Station View Medical Centre
Patient Newsletter
September 2011
Station View Medical Centre – Personnel Changes
We are pleased to announce that Dr. John Williamson has now joined Station View Medical Centre as a full-time
partner in the Station View Medical Centre practice. Dr. Nari Pindolia will continue to work here, but on a parttime basis. We wish both doctors every success in their new roles.
Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign
We are now booking clinics for seasonal flu vaccinations. It is important that people in the groups listed below
should attend the surgery for a vaccination:
All patients aged 65 and over
Pregnant women
Carers
Also those with:
Chronic respiratory disease, including asthma, aged 6 months and over
Chronic heart disease, aged 6 months and over
Chronic kidney disease, aged 6 months and over
Chronic liver disease, aged 6 months and over
Chronic neurological disease, aged 6 months and over
Diabetes, aged 6 months and over
Military Veterans
General Practitioners have been asked by the government to provide priority treatment, including appropriate
mental health treatment, for veterans with conditions related to their service. We are therefore asking all
patients who wish to have their military veteran status to be recorded on their medical records, to let us know.
This information will then be included when your GP makes a referral about a condition which the doctor feels may
be linked to your military service.
Fit Notes
This a reminder that the old sick notes are no longer in use and have been replaced by Fit Notes.
This new note brings in a number of changes which should make things easier for our patients and release some
appointments which previously were used to issue these notes.
You will no longer have to see your GP solely for a Fit Note. It can now be issued after a telephone consultation, so
if your GP does not need to see you for any other reason such as reviewing your treatment or examining you,
please inform the receptionist that you just need a Fit Note and you will be able to book a telephone consultation.
If your GP has information from other sources, such as a hospital, a Fit Note can be issued on the basis of that
information so you will not even need to speak to the doctor - the reception staff will be able to arrange for one
to be issued. This will apply if you have had an operation, as long as we have some information from the hospital
about your condition.
If the GP has indicated on your Fit Note that you do not need to be assessed again, you can return to work at the
end of the period you have been advised that you are not fit to work, or earlier if you feel you can return sooner.
You will no longer need to see the GP for the old "signing off" note to allow you to return to work.
Are you interested in joining a local support group for people with a lung condition?
Breathe Easy Durham Dales offers:
 Mutual support and friendship
 Information and education
 Tea/coffee and biscuits
If you, or someone you know are living with a lung condition then this group could be for you.
2011 meetings will take place on: 6th October, 3rd November 2011 From 2.00 to 3.30 pm at Bishop Auckland
Methodist Church Hall (Cockton Hill Road, opposite General Hospital).
Friends and carers are welcome. For more information call: Vikki Reed on 01388 660995 or Lisa Wells on 0191 263
0276.