Monthly Bulletin
Number 181 November 2013
Welcome to our November Bulletin
News from the Practice this Month:
We are sad to announce that on the 26th November
Receptionist Pat Allen is retiring after 21 years at the
Practice. We would like to wish her a long, happy and
healthy retirement.
We welcome to the practice this month Ellie Davey, who
has taken up the post of Practice Support Manager to
assist Jan Lowe, Practice Manager, and Deborah MatsonBeale, Practice Business Manager, in the running of the
practice.
In the News this Month:
On European Antibiotics Awareness Day, the 18th
November, Public Health England and the Royal College
of GPs published an article looking into the public’s
opinions on antibiotics and when they are needed to fight
infection. They said that it is a ‘prevailing myth’ that
running noses and green phlegm need treatment with
antibiotics. In fact, "Most of the infections that generate
lots of phlegm and snot are viral illnesses and will get
better on their own although you can expect to feel
pretty poorly for a few weeks. There are plenty of overthe-counter medicines which are very effective in
managing the symptoms of these illnesses and can reduce
headache, muscle soreness, fever and sore throats.
The problems of antibiotic resistance are growing.
Everyone can help by not using antibiotics for the
treatment of uncomplicated infections”, said Dr Cliodna
McNulty, head of Public Health England’s Primary Care
Unit.
Your GP will be able to advise you as to whether you
need antibiotics, depending on your symptoms and
medical history.
Diabetic Retinal Screening
The Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Service is in
the process of contacting all diabetic patients to invite
them for retinal screening in January 2014. Please note
that the screening will be carried out at Marina Court,
Trafalgar Road, Tewkesbury, not in the practice,
although you will still need to phone the practice to book
your appointment.
Website: churchstreetdoctors.com
Telephone: 01684853398
Opening Hours:
Mon - Thurs 08.30 – 18.30, Fri 08.30 - 16.00
Extended Hours Tues and Thurs 18.30 – 20.00
For Out of Hours medical assistance please phone the
normal practice phone number and you will be diverted
to the out of hours service.
Flu Vaccination
Everyone aged 65 or over is entitled to this vaccination as
well as anyone with a chronic disease such as diabetes,
heart or kidney disease, chronic respiratory problems and
lowered immunity. Pregnant women are also eligible.
If you meet the above criteria and have not already done
so, please book your flu appointment now by contacting
reception.
Children’s Flu Vaccination
New this year, we have a nasal flu vaccination available
for children under 4 years old. Please contact reception to
book an appointment.
Pneumococcal Vaccination
Everyone over 65 is eligible for this vaccination, which
lasts for life. If you are over 65 and have never had a
pneumococcal vaccination, please contact the surgery to
book an appointment.
Shingles Vaccination
Shingles vaccinations are being offered to those of 70 and
79 years of age. Letters have been sent inviting patients of
those ages to have the vaccination, however if you are
eligible please contact the surgery directly to book an
appointment.
Yellow Fever
There is a currently a shortage of the Yellow Fever
vaccine, which is affecting our practice. If you are
planning to travel to an area where this vaccine is
required, please investigate whether any of your local
services can supply the vaccine. Our practice currently
has no supply. Please consider your travel plans carefully
with this in mind.
Prescription Information
Carers Information
Repeat prescriptions can be ordered at reception, by
email, post or fax, through your local pharmacy, or, once
you have registered for the service, on our website at:
www.churchstreetdoctors.com/prescriptions
Do you look after someone? Jesmond House Practice
holds a monthly Carer’s Group , open to all carers, which
will give you the opportunity to meet with other carers
for tea/coffee, chat, support and advice.
Our website also has more information on how to request
your repeat prescription, to allow you to decide which
method is best for you.
The meetings are held on Mondays from 10.00 - 11.30am
at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Oldbury Road ,
Tewkesbury. The next meeting will be held on Monday
the 9th December.
Repeat prescription requests cannot be made over the
phone.
Repeat prescriptions take 2 working days to be
processed, and will then be available to collect after 2pm
from the practice, or the following day from your local
pharmacy if you have requested it be delivered there.
There is more information for carers on our practice
noticeboards.
If you would like to be on our practice carers register
please let us know.
Breathe Easy
Test Results
Your GP will review your test results when they are
received from the laboratory. If there is a need to discuss
the results with you, a staff member will phone you or
you will be sent a letter.
If you want to phone in for your test results, please do so
after 2.00pm.
Patient Participation Group
The practice is keen to recruit some younger members to
join our Patient Participation Group in order to make it
more representative of our patient population. If you are
aged 16-45, or if you have a young family, we would love
to hear from you.
If you are in this age bracket and would like some more
information, please leave your name and contact details
with a member of our reception team and we will contact
you.
Meetings are held at the practice every 3 months on a
Monday evening at 5.45pm and usually last for
approximately 1 hour.
SWIFT-Sexual Wellbeing Information and Treatment
SWIFT is a drop in clinic available to all under-25s
(including those not registered at our practice) to provide
sexual wellbeing information and treatment.
The clinic promises confidentiality to all who use the
service.
Tewkesbury and District Breathe Easy Group is a
support group for people affected by lung conditions
including their friends, family and carers, providing an
informative and social environment for people with
breathing difficulties.
The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month
from 2.00 – 4.00pm at The Boys Brigade Community
Centre, Canterbury Leys, Off Ashchurch Road,
Newtown, Tewkesbury.
Help and Services
Tewkesbury Memory Café
The Café offers support for people who have memory
problems and their carers or family members. This is an
opportunity to meet with others and access guidance and
support.
This is held on the last Wednesday of every month from
2.00 – 4.00pm at Tewkesbury Day Centre, Station Road,
Tewkesbury GL20 5DR.
Mental Health
Gloucestershire Mental Health Service for adults
provides support and information, which is accessible on
their website at :
www.2gether.nhs.uk/home
Relationship Issues
Open Mondays and Thursdays 4-5pm.
Relate is the UK’s largest provider of relationship
counselling and sex therapy.
You can visit their website at:
Tel: 01684853398
www.relateglos.co.uk/