2016
Hello and warm greetings from everyone at the Spinney for the these
chilly months! This is our Winter 2016 newsletter, there’s so much
happening at the practice...
The practice would like to welcome Dr Lamb, Dr Griffiths,
Dr Mangarai and Dr Solaiman to the team they will be with us for
the next few months!
We would also like to welcome our newest apprentice patient care
advisor Katie, she will be with us for the next 12 months.
Welcome back Dr Fletcher who is returning to the practice—we’re
sure many of you will be excited by this!
It’s been a Spinney double this year as we have been awarded the
Practice Team award for 2016 and a big congratulations to our manager Katie who has been awarded Merseyside Faculty Practice Manager of the year!
We are planning a refresh of the patient waiting area. We want to
freshen and brighten the area to make sure we are dementia friendly
and also family friendly with a kids corner. We will complete this
work at a weekend so as not to disrupt our service and inconvenience our patients.
Best wishes for the New Year!
The Spinney Medical Centre
Autumn/Winter 2016
Newsletter
Information on Flu vaccines, staying
warm during the winter, Care for
Cares and more inside…
Samaritans offers listening ear
over Christmas...
Last year, Samaritans received
around 244,000 calls during the
Christmas period from people in the
UK and ROI .
These findings come with a reminder
that volunteers from the charity’s
201 branches will be available round
the clock over the festive period, for
anyone who needs to talk.
Whatever you're going through, call
them any time, from any phone on
116 123
Samaritans offer round the clock, 24
hours a day, 365 days a year. If you
need a response immediately, it's
best to call them on the phone. This
number is FREE to call.
Some of the staff with our new Patient-friendly
Samaritans want you to feel safe
while talking to them, so you can tell
them how you’re really feeling. That’s
why
they
take
confidentiality very seriously.
Practice Award!
1
Who should have the flu jab?
responsibility to arrange vaccination for you
It’s that time of year again - Flu season! Are you
protected?
-have a serious long-term health condition such as COPD, diabetes, chronic heart disease
Flu is an unpredictable virus that can cause mild
or unpleasant illness in most people. It can cause
severe illness and even death among vulnerable
groups including older people, pregnant women
and people with an underlying
health condition.
If you live with someone who has a weakened immune system,
you may also be advised to have a flu vaccine. Speak to your GP or
Nurse if you are unsure.
Children’s Flu - Children over the age of six months with a long-term
health condition
Certain people are more likely
to develop
potentially
serious complications of flu, such
as bronchitis and pneumonia.
These people are advised to have
a flu jab each year.
You are eligible to receive a
free flu jab if you:
- are 65 years of age or over
- children aged two, three and four plus children in
school years one, two and three.
- Children aged between six months and two years of
age who are eligible for the flu vaccine should have
the flu jab.
Children eligible for the flu vaccine aged between two and 17 will
usually have the flu vaccine nasal spray.
If you are unsure if you are eligible speak to any of the GPs, Nurses
or at the reception.
- are pregnant
- are living in a long-stay residential care home or
Remember! Book your flu jab today!
other long-stay care facility
- receive a carer's
you are the main
elderly or disabled
welfare may be at
ill
allowance, or
carer for an
person whose
risk if you fall
- are a front-line health and social
care worker. It is your employer's
Keep warmth through the chilly months!
As you get older it takes longer to warm up which can be bad for
your health. Ensure you're prepared for winter with our handy tips
for eating well and keeping warm.
Get your heating system serviced every year by a qualified engineer to ensure it's running safely and efficiently. Eat healthily and
keep as active as possible
The recommended temperature for your main living room is
around 21°C. If you feel cold, turn the heat up regardless of what
the thermometer reads.
Worried about the cost of heating your home? You could be eligible
for benefits or grants to help you or someone you know stay warm
this winter.
Keep warm this winter!
For more information call Age UK on
0800 169 2081
2
Falls In Winter
New! Care for Carers Policy
The practice understands the need
for understanding and flexibility
whenever possible when providing a
service for our carer and cared for
patients.
That’s why we are proud to
introduce our Care for Carers policy!
Suggestions have been put forward
by the practice staff, the practice
patient participation group, the
patients and also other St Helens
carers not registered here at the
practice (thanks to St Helens CCG
and St Helens Carers Centre) that we
believe would constitute a gold
standard of service provision in
General Practice for carers.
We have introduced our new Carers
Health Check! We are beginning the
process of inviting carers - if you are
a carer we are happy to invite you to
book your Carers Health Check with
Donna. You will need a blood test
first so please ask a reception for a
blood form when booking in - you
will need to go for your blood test at
least
7
days
appointment.
before
your
As previously stated in this newsletter we are planning a childrens
play area to help keep them occupied while waiting. We are looking
into the possibility of a “quiet room”
if the waiting room is busy/long
delays.
At the practice we try to be flexible
when offering appointments and
repeat prescriptions to known
carers. This isn't always possible but
we always try our best for our patients.
We keep the Carers notice board
and information in the reception
visible and up to date - if you require
any more information or advice.
If you have any further suggestion
we are happy to hear them!
As the weather becomes colder with it can
come ice, snow and frost. These cause
hazards for some of us.
Avoid shoes such as sling backs or
moccasins that can slip off easily, and also
avoid soft, floppy or open backed footwear
such as mules.
Think ahead and plan a safe route that
avoids slopes, steps and areas that have
not been cleared or gritted.
If possible, wear extra layers to protect the
more vulnerable parts of your body like
your head, neck and spine if you do fall
Ask a friend or neighbour to clear a safe
path from your front door.
Consider using a stick or better still, a walking pole.
Wipe your feet well when entering buildings. Melting snow or ice is a slip hazard.
The key points to remember if a fall
happens:
Don’t panic. Check you’re not hurt. Keep
yourself warm. If you are unhurt, try to
get yourself up carefully. Get help if you
can. Use your community alarm if you
have one. If you have a mobile phone
keep it on you. Use anything to hand to
bang on the floor or wall.
Stay Safe On Bonfire Night and New Years!
Take extra care ahead of Bonfire Night on 5 November and New Years celebrations.
Community nurses are offering the following advice on the treatment of minor burn injuries at home: Cool
the affected area with water for 10-30 minutes, never use ice or greasy substances, such as butter. Cover the
burn with a layer of cling film - if required take painkillers, such as paracetamol. If a blister forms, do not burst
it. Following any burn, please seek medical attention.
More serious burns may require immediate medical attention at an NHS Walk-in Centre or at an A&E
Department.
A rocket can reach speeds of up to 150 mph. The majority of injuries happen at family or private parties.
The most common injuries occur to the hands, eyes and face. Around half of all injuries happen to children
under the age of 17.
3
Patient Access
Patient Access is available to all patients–
it’s an easy way to order repeat
prescriptions, book appointments and
cancel appointments 24/7!
Ask at reception today for you linkage key
– this will enable you to set your online
profile.
There is also an app you can download for
your phone. Simply search your app store
for Patient Access and download to get
started!
Prescriptions
You can order repeat prescriptions via
written request left at reception, by fax
(01744 758322), by post or online via
Patient Access.
You can also set up an electronic
nomination – this means when you order a
prescription from us it can be sent
electronically to a pharmacy of your
choice– this works well in conjunction with
the Patient Access. Should you have any
prescription enquiries, please speak to one
of our Patient Care Advisors.
Care at the Chemist!
The local NHS operates a minor
ailments scheme that you can
access via your local chemist. For
example coughs, colds, sore
throat, congestion, thrush.
You can access this by walking
into your local chemist and asking to be registered on the
scheme if you are not already.
If you don't pay for prescriptions,
then any medication the Pharmacist prescribes is free of charge.
The following conditions can currently be treated by the NHS Care
at the Chemist scheme:
Allergies, Athletes foot, Cold
sores, Colic, Constipation,
Coughs, colds and sore throats,
Cystitis, Diarrhoea, Ear wax,
Haemorrhoids, Headache,
Head lice, Indigestion, Mouth
Ulcers, Minor eye infections,
We are unable to accept repeat
prescription requests by telephone.
Minor skin reactions, Nappy
rash, Nasel congestion, Oral
Thrush, Pain or temperature,
Teething, Threadworm, Thrush
(genital), Warts and verrucas
The scheme does not stop you
seeing your GP in the normal way.
Under the scheme you can see
your local Pharmacist for a confidential consultation, usually without an appointment!
Simply call into your local pharmacy and ask to be registered
onto the scheme!
It is best if you use your usual
pharmacy. If you are using a
pharmacy that does not know
you, you will be asked for ID.
Please take along green prescription or repeat prescription (tearoff section) or any other identification with your name and address!
Some treatments aren't available
for children so check with your
pharmacist.
Updating Your Details
It is important to keep us informed of any
changes to your personal details.
We have change of address forms at
reception which are quick and easy to fill
out. You can call into reception or call
us to update us with new contact
numbers
Opening times & Contact Information
We’re open Monday to Friday 8am until 6.30pm and Saturday 8am until 11.30am. Please note on a Saturday
patients are unable to call the surgery - it is pre-booked surgery only.
For urgent medical care out of hours please telephone 01744 578999 to access St Helens out of hours service.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and shortness of breath constitutes as an emergency.
4