Markyate Surgery
“We aim to help each patient improve their health and well being.”
WINTER 2015
Staff Changes-2015
Dr Kwok Shing Kan joins the
Sadly our nurse, Nancy, is
practice as a long term locum at the
leaving us at the end of
Markyate surgery. We have received
February. We wish her every
some very positive feedback from
success in her new posting.
patients. Dr Sepai completes 18 years
Nellie, a longstanding agency
at the Surgery working alongside Dr
nurse will cover nursing duties
Walter who continues working as a
until a new nurse is recruited.
salaried Doctor each morning.
Amia, our Healthcare Assistant
commenced in December 2014,
We welcome our new dispenser,
she is already proving to be an
Lindsay, who will work alongside
asset to the surgery and our
Himabindu. She starts on Tuesday
community.
17th February.
Health Monitor in Surgery Waiting Room
The Health Monitor's purpose is for your Blood Pressure, Height,
Weight and BMI to be measured once you request a token from the
receptionist. The reception staff are there to help you when you use
this machine for the first time. If the Doctor has specifically asked
you to monitor your blood pressure monthly until it is stabilised
and you do not have a blood pressure machine at home, we
recommend that you come to the Surgery and use the Health
Friends & Family Test

From 1st December 2014 the
government seeks feedback
from patients on their opinion
of GP surgeries. They call it
‘the Friends 7 Family Test’.
This involved asking how
likely are you to recommend
our GP Practice to friends &
family?
The responses for December &
January are so far
Extremely Likely 61
Likely 22
Neither Likely nor Unlikely 4
Unlikely 0
Extremely Likely 0
We are very pleased with the
results and thank everyone for
taking part.
Monitor.
You can still complete the
survey by completing the form
in the surgery or visiting our
website and clicking on the
friends and family link.
Monitor
Quit Smoking
3 very good reasons to give up smoking
YOUR HEALTH
YOUR FAMILY
TO SAVE MONEY
Make an appointment to see our Healthcare Assistant,
Amia. She can help you to give up smoking.
Take The First Step – make an appointment today!!
markyatesurgery99.co.uk
Carer Champion

Caring for a family member, a friend
or a neighbour is a mark of a healthy
society, but we also recognize that
much care can be exhausting both
emotionally and relentless physical
demands placed on carers.
We recognize that whilst focusing
NHS Health Checks
The NHS Health Check Programme aims to help prevent heart
disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. Everyone between
the ages of 40 and 74, who has not already been diagnosed with
one of these conditions, will be invited (once every five years) to
have a blood test and health check to assess their risk of heart
disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes and will be given
support and advice to help them reduce or manage that risk.
For more information or to book your free NHS Health Check speak
to one of our reception team
on the patient, we must also be
equally mindful of the needs of
carers. Our trained Carers’
Champion is Maria McKenna who
will refer you to ‘Carers in
Chronic illness Empowerment – Taking Charge of Your Health
Hertfordshire’ for support and
advice.
Caring can take its toll on health and
carers are at a much higher risk of
becoming ill; we continue offering
you an annual health check and flu
jab. For more information or to
register as a carer speak to our
reception team.
The Keep Warm Stay Well Partnership
The Keep Warm Stay Well Partnership has put
in place measures to support the most
vulnerable members of our community who
could have their health impacted upon by the
cold this winter. If you are struggling to stay
warm in your home this winter, or you are
worried about a friend, neighbour or relative
who might be at risk, please contact
HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044 or email:
info@hertshelp.net.
Office hours are 8 am – 6pm, Monday to Friday.
A chronic illness can affect your health over a long period of time-possibly
your entire life. You must take responsibility for doing what it takes to
manage your illness effectively.
Managing chronic conditions are a major part of general practice. Our team
of doctors and nurses are here to support, guide and advise patients.
However, the patients understanding and knowledge of lifestyle and
negative effects of diet, smoking, alcohol and stress manifest as fear and
anxiety are equally important in living with and in some cases overcoming
long-term disease. We know that simply taking drugs regularly helps in
managing such long term conditions, but patients who are empowered and
are resolved within themselves can do a lot to improve their health by
taking small steps towards a healthier life.
Take an honest look at the aspects of your lifestyle that do not encourage
good health. Start with a particular behaviour that you’d like to change in
order to have better control of your illness. For example, you might decide
that you don’t eat enough vegetables, get enough exercise or take your
medicines as your doctor tells you to.
Once you’ve identified a problem, state a specific goal for dealing with it.
For example, getting more exercise, giving up smoking, eating healthily or
cutting down on alcohol. Doing these can help you feel better!
One of the most important things to remember is that you can change your
behaviour. Even if your illness makes you feel helpless at times, you can
work with your doctor to set goals and take responsibility for following
through with them, you can make changes that will lead to better health.
It is also very important to attend your appointments for your blood test
and health check when invited by the surgery.