VOLUME 1
ISSUE 2
www.devonshirelodge.co.uk
SPRING NEWSLETTER
Spring April 2012
FROM THE SURGERY
Winter Newsletter
Inside this Issue
1
Dr. J. Allen
1
Osteoporosis
2
Osteoporosis cont’d
3
In case of emergency
3
Every day first aid
4
Have you thought of
joining us?
4
Travel Vaccines
5
Gentle Reminders
6
Useful Information
OUT OF HOURS NUMBER
For medical attention when
the surgery is closed
Please dial 111. Please
note no other digits are
needed just 111.
Walk – in Surgeries
Now Changed to :
Monday -8.50 to11.30 am
Friday – 8.50 to 11am
Dr. Jenny Allen
With effect from 01 April 2012 Dr Allen will no longer be working full
time at the practice. She will be working Mondays and Wednesdays
only.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones, causing them to
become weak and fragile and more likely to break (fracture). These
fractures most commonly occur in the spine, wrist and hips but can
affect other bones such as the arm or pelvis.
Approximately 3 million people in the UK are thought to have
osteoporosis, and there are over 230,000 fractures every year as a
result. Although commonly associated with post-menopausal women,
osteoporosis can also affect men, younger women and children.
In childhood, bones grow and repair very quickly, but this process slows
down as you get older. Bones stop growing in length between the ages
of 16 and 18, but continue to increase in density until you are in your
late 20s. From about the age of 35, you gradually lose bone density.
This is a normal part of ageing, but for some people it can lead to
osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
NEW FOR 2012
The Royal College of GP's and the Department of Health have worked
together to design targets that should improve the way GP's diagnose,
investigate and monitor osteoporosis.
The practice has had a register of patients who have had a 'fragility
fracture' for many years. Fragility fracture is defined as a fracture
occurring in a person over the age of 50 years that results from a fall
from standing height or less, or a vertebral fracture caused by minor
trauma such as. bending to pick up a shopping bag, coughing or turning
over in bed.
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Spring 2012 Newsletter
The targets are designed to make sure that a DEXA scan (see below) has been carried out in
these patients (unless the patient is over 75 years where a scan is considered to be unnecessary)
and to ensure that appropriate treatment is being prescribed.
DEXA SCAN
Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by undergoing a Bone Density scan (DEXA scan). In this area, the
only scanner available for NHS patients is at Northwick Park Hospital. Your GP can refer you for a
scan in certain circumstances such as:
1. Low trauma fracture in those aged 50 or over
2. 3 months or more treatment with oral corticosteroids
3. Early menopause (natural or surgical) occurring under 45yrs
OR
4. In some circumstances such as the menopause or if an X-ray suggests bone thinning if there
are also other risk factors such as:
Low BMI <19 kg/square metre
Parental hip fracture <75
Amenorrhoea (no period) for >12months (except pregnancy)
Malabsorption, malnutrition, chronic liver disease
Hyperparathyroidism/hyperthryoidism
Excess alcohol intake
Loss of height >3cm
Treatment with antiepileptic medication, aromatase inhibitors, antiandrogens
You can also have a DEXA scan privately. The scanner usually used in this area is at Mount
Vernon Hospital (North London Clinical Studies Centre) 01923 834230. The cost at the moment is
£125.
The DEXA scan produces a measure of the density of your bones (T-score) in the lumbar spine
and left hip.
If your T-score is between -1.5 and -2.5, this is called osteopenia
If your T-score is Less than -2.5, this is called osteoporosis
TREATMENT
In 2001, The Department of Health (DH) published a National Service Framework (NSF) for Older
People. This gives guidance to doctors, nurses and all healthcare staff on how to provide care to
patients. Treatment is aimed at preventing further bone loss and worsening of osteoporosis and
has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of hip and spinal fractures by between 50% and
60%. Bone density can also be increased by taking medication.
The most common treatment for osteoporosis is a medication called Alendronic Acid (Alendronate)
and this is usually prescribed with calcium and Vitamin D supplements.
More information can be found on the NHS Choices website at
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Osteoporosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
If you have any concerns please make an appointment to see a doctor.
Dr. J. Brewerton
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Spring 2012 Newsletter
From The Patient Participation Group (PPG)
Notice board located left hand side of corridor to Doctors’ consulting rooms
In case of emergency
The Emergency Services recognise the word “ICE” in your
Mobile phone address book. ICE stands for “In Case of
Emergency”.
Just enter your next of kin’s number against it and should
anything happen to you, the Emergency Services will
Quickly be able to contact them.
What would you like to see in this Newsletter?
Every day first aid
No first aid kit? No problem!
You may not always have access to a first aid kit in an
emergency. Here are some suggestions for other everyday
items you can use.
Alternative ways to treat burns
Have you got your
Message in a Bottle
yet?
It’s a simple idea to
encourage people
to keep their basic
personal and
medical details on a
standard form in a
common location –
the Fridge. If you
need help the
emergency services
will know where to
look.
For more details look
at the poster on the
PPG notice board
and pick up your
bottle from
Reception.
If you don’t have water to cool the burn...
…use juice, beer, milk… in fact use any cold liquid, until you have
access to running cold water.
The aim is to cool the area as quickly as possible, using whatever
cold liquid is available. Remember, it should be cooled for at
least ten minutes for the treatment to be effective.
If you don’t have cling film to cover the burn…
...use a clean plastic carrier bag, sandwich/freezer bag or similar.
These types of items will not stick to the burn and will create
a barrier to stop infection. Plastic bags are particularly useful
for covering a burned hand or foot.
For more tips visit www.redcross.org.uk
If you don’t
need your
appointment
please, please
cancel it.
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Spring 2012 Newsletter
Have you thought about joining us?
We hope you feel the Patients Participation Group is
making a contribution to the operation of your surgery.
To see our contribution over the past year please look at
the surgery website and go to the PPG page.
If you would like to participate in this contribution then
please join us.
BEST TIME
TO CALL
THE
SURGERY
late morning
or early
afternoon
We meet quarterly at the Surgery.
For more information or a registration form:
Go to the PPG page on the Practice website
or Contact the Practice Manager, Miss Nargis
Khan on 0844 5769965
or Ask at Reception
Travel vaccines
There’s no point spending hours choosing your swimwear,
beach bag and flip-flops if you barely think about the bugs
and other health risks that could ruin your holiday.
Almost one in four UK holidaymakers don't get vaccinations
despite travelling to areas that have life-threatening
Infectious deseases
Find out which travel jabs you need for your destination by
asking at Reception or at www.nhs.uk/vaccincations
It’s not worth skipping travel vaccinations. Infectious
deseases can make you very sick, spoil your holiday and
even kill or cripple you.
So if you are off somewhere exotic check what vaccincations
you need and when and where you should get them.
The beautiful
Elisabeth
Taylor had a
wonderful
saying when
people told her
she had
everything.
She said “Yes,
but I don’t
have
tomorrow yet”
Don’t put off
your life,
reality is now.
Have a happy
Spring.
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Spring 2012 Newsletter
GENTLE REMINDERS
Review date repeat prescriptions
Patients who have regular repeat precriptions will note
there is a review date at the bottom of their repeat
prescription request forms.
The purpose of this date is for their regular doctor to review
their notes at this time and, if necessary, arrange any tests
or consultations required as part of the regular follow up for
their condition.
If any action needs to be taken, i.e. the doctor needs to see
you to discuss your medication or you require a blood test,
etc., when you next collect your repeat prescription there will
be a note added asking you to make the necessary
arrangements.
Please try to comply with such requests as soon as possible
to ensure you are receiving the appropriate care and
treatment.
Dr. M. Hall
Minor Ailments Clinic
Our Nurse Practitioner runs a “book on the day” Minor
Ailments Clinic on:
Monday 3.40 to 5.50
Tuesday 10.30 to11.50
Wednesday 11.40 to 12.10 & 4.00 to 4.30
Thursday 4.00 to 5.40
If you feel your ailment can be dealt with by the Nurse
Practitioner please ask at Reception for more details.
Are all your personal
details up to date?
Have we got your
correct home telephone
number and your mobile
number?
If not please update via
Reception.
CHANGE OF NAME
Patient Access is the
new name for EMIS.
EMIS was the name of
the computer system
which enables you to
make and cancel
appointments via the
surgery website.
Nothing else has changed
just the name which is
easier to remember and
says what it does on the
packet.
You still access the
system via the surgery
website at
www.devonshirelodge.co.
uk.
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Spring 2012 Newsletter
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOUR NOTICE BOARD
Surgery – All Departments
0844 576 9965
Surgery - Out of Hours
111
The Health Centre Desk
01895 488810
Hospital Transport
01895 279 544
Hillingdon Hospital
01895 238282
Mount Vernon Hospital
01923 82611
Surgery website
www.devonshirelodge.co.uk
Once you have
registered on the
website you can:
Make
appointments
Have you got an
E-mail Address?
BOOK YOUR
APPOINTMENT ON
LINE
Cancel
appointments
Request repeat
prescriptions
IT’S SO MUCH
QUICKER
THE DEVONSHIRE LODGE PRACTICE
Abbotsbury Gardens
Eastcote Health Centre, Eastcote,
Pinner, Middx HA5 1TG.
Phone: 0844 576 9965
Fax: 0208 429 3087
www.devonshirelodge.co.uk
To be added to
our mailing list
please send an email to
devonshirelodge.
[email protected]
with “add my email address” in
the subject line.