KEARSLEY MEDICAL CENTRE

Newsletter September 2017

www.kearsleymedicalcentre.nhs.uk Tel: 01204 462200

DR MOLLY DOUGLAS- GP PARTNER:

Following Dr Walls retirement, Dr Molly Douglas has now become a GP Partner at the practice

GP TRAINING PRACTICE:

The doctors currently working with us are:

Dr Sania Ahmed

Dr Charles Gadallah

Dr Jessica Yeong

AUTOMATED TELEPHONE REPEAT PRESCRIPTION SERVICE:

The practice now has an automated telephone repeat prescription service. This service offers patients the option to request repeat prescriptions via their telephone using the automated service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please speak to the receptionist to register for this service

FREE WI-FI NOW AVAILABLE: Look up health information, download health apps and browse the internet

APPOINTMENT REMINDERS VIA TEXT MESSAGING:

The practice sends appointment reminders via text to patients. This reminder is sent for your appointment only and gives you the option to text back if you wish to cancel the appointment, by simply texting the word CANCEL. To receive this service, please ensure we have your correct, current mobile telephone number. Please note this service is not monitored and should not be used for texting queries or other requests.

ANNUAL SCREENING TEXT INVITES: We have started to invite patients for their annual reviews via text messaging. Please ensure that we have your up to date contact numbers

FRIENDS AND FAMILY: Your opinion matters.

Have you completed our two question patient Friends and Family feedback survey? Completing this survey provides us with your feedback on service and treatment. After your appointment you will receive a text message asking for your feedback on the service and treatment you have received. Please take the time to reply to the text, with your anonymous opinion. Alternatively, forms are available at Reception or can be completed online at www.kearsleymedicalcentre.nhs.uk.

CARERS:

We are offering all our Carers a health check, so please get in touch to book an appointment.

If you are looking after a relative or a friend, then you are a Carer. In order that our GP practice can do all they can to help you, it is important that we are aware of your status as a Carer and hold appropriate written consent details regarding this. If you are a new carer please collect, complete and return a carer’s form to us. If you are a Carer and are unsure if you have completed the necessary form, please contact us or ask at Reception

Don’t forget- Carers are eligible for flu vaccination too!

SHINGLES VACCINATION:

Are you eligible? If you were aged 70, 71, 72, 73, 78 or 79 years old on

1 September 2016, you may be eligible for vaccination. A one dose vaccination can help to prevent shingles, which can be a painful condition.

Please ask at Reception or visit www.shinglesaware.co.uk for further information

PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION:

A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone, however some people are at a higher risk of serious illness, including those aged 65years old and over.

Are you 65 years or over on 31 March 2018? If you have not already had a one-off pneumococcal vaccination, please make an appointment with the practice nurse -vaccination will offer you protection

INFLUENZA VACCINATION:

It’s coming up to that time of year again! All those patients in at risk groups will be receiving an appropriate invitation from the practice shortly.

The Department of Health recommends that you should receive the flu vaccine if you fall into one or more of the categories below:

65 years of age or over by 31 March 2018 or 6 months to less than 65 years old with Diabetes, Chronic Heart Disease, Pregnant, Chronic Neurological Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Body Mass Index above 40, Chronic Liver Disease, Specific Respiratory Problems, Low Immune System or Carer (Those in receipt of a carers allowance or those who are the main carer, or the carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill)

Please contact the practice to book an appointment into our dedicated flu vaccination clinics either directly, or via our online booking service.

This year the practice decided to participate in the local scarecrow festival and promoted the annual flu campaign via our scarecrow display.

Members of staff created the display and the results are shown on the next page.

Apparently, our display was shortlisted and highly commended!

ONLINE SERVICES:

Have you signed up yet?

We offer patients the opportunity to book, check and cancel GP appointments, order repeat medications and view their medical record 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

To register for this service:

· Complete a consent form (available at Reception)

· Provide one form of photographic identification (passport or driving licence) or two forms of any other non-photographic identification (e.g. utility bill and bank statement) to the practice.

N.B. It is most important that you thoroughly read the information leaflet given to you, prior to completing.

You will be issued with a unique username and password

There is also an Online App available- ask at Reception for details.