GP Web Solutions - Inside this issue:€¦ · Web viewSurgery And it’s an old one but a good one – ‘Coughs and sneezes spread diseases’! Simple hand washing can help limit

Flu Clinics1Message in abottle1Beware the winter vomiting bug2Now please wash your hands2Fire Safety3Patient Group Health Event3Invitations to health checks3DNA Appointments 4Join our PPG 4

To obtain your free bottle, which come with full instructions, you can collect one from the surgery or contact your local Library or Police Station.  

condition, allergies, medication and GP etc. This information can be easily found in an emergency and acts as a simple but potentially effective lifesaver . The scheme is also fully supported by Southend Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service, the Ambulance Service and Southend Borough Neighborhood Watch 

The Message in a Bottle scheme is aimed at people on long-term medication and has already proved to be a great success in the UK. To date this voluntary scheme has saved the lives of 120 people living in Essex. The "Bottle" is a small plastic container which is kept in the fridge and contains details of the person's Carer or next of kin, medical

Message in a Bottle

Inside this issue:

Highlands Surgery

Newsletter

HIGHLANDS SURGERY PATIENT

PARTICIPATION GROUP

Highlands Surgery There was some confusion this year regarding who was eligible for the flu vaccinations, and hopefully this was cleared up on an individual basis. Patients in vulnerable groups and their carers qualify for the jab under NHS provision. However, if you are not registered at the practice as a carer we would not have you down as qualifying for the flu jab. If you are a carer for a relative or friend, please let us know using the appropriate form so that we can not only offer you the relevant vaccinations in future, but can also offer you the support

We would like to thank you for your consideration and support during the ‘flu vaccination clinics. As you may know, we started the clinics early so we could get ahead and asked if everyone who didn’t have specific days or deadlines to meet, if they could think about helping things run smoothly by not necessarily arriving at the beginning of each clinic. You did this and as a result, no one had long waiting times and often, there was no wait at all.  

you may need and not be aware is available. 

January 2014

Page 2

Simple hand

washing can help limit the

spread of infection

Simple hand washing can help limit the spread of infection and in particular it’s helpful to consider hand hygiene before eating or touching food, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose or coughing, after touching pets or other animals, before and after visiting a sick friend or relative.  It only takes about the same time as singing ‘Happy birthday

 And it’s an old one but a good one – ‘Coughs and sneezes spread diseases’!  

to you’ twice but can make a big difference, especially if you bear in mind five steps:  Wet hands with

warm water Soap (doesn’t have

to be antibacterial)  Wash Rinse Dry (ideally with a

paper towel) We also keep a container of hand rub on the main reception desk for anyone visiting Highlands Surgery

Now please wash your hands

Beware the winter vomiting bug

 (People are reminded to frequently wash hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after toilet visits and before eating or preparing food. Sharing eating utensils and drinking containers should be avoided.)

easy to pass on but by adopting thorough and frequent hand washing, it’s possible to stop the spread.  If you catch the bug, stay at home and avoid visiting hospital or preparing food until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have gone. Anyone having trouble keeping fluids down or who believes any medication they are taking is being compromised can telephone their own GP or NHS Direct for advice on 0845 4647.

Norovirus, is set to makes its seasonal appearance and is urging people to maintain tip-top cleanliness to minimise its spread. Symptoms can begin suddenly and may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach-cramps, chills and muscle aches which tend to last for around 24 hours, although the bug may last for up to 48 hours in the body. It’s very common in winter and can make vulnerable people, such as the elderly or people with long term

Over the course of each year we regularly invite patients to come along and have certain checks (this can be by phone or by letter), these might be blood pressure checks, blood tests or we may ask them to make an appointment with a specific clinician, i.e. Diabetic Nurse or GP. The reason for these checks is to enable us to monitor an individuals health and to ensure we are giving them the correct treatment and/or medications. If you receive one of our invites please do respond as it is important we keep your records up to date to ensure we are giving you the best care possible. Thank you.

Invitations to have checks at the Surgery

plugs/or hot sockets flickering lights. Unplug appliances when not in use or going to bed. Keep portable heaters clear from curtains and furniture and don’t use them for drying clothes.

 Never smoke in bed and always use a proper ashtray. Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach

 Make an escape plan and make sure that everyone in the house knows how to escape. Ensure that exits are kept clear If you have a fire keep calm, get out, get everyone out and call 999.

 Fit a working smoke alarm on each level of your home and check it weekly. Always close inside doors at night to prevent fire spread.

 If you use candles put them out when you leave the room and at night. Put them in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire. Never leave children alone with candles

 When cooking ensure that pan handles don’t stick out and keep tea towels and prevent overheating and keep to one plug per socket.

  Watch for signs of dangerous wiring eg: scorch marks,

FIRE SAFETY

The Patient Participation Group are soon to be holding another Health Event (hopefully in April 2014). The topic of this event will be Diabetes. The subjects covered will be applicable to those patients already suffering from Diabetes as well as those at risk of Diabetes. If you fall into either of these categories you may get an invitation through the post. If you do, please come along and join us as all the previous events have always been very well received by the patients that have attended and have given them some valuable information to assist in their care and well being.

Highlands Surgery NewsletterPage 3

DID YOU KNOW…… You are twice as likely to

die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm

 90 people die each year because the battery in their smoke alarm was flat or missing

 More than 5 fires a day are started by candles

 Over half of fires in the home are caused by cooking accidents

 Faulty electrics (appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 7000 house fires across the country every year

 Every three days someone dies from fires caused by cigarettes

  Name……………………………………………………………………………  Address…………………………………………………………………………  …………………………………………Tel……………………………………  

I am interested in joining Highlands Surgery Patient Participation Group.

My details are as follows. 

Highlands Surgery NewsletterPage 4

We are looking for

new members to join our

Group. 

Ask at reception

to Join the Patient

Participation Group

or complete the form

DNA’s for appointments

minders of their appointments 48 hrs prior to their appointment time and still do not arrive!! Some have even made the appointment on the day or the day before and still do not attend!! Please help us to reduce this figure by either calling to cancel your appointment on our dedicated line  01702 509140  or texting our cancellation line on  07503 597682

We constantly strive to bring the waiting time down for routine doctors appointments. Unfortunately we are finding that more and more people are booking appointments and then not turning up for them. During the month of January 2014 we had 160 people that did not attend their appointments. This equates to 9 doctors surgeries, which in turn means that the waiting time for routine appointments could have been reduced by 1 week! The majority of patients do get text re