EMSWORTH SURGERY SUMMER QUACK
Dr Pip Newman: We are very sorry that Dr Pip Newman is leaving the Practice in October. Pip
has been a Partner here for 19 years. Her contribution to the lives of many of her patients and
to the Practice generally has been immense and we will miss her a lot. We have advertised for a
new doctor and will keep you informed of developments. We are not re-registering any of Dr
Newman’s patients to other GPs at this stage.
COAST Service: If your child is unwell and has been assessed by the doctor sometimes it’s
helpful to know you can pick up the phone to trained paediatric nurses should your child give
you further cause for concern and the Surgery is closed. Ask your doctor to refer you to the
COAST team. Their remit is to support children who are unwell but not bad enough to be in
hospital. They can arrange admission if necessary. They can be especially useful over weekends
when getting help can be difficult.
The Patient Participation Group (PPG): The PPG works towards liaising with the staff and
patients of the Surgery with the aim of helping with the smooth running of the local health
service. One of its functions is the need for more education of the public in health education
matters that they can have a better understanding of topics that may affect them and their
families. We have covered many interesting subjects already - our next talk is on Tuesday 20th
October 7pm St James' Church, Emsworth with the title of "Happy Feet". This talk will be given
by two podiatrists Graham Bowen and Mandy Yorke. This important topic will cover all aspects
of foot management and care, of importance to diabetics and anyone who cares about their
feet, with advice on good footwear included. All local patients are welcome. In the Spring 2016
we are hoping to have a talk and demonstration of CPR, defibrillators and essential first aid by a
Paramedic from the ambulance service.
Two of our committee members Mary and Joan organise a monthly luncheon for lonely patients
who would like a meal and friendly chat for a couple of hours. Your doctor can put you in touch
with them. We are also looking towards forming a "clinic" for carers in need of friendly advice.
Jim Strudwick, Chairman, Emsworth Surgery PPG.
New Faces: Dr Will Denby is returning to us in August for his final year in General Practice
training. Dr Denby is married with two small children.
We have two new receptionists who have started, Linda and Julie. Linda will be working quite a
lot at Westbourne.
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Hayling to Paris Bike Ride (Dr Jackie Lytton): Last week we completed the 400 mile Hayling to
Paris Bike Ride and returned in one piece. Your amazing support has enabled us to raise over
£2300 which we are donating to St Wilfrid’s Hospice. They provide care when it is needed most
and help the doctors and nurses here at Emsworth to look after patients with terminal illnesses.
Thank you all so much for your interest and support which really spurred us on. We left Hayling
on Sunday afternoon and cycled down to Portsmouth in fine drizzle which felt like October
weather rather than July. Bikes loaded, we sought out our cabins, met other riders who we
came to know quite well over the week and the next thing was the 05.30 wake up call. We were
on the bikes by 07.00 and cycled the 92 miles to Evreux. The first day was definitely the hardest
probably not helped by lack of sleep. Day 2 took us into the Palace of Versailles, day 3 to Rouen,
day 4 to Le Havre. This was the hot day, up to 35 degrees, so on arriving at the sea we all just got
in! The last day took us back to Caen and home on the ferry. A welcome on the seafront had
been arranged with the Mayor and MP! I just needed the refreshments on offer!
Dr Jackie and Simon Lytton
Online Booking of Appointments and Repeat Prescriptions: A reminder that you can book and
cancel your appointments online and also order your repeat prescriptions. If you don’t already
use this service and would like to please ask at reception and they will issue you with a log on
and password. This will save you time trying to get through on the telephone to book or cancel
an appointment. Remember to nominate the pharmacy that you want your prescriptions to be
automatically sent to. Please remember to put in any repeat prescription allowing 3 working
days so that you don't run out of medication. In June we moved over to electronic prescribing.
If you have told us which chemist you use we will send your prescriptions electronically direct to
the chemist without having to generate a paper prescription. Please update reception with any
new details (especially mobile phone number) so that we can get hold of you easily if needed.
Topical Tips – Exercise: Exercise is as essential to the normal working of our bodies as sleep,
nourishment and socialising. Our bodies are ideally adapted for a life of hard exercise. With
time, we have become less active and this has provided us with new problems. Many of the
common diseases we suffer from today (heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, depression,
anxiety, back pain, tiredness) are related to our lifestyles, of which physical activity is a major
part.
“Aren’t I a bit old for all this?” “No - you’re never too old for some sort of exercise”.
No exercise means:
 Your muscles become weak and stiff, especially as you age, becoming more vulnerable to
injury when you do exercise.
 Your posture suffers which makes you prone to back pain.
 Obtaining restful sleep can be difficult, leading to fatigue.
 It can be difficult to keep your weight down.
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Regular exercise:
 Improves your strength, stamina, co-ordination and balance (especially useful as you
age)
 Reduces the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and diabetes.
 Slows your resting heart rate (so your heart doesn't have to work so hard) and raises your
metabolic rate (making weight loss easier)
 Gives you more energy, reduces the effects of stress and promotes restful sleep.
 Will probably improve your social life
Exercise should be part of our daily routine like walking or cycling to work, the shops and school.
Choose an exercise which you enjoy and can do regularly. If you are not accustomed to exercise
take time to build up the duration and intensity. It will probably take you a few months to
achieve a basic level of fitness so keep at it. If you have trouble controlling your breathing, try
playing loud music through your headphones; do it with someone, or join a class. Remember,
everyone was a beginner once. Running is the most time-efficient and cost-effective of all
exercise. For busy people with good joints 15-20 minutes 3 - 4 times a week and you’re done.
Cycling is good if your joints are not as young as they were. Invest in a good bike that is the
right size (if you don’t need a heavy mountain bike with fat tyres get something lighter more
suited for roads). Wear a crash helmet and avoid wet roads. Velocity Bikes in Cosham runs a
bike maintenance class. Walking is fine but you need to do it briskly enough to work up a
sweat. Slowly increase the time and intensity. Invest in some good shoes (running shoes are
excellent for roads/pavements). Find some hills. There are a number of local groups who walk
together. Swimming is good low-impact exercise - excellent for cardiovascular fitness and
muscle strength. Tennis, golf, football, squash, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are
all accessible locally. We have an arrangement with Southbourne and Westgate gyms and can
refer our patients to them for an initial assessment followed by 6 - 8 half-price sessions. You
don’t have to be fit to go. Google “Exercise class Emsworth” and you will find lots of local
things going on both indoors and outside. An exercise class specifically for older people is run at
the Emsworth Centre on Monday at 3pm. Contact Floyd Foster - 07768 346 450 for more
information.
Urine samples: Please can they be handed over at the Front Desk in a sealed container and not
posted through the letter box. Many thanks.
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