces) should receive priority access to
NHS secondary care (hospital treatment)
for any conditions which are likely to be
related to their service. This is subject to
fair treatment of all other patients based
on clinical needs.
If you are a military veteran and would like
this recording in your medical record,
please let us know. We will inform the
hospital at the time of your referral and it
is the responsibility of the hospital to
prioritise your appointment.
The NHS Constitution ensures that, in line
with the Armed Forces Covenant, military
veterans are supported, treated equally
and receive the same standard of, and
access to, healthcare as any other UK
citizen in the area they live. There are an
estimated 40,000 veterans living in
Norfolk.
Are You Eligible For a Free NHS
Health Check?
To be eligible you must:
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Be between 40-74 years old
Not have had an NHS Health Check in
the last 5 years
Live in Norfolk or be registered with a
GP in Norfolk
Not have been diagnosed with or be
receiving treatment for any of these
conditions: Diabetes, Heart problems,
Kidney problems, High blood
pressure, High cholesterol, Stroke
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible,
please speak to Reception.
CAR PARKING
With ever increasing demands on parking
spaces - we would really appreciate it if
patients only use the surgery car park when
on surgery business.
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP NEWS
We were very sorry to see Alex leave the reception staff, we will all miss her smile and kindness. We wish her
well in her new career.
It has been a quiet time for the PPG over the winter. We are now researching our next fund raising
project. Hopefully it will be an information screen for the main waiting area. If you have any thoughts on this
we would be delighted to hear from you.
Books - We would like to thank patients for all their kind donations of books and CDs; we have asked for a
temporary halt on supply as we have a large stock to clear.
Step Out for Health Walks – These will start again on Tuesday, 26th April and take place fortnightly - anyone
who is a patient of the surgery can join us. We meet at 2.00 pm at the Market Place bus shelter and walks last
approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour at a pace comfortable for each individual.
To find out more contact the PPG at [email protected] or Nicola Cogman at the surgery.
Thank you for your continued support.
Malcolm Southgate - Chair
GET BETTER WITHOUT USING ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics are important medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria can adapt and find ways to
survive the effects of an antibiotic. They become ‘antibiotic resistant’ so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more
often we use an antibiotic, the more likely it is that bacteria will be-come resistant to it. The overuse of antibiotics in recent
years has played a major part in antibiotic resistance. This includes using antibiotics to treat minor conditions that would
have got better anyway. It has led to the emergence of 'superbugs'. These are strains of bacteria that have developed
resistance to many different types of antibiotics.
The NHS and health organisations across the world are trying to reduce the use of antibiotics to try to combat the problem
of antibiotic resistance.
How should I treat my cold?
The best way to treat most colds, coughs or sore throats is to drink plenty of fluids and to rest. Colds can last about two
weeks and may end with a cough and bringing up phlegm. There are many over the counter remedies to ease the
symptoms – Paracetamol, for example. Ask your pharmacist for advice. If the cold lasts more than three weeks, or you
become breathless or have chest pains, or already have a chest complaint, see your doctor.
What about my children, they’re always getting coughs and colds?
It’s very common for children to get coughs and colds, especially when they go to school and mix with other children. Ask
your pharmacist for advice. If the symptoms persist and you are concerned, see your doctor but you shouldn’t expect to be
prescribed antibiotics.
Why should antibiotics not be used to treat coughs and colds?
All colds and most coughs and sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not work against infections, such as colds,
caused by viruses. Viral infections are much more common than bacterial infections.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are important medicines used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria can adapt and find ways to
survive the effects of an antibiotic. They become ‘antibiotic resistant’ so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more
often we use an antibiotic, the more likely it is that bacteria will become resistant to it. Some bacteria that cause infections
in hospitals, such as MRSA, are resistant to several antibiotics.
Why can’t different antibiotics be used instead?
They can, but they may not be as effective, and they may have more side-effects. And eventually the bacteria will become
resistant to them too. We cannot be sure we will always be able to find new antibiotics to replace the old ones. In recent
years fewer new antibiotics have been discovered.
How can antibiotic resistance be avoided?
By using antibiotics less often we can slow down the development of resistance. It’s not possible to stop it completely, but
slowing it down stops resistance spreading and buys some time to develop new types of antibiotics.
What can I do about antibiotic resistance?
By only using antibiotics when it’s appropriate to do so. We now know that most coughs and colds get better just as
quickly without antibiotics. When they are prescribed, the complete course should be taken in order to get rid of the
bacteria completely. If the course isn’t completed, some bacteria may be left to develop resistance.
So when will I be prescribed antibiotics?
Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics when you need them, for example for a kidney infection or pneumonia.
Antibiotics may be life-saving for infections such as meningitis. By not using them unnecessarily, they are more likely to
work when we need them.