FLU CLINICS 2012 This year, the surgery will be opening on Saturday 13 TH and 20 th October PLEASE NOTE:

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2 GOODBYE Vicky one of our Receptionist s, who has now left us, we wish her luck in the future and hope she enjoys her new position in Helsby. FLU CLINICS 2012 This year, the surgery will be opening on Saturday 13 TH and 20 th October PLEASE NOTE: SATURDAY MORNING CLINICS ARE FOR FLU VACCINATIONS ONLY ARE YOU IN THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA AGED 65 AND OVER DIABETES CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE CARER HEART, LIVER OR KIDNEY DISEASE NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE PREGNANT LOWERED IMMUNITY Our appointments have been available to book since September 2012, so please ask at Reception mentioning it s for a flu vaccination.

3 REQUESTING A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE DOCTOR FOR HOUSING It has been confirmed by the Housing Department that a letter of support from Doctor is not required when applying for housing. Assessments are undertaken by the Housing Department themselves using their medical form and staff from the housing should not advise patients to ask their Doctor for a letter of support. The Practice Policy is that Doctors do not provide letters of support for housing. OTHER LETTERS/ FORMS Also, if you have a HGV Medical, Private Insurance Forms or any other forms which need completing by Doctor these will have to be paid for before completion? Please can we ask that you have the exact money available on payment as we do not keep monies at the Practice? This is because a significant amount of time is taken up by the Doctors on completing these forms and they are then not collected. Please note that if you have an Insurance form or any form which requires completing by a Doctor, after completion it will be kept at reception for three months. If it is not collected within that time it will be shredded. PHARMACY CARE PLUS MINOR AILMENTS SCHEME As a registered patient of a Western Cheshire GP, you are now able to visit a local participating pharmacy rather than your GP to be treated for a number of minor ailments. If you are exempt from paying prescription charges, the items available on the Pharmacy Minor Ailments Scheme will continue to be free of charge to you. For those who are not exempt from prescription charges, you will either pay the cost of the medication or the prescription charge, whichever is the lowest. MINOR AILMENTS INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME ARE: FEVER ORAL THRUSH IN INFANTS PAIN SIMPLE URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN WOMEN SORE THROATS SUPERFICIAL EYE INFECTIONS VAGINAL THRUSH Vomiting WORMS SMOKING MORNING AFTER PILL

4 Measles Outbreak reaches more than 200 cases More than 200 cases of measles are confirmed on Merseyside in the largest outbreak in the area since 1988, the Health Protection Agency has said. There are 210 confirmed cases, 39 of which needed hospital treatment. Ninety two cases are under investigation. About 50% of the cases are in children under five years old and The outbreak, which is concentrated on Liverpool where there are 125 confirmed cases, is the largest since the MMR vaccine was introduced. There are 29 confirmed cases in Knowsley, 22 in Sefton and seven in Wirral. Further cases have been confirmed in Cheshire, Halton and St Helens. More than 30% of cases have been in people aged 15 years or over. "Measles is a very infectious illness that spreads rapidly amongst children and adults who are not protected by MMR vaccine. "It is also a serious illness that can lead to serious complications. On rare occasions, people die from measles. "It should not be treated lightly, but it is an avoidable illness and we strongly advise parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated." Please can we ask if you are between 1 and 25 years old and have not been vaccinated against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), please contact the surgery to book an appointment or arrange a telephone consultation with the Practice Nurse to discuss. We also have information leaflets available in the surgery waiting area. TELEPHONE CALLS TO THE SURGERY We have had quite a few comments from patients saying we have not returned their calls when they have requested a Ring Back option from their landlines (press 5 when requested). Please be aware that this is a service option provided through your Telephone Company and we do not have this option at the surgery as we have 3 lines constantly in use on one phone number and this cancel s out the request.

5 WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH A FREE NHS HEALTH CHECK Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease. The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented even if you have a history of them in the family. The checks are part of a new national scheme to help prevent the onset of these problems. All patients aged between years old who have not been diagnosed with any of the conditions mentioned will be invited to a health check. Health checks are done by the Practice Nurse or the Health Care Assistant at the surgery and takes around 30 minutes of your time. The checks involve a blood pressure reading, a blood test to check your cholesterol level and a range of simple questions about your family history. After the check is completed you will be taken through your results and what they mean. Each patient will be given personalized advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle. By having the check and following the advice you can improve your chances of living a healthier life, so we ask if you are invited to have this health check Please spare the time to attend. Macmillan Cancer Support If you have been affected by bereavement at some point, there is support available through the Macmillan Cancer Support Team. There is no time limit and it s no quick fix, but they are there to help and advise all patients whether it is cancer or family who may have been affected with bereavement. They can also advise/ help you with money matters, benefits or direct you to other support. They are based in the Foyer at The Countess of Chester Hospital. Other support groups are also available around the area for example: Headstrong for patients who have lost their hair Look Good, Feel Better pamper sessions Wirral Holistic Care Services based in Claughton offers complimentary therapies, counseling and other services to people with cancer Probability offers advice and advocacy for people returning back to work Dial House based in Chester offers benefit advice and help with completion of forms

6 BE CLEAR ON BOWEL CANCER Bowel cancer screening aims to detect bowel cancer at an early stage in people with no symptoms. In England the bowel cancer screening programme is offered to men and women between the ages of every two years (anyone over 70 can request a screening kit by ringing the free phone helpline). You don t need to wait until you are part of the bowel cancer screening programme if you are worried about any symptoms that you think might be caused by bowel cancer. Make an appointment with your Doctor or call the Bowel Cancer UK information and Support Service on or The symptoms of bowel (colorectal) cancer can be: Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo A change in bowel habit lasting for 3 weeks or more especially to looser or runny poo Unexplained weight loss Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason A pain or lump in your tummy You might experience one, some, all of the above or no symptoms at all. Remember most symptoms will not be bowel cancer. Just remember you ll not be wasting anyone s time by getting checked out. If it isn t serious, you ll put your mind at rest. If it s bowel cancer, early detection can make all the difference. Over 90% of people who are diagnosed at the earliest stage are successfully treated. So a trip to your Doctor could save your life. When you receive you kit do not put to one side and forget to complete it. If you have not received a kit please call the free phone number on (Mon Fri 9am-5pm). If you are attending surgery and require a Kit please ask a receptionist to ring whilst you are in the building as the Screening Service will ask to speak to you. We do not supply the Kit s. VASECTOMY SERVICE Men can now self-refer into the Community Vasectomy Service. If you would like to discuss the procedure involved for a vasectomy you can arrange a counselling appointment by telephoning

7 USEFUL NUMBERS TO KEEP Dressing Clinic Stanney Lane Clinic Ellesmere Port Hospital Antenatal Stanney Lane Clinic Stanlaw Abbey Great Sutton Clinic Westminster Children s Centre Health Visitor Stanney Lane Clinic /3326 District Nurse Stanney Lane Clinic Social Services