PRACTICE NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2014
SURGERY NEWS
We have recently welcomed two new doctors into the Practice, Drs Barbara Duncan and Hasan Habib, both of whom
are with us on a permanent basis. Also, to provide additional support during the winter period, we have the services of
an additional doctor on Mondays and Fridays.
As a result of the increased staffing levels, it is now usually possible to book a non-emergency appointment within a
couple of days or so, although not necessarily with the doctor of your choice. This is a vast improvement over the
situation earlier in the year. Emergency appointments can still be made for the same day.
Although the owner of the Knebworth surgery site has recently submitted a planning application for possible
redevelopment of the site, there is no truth in the rumour that the surgery is soon to close. The partners are still
working with developers to find a site for a new, and enlarged, surgery building in Knebworth and, until that is built
and fully functioning, we will remain at the junction of Stevenage Road and Station Road.
The development of the new Practice website is now nearing completion and. hopefully, it will be up and running very
early in the New Year. This will be a valuable information source and will contain important and up-to-date surgery
and PPG documentation, as well as providing the means for booking appointments with doctors, nurses and
phlebotomists and for reordering prescriptions.
FEDERATING
The Knebworth and Marymead Practice is in the process of forming a federation with other practices in the North
Hertfordshire Locality. A company has been formed under the name of 12 Point Care Ltd, the directors of which are
five local doctors and two practice managers (one of whom is Ken Spooner).
The basic concept is that this grouping will be large enough to bid for and win contracts for non-core clinical facilities
for the federation. Initially, the directors will be concentrating on business planning and engagement but, in due course
via the respective PPGs, patients will become involved in the process.
DEFIBRILLATORS
Thanks to recent concerted efforts by the PPG Officers, led by Mandy Preedy, the project to provide two defibrillators
for emergency use in the event of serious cardiac events is now well advanced. It has been agreed that the equipment
will be sited on the outside of both the Knebworth and Marymead surgeries and the application for finance has just
been submitted to the Lottery Fund. If the funding is approved, the defibrillators will be in position and ready for use
within the next three to four months.
CARERS CHAMPION
The Practice is very pleased to report that we now have a Carers Champion. Marie Norman has agreed - without too
much arm-twisting by Ken - to take on this important role. Marie will be working closely with the Practice staff and
the PPG to ensure that there is a note in the records of all patients who have the responsibility of caring for relatives or
others in the community.
If you are a carer, or think you might be categorised as one, have a word with the receptionists at either surgery to
make sure that this information is annotated into your patient records.
NEW FOOD ALLERGY LABELLING REGULATIONS
Changes to the food labelling regulations come into force this month. The new piece of European legislation is called
the Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EU FIC) and it will change the way allergen information appears on
labels and on food that is pre-packed, sold loose or served when you are eating outside of the home. The EU FIC will
bring general and nutrition labelling together into a single regulation to simplify and consolidate existing labelling
legislation.
They will help provide allergen information in a clearer and more consistent way. For example, any of the 14
allergens that are on the regulatory list will be emphasised on the label of a pre-packaged food if they are used as
ingredients. It’s good news for consumers, as these changes will provide allergen information in a clearer and more
consistent way – making it easier to make safer food choices when buying food or eating out.
Although this new law will only apply from December 2014, you may have started to see some differences to food
allergen labels already, as businesses prepare for the changeover to the new allergen rules. However, some products
(such as tinned or dried food) have a long shelf life, which means you could see both types of labelling being used on
these types of products for a couple of years after December 2014. Always remember to read the label.
SURGERY CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS
Both Marymead and Knebworth surgeries will be closed over the main part of the Christmas holiday period, as
follows:
Monday, 22nd December - Open 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, as usual
Tuesday, 23rd December – Open 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, as usual
Wednesday, 24th December – Open 8.30 pm to 6.30 pm, as usual
Thursday, 25th December to Sunday, 28th December - CLOSED
Monday, 29th December - Open 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, as usual
Tuesday, 30th December – Open 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, as usual
Wednesday, 31st December – Open 8.30 pm to 6.30 pm, as usual
Thursday, 1st January – CLOSED
Friday, 2nd January – Open 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, as usual
MONDAY, 22ND DECEMBER, IS THE LAST DAY TO REQUEST PRESCRIPTIONS TO
ENSURE THAT YOU GET THEM BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.
The Practice staff and the PPG wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Produced by The Knebworth and Marymead Patient Participation Group