The Old Dispensary, 32 East Borough, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1PL
Tel: 01202 880786
www.theolddispensary.co.uk
Spring Newsletter March 2016
Staff News
We are glad to report that Dr Nicola Sharkey has settled in very well at the Practice,
Dr Sharkey works here regularly on Monday and Tuesdays and occasionally on
other days to provide cover when necessary.
We also welcome two new recruits to our reception team here at The Old
Dispensary, Alison and Sharron. Both have previous NHS experience. We are
pleased to announce that Wendy has been promoted to ‘Senior Receptionist.’
Unfortunately we have had to say goodbye to Julia, who worked here for many
years, she sadly has had to leave us due to family commitments.
Online Appointment Booking
Please take a look on our website if you would like to register for online services.
There is a link at the bottom of the home page that allows you to register. Once you
have registered your details you will need to attend the surgery to collect your
password and provide ID (ideally passport or driving licence). Once you are
registered you will be able to book appointments with the GPs online and also
access your Summary Care Record (if you have one, see below).
Summary Care Record
Your Summary Care Record contains important information about any medicines
you are taking, any allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines that
you have previously experienced.
Your Summary Care Record also includes your name, address, date of birth and
your unique NHS Number to help identify you correctly.
You may want to add other details about your care to your Summary Care Record.
This will only happen if both you and your GP agree to do this. You should discuss
your wishes with your GP practice.
If you choose to opt out of having a Summary Care Record and do not want a SCR,
you need to let your GP practice know by filling in and returning an opt-out form. Optout forms are available from the surgery, the surgery website or online at
http://systems.hscic.gov.uk/scr/usefuldocuments
If you are unsure if you have already opted out, you can ask us to check. You can
change your mind at any time by simply informing us and either filling in an opt-out
form or asking us to create a Summary Care Record for you.
Appointments
We offer late appointments on most Monday evenings but if you need an
appointment to either see or speak to a GP outside of our usual working times, due
to your work or other commitments, please contact us and we will try and
accommodate you where possible.
Treating Hayfever
Before coming to see the GP, you could visit the pharmacist and try to treat your hay
fever symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines.
Make an appointment to see the GP if your symptoms don’t improve after using
antihistamines.
Antihistamines treat hay fever by blocking the action of the chemical histamine,
which the body releases when it thinks it's under attack from an allergen. This stops
the symptoms of the allergic reaction.
Antihistamines are usually effective at treating itching, sneezing and watery eyes, but
they may not help with clearing a blocked nose.
They're available in tablet form and also as nasal sprays and eye drops.
You can use antihistamines as:
an "as-required" treatment – you take them when you first notice you're developing
the symptoms of hay fever
a preventative treatment – for example, if you know there's going to be a high
pollen count, you can take them before leaving the house in the morning
Different antihistamine tablets for hay fever include cetirizine, fexofenadine and
loratadine. Azelastine is an effective antihistamine nasal spray and olopatadine is an
antihistamine eye drop.
Unlike older antihistamines, these newer types shouldn't cause drowsiness, although
this can occasionally happen to some people.
If you do become drowsy after using antihistamines, you should avoid driving or
using heavy tools or machinery. You should also contact the GP or pharmacist, as
there may be an alternative antihistamine you can take.
Bank Holiday Closures
We will be closed on the following dates:
Friday 25 March 2016
Monday 28 March 2016
Monday 2 May 2016
Monday 30 May 2016
Please contact the surgery on the usual number when we are closed or dial 111.
Travel Clinic
If you need any vaccinations relating to foreign travel please make an appointment
with Cassie, the Practice Nurse, to discuss your travel arrangements. She will need
to know which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine
what vaccinations are required.
It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks
before you travel - as a second appointment may be required. Some vaccines have
to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Follow-up appointments will be made
as appropriate. However, if you are travelling at short notice, please contact Cassie
as it may still be possible to offer you relevant vaccinations or advice.
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge
over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel
vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Please visit our website (Clinics & Services tab) or contact reception for further
information.
You said…..we did!
“Please could we have some new magazines in the waiting rooms?”
We have updated the magazines in the waiting areas.
“Would like to be able to book appointments online”
We have added some online bookable GP appointments. In order to use this
facility you will need to register via our website www.theolddispensary.co.uk
“Will you be getting wi-fi installed in the Surgery?”
There are plans to get wi-fi installed in the Surgery in the future.
“It would be useful to know what shifts each GP works”
We have updated this information on our website.
“Do you have the facility to make payments by credit and debit cards?”
We are pleased to inform you that we are now able to accept payments to the
surgery via debit and credit cards.