Heathcote Medical Centre
Patient Newsletter June 2017
Reminder of Opening Times
Appointment Availability
The surgery is open
As is the case for all GP practices, demand easily outstrips
supply of routine appointments. Here at Heathcote we offer

Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:30 (core opening hours)
telephone consultations with doctors in circumstances where

Appointments can be made at reception from
the 10 minute face to face appointment is not necessary and
08.30
encourage our patients to explore whether this would be

appropriate by giving information to our trained
Telephone lines are open between 08:30 - 12.45
receptionists. We would also remind our patients that many
and 14:00 - 18:00
issues can be effectively covered by our nursing and
We also offer bookable extended hours late appointments on
healthcare assistant team.
Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 18:30 until 20:30.
To assist us in maximising appointment availability we
politely ask all patients who no longer need an appointment
to cancel them. It is not necessary to speak to a receptionist
After closing times patients should telephone 111 to access
– you can use our automated system and leave a message,
out of hours care for issues which cannot await the surgery
even out of hours. You can even reply CANCEL to a text
reopening. 999 should be called for emergencies. Chest
reminder. Please do make use of this to free up much
pains constitute a medical emergency.
needed appointment time.
Alternatively out of hours you can make an appointment at
one of the local hubs. Please call GP Health Partners on
01372 738373.
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Practice/Locality News
Surrey Downs CCG want your views
Enhanced SMS Service and Wi-Fi
The practice is part of Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning
We have for some time had the ability to send SMS messages
Group [“CCG”]. The CCG is looking for patient feedback in
to patients to remind them of their appointments. Recently
its procurement of a new combined NHS111 and GP out of
we have benefitted from an enhancement to this service and
hours service. They have launched an engagement campaign
we are now able to text patients about a variety of topics
to obtain feedback from patients and stakeholders.
from alerting them to a test result being available to running
campaigns encouraging patients to have vaccinations or
There is a meeting on Thursday 29th June 10am to 12pm at
checks. The service also allows us to maximise ease of use
leatherhead Leisure Centre, Guildford Road, Fetcham,
for patients with the option to decline a service or cancel an
Leatherhead KT22 9BL. Patients who would like to attend
appointment by text. When you speak with the receptionist,
should register their interests at this link:-
please ensure that we have your correct mobile number so
you can receive this service.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nhs-111-and-gp-out-ofhours-stakeholder-engagement-event-tickets-34972346229
We are also pleased to confirm that Wi-Fi is being installed
in the building. The landing page is still being improved at
For those who cannot attend but would like their views
project level so do look out for notices in the waiting room
taken into account, please access the survey at the following
in coming weeks once the service is fully operational.
link:https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/111views
Immunisations
MENINGITIS
Teenagers born between 01/09/1998-31/08/1999 (2017 school leaver cohort) are now eligible for MenACWY
vaccination. Eligible patients will be contacted by text or letter inviting them to make an appointment with a
practice nurse.
There has been high media interest in the very sad death of Lauren Sandell. Lauren was in the vaccine eligible
cohort that left school last year and was at university for less than two weeks before falling ill with MenW
disease. She had not been immunised before leaving for university and sadly her case highlights the need to
vaccinate with MenACWY before young people begin higher education. This will save lives. However you do
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not have to be a school leaver or entering higher education to receive the vaccine – all those born within
that school year are eligible.
In addition the following individuals should be immunised before their 25th birthday:

Anyone born on or after 01/09/1996 who has missed routine school (administered in school years 9/10
at 13-15 years)

New entrants to higher education (university freshers) who have not yet been immunised with
MenACWY vaccine.
When attending, it is a good opportunity to check your MMR (measles mumps rubella) status so do raise this
with the practice nurse.
Please see the link for information on the Men ACWY vaccination.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/men-acwy-vaccine.aspx
PNEUMOCOCCAL
Over 65s and those with serious conditions are also eligible to have the pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumococcal infections
can lead to serious conditions such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. Appointments are available with Shelly our
HCA.
Free Health Checks Service
We are able to offer health checks to patients aged between 40 and 74 who are not already being treated for medical
conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. The check is to assess your risk of developing diabetes,
heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and dementia. If there are any warning signs, then together we can do something
about it.
The check should take about 20-30 minutes and is based on straightforward questions and measurements such as age,
gender, family history, height, weight and blood pressure. There will also be a simple blood test to check for cholesterol and
diabetes.
Following the check, you will receive free personalised advice about what you can do to stay healthy. For more information
please see the website: http://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/
If you wish to make an appointment with one of our health care assistants please see reception or call the surgery at your
convenience.
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Surrey Travel Clinic - Before You Fly
Please consider your vaccination requirements. Ask reception for an assessment form which will include countries and areas
within countries you intend to visit in order that we can advise you. Please note not all vaccinations are covered by NHS
services and hence may incur a charge.
Staff Changes
We are pleased to welcome two new doctors. Dr Christine Vickery joined the practice earlier this year and Dr Claire Richards
has joined us as as registrar.
Message From The Patient Participation Group
The Patient Participation Group at Heathcote is a small group whose role is to work with the practice to improve the services for the patient
and to support the practice. Via two-way communication the patient's views and expectations can be expressed and the changes and
developments in health care discussed. The group aim to work collaboratively and positively with the practice to improve services for the
patient and to support the practice.
The group has organised basic life-saving training via the St Johns Ambulance for patients of the practice. This is taking place the
afternoon of Saturday 29th July 2017 and we have made a room available for use at the surgery. There are (as at 21 June 2017) 3 places
remaining. Anyone interested should contact the PPG via [email protected]. Please note there may be a small financial
contribution towards the St Johns Ambulance costs.
The group is also looking to have its first AGM which will likely be Autumn 2017. They are very keen to have input and attendance from
the wider patient community so do get in touch with any issues for discussion.
Come and join us; we welcome people of all ages. Patients are invited to contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email
inbox will be monitored weekly and MUST NOT be used for any clinical correspondence.
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