www.whitecliffpractice.co.uk
Whitecliff Surgery, Whitecliff Mill Street
Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7BH
Dr Evans,
Dr Ford, Dr Nixon,
Dr Berry, Dr Slater,
Dr Sword, Dr Nankervis
& Mrs. C. Tilley
Child Okeford Surgery, Upper Street
Child Okeford, Dorset, DT11 8EF
WHITECLIFF GROUP SURGERY NEWSLETTER
WINTER / SPRING 2016
PRACTICE NEWS
Like every GP Practice in the country we continue to be very busy and are increasingly trying to
provide more services whilst resources are increasingly stretched. The Practice Partners wish to
thank all of their loyal and dedicated staff who have worked incredibly hard to cover all the
challenges that the winter has brought us.
We apologise to those patients who have had to wait a little longer for routine appointments, but
we are extremely proud that we have been able to step up to meet the huge demand of
emergency cases (up to 175 patient’s per day) to ensure that every patient with an urgent need
received care in an appropriate timescale.
WHITECLIFF GROUP PRACTICE & DEMENTIA FRIENDLY BLANDFORD
The Whitecliff Group Practice is a proud member of the Blandford Dementia Action Alliance. The
group has been created by people living and working in Blandford to improve the experiences of
local people living with memory problems.
It is made up of local organizations committed to improving the quality of life for all people with
dementia and their carers. The aim is to develop a high level of public awareness and understanding
so that people with dementia and their carers are encouraged to seek help and are supported by
their community.
Only by being more inclusive of people with dementia, can we help improve the ability of those
affected remain independent with choice and control over their lives, whatever their stage of
dementia.
We meet every 2-3 months to discuss how we can do more as a community to support people with
dementia. To find out more please look on the Dementia Action Alliance website:
www.dementiaaction.org.uk or email dementiafriendlyblandford@gmail.com.
They also now have a Facebook page (see the link on our website / Facebook page). Please share
this page with your friends.
USING TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOU
Please let us have your mobile phone number - then we can text you to remind you of your
appointments and if you wish you can also sign up with dispensary to text you when your
medication is ready.
Please give us your email details – we will then periodically send you information regarding
the Practice (e.g. our Newsletter and other patient information). We note will not share this
information with any other organisation, nor use it for personal medical correspondence.
12 TIPS TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT IN 2016
1. Don't skip breakfast. Research shows eating breakfast helps you control your weight. Some
people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight, but missing meals doesn't
help us lose weight and isn't good for us as we can miss out on essential nutrients. It could also
encourage us to snack more throughout the day because you feel hungry.
2. Eat regular meals. It has been shown that eating regularly during the day helps burn calories at a
faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar.
3. Eat plenty of fruit and veg. Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – three
essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
4. Get more active. Studies show regular activity is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well
as providing numerous health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you can't cut
through diet alone. Find an activity you enjoy and are able to fit into your routine.
5. Drink plenty of water. People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming
extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. You should aim to drink about six to
eight glasses (1.2 litres) of fluid, preferably water, every day – or more if it's warm or you're
exercising.
6. Eat high-fibre foods. Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you to feel full, which is perfect
for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain
bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils.
7. Read food labels. Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options, and
keep a check on the amount of calories, fat, salt and sugars you eat.
8. Use a smaller plate. Studies show people who use smaller plates tend to eat smaller portions and
are still satisfied. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating
smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain
it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full.
9. Don't ban foods. Don't ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like.
Banning foods will only make you crave them more.
10. Don't stock junk food. To avoid temptation, avoid stocking junk food, such as chocolate,
biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks, at home. Instead, stock up on healthy snacks, such as fruit,
unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice.
11. Cut down on alcohol. Did you know a standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a
piece of chocolate, and a pint of lager has about the same calorie count as a packet of crisps? Over
time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain.
12. Plan your meals. Plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you
stick to your calorie allowance. Try to plan for four to seven days' worth of meals and snacks. Make
a shopping list, but don't shop when you're hungry as that can lead to high-calorie impulse buys!
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:
The Blandford Health and Wellbeing and Sports Expo Event 2016
The Corn Exchange, Blandford Forum
Friday and Saturday 1st & 2nd July 2016
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PLEASE DON'T RUN OUT OF YOUR REGULAR MEDICINES
Each year around 15 million prescriptions are fulfilled in Dorset which is the equivalent of nearly 20
for every person living in the county.
Whilst many of these are new or one off prescriptions; the majority are for people who receive
regular medicines, either for long-term or ongoing conditions.
In order to help ease pressures on the local health community, local clinicians are asking people
who receive repeat prescriptions to make sure they don’t run out; and if they do to know where
they should go for help.
Pharmacies usually require two working days to process and fulfil requests. Around bank holidays
this may be longer depending on opening hours so please check with your local practice. Two days
is required as fulfilling a prescription is not as easy as just pulling a bottle or a packet off of the
shelf. A number of checks need to be made to maintain patient safety. Before it is dispensed a
doctor / pharmacist also has to check that the medicine is correct and that it is suitable for the
individual.
If you have repeat prescriptions for medicines try and make sure you don’t run out. Help yourself
and the local NHS by putting a reminder in your diary or phone or a note on your fridge or notice
board at home.
If you require regular medication on prescription, repeat prescriptions allow a surgery to send
repeat medicines on a prescription to a patient’s nominated pharmacy. Also if you need to order
your prescription early for example if you are going on holiday or you have lost an item, your
pharmacy will be able to help.
This service may not be appropriate or available for all patients but contact your local pharmacy or
GP practice for further information.
If you run out:

Do contact your usual GP surgery – they will try to help you.

Do go to your nearest pharmacy - if you have proof of the medicines you normally receive
they may be able to provide you with an emergency supply. Emergency supply is a private
service and you will be asked to pay for medicines supplied.

Don’t call 111 – the 111 service is for people who want medical advice but are not sure who
to speak to – it cannot prescribe you medicines.

Don’t go to A&E and ask them to help – A&E is for people who have life threatening
conditions only.
FACEBOOK:
Did you know Whitecliff Group practice now has a Facebook page?
Follow it by searching for The Whitecliff Group Practice.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.whitecliffpractice.co.uk
Our website contains up to date news regarding the Practice, community
health news, health advice, as well as useful links to local and national
health and wellbeing organisations.
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NEWS FROM THE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP- UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR
The next meeting of the patient Group takes place on Wed 3 February 2016 and the committee
would be pleased to hear from any patients who have issues they’d like us to discuss with the
partners who attend the meeting on behalf of the practice, or indeed any comment on this report
or any aspect of our activities. Please email me at gwyn.bates@hotmail.co.uk, or write to me care
of one of the surgeries. Meanwhile, here’s an update on current activity.
Working with the Surgery
The group continues to assist the practice by encouraging patients to register their email and
mobile phone numbers with the surgery. We promoted this by visiting the Child Okeford Surgery on
13 January and talking to patients there. If the practice has your mobile phone number they will
send text reminders about appointments. This has already helped to cut down the number of
missed appointments which makes better use of resources for everyone’s benefit.
We also had a stand at Child Okeford providing info to anyone who might be classed as a carer. It's
very important for the surgery to know which of its patients do act as carers for family or friends so
that they can be aware of the person being cared for in the event of the carer themself becoming
ill. Also, remember that if you provide care and support to an adult friend or family member, you
may be eligible for support from your local council. This support could include being offered money
to pay for things that make caring easier. Or the local authority might offer practical support, such
as arranging for someone to step in when you need a short break. It could also put you in touch
with local support groups so you have people to talk to.
The Care Act 2014 makes carer's assessments more widely available to people in caring roles. For
more information, read about the Care Act changes for carers. Please contact Debbie Collins at
Whitecliff surgery for more info or to register your status as a carer.
In the coming weeks, we are planning to form a small sub group to start working with the practice
to find ways to maintain and improve patient satisfaction and efficient use of resources both
financial and human through education and communication with patients. We’d therefore like to
hear from patients about any frustrations or things which confuse you about the way in which the
surgeries work so we can build that into our project. Use the contact details shown above.
Finally, the Patient Group are shortly going to be helping the practice to review the facilities and
environment at the Whitecliff Surgery to ensure that it meets the Dementia Friendly Practice
standards...moving on to Child Okeford soon.
Working with the Community
Plans are already underway for the next Well and Connected event being organised by the DT11
Partnership, to be held on 1st and 2nd July. This is a health, wellbeing, sport and recreational
informational event to be held at The Corn Exchange. Anyone involved with a local community
group which falls under those headings and who wants to get involved should contact Julie Wigg,
Community Resource Worker at the DT11 office in Nightingale Court, East Street. Or visit
www.dt11forum.org.uk
On 21 November, I had the honour to chair a Dorset Patient Participation networking event held at
Charlton Down Village Hall. Over 60 people attended and we had speakers from the National
Association for Patient Participation, as well as local groups such as Healthwatch Dorset, Dorset
POPP (Partnership for Older People Programme), Dorset Community Action and Livewell Dorset.
Most people agree that events like these are vital to spread awareness and share experiences so
that we all get the best out of both the NHS and the local community Groups that support us.
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Working with the wider NHS
As previously reported in these newsletters, members of the patient group have been taking a close
interest in the Clinical Services Review being undertaken by Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group
(the CCG) which was due to conclude and present options for public consultation last August. Chairs
from patient Groups across North Dorset met Phil Richardson, Director of Transformation at the
CCG at a meeting in December 2015 and put questions to him about the review and the apparent
delay, where key questions as detailed below were put to him.
Q. When will the public consultation now take place?
A. This cannot currently be confirmed due to requirements for assurance to 16 different regulatory
bodies before approval to move to consultation is achieved. Also, the CSR Team are focusing on
data analysis around community services (including district hospitals and estates) to be able to
inform proposals for bringing care closer to home. The Competition & Markets Authority requires
the CCG to demonstrate patient benefit outweighs a breach of competition law if proposals favour
the amalgamation of Bournemouth & Poole Hospitals (could take up to 6 months).
Q. What happens next?
A. There are two key decision points ahead – March 2016 when the decision should be made that
proposals are ready to go to public consultation, and Summer 2016 when the consultation is
expected to take place.
In April 2016 the CCG assumes responsibility for Primary Care funding from NHS England. The view
is that this will improve the conditions for completing the CSR and implementing the approved
changes.
The patient group will watch developments with interest but if you want to keep up with
developments yourself go to www.dorsetsvision.nhs.uk
Ms Gwyn Bates
Chair, Whitecliff Group Practice Patient Participation Group
ARE YOU A CARER?
Do you care for a family member or friend? Help and Care, in partnership with Dorset HealthCare, are
running free, informal information workshops:

WHAT IS CARING? - Tuesday, 2nd February 2016, 10.00am - 2.00pm

LEGAL & FINANCIAL MATTERS – Monday, 7th March 2016, 10.00am - 2.00pm
Venue: Woodhouse Gardens
The Tabernacle,
Blandford Forum
DT11 7ND
To book your place and receive further information, please contact Help and Care: 0300 111 3303 or
email: carerstraining@helpandcare.org.uk
To find out about further courses after March 2016 please visit website: www.helpandcare.org.uk
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