Haltwhistle Medical Group
Autumn Patient Newsletter
Practice News
Staff Changes
GP’s
Practice Staff
In April 2014 we welcomed to the GP team Dr
Carol Robertson, Dr Sophie Miller and Dr Jo-Anne
Shaw.
Jane Charteries has been appointed Practice
Manager for the Surgery and Adele Bracher is our
Deputy Practice Manager. Colette Pape is now
the Practice Medicine Manager.
GP Registrars
Haltwhistle Hospital
Dr Alex Stearn worked in the Practice from
January to August 2014, he is now continuing his
GPR Registrar training post in the Paediatric
Department at the Cumberland Infirmary. Our
current GP Registrars are Dr Beth Hall-Thompson
and Dr Mitchell Ralley who will be working in the
Practice for the next 6 months.
The Practice has secured the contract to cover
the ward round at Haltwhistle Hospital. Our GP’s
visit the hospital every week day.
IT System
In May 2014 our clinical IT system was upgraded.
This was a very testing time for all staff and we
thank you for your patience while we were
learning the new system.
Flu Campaign 2014
2014 flu clinics will be held at Haltwhistle Medical Group on the dates and times listed
Patients entitled to a flu vaccination:




All those aged 65 and over
Pregnant women
Registered Carers
Those aged 6 months or older with the following conditions:
o Chest problems
o Chronic heart disease
o Diabetes
o Chronic kidney disease
o Chronic neurological disease
o Immunosuppressed or spleen problems
We will also be offering:Childrens Fluenz Nasal Spray
All children aged 2, 3 or 4 years on the 1st September 2014 will be
entitled to have the children fluenz nasal spray.
Shingles Vaccination
All patients aged 70, 78 or 79 on the 1st September 2014 will be
offered the Shingles vaccine.
This can be given at the same time as your flu vaccination
Clinic Dates and Times
Saturday 11th October 2014
Time
08.30 – 09.25
09.30 – 10.25
10.30 – 11.25
11.30 – 12.25
13.30 – 14.25
14.30 – 15.30
Surname beginning
with letter
B
A&C
D&E
F, G & I
H
J, K & L
Saturday 25th October 2014
Time
08.30 – 09.25
09.30 – 10.25
10.30 – 11.25
11.30 – 12.25
13.30 – 14.25
14.30 – 15.30
Surname beginning
with letter
M&N
P&R
T&U
O, Q, V & Y
S
W
If you are unable to attend the clinic at the time
relative to your surname, please attend at any
other time on the 11th or the 25th October.
APPOINTMENTS
Appointment DNA’s
Diabetic Eye Screening Appointments
We have noticed an increase in the number of
patients who do not attend booked
appointments. If you no longer need or cannot
manage to get to your appointment please let the
surgery know as the appointment can be offered
to another patient.
All diabetic patients are invited to eye screening
clinics that are held at the surgery. It is very
important that diabetic patients attend for these
checks. If you cannot attend the appointment
date or time given please contact the telephone
number on your letter and they will be happy to
rearrange the appointment for you.
Haltwhistle Medical Group GP Family Planning Service
We now provide a full family planning service in Practice including general contraceptive advice and the
fitting and removal of coils and contraceptive implants. Dr Robertson offers weekly family planning
appointments.
Please feel free to make an appointment with her to discuss this further or ask our reception staff for more
details
Why will the Doctor not prescribe me antibiotics ???
Many common infections are caused by germs called
viruses. Antibiotic medicines do not kill viruses. Also, many
infections caused by germs called bacteria do not
need antibiotics. This is why antibiotics are
not prescribed for many infections
Viral infections
Many common infections of the nose, throat,
sinuses, ears, and chest are caused by germs called viruses.
Flu-like illnesses are also caused by viruses. Diarrhoea
and/or being sick (vomiting) are often due to a viral
infection of the gut. If you are normally well, your defence
(immune) system is good at fighting off many types of viral
infection. An antibiotic medicine is not needed if a virus is
causing an infection. This is because:
Antibiotics do not kill viruses. Antibiotics only kill germs
called bacteria.
Antibiotics may cause side-effects such as diarrhoea,
rashes, feeling sick, etc.
Overuse of antibiotics when they have not been necessary
has led to some bacteria becoming resistant to them. This
means that some antibiotics might not be as effective when
they are really needed. You may feel
unwell for several days or more until a
viral infection clears. Treatment aims to
ease symptoms. Treatments that are
commonly advised for viral infections include the
following:
Paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce a high temperature
(fever), and to ease aches, pains, and headaches.
Making sure you drink enough to prevent mild loss of water
from the body (dehydration). Dehydration may develop if
you have a high temperature, and it can make a headache
and tiredness much worse.
Do not wrap up, but try to cool down if you have a high
temperature. This is particularly important in children. If a
child has a high temperature then take their clothes off (in
a warm, but not hot, room) and consider giving some
paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Other advice may be given for specific symptoms. For
example, decongestants for a blocked nose, etc. Your local
pharmacist can give advice in these situations
Haltwhistle Health Centre Equipment Fund
We are very grateful for our equipment fund. Over the years, we have had fundraising raffles and patients and their
families have donated to the Equipment Fund. The fund is used to purchase equipment that we can use to provide
and improve patient care. We have recently purchased a Hearing Aid Loop System and upgraded the ECG machine.
If anyone would like to make a donation to the equipment fund please contact the Practice Manager
.
Patient Telephone Numbers
Please ensure that we have
your current home and
mobile telephone numbers on
your record at the surgery
Staff training
The Practice will be closed for
the afternoon of Wednesday
19th November 2014. This is
for essential staff training
Great North Run
Our Practice Manager Jane Charteries
recently took part in the GNR to raise funds
for Crohn’s & Colitis. Jane is still collecting
sponsor money and will update
you with the total in the next
newsletter. Thanks to all
who sponsored her