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Pickering Surgery News
- December 2013
If you require this newsletter in large print or another format, please contact
the Practice on 01751 471296
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy,
Healthy New Year
From the Doctors and Staff at Pickering Medical
Practice
The holiday season is here again and with Christmas tips and
emergency contact information, we have compiled this newsletter to
aid your festive enjoyment.
1
Pickering Surgery Christmas and New Year Holiday Closures
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Friday 27 December
New Years Eve
New Years Day
Thursday 2 January
Surgery closes 5pm
CLOSED
CLOSED
Normal opening hours
Surgery closes 5pm
CLOSED
Normal opening hours
For urgent help and advice during this period ring 111
Pickering Chemist
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Friday 27 December
New Years Eve
New Years Day
Thursday 2 January
Open
CLOSED
CLOSED
9am till 6.30pm
Open
CLOSED
9am till 6.30pm
Thornton Dale Chemist
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Friday 27 December
New Years Eve
New Years Day
Thursday 2 January
Friday 3rd January
Open
CLOSED
CLOSED
Open
Open
CLOSED
CLOSED
Open
Emergency Chemist
Christmas Day Beecham Pharmacy, Derwent Surgery,
Malton
Boxing Day
Boots, 31-33 Wheelgate, Malton
New Years
Beecham Pharmacy, Derwent Surgery,
Day
Malton
17.30-18.30
17.30-18.30
17.30-18.30
Emergency Contact Numbers
Urgent Medical Advice
Emergency Dentist
Dial 111
Dial 111
Police
Samaritans
101 non emergency
08457 909090
Note: When calling 999 try to have your post code to hand
2
Christmas Tips
We hope the tips below are of help to you in planning for the holiday season
Medication
If you are on regular medication, please ensure you place your order and collect it in
plenty of time.
Medicine chest essentials
Making sure you have a few over the counter essentials might make all the difference to
having a happy, health Christmas at home. It should contain :
 Paracetamol
 Indigestion tablets
 Cough remedies
 Throat lozenges
 Oral re-hydration sachets (good for diarrhoea and hangovers)
 Plasters and antiseptic cream
Calling 999 for ambulance assistance
People are always concerned about whether to call an ambulance, the following advice
may be of help.
You should call 999 for an ambulance when it is obvious that you or another person is
seriously ill and in need of immediate emergency care.
Here are some examples of situations when you should dial 999 immediately (please
note, this list is not exhaustive).

Chest pain

Difficulty in breathing

Loss of consciousness

Severe loss of blood

Severe burns and scalds

Choking

Fitting/convulsions

Drowning

Severe allergic reaction

Head injury
For non urgent advice ring 111
Eating at Christmas
Mince pies, Christmas pudding, cake, yule log, Christmas dinner…….the festive season
isn’t the time to be on a diet but you can still eat healthily. If you indulge in your favourite
food and drink for three or four days, you won’t come to any harm if you eat a good diet
the rest of the year and get back on track in January.
Remember – don’t drink and drive !!
3
Don’t forget
It’s easy in the turmoil of preparing for Christmas to forget about others, especially the
elderly. Here are a few ways you can help an elderly person at Christmas.

Offer to help them write and mail their Christmas cards.

Help them put up their Christmas decorations, but don’t forget to help them take
them down!

Ask if you can take them shopping or do their shopping for them

Invite them to Christmas dinner. Although some may appreciate this offer others
may wish to spend Christmas alone but would happily accept a meal sent around.

In the event of bad weather, making sure that they are warm enough and have
enough food in.
Flu
Don’t ruin your enjoyment of the holidays by getting flu. If you are over 65 or in an at “risk
group” there is still time to make an appointment with the nurse to receive your free flu
vaccination . To see if you qualify, ask at reception.
The Great Yorkshire Bike Ride 2013 - Thank You
I would just like to say a very BIG thank you to everyone who sponsored Pickering
Pedlars in the above event which took place on Saturday June 15th.
Four of the team left the town of Morecambe at 02:07 on that day, reaching Wetherby at
07:50, there they were joined by the rest of the team and all 12 then continued on to
Filey.
This year 1767 people entered the “GYBR”. It was the 30th anniversary of the inaugural
event and the organisers have raised a fantastic £2,347,108 over that 30 year span. This
year they have made £131,751 of which our contribution was just over £3000.
Last year we came 8th in the team awards. Thanks to your fantastic support we have
improved out position to 5th. This has enabled 4 figure sums to be paid to The Wilf Ward
Trust and Ryedale Special Families. 5 figure sums have been given to other
organisations which include Ryedale MENCAP, Martin House Childrens Hospice,
Yorkshire Cancer Research and Candlelighters organisation.
Thank you once again for your financial support and general encouragement.
Dr Jim Coppack
4
Data Extraction - update
In the last newsletter we informed patients of the important changes regarding the
extraction of patient data from the practice. At the time we were in receipt of information
from NHS England of their intention and were being given an 8 week timescale in which to
inform our patients. Despite pleas to NHS England from the GP’s governing body to
inform patients they refused to do so saying it was the duty of Doctors to do this.
However, NHS England have now decided they will inform all patients in the country from
January next year. This means that some patients who have already “opted out” of
having data extracted from their notes will receive further notification. We apologise for
this duplication and should the codes used for “opting out” remain the same there should
be no need to take further action.
Shingles Vaccine - update
Also in the last newsletter we mentioned the availability of the shingles vaccine for
patients who were aged 70 or 79 on the 1st September 2013. Some patients were
vaccinated on our flu days but since then we have had difficulty obtaining supplies.
We are now starting to receive a limited weekly supply, if you would like to be vaccinated
and fit the age criteria mentioned above, please ring to make an appointment with the
practice nurse.
Keep Warm, Keep well
Cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. One of the best ways of
keeping yourself well during winter is to stay warm. Cold weather can lead to serious
health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
The chances of these problems are higher if you're vulnerable to cold-related
illnesses because of one or more of the following:




you're over 60
you're on a low income (so can't afford heating)
you have a long-term health condition such as heart, lung or kidney disease
you are disabled
Every winter in the UK, 25,000-30,000 deaths are linked to the cold weather.
Currently, approximately four million households in the UK are in fuel poverty. The
government's advice on staying warm over the winter aims to reduce cold-related illness
and deaths. Key tips include:
Keep your home warm. Your main living room should be between around 18-21C
(64-70F) and the rest of the house at a minimum of 16C (61F). You can also use a hotwater bottle or electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm while you're
in bed.

Wrap up warm, inside and out. Several thin layers of clothes are better than one
thick layer. Don't forget to wear hats, gloves and scarves. If possible, stay inside during a
cold period if you have heart or respiratory problems.

Keep active. Move around at least once an hour and don't sit down for long periods
of time. Even light exercise will help keep you warm.

5
Look out for elderly friends and neighbours. Check they're safe and well through the
winter. Make sure they're warm enough, especially at night, and have stocks of food and
medicines so they don't need to go out during very cold weather. If you are worried about
a relative or an elderly neighbour, contact your local council or ring the Age UK helpline
on 0800 00 99 66.

For winter 2013 to 2014 you could get a £135 discount on your
electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Benefits and credits the warm home discount scheme
The discount won’t affect your Cold Weather payment or Winter Fuel payment.
Please note: not everyone gets the discount, you have to qualify.
What you will get
For winter 2013 to 2014 you could get a £135 discount on your electricity bill.
The money isn’t paid to you, it’s a one off discount on your electricity bill, usually between
October and March.
Pre-pay or pay as you go meters
You can also qualify for the discount if you use a pre pay or pay as you go electricity
meter. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you will get the discount if you are
eligible. For example, a voucher you can use to top up your meter.
Eligibility
You qualify for the discount if on the “qualifying day” (20 July 2013) your supplier was
part of the scheme, your name or your partner’s name was on the bill and you were either:

75 or over and getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

Under 75 and only getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (you
won’t qualify if you also get Savings Credit)
If you don’t qualify
Some suppliers can offer the discount to vulnerable people (eg those on a low income).
Each supplier has their own rules about who else (known as the broader group)
can get this help
Check with your supplier if you meet their rules for broader group help and how to apply
for it.
Information obtained from www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/eligibilty
Silver Line Helpline
Esther Rantzen has launched the Silver Line Helpline for older people. The service has
been created with the aim of linking lonely older people to services in their local area. It
will provide a “befriending” service and will also help those who may be suffering from
abuse or neglect.
The Silver Line 24 hour phone service is available on 0800 470 8090. If you are
interested in becoming a Silver Line volunteer, email [email protected]
6
Recipe Corner
Boxing Day Turkey and chick pea curry – suitable for diabetics
This is an excellent way to liven up leftover turkey (you could use cooked chicken
instead). Delicious with tomato, cucumber and onion salad.
Ingredients









1 teaspoon oil
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon medium curry paste
300ml (½ pint) chicken stock
200g (7oz) cooked turkey, chopped
400g can chick peas, drained and rinsed
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
coriander garnish
Instructions





Heat the oil in a non-stick pan. Add the onion and fry for 2–3 minutes until
softened.
Add the curry paste and continue to cook for 1 minute.
Add the stock, turkey, chick peas and tomatoes, and simmer uncovered for 15
minutes.
Stir through the yogurt.
Serve with steamed rice and garnish with coriander.
Lemon Tart – suitable for diabetics
Following Christmas Day and the rich desserts etc you may like to try this. This recipe has
been made using Truvia calorie-free sweetener. If using an alternative to Truvia, check
the packet for guidelines as amounts to be used will vary and you will need to substitute
quantities by trial and error.
Ingredients
160ml light evaporated milk pinch of salt 2 tsp cornflour 2 egg yolks 2 whole eggs 1 tbsp
Truvia grated zest and juice of 3 large lemons 23cm ready-made, deep pastry case
raspberries and low-fat crème fraiche, to serve (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 160°C/fan oven 140°C/gas mark 3. Mix together the evaporated milk,
salt and cornflour. Whisk together the egg yolks, whole eggs and Truvia, until thick and
creamy. Whisk in the evaporated milk mixture and then gradually whisk in the lemon zest
and juice. Place the pastry case onto a baking sheet and pour the lemon mixture into the
pastry case. Bake for 25 minutes until just set. Cool on a wire rack. When cool enough,
refrigerate for 2–3 hours. Remove from the fridge 20 minutes before serving with
raspberries and low-fat crème fraiche.
7
Message from the dispensary regarding the holiday
To all patients on repeat medication.
Unless you are going on holiday, there is no need to order you
medication early. Just order as you would normally.
Named GP for patients 75 and older
Commencing next year a new Government initiative is to make all patients aged 75 and
older aware of who their “named GP” is. All patients registered here at Pickering are
allocated a usual GP which is in fact their “named GP”. Staff will be informing patients
who their named GP is when contacting the surgery for an appointment. If you wish to
know who your named GP is please ask at reception.
******************************************************************************************************
******Win a Hamper******
From now until 19th December we are entering all patients who register for Patient Access
(online access to repeat medication and appointment) or if you have a mobile phone, our
SMS texting service, into a draw for a Christmas Hamper, courtesy of The Tea Shop,
Pickering. This will be drawn on December 20th and the winner notified. Registering is
easy, speak to our reception staff and take this opportunity to sign up to one of these
invaluable services.
******************************************************************************************************
Physiotherapy and Acupuncture
Claire Doughney
Chartered Physiotherapist
Member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists
Private physiotherapy for musculoskeletal problems, neck pain, back pain, arthritis and
rehabilitation.
Registered with all major insurance companies including BUPA
Appointments available on Mondays and Thursdays, and weekday evenings.
To make an appointment please ring and leave a message
07743006964
01751 477376
Email: [email protected]
8
Help for Stroke Patients
Stroke association
- The stroke association provides a helpline and information
service for anyone affected by stroke. The helpline team can listen and talk to individuals;
providing information about stroke, making practical suggestions, exploring suitable
options and provide details of the people and services that can help.
The Stroke helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Phone 0303 3033 100 or
email [email protected]
More information about the stroke helpline is available at www.stroke.org.uk
Blood Donor Sessions
Community Sports Centre, Malton
Memorial Hall Pickering
Royal British Legion, Kirkbymoorside
9th December
12th December
16th December
Do something amazing today - Give blood and save a life
Become an Organ Donor
If you would like to know more about organ donation or would like to register
as a donor, telephone 0300 12 2323 or go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk
Do we have your up to date contact details?
Please inform our reception staff if you change your name, address,
home or mobile phone number
Flu update
Since the start of the Flu campaign in October, some 3126 flu vaccinations have been
administered at the practice. If you qualify for a flu vaccination and have not yet been
vaccinated, please book an appointment as soon as possible. For an effective defence
against flu, early vaccination is recommended.
A big thank you to all those agencies, Ryedale Lions, Alzheimers Society, Ryecare and
White Rose Home Improvement Agency, who attended our flu clinic days and gave
valuable help and information to our patients.
9
Christmas Song
(sung to the tune of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)
Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Had a very runny nose
Oh how he ached and shivered
As up his temperature it rose
All of the other reindeer
Ran about and made a fuss
They called to poor old Rudolph
“You had better stay away from us”
Then one frosty Christmas night
Santa came to say
Rudolph with your nose so bright
You had better stay in bed today
Rudolph was disappointed
He cried and at his eyes did dab
“It’s all my own fault” said Rudolph
“If only I’d had my flu jab”!
Ok, so Andrew Lloyd Webber has nothing to worry about!!
***Merry Christmas – We hope!!*** wesołych Świąt frohe Weihnachten
मेर
समस 圣诞节快乐 Gelukkig kerstfeest Glædelig jul Maligayang Pasko
joyeuxNoël Buon Natale Crăciun fericit ¡Feliz Navidad God Jul
llawen nadolig ‫ﻣﯾری ﮐرﺳﻣس‬
( Courtesy of Google translate )
If you would like to receive further newsletters via email please complete the following
and hand it to the receptionist or you can register you interest by emailing us at
[email protected]
Name………………………………………...........
Date of Birth……………………………………….
Address…………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………….Post Code……………….
Email address……………………………………………………….
Please note, this email service does not include making appointments or ordering repeat
prescriptions. Please use Patient Access for this.
10