October 2019
I have a few reminders this week, sorry if I am preaching to the converted but I am just trying to get the messages across:
Firstly a reminder for patients who are 65 years and over, and any patients who have a medical condition such as Diabetes, Asthma, Liver disease, Kidney Disease, or are currently Pregnant to phone us to book an appointment for your annual flu vaccination 732696.
Secondly The Dispensary Team would like to remind patients that you can order your repeat medications by calling 733385 Mondays – Fridays 9am and 10.30am and 3pm – 5pm. Or drop off your request slips in to the drop box by the main entrance, or use Patient Access on Line to order (if you have not got on line access, pop into the surgery with a Drivers Licence or Passport and complete an on line access form this can be set up for you. We ask that you give 48 hours (2 working days) before you try to collect your medication, i.e if you request your repeats on a Monday come along on a Wednesday to collect. If you order on a Saturday or Sunday please come back on Wednesday to collect (not first thing Monday morning as we will not have had chance to process your request or order stock).
You can pick up your Medications from Dispensary when open, or the Reception when Dispensary is closed. The Dispensary do need to close their window between 11.30am – 3pm to have time to process requests , order stock and replenish shelves.
Last but not least a reminder for anyone who would like to become more social or meet new people, learn a new skill or have a chat and a laugh, we have the following activities you can come along to:
The Singing Group; We get together on a Wednesday 10 am at the Old Bakery, 9 St Marys Street Nether Stowey (next to the shop); sing songs, do vocal and breathing exercises, sometimes join other groups for a sing along (The Wednesday Group) and have a cup of tea and chat. All abilities welcome.
The Walking Group: Meets on a Tuesday Morning at 10.30am at the surgery for a 1.5 hour walk, walks are different every week, this is a great way to start walking with others for company, and learn different routes. Pick up a leaflet at the Surgery for the planned routes each month.
The Art Group: on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Nether Stowey Church Centre from 2pm – 4 pm (contribution request £4 for room hire and equipment if needed), bring along current projects or learn new skills, all abilities welcomed to this friendly Group.
The Gardening/ Community Allotment Group: Very informal group, a chance for those who might like to garden with someone else for company, or have a patch to grow and share produce. Contact the Practice to be put in touch with the Group.
The Patient Participation Group meets 4 times a year at the Library to discuss any issues related to the Health Service in general and to discuss how the Practice can support and improve its services for patients. This is an open meeting so anyone can come along for discussion and debate. A list of dates will be displayed at the Practice and the library.
We have a Christmas afternoon tea and cakes/ mince pies session planned for Tuesday 3rd December from 2pm at the Nether Stowey Church Centre so please come and join us and find out more about these different activity groups, we are planning to sing a few Christmas songs, and view some of the amazing art the art group has produced over the year.
August 2019
There were a number of Headline News items this Summer that were relevant to our Practice.
On a Positive note we did extremely well with the National GP Patient Survey and came 152 out of 7109 practices across the Country, so thank you to those patients who took part, and well done to the Practice Team for all their hard work and care, it hasn’t gone unrecognised.
However other HEADLINE NEWS this Summer was not so positive and highlighted the number of unnecessary Deaths from asthma in England and Wales as being the highest in more than a decade.
Nearly five million people in England and Wales have asthma, a condition that affects the airways.
It can cause breathlessness, wheezing, coughing and a tight chest.
More than 12,700 people have died from asthma in England and Wales in the past 10 years.
More than 1,400 adults and children died from asthma attacks in 2018 – that’s 2.5 people out of every 100,000
The Quantock Medical Centre offers patients with asthma an annual review and some patients are offered more frequent appointments if needed. HOWEVER – We have a bit of a Problem: the biggest group of patients who fail to turn up for their appointments are our ASTHMA patients!
Our Nurses are fully qualified in the management of Asthma and it is extremely important if you have been given a diagnosis of asthma that you attend your annual review. Even if you feel well and think your asthma is under control you must attend, as medicine is continually changing and improving. The nurse can assess your symptoms, increase or reduce medication, give you a management plan and ensure your inhaler technique is good so you receive the correct dose of medicine when you inhale.
We often find that patients stop using their treatment (usually inhaled steroids which are vital if you have asthma) because they feel well, this can be harmful and in some cases has proved fatal. If you have asthma and have frequent episodes of shortness of breath, wheeze or require a reliever inhaler (usually a blue inhaler) more than twice a week this could indicate your asthma is not properly controlled and you are at risk of an acute attack. This can often happen very suddenly.
If we invite you in for an Asthma review it is in your best interests to ATTEND.
If you are concerned about your symptoms at any time, please book an appointment as soon as you can.
We had over 15 hours of missed Appointments in June and July where patients did not attend their annual reviews this a terrible waste of time and resource, please think twice when booking your appointment that it is when you can attend, and that it is important to your health and the management of your condition.
Helen Stacey Practice Manager
July 2019
I thought I’d write a little bit about why you might get asked some questions when you ring up for an appointment so that you will understand that the reception team are not
just being nosey!
You will have read in the papers and in the news that GP Practices are constantly under extreme pressure and in order to manage the work load we need to be able to prioritise our work.
At our practice you are able to book your appointments ahead throughout the year to fit in with your work patterns, or other that might be able to bring you in for your appointments.
We also hold a number of appointments each day for urgent cases that require medical attention more urgently.
The reception staff are members of the practice team and it has been agreed that they SHOULD ask patients “why they need to be seen”. Reception staff are trained to ask certain questions in order to ensure that you receive:
• The most appropriate medical care
• From the most appropriate health professional
• At the most appropriate time
Receptionists are asked by the Partners to collect brief information from patients
1. To help doctors prioritise house visits and phone calls
2. To ensure that all patients receive the appropriate level of care
3. To direct patients to see the Advanced Nurse Practitioner or other health professional rather than a doctor where appropriate
Reception staff like all members of the team; are bound by confidentiality rules
• Any information given by you is treated STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
• The Practice would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with this accordingly
• You can ask to speak to a receptionist in private away from the reception
• If you feel an issue is extremely private and do not wish to say what this is then this will of course be respected
Thank you for your support.
Helen Stacey
Practice Manager
