Carlton autumn 2013 ppg newsletter

CARLTON MEDICAL PRACTICE
The ‘phone number goes into your records, which are completely confidential, and won’t be given out to anyone without your consent. On average, we have about 400 AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 2013
GP appointments per week which are bookable appointments on the day of request. CANCELLING APPOINTMENTS
Please ring us and let us know if you no longer need the appointment you’ve made. This slot can then be given to another patient. On average our doctors consult with 2000 patients per month. However, not all those booked turn up and set out below is an audit to show how many patients did not attend (DNA) their recent appointments. Nurse Practioner
Nurse/HCA
INTRODUCTION
Hello everyone and welcome to our first Newsletter! Copies may be found at reception desks, and on our website at www.carltonmedicalpractice.nhs.uk A & E or 999: If you’re injured, or are seriously ill, you should go to A & E. The
Participation Groups (PPGs) are made up of people who use particular
nearest one is Bradford Royal Infirmary which is open 24hrs a day, 365 days a year, GP surgeries, i.e. Carlton MP. These people are able to talk directly to GPs and to treat serious and life-threatening emergencies. If it’s obvious that you or another managers running a surgery about issues that are important to other patients. person is seriously ill and in need of immediate emergency care, you should call 999 Here at Carlton we work hard on your behalf to bring you information and ideas that and ask for the Ambulance service (i.e. difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, serious have been introduced at your practice. We want you to know that we are here to help, accidents, broken bones, chest pain etc.). and speak on your behalf, for what you would like to see available at your surgery. NHS 111: Offers confidential health advice and information by
Don’t forget, if anyone’s interested in joining our Patient Participation Group (PPG) telephone 24 hours a day, or via the internet at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk new members are always welcome! Details may be found on the PPG notice board (i.e. if you’re unwell and have questions about your health, or your in reception areas, or via the Practice website. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 19th
family’s health). The service can also help you to find local health November @ 4.30pm at Carlton Medical Practice, Girlington. If you’d like to come
services etc.). You should call the NHS 111 service if you need medical
along please leave your details at reception so that we can accommodate numbers. help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency. You will be assessed, given advice and directed straight away to the local service that can help you We really hope you find this news-letter useful. If you have any suggestions on what best. Calls to NHS 111 are free from landlines and mobile ’phones you’d like to appear in future editions we’d love to know; you can do this at reception, pop something in our Comments Box, or drop us a line via the website. GP Surgery: We offer expert treatment for people of all ages. You can make an
— The Carlton Medical Practice Patient Participation Group
appointment with a doctor for medical advice, examinations and prescriptions. If you need to see a doctor urgently outside of opening hours you should contact NHS SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS
111 (i.e. for vomiting, ear pain, stomach pain, back pain etc.).
No need to rush to the ‘phone in the morning if you're feeling poorly! There will be a triage facility if you feel you really need to see a doctor the same day. If all the Pharmacist: Pharmacies can give you expert advice on common illness, and the
appointments have been taken, then the receptionist will take your details and ask medicines you need to treat them, without the need for a medical appointment. you the reasons why you feel you need to see a doctor. Over-the-counter medicines are often cheaper than a prescription. Ask your pharmacist if you are suffering i.e. diarrhoea, runny nose, painful cough, headache etc. This will then be emailed to the doctor on duty and he/she will ring you back so you can have a telephone consultation. If the doctor feels that you need to be seen then Self-care: Lots of common illnesses can be treated in your home by using
you will be given a time to come to the surgery. If not, then you will be given appropriate advice over the telephone by the doctor. medicines and getting plenty of rest. It’s worth keeping handy: Paracetemol or Aspirin, anti-diarrhoeal medicine, re-hydration mixture, indigestion remedy, plasters and a TEXT MESSAGING APPOINTMENTS
thermometer (i.e. self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries). Our text messaging service has been running for a year. If you have a mobile ‘phone Talking of 111, for those of you travelling abroad, it and you haven’t signed up for this service, we urge you to take advantage. It’s is worth checking the expiry date of your E111 Card
completely free! Once you have signed up everything will be done automatically.
and renew for free, if necessary, before you set off! FOCUS ON!!! Influenza
Book your ‘flu jab now… Sessions start w/c 30th September
Appointments are now being made for our patients mentioned in the categories What is influenza?
overleaf to receive their free annual Influenza vaccination (jab) at both our Allerton Influenza is a viral disease that usually strikes between October and May. It lasts and Girlington surgeries. This year, notifications – due to the high cost of postage from three to five days, and can be followed by fatigue for two or three weeks. It with other methods of engagement available – will not be sent to individual patients usually causes aching muscles and joints, headaches, cough and fever with a via Royal Mail, so it is even more important that you book your own appointment. The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS as an annual injection to: It is a viral infection and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Antiviral agents can
• adults over the age of 18 at risk of flu (including everyone over 65) reduce the severity and duration of infection, but these are generally prescribed only • children aged six months to two years at risk of flu Book On-line or
if there are concerns regarding complications of the infection or transmission of more severe strains of the virus. The best remedy is rest while drinking plenty of fluids. Flu nasal spray vaccination
Telephone both
The flu vaccine is given as an annual nasal spray to: It's possible to get vaccinated against influenza, which is especially advisable for the • children aged two to 18 years at risk of flu Girlington Surgery elderly and other people who are at increased risk of experiencing complications of • healthy children aged two and three years on 01274 484111
‘flu. They include people with chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver and neurological diseases; diabetics; people with HIV infection; others with an underactive immune How the flu jab works
system as well as pregnant ladies and everyone over 65 years of age. Studies have shown that the flu jab definitely works and will help prevent you getting the flu. However, it will not stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary How is influenza spread?
between people, so it's not a 100% guarantee that you will be flu-free. Over time, Influenza is a viral disease, which is passed from one person to another through the protection from the injected flu vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains often air. The disease infects the nose, throat or lungs. Droplets can contaminate the skin change. New flu vaccines are produced each year, which is why people advised to and frequent hand washing is advised. It often breaks out as an epidemic, which have the flu jab do need it every year too. quickly spreads from town to town and country to country. Typically, an area can Flu jab side effects
have epidemic conditions for a period of four to six weeks before it eases off. Serious side effects of the injected flu vaccine are very rare. You may have a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days after having the jab, and your What are the symptoms?
arm may be a bit sore where you were injected.+ The flu jab for 2013/14
Available from Carlton on Saturday mornings!
Each year, the viruses that are most likely to cause flu are identified in advance and vaccines are developed to match them as closely as possible. The vaccines are recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 2013/14 vaccine protects against three types of flu virus. This year’s flu jab protects against:- H1N1 – the strain of flu that caused the swine flu pandemic in 2009
What can I do?
• H3N2 – a strain of flu that can infect birds and mammals and was active in 2011
• Step up your fluid intake – you lose a lot of liquids during a fever. • B/Massachusetts/2 – a strain of flu that was active in 2012
Is there anyone who shouldn't have the flu jab?
• If you have a cough, an over-the-counter cough remedy may ease your Most adults can have the injected flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have symptoms. The pharmacist is the best person to advise on this. had a serious allergic reaction to a flu jab in the past. • Paracetamol (eg Panadol, Calpol) or aspirin (eg Aspro clear) will reduce fever and muscle aches (Note that aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor.) Ibuprofen (i.e. Nurofen) will also relieve these symptoms. These painkillers are also found combined with medicines such as nasal decongestants in various over-the- counter cold and flu remedies. Ask your pharmacist for advice about which is most suitable for relieving your symptoms. Consult a doctor if the symptoms do not disappear after a week, or sooner if Published & printed by the PPG of Carlton Medical Practice September 2013

Source: http://www.carltonmedical.co.uk/website/B83012/files/Carlton_PPG_Autumn_2013_News.pdf