For Patients of Clarence Park Surgery
April 2014 Newsletter – Clarence Park Surgery
Practice News
We are all very sorry to be saying “Goodbye” to Ann our long serving
Receptionist at Easter. After 18 years of service here at Clarence Park we all
wish her a long, relaxing and very happy Retirement.
Ann says “I have enjoyed every single day that I have worked at Clarence
Park Surgery and I will miss all of the patients and their kindness and wish
them all well”.
Ann is being replaced by two new Receptionists Allison who will be joining us
in April and yet another Alison who will join us in May.
Rachel Drago our Advanced Nurse Practitioner continues to support our busy
GPs with the increasing numbers of new patients joining the Practice and
Wendy Brain one of the Practice Nurses is now running an additional Minor
Illness Clinic on a Friday afternoon to help with demand for appointments.
Appointments
Our new appointment system which offers more opportunities to book
appointments in advance with your preferred GP is proving popular, we do
still offer patients the book on the day appointments for urgent consultations
which can be booked from 8am on the day you need to be seen however we
can not always accommodate our patients wishes and if you need to speak to
a GP urgently our receptionists may offer you a telephone consultation initially
with a duty doctor who can arrange for an appointment, based on the
urgency that they perceive necessary.
Summer – Be prepared
Stay Safe in the Sun
Sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer as well as being very painful.
Whether at home or abroad use shade, clothing and at least factor 15
sunscreen applied generously and regularly to protect your skin. Always take
special care of children’s skin. The best way to do this is to cover them up
and keep them in the shade.
Stay Healthy in the Sun
Start by drinking lots of water, exercise for a least 30 minutes a day to get
your heart rate up. Eat less salt and foods with less fat. Relax and enjoy
yourself in the warmer weather.
Travel Vaccines
If you are lucky enough to be going somewhere exotic this summer please
make sure you give yourselves enough time to have any vaccinations
required. Travel Questionnaires are available at reception or to submit via our
website www.clarenceparksurgery.nhs.uk please allow at least six weeks
before travel to complete and submit these forms to surgery and our Nurses
will contact you to arrange an appointment.
Hayfever
If you are one of the many people that suffer from Hayfever start your
preventative medication before the hayfever season starts. Spring hayfever is
usually a result of pollens in the air, late summer is usually the dust from a
dry hot environment.
 Sneezing
 Stuffy blocked nose
 Runny itchy nose
 Watery, puffy or itchy eyes
Visit your local Pharmacist now for treatment and advice
Prescriptions
Please remember that repeat prescriptions take 2 working days to process,
we ask now that you wait until after 4pm on their due date to collect from
reception. We do not take requests for repeat medications over the
telephone however, would remind our patients that many of the local
pharmacies can arrange to order and deliver your medications for you. You
can also order repeat prescriptions via our Website at:
www.clarenceparksurgery.nhs.uk or by sending your request by post
enclosing a stamped addressed envelope if you would like us to post your
prescription back to you.
Is your visit to A&E or Call to the Out of Hours Service
Necessary?
When you go to A&E or contact the OOH Service and your ailment is not an
emergency it puts extra strain on the staff to give the necessary attention to
those who really need it. If you have a minor illness or need medication
please contact the surgery when we are next open for advice. Please help us
make A&E and the Out of Hours Service work for patients who really need
Urgent Care and Attention.
Home Visits
If you require a home visit, please request this before 11am. The doctors will
often telephone you before they visit. Remember to confirm your address,
telephone number and Doorsafe Key Code with the receptionist.
Health Promotion
Our Practice Nurses offer the following additional services:
Support to Stop Smoking
Weight Management
NHS Health Checks
Travel Advice and Vaccinations
Surgery Website
Please continue to use our website www.clarenceparksurgery.nhs.uk to order
your repeat prescriptions, notify us of your change of address/contact details
and update your Clinical Records.
Patient Participation Group
Our active Patient Participation Group would welcome any new members.
Registered patients can submit their interest in this group via the “Get
Involved” tab on our website or by speaking to a receptionist. This group is
for you and has been set up to listen to our patients – we want to know how
we can improve our service to you and how you perceive our surgery and
staff.
And finally…………..
 If you are aged 45 and have NOT had your blood pressure checked,
please come into surgery and use the machine in reception or book an
appointment with Alyson.
 Please remember to let us know if you have changed your contact
details, in particular your telephone number
 If you know that you are not going to be able to keep your
appointment, even if it is at the last minute, please telephone reception
to cancel.
The Doctors and Staff at Clarence Park Surgery would like to wish
all of our Patients and their families a HAPPY EASTER break when
we can hopefully look forward to a lovely warm Summer.