Church Street
Surgery
Surgery
Information
Telephone Numbers
Appointments / Results / Enquiries: 01924 217 667
Emergencies: 01924 217 999
Welcome to Church Street Surgery
The practice, formerly known as The Group
Surgery, has been serving the people of
Ossett, and the surrounding area, for more
than 25 years and currently looks after
around 11,500 patients.
Our aim is to provide you with the very
highest standards of healthcare including
both medical care and health information
and awareness. We have an integrated
approach which focuses on prevention,
treatment and supporting you to manage
your health. Our new state-of-the-art
premises have been purpose built to provide you with better facilities including improved wheelchair access, better car parking and more
space in which to look after you.
Our eight doctors and supporting team of nurse practitioner, nurses, receptionists and administrators are able to offer you many services. We work closely with community-based teams and external organisations to offer you a wide range of services from the practice. Details of the services we offer to you are contained within this booklet along with some useful tips and telephone
numbers. The practice also provides training opportunities for medical students from Leeds University and GP registrars.
Please keep this booklet handy as you never know when it may be of some assistance.
Surgery information
The Practice has a Partnership (not limited) contract with NHS Wakefield District Primary
Care Trust, below are a list of the Doctors at the surgery and those who are partners.
Dr S Dyson
(male)
MB ChB (Partner)
Dr O Hirst
(male)
MBChb MRCGP
Dr E Houghton (female) MB ChB DFRSH MRCGP
Dr C Johnston (female) MB Dip Geriatric Medicine DRCOG MRCGP DFRSH (Partner)
Dr C Jones
(male)
MB ChB DRCOG MRCGP FP Cert (Partner)
Dr J Jones
(female) MB ChB DRCOG
Dr M Langton (male)
MB ChB MRCGP (Partner)
Dr C McCormick (female) MB ChB DRCOG MRCGP (Partner)
Contact details:
Church Street Surgery
Ossett Health Village
Kingsway
Ossett, WF5 8DF
Appointments / Results / Enquiries:
Emergencies: 01924 217 999
Fax: 01924 237 309
01924 217 667
Opening Times: Monday - Friday 8am - 6:30 pm
Please note calls are recorded in the interests of training and security.
Surgery Information
Your Health Care Practice Staff Team
Practice Manager
Elizabeth Frankland is the practice manager and is responsible for the administration of the practice. If you have any queries, comments, suggestions or complaints concerning the practice, she is
available to discuss them with you.
Reception Staff
The reception staff will assist you in registering, making routine and emergency appointments to
see a doctor, obtaining your repeat prescriptions and advising and assisting you in any general enquiries you may have. Confidentiality is a top priority and is maintained at all times by everyone
concerned.
Our staff team are fully trained and do a difficult job well. Please remember that if you are kept
waiting or seem to be asked one or two irritating questions, they are carrying out our policy which
is aimed at providing a high standard of care for everybody. They rely on the information you provide to arrange the most appropriate appointment for you. They may need to ask questions in order to make sure that you see the right person and that the correct amount of time is allowed for
your care. Please assist them with their questions; by working together we can fulfil all of our aims.
The deputy practice manager is Glen Pickburn, he is responsible for the general supervision of reception staff and the organisation and efficiency of the reception and general office. The office
manager is happy to hear any views or suggestions you may wish to make.
Secretarial and Administrative Staff
We have secretaries and administrators to assist in the administration of the practice; they deal
with all referrals, incoming and outgoing correspondence and reports.
Practice Nurses
Tina Wightman
Liz Hebden
Joanne Foster
Tracey Smith
RGN (Clinical Lead Nurse)
RGN
RGN
RGN
The nurses are helped by phlebotomists (who take blood) and a healthcare assistant. The team
offer a wide variety of clinics designed to help you manage your long-term conditions effectively
including diabetes, asthma, hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and epilepsy among others. The nursing team also provide other services such as ECG tests, smears, childhood immunisations, pill and HRT checks, holiday and routine vaccinations, dressings and blood pressure checks etc. They offer advice on family planning,
smoking cessation, diet, exercise and healthy living.
Nurse appointments are booked at reception and each nursing procedure has a specific time assigned to it. You may be asked by reception staff the nature of your nurse appointment so they can
allocate the correct time to the procedure.
Nurse Practitioners
Jenny Swinden has undertaken additional training to enable her to treat a wide variety of conditions; she is unable to complete fit notes and referrals for termination of pregnancy. However she is
able to refer patients for further investigations and has a special interest in diabetes and minor
surgery.
Page 2
Surgery Information
Community Staff Team
District nurses and other community staff are not based at the surgery but work closely with us.
They are employed by the NHS Wakefield District Primary Care Trust.
District Nurses
The district nurses provide valuable care, mainly to patients who are housebound. They can advise and assist on health programmes, health problems and self care at home.
They are able to perform blood tests, injections and nursing procedures to patients who cannot
normally get to the surgery. They also provide longer-term nursing care to those that require it at
home. If you feel that you need the help of a district nurse, please speak to a doctor about it. You
can also contact them directly by telephone on 01924 327591. If you require a district nurse urgently, please contact the surgery on 01924 217999.
Midwife
Our midwife provides regular antenatal and booking clinics. You should make an appointment to
see the midwife when you are approximately 8 – 10 weeks pregnant (these can be booked in advance) by ringing 01924 217 667. If you need to speak to her you can ring the surgery on the
same number and a message will be left for her to ring you back.
It is very important for the health of mums and babies that all antenatal and postnatal appointments are kept. If you cannot keep an appointment, please let the surgery or midwife know and
book another appointment which you are able to attend.
Health Visitors
The health visiting team focus their activity on children, the family and their family groups within
the community. Their caseload is mainly the under five year olds. The service offers general advice, support, and access to resources around child and family health/social issues and often includes referral to other members of the multi-disciplinary care team. The health visitors offer regular child vaccination clinics at the practice.
Community Matron
Community matrons are qualified nurses who specialise in promoting the health and well-being of
patients with long-term conditions, eg, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. They
aim to:
Improve health
Maximise independence
Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions through active management of long-term conditions
Community matrons will:
Develop a personalised care plan with you, your carer, relatives and other health professionals, based on a full assessment of your medical, nursing and care needs.
Keep in touch with you by home visit or over the telephone.
Refer you to other specialists or for any treatment required, such as ordering tests
Update medical records including medicine review with the support of other professionals
Teach you and your carers and relatives to recognise subtle changes in your condition that
could affect your overall health, and when to call for help
Assist hospital staff in planning your discharge back home
Offer you information and advice on a wider range of health issues including accident prevention, falls prevention and continence
Provide information about local services which might be of help or interest.
Page 3
Surgery Information
How to Register with the Practice
We would be delighted to welcome you to the practice if you are not currently registered and live
within our practice boundaries. We will ask you to complete our registration forms, you will need to
bring at least two forms of identification with you, one form of photographic identification such as a
driving licence or passport and evidence of your address. If you are unable to provide photographic
identification please provide 3 forms of identification. We will then arrange for your medical records
to be transferred from your previous practice.
The registration forms are also available to download from our website www.churchstreetsurgeryossett.co.uk/
Practice Boundaries
Dewsbury Town Hall
Reindeer Inn, Overton
Addingford and Horbury to the M1 Motorway bridge
We are unable to register, or keep patients on our list, who live outside
of this area. If you need to re-register you can find an list of General
Practices in your area from West Yorkshire Central Services Agency on
telephone number: 0113 295 2500.
Consulting Times (these are subject to change at short notice)
Doctor /
Day
Langton
Hirst
Dyson
McCormick /
Monday
am
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Monday
pm
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Tuesday
am
X / training
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
C Jones
Tuesday
pm
Wednesday am
X
X
Wednesday pm
X / training
X
Thursday
am
X
X
Thursday
pm
X
X
J Jones
Johnston Houghton GP Trainees
X / training
X / training
Friday am
X
X
X
X
Friday pm
X
X
X
X
Page 4
X
X
Surgery Information
Seeing a Doctor
Our appointments system is designed to help you get the appointment you need, when you need
it. If you want advice about a health problem, you can have an appointment by telephone on the
day that you call. You can use the telephone appointment service for urgent and non-urgent health
problems.
This is how it works:
1. Call us on the main surgery telephone number (01924 217 667) and ask to make an appointment
2. The receptionist will ask you for your name and your telephone number. If you need to speak to
the doctor urgently, because it’s an emergency, tell the receptionist straight away
3. The receptionist will ask you to say generally what your health problem is. You don’t have to tell
the receptionist if you don’t want to. But if you can it helps the clinician to decide whom to prioritise for a call back based on clinical need
4. Your call will go straight through to the clinician if they are free. You can then talk to your doctor
about your health problem in the same way you do if you come into the surgery for your appointment
5. If the clinician thinks you need to come into the surgery to be seen, or if you would still like to
come in, he or she will make an appointment for you
6. When you call the surgery, if the clinician is busy he or she will call you back as soon as they
can.
Why is the surgery offering telephone appointments?
Many people don’t need to come into the surgery to be seen at all; their problem can be dealt with
by telephone. This gives your doctor more time to see those people that need appointments in the
surgery. And, because your doctor is the one making the appointments, he or she can judge how
much time you might need and give you a long or a short appointment. This helps appointments to
run to time and means you’re more likely to be seen on time. We also know that when people
make an appointment close to the date that they call, they are more likely to keep the appointment.
Help us to help you
Patients often see us after 'saving up' several problems, believing this is helpful - unfortunately this
makes our job very difficult and means that we can't provide you with the level of care that we
would like. Trying to deal with two or three problems in a standard ten minute appointment gives
us around 2 minutes per problem which includes taking a history, examination, diagnosis and treatment. We know that sometimes problems can be interlinked but please try to stick to one problem
where possible.
Cancelling appointments
We lose approximately 40 hours of appointments every month by people just not turning up. If you
are unable to attend please cancel your appointment by ringing on 01924 217 999 / 01924 217 667
or by cancelling online.
Children
Wherever possible children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult.
Sick Notes and Medication Reviews
From 6th April 2010, if you have already had a sick note you will be able to get another one issued
over the telephone (at the doctors discretion). You will be able to arrange a telephone consultation
to discuss renewing this with a doctor.
Page 5
Surgery Information
Seeing a Doctor (continued)
What happens if I have trouble using the telephone?
If you have difficulty using a telephone you can still come in to the surgery to book an appointment.
You will be added to the doctors list and they will book your appointment or advise you in the same
way.
Are the telephone calls recorded?
Yes all calls are recorded for training and security purposes. The telephone appointments are as
confidential as the appointments in the surgery.
I’m not comfortable telling the receptionist what is wrong, do I have to?
Knowing what your health problem is generally helps the staff at the surgery to make sure those
people with more urgent problems are seen quickly. However, you don’t have to tell the receptionist what is wrong. If you’re not comfortable talking about your health problem, simply say you would
rather not and the receptionist will respect your wishes.
How can the GP diagnose over the telephone?
This new system is not to diagnose patients over the telephone it is about speaking to the GP to
enable them to streamline and prioritise patient care. The GP can, if necessary, arrange any relevant tests needed e.g. blood tests, before seeing the patient. This ensures that the GP has all the
relevant information available to make a diagnosis more quickly.
Emergencies Outside of Usual Surgery Hours
NHS 111 is a new free telephone service being introduced nationally to make it easier for people to access local health
and social care services when they have an urgent need. It's a general number for people to call when their need is
urgent but not considered life-threatening (999).
It will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 (366 in a leap year) days a year. Calls from mobiles and
landlines are free and the service is intended to respond to people’s health and social care needs when:
it is not a life-threatening situation, and therefore is less urgent than a 999 call
the patient does not have a GP to call or a GP is not available
the caller feels they cannot wait and is simply unsure of which service they require
if the caller requires health information or reassurance about what to do next
If you call within surgery hours and it's appropriate to be seen by your GP, you will be advised to contact the surgery.
Accident and Emergency (A&E)
A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or medical emergencies.
Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for problems such as:
Loss of consciousness
Persistent, severe chest pain
Head injuries
Severe shortness of breath
Heavy bleeding
Suspected broken bones.
If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you
can call 999.
Violent and Abusive Patients
The practice will not tolerate patients who are violent or abusive to any member of staff. The Primary Care Trust will be informed immediately when someone is found to be violent or abusive and
may be removed from the list immediately.
Page 6
Surgery Information
Carers
Church Street Surgery works closely with Wakefield and District Carers to provide support to carers. If you have a carer, or care for someone, please let us know so that we can support you and
ensure that we have appropriate consent in place. Wakefield Carers can provide information and
support around services, equipment, breaks for carers, benefits, support groups, assessments and
training.
Please let the surgery know if you would like to be referred to Wakefield and District Carers, this
can be done from reception and we will update your record at the same time and provide consent
forms for you if appropriate.
General Practice Locums
From time to time we have to employ GP locums who are fully qualified general practitioners, to
help us out during times of holiday, sickness and maternity leave cover.
GP Trainees
GP Trainees are qualified doctors. They will have different amounts of experience but will have
worked for at least 2 years in a hospital before they can train to become a GP; many will have a lot
more experience. GP Registrars will join us in August and February each year and stay with the
practice for 6 – 12 months.
Repeat Prescriptions
Every prescription has a tear-off slip attached listing all your medication that
is available on repeat and a tick box beside each item. To request a repeat
prescription please bring this slip to the surgery with the items you require
ticked. It takes 48 hours for us to process prescriptions, which does not include weekends.
You may post your request with a stamped addressed envelope for its return (please allow time for delays in the post). Alternatively, you can fax it
to 01924 237309 ONLY using a repeat slip with your required items ticked.
Patients can arrange for their prescriptions to be delivered and collected by a local pharmacist; you
need to contact a convenient pharmacy to arrange this.
If you need something that is not on repeat it is recommended that you make an appointment to
see a doctor or the nurse practitioner. Please only request the items you require to cut down on
wastage. We are unable to take telephone requests for prescriptions due to the high risk of incorrect medication being issued.
Emergency Contraception
The ‘morning after’ pill can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. However, it is more effective the sooner it is taken. Emergency contraception is prescribed by a doctor. When telephoning please say that you need emergency contraception, or use the cards provided on the reception
desk if you wish to notify the receptionists discreetly. Emergency contraception is also now available over the counter at pharmacies.
Page 7
Surgery Information
Private Work
Forms, certificates, private doctor letters and private medical reports are not provided free by the
NHS: there will usually be a fee to pay. The fee covers the doctor’s time, administration time and
costs, much the same as any private work done in any other organisation.
Private work can be arranged at reception either by telephone or in person, you will need to complete a form and agree to pay the fees. A list of private services and fees is available at reception.
Please allow approximately two to three weeks for private work to be completed.
Training
Church Street Surgery is a Training Practice. All the doctors are involved in teaching and training
to a greater or lesser extent.
All training practices must be accredited in order to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
We provide training to first, second and third year medical students throughout the year as well as
training Nurse Practitioners. You will be notified when you book in for your appointment if a student will be present.
We have been accredited to provide training to GP Registrars, these are qualified doctors who are
aiming to become GPs. GP Registrars will start in either August or February and stay with the
practice for 6 – 12 months.
One Wednesday afternoon a month the practice will close for doctor, nurse and administrative staff
training. Notices in the waiting room will advise in advance when this is to occur. All of the team
undertake regular training appropriate to their role and professional development.
As part of our efforts to invest in all of our staff we encourage our nurses to embark on further training. Some of their training courses involve them sitting in with doctors and contributing to the consultation. This helps them gain experience and confidence in managing some conditions on their
own.
You do not have to agree to another doctor, student or nurse sitting in on your consultation. If you
want the person to leave please say so – this is not a problem, and will not affect your consultation
in any way. If you do not mind we are grateful for your help.
Freedom of Information—Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication
Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the 'classes' of information the practice
intends to routinely make available. For further information please contact the
Practice Manager, Elizabeth Frankland.
Page 8
Surgery Information
Access to Your Information
There are circumstances when other people, ie healthcare professionals may require access to
your information in order to carry out your treatment. Please pick up a leaflet at reception giving
full details about why your information may be shared and with whom.
If you request that an external organisation such as a solicitor or life assurance company etc is provided with a medical report or information about your medical history you will be asked to provide
your consent. This work is normally private work and incurs a fee.
Compliments, Comments and Complaints
The practice is always looking to develop and improve its systems and procedures and your comments are always welcome, there is a suggestions box available on reception for you to make
anonymous recommendations, alternatively please speak to a member of staff. In a time of so
much change it is vitally important to constantly re-assess our procedures and we value your
thoughts.
The practice tries to provide the best service possible but recognises that occasionally things don’t
always go as you would wish. The practice operates an in-house complaints system which complies with the NHS complaints procedure. This procedure does not deal with matters of legal liability or compensation. In some cases, the in-house procedure is not an appropriate form of investigation, in which case you will be referred to the appropriate authority.
Your complaint should be addressed to the practice manager, Elizabeth Frankland, who will ensure
that it is investigated thoroughly and as speedily as possible by the lead GP. We aim to report
back to you within 10 working days explaining the situation, the reasons for the action taken, where
appropriate, and any lessons learned.
Please note that the practice must ensure strict adherence to the rules of medical confidentiality.
We cannot provide confidential information without appropriate authority if you are not the patient
in question. We can help you write down your complaint if you feel you need help to do so. Please
do not hesitate to contact Elizabeth Frankland who will be pleased to assist you.
If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the practice investigation please contact the practice
manager, Elizabeth Frankland, on 01924 217999 . You may wish to discuss your complaint with
NHS England. You can write to them at NHS England, PO Box 16738, Redditch, B97 9PT or email them at [email protected] or telephone 0300 311 2233 (Monday to Friday 8am –
6pm excluding Bank Holidays).
Alternatively, if local procedures have been exhausted and your complaint is still not resolved, you
may ask the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to review your case. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is responsible for reviewing complaints about the NHS where
these have not been resolved locally. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman can be
contacted by telephone on 0345 015 4033, in writing at the following address: The Parliamentary
and Health Service Ombudsman, Millbank Tower, Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP or visit their website at www.ombudsman.org.uk, or by e-mail [email protected].
If you require any support taking your complaint further you can contact the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service on 0300 330 5454, more information is available from
www.nhscomplaintsadvocacy.org. Alternatively you can contact VoiceAbility on 01924 688 032 or
[email protected].
Page 9
Looking after you
We aim to provide you with a first class primary care service that combines friendliness with professionalism. We know that many things can affect your health and wellbeing and will work with
you to manage your health. We have clinics that can help with diet, smoking cessation, health promotion, vaccinations and immunisations.
We also have clinics that will help you manage long-term health conditions such as asthma, hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes or where tests are performed such as cervical
smears etc. The following sections provide a brief overview of this type of clinic.
Asthma Clinics
The practice offers comprehensive respiratory management with trained asthma nurses. The
broad aim of the clinics is to identify people with asthma and ensure the correct treatment is taken
at the right time, thereby preventing serious attacks occurring.
All people with asthma should try and see the nurse for a review every year or more often if indicated. We will automatically send you reminder letters inviting you to attend a clinic. If you are unable to attend, please ring the appointments line to rearrange, explaining what the appointment
was for so they can book you another.
Blood Pressure and Hypertension Clinics
We recommend that patients with high blood pressure have their blood pressure tested every six
months. You will automatically be invited to an appointment with our practice nurse or healthcare
assistant. If you are concerned and would like an additional appointment please arrange this with
reception.
Coronary Heart Disease Clinics
A practice nurse will invite you to attend an annual review at which she will check your medication
and undertake necessary tests to ensure your condition is well managed as well as providing lifestyle advice.
Diabetes Clinics
Dr C Jones and our nurse practitioner, Jenny Swinden, have regular diabetic clinics where they
see patients who experience complications or whose diabetes is not stable. These clinics allow
more time per patient and allow us to offer extra services.
In addition, you will be invited to an annual review with a practice nurse and a GP. The primary
aim is to regularly monitor your health and prevent long-term complications. We recommend that
everyone with diabetes should attend the clinic at least yearly.
Epilepsy Clinics
A nurse will invite you to an epilepsy annual review where your lifestyle, medication and frequency
of seizures will be discussed and an epilepsy management plan may be developed.
Mental Health
Dr Dyson will invite you to an annual review of your general health and medication; these appointments last 20 minutes each. If you are unable to attend, please re-arrange with reception, specifying that the appointment should be for 20 minutes.
Page 10
Looking after you
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinics
The healthcare assistant or practice nurse will invite you to a COPD annual review during which
she will check your medication, review your inhaler technique to make sure you are getting the
maximum benefit from it, and undertake a lung test called spirometry. In addition she will give you
any relevant lifestyle advice.
Cervical Smears
This is an early warning test which shows if there are any changes in cells from the neck of the
womb (cervix) which potentially could develop into cancer. It is not a diagnostic test for anything
else and can only be performed at the intervals below. The test is offered to all ladies between the
ages of 25 and 65 and you should receive a letter from West Yorkshire Central Services Agency
when you are due to be seen. You will be recalled for repeat tests every three years (aged 25-49)
and every five years (aged 50-65). If you are unsure please telephone the surgery for more information.
Travel Clinic
The practice nurses operate a travel clinic. If you are going abroad on business or holiday you
should make an appointment as soon as possible to plan your vaccination programme and ensure
that we have the vaccines in stock. Please try to book in to see the nurse eight weeks before you
travel.
There may be a charge for some vaccinations and private prescriptions. Unfortunately vaccinations and prescriptions will not be given if you do not have the means to pay.
Family Planning Clinic
We offer a comprehensive service where you will be able to discuss all aspects of family planning
and sexual health.
Smoking Clinic
The practice offers help and support to those who wish to stop smoking. We work closely with a
number of service providers including local pharmacies and the Quit Shop.
The Quit Shop is at 21 Northgate, Wakefield. Opening hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
from 9.30am - 4pm (closed between 12.30pm and 1.30pm) and Saturdays from 9.30am - 3.30pm.
You can also ring the Stop Smoking Service on 01977 465 449 to find out more about services
available in the area. Alternatively our nurses are specially trained in smoking cessation and can
offer help and support.
Additional Services
To enhance the quality of care that we offer, we work with other service providers who deliver a
range of services from the Practice. If you require a referral for any of these services your GP will
arrange this; you can choose to access it from the surgery or from other external providers depending on your needs and availability. The services that are available from the Practice include:
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Spinal services
Physiotherapy
Ultrasound investigations.
Page 11
Self treatment of Common Illnesses
You can get information and advice from http://www.nhs.uk, or you can ring NHS 111 to speak to
an expert. The following outline some common illnesses and what to do:
Diarrhoea and Vomiting
A sudden onset of diarrhoea and vomiting in an otherwise healthy child or adult is usually due to
gastroenteritis. This is an infection of the bowel most often caused by a virus. There is no specific
cure for gastroenteritis; the infection usually settles on its own within three to four days. Sufferers
should drink plenty of fluids to replace that lost in the diarrhoea. Oral rehydration sachets (available
from your chemist) are useful for babies and children. Made up with water, they can replace milk
and help replace lost minerals. It is wise to avoid milk or dairy products and foods containing protein (eg meat, cheese and eggs) because these may aggravate the diarrhoea. You should consult
your doctor if the symptoms are severe or persist or if the diarrhoea contains blood.
Sore Throats
Sore throats are very common in both adults and children and are usually caused by a virus. Unfortunately, there is no treatment guaranteed to shorten the duration of these infections; simple
remedies to relieve the pain are best. If the patient can gargle, regular gargles of soluble aspirin
should help. Children should be given regular paracetamol (never give aspirin to children under the
age of 12). Temperature, headaches and general aches and pains may also occur with sore
throats. Most sore throats will settle within a week. Sometimes they will occur as part of a cold.
Colds and Flu
Coughs, runny nose, temperature, general aches and pains, loss of appetite, headaches and sore
throats can all occur in colds and flu. There is still no cure for the common cold and simple remedies are the best. Regular paracetamol, drinking plenty of fluids and resting will make you feel better while the virus passes through your system. Most colds will settle within seven to ten days. Antibiotics will make no difference.
High Temperature (Fever)
Every household should have a thermometer for use when family members are feverish. The normal body temperature is 37°C (98.4°F). A high temperature is a sign of infection and is usually accompanied by other symptoms; most are caused by colds. Regardless of the cause of a temperature, patients will always feel better if their temperature is lowered. This can be done with paracetamol (aspirin can be used for children over 12 years old).
Babies and Children
It is normal for babies and children to have a lot of infections. Each infection stores up immunity for
later life. Sometimes they will just get over one infection only to get another one straight away. This
is quite common. Children will feel much better (and sleep better) if their temperature is lowered.
Undressing and tepid sponging may also be required to cool the baby or child. If you have children
you should always keep paracetamol available (kept in a safe place).
Head Lice
These creatures prefer clean hair and are not a sign of poor hygiene. Medicated shampoos can be
obtained from a chemist without prescription.
Bites and Stings
Your chemist will provide antihistamine tablets to ease the itching if you are bitten.
Page 12
Self treatment of Common Illnesses
Nosebleeds
Sit in a chair (leaning forward with your mouth open) and pinch your nose just below the bone for
about 10 minutes by which time the bleeding will usually have stopped. If the bleeding continues,
consult your doctor.
Chickenpox
On the first day a rash appears with small red spots about 3 - 4mm wide. Within a few hours these
develop small blisters at the centre. During the next three or four days, further spots will appear
and the earlier ones will turn crusty and fall off. Calamine lotion may be applied to help the itching.
The most infectious period is two or three days before the rash appears until the last crusts have
formed dry centres, usually seven to ten days after the rash started. Children may return to school
as soon as the last crusts have dropped off.
Sunburn
Prevention is better than cure. High factor sun cream should be used. Treat as for other burns with
cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol will also
help. Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid overexposure to the harmful effects of the sun. Wear a hat with a brim and stay in the shade where
possible.
The above advice is intended to provide information on how to deal with minor problems. If symptoms are severe or prolonged, or fail to respond to simple measures, then a doctor should be consulted.
Back Pain
Based upon research from musculoskeletal (MSK) specialists, evidence has found that selfmanagement of low back pain is more effective than any other treatment. Most back pain is mechanical and not due to any serious disease. In these situations, you will usually find that you feel
better when walking and worse when you remain in one position for prolonged periods. Most people can get going quite quickly even though they still have some pain.
For this reason bed reset is bad for backs; anxiety and stress can also increase the amount of pain
you feel.
Heat or cold can help relax your back muscles in the first 48 hours. You can apply heat using a
wheat bag warmed in the microwave or a hot water bottle with a cover on it. To apply cold pressure you can use an ice pack, or other cold compress. Ice should never be applied directly to skin
and should always be wrapped in a tea-towel or equivalent.
People who cope best with back pain are those who stay active and get on with life despite the
pain. The sooner you get going and look after your own back the less likely you are to develop
chronic back pain. There is no quick fix for back pain, you will have good days and bad days—this
is normal.
Most daily activities will get your back moving again, including swimming walking and cycling.
Regular exercise helps your general health and your back. Lasting improvement can be obtained
if you get moving and work on your posture and exercises.
The most common cause of low back pain is postural stress. If you stand fully erect and bend fully
backward once a day you can prevent becoming stooped in older age.
Page 13
General Information
Clinical Commissioning Group
The Practice is part of NHS Wakefield CCG which can be contacted at:
White Rose House
West Parade
Wakefield
WF1 1LT
Telephone:
01924 213 050
Any services that are not provided by the Practice are commissioned by NHS Wakefield District.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
The NHS belongs to all of us. The NHS Constitution brings together in one place what the NHS
does and what it stands for. As well as setting out the purpose, principles and values of the NHS,
the Constitution outlines the rights, responsibilities and pledges for staff and patients.
As a patient some of your key rights are to:
Not be discriminated against
Be treated with professional standards by qualified and experienced staff
Be treated with dignity and respect
Accept or refuse treatment and only be physically examined with consent
Be given information about proposed treatment, its risks and alternatives and to be involved in
discussions and decisions about your care
Have privacy and be dealt with in confidence
Have access to your own records and make choices about your care
Have any complaint dealt with properly
If your GP refers you for treatment, you have the right for any non-emergency treatment to start
within a maximum of 18 weeks or for the NHS to take all reasonable steps to offer you a range
of alternatives if this is not possible. You also have the right to be seen by a specialist within a
maximum of two weeks from GP referral for urgent referrals where cancer is suspected
If your GP refers you to see a consultant you may have a choice of a number of hospitals.
What the NHS needs from you in return
The NHS is a vital resource and we can all help it work effectively, and ensure resources are used
responsibly. The NHS Constitution explains the ways in which you can do this, including:
Keeping GP and hospital appointments – or if you have to cancel, doing so in good time
Recognising that you can make a significant contribution to your own, and your family’s good
health and wellbeing, and taking some personal responsibility for it
Following courses of treatment you’ve agreed to
Always treating NHS staff and other patients with respect
Giving feedback – both positive and negative – about treatment you’ve received.
We expect our patients to take some responsibility for their health and ensure that they attend the
surgery for medication reviews as appropriate. We have a zero tolerance policy for all violent or
abusive patients and will not accept any physical, racial or sexual discrimination within the practice.
Patients behaving inappropriately will be asked to find an alternative doctor and their conduct may
be reported to the Police and NHS Wakefield District.
Page 14
General Information
Website www.churchstreetsurgery-ossett.co.uk
You can now register to use all of the facilities on our website either at reception or over the telephone (select the enquiries option), please do this after 11.30am when both the surgery and the
telephones are less busy. You will be given an explanatory letter outlining how to make the most
of the services available and a unique user name and password.
Approximately 80% of our total number of GP appointments will be available to book online.
You can register to do the following:
Cancel appointments online
Update your details online
Complete travel questionnaires online
Complete pre-registration forms
Book appointments online
Order repeat medication
Text Message Alerts
You can register to receive reminders about appointments and alert you to campaigns such as flu
vaccinations by text message. We hope this will reduce the number of appointments that are
missed each month to so that we can reallocate cancellations to other patients and reduce demand
for appointments as these patients try to re-book. To register please complete a form available
from the Internet and send it to the surgery. Alternatively you can ring or attend reception to register.
When you receive an alert you can cancel your appointment if necessary by ringing the usual numbers, cancelling through the website or faxing, you will not need to confirm that you are going to
attend.
Feeling unwell? Choose Well ...
Use the right service for the treatment you
need and help busy health staff care for the
people who need them.
How do you feel and what do you need to do?
If you need urgent or regular NHS dental treatment contact West Yorkshire Urgent Care Services on 0345 605 9999—telephone lines are
open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
All requests for urgent dental treatment will be
assessed before an appointment is given.
Go to the walk-in centre at
47 King Street, Wakefield, WF1
2SY. Open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a
week, 365 days per year
Page 15
Useful Contact Details
Church Street Surgery
Ossett Health Village
Kingsway
Ossett, WF5 8DF
Telephone numbers:
Appointments / Results / Enquiries:
01924 217 667
www.churchstreetsurgery-ossett.co.uk
Fax:
Emergencies: 01924 217 999
01924 237 309
Age Concern
01924 365819
Alcoholics Anonymous
0845 769 7555
ChildLine
0800 1111
Citizens Advice Bureau
0844 4994138
District Nurses
01924 327591
HIV Counselling and Support Services
01924 364144
NHS 111
111
NHS Wakefield District Primary Care Trust
01924 213050
Pinderfields, Pontefract, Dewsbury and
Clayton Hospitals
0844 811 8110
Police
Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Emergencies
999 /112
Non emergencies
0845 6060 606
Type talk
18001 0845 6060 606
Dewsbury
01924 324880
Pontefract
01977 722670
RELATE
0845 0090385
Sexual Health (GUM) Clinic
01924 214421
Social Care Direct
0845 8 503 503
Stop Smoking Service
01977 465449
The Samaritans
08457 90 90 90
Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Services
01924 211113
Wakefield and District Carers
01924 305 544
Page 16