CLOSURE DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR 2015
Please note the change of day below,
These are our ½ day closures
No closure for September
Wednesday 14th October
Wednesday 11th November
No closure for December
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
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THE NORTHOLME PRACTICE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
The NHS is eager to get more and more patients involved in decision
making at all levels, and locally our Clinical Commissioning Group is keen
to gather the views of patients on the development of services.
A way of doing this is to become more involved with our Patient
Participation Group by attending our meetings every 3 months.
If you would like to attend please contact Judi Anderson on 01422 893126
or email Judith.anderson@gp-b84008.nhs.uk
Our next meeting will be held on Monday 14th September at Kos Clinic, if
you would like to attend please contact Judi on the above telephone
number or email address.
EMAIL ADDRESSES
We are updating our records and collecting email addresses. Slips are
available on reception to complete with a view to improving contact with
patients
***FLU CLINIC IFORMATION INSIDE***
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Emergency cover and advice will be provided by
CARE DIRECT
Who should be contacted on?
111
APPOINTMENTS
The GPs, Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Team run surgeries and clinics at
various times between 7.30 a.m. and 18.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Surgeries and consultations are by appointment only. Appointments can be made
up to 4-6 weeks in advance either at the surgery or by telephone, between 8.00
a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
We strive to maintain 48 hour access to our medical team for all patients.
Therefore the majority of appointments for GPs are “book on the day”
For a morning appointment if you ring the surgery at 8.00 a.m. For an afternoon
appointment if you ring the surgery at 11.00 a.m.
You can also book limited appointments at any time using the online
service – please register with the receptionist at the surgery for this
service.
You may see any doctor but please try to avoid seeing different doctors in the
same episode of illness. Receptionists will NOT require medical details to make
routine appointments.
Telephone appointments with the GPs, Nurse Practitioners and Nursing team are
also available for patients who may require urgent medical assistance but no
appointment is routinely available or requires urgent service. This service
involves either one of the GPs or the Nurse Practitioners calling the patient on
the phone. Messages cannot be left on answer machines therefore it is vital that
you can give a telephone number where you can be contacted.
The reception team are responsible for managing the allocation of appointments
and to do this effectively they will ask for details. The receptionist needs only the
briefest detail to be able to direct patients to the most suitable clinician (Doctor,
Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurse or Health Care Assistant).
Each appointment is for one person only with one complaint. If you have a
number of concerns that you need to discuss further appointment time will be
necessary. Please advise reception of your needs when booking your
appointment
If for any reason you have to cancel an appointment please let the reception staff
know as soon as possible, then we will be able to let someone else use the
appointment.
We have the facility to text patients to remind them of their appointment. We will
obtain your consent before using this facility.
Urgent Appointments
Patients with urgent problems will be seen on the same day. Brief medical details
may be requested by the reception staff to help determine urgency.
Note: Patients will NOT be seen without an appointment unless it is a medical
emergency. If you arrive late for an appointment we cannot guarantee that you
will be seen, you may need to make another appointment
STAFF NEWS
We are saying goodbye to another member of our reception team,
Carole Kirkbride retired at the end of August. We would like to wish Carole a long
and Happy Retirement.
We would like to welcome our new team member, Linda who has joined Kos
Clinic reception.
We would also like to introduce Lauren Eastwood who has come to work
alongside Jane and Becky as a Practice Nurse.
We also welcome our new registrars and FY2 who joined us in August,
Dr Mamuna Hussain, Dr Andrew Storr and our FY2 Dr Jagjit Grewal.
Dr Howes is now on maternity leave from the beginning of September.
We would like to welcome Dr Paula Knight who will be joining us as locum cover.
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ONLINE BOOKING
GP appointments are now available to book online. You can also order
repeat medication which has been authorised by a GP. Please note you
will require a login to be able to access this online service. If you are over
16 years of age, please call into the surgery to request “online service” as
we cannot arrange this over the telephone. Please bring along with you
some photographic proof of ID so that we can confirm your identity.
You can also download the SYSTMONLINE app to any smart phone.
Did you know you can cancel your appointment on line or by text? Do we
have your correct mobile number?
OVER 75 CHECKS
The practice is pleased to be able to offer an annual health check to all
patients aged 75 and over. This initiative has been funded by the
Calderdale CCG for all patients in the area.
The aim of the health check is to improve care and support given to the
over 75 population to ensure that every step is put in place to avoid any
potential health issue in the future, thereby helping you lead a long and
healthy life. If you are aged 75 and over and have not had a health check
this year please contact reception to make an appointment with the
Health Care Assistant or Practice Nurse.
DNAs Wasted Appointments ( Did Not Attend )
From June 1st to August 31st 2015 we had 62 hours 35 minutes wasted.
June - 34 hours 15 minutes
July 15 hours 5 minutes
August - 13 hours 15 minutes
Please can we try and avoid this by cancelling your surgery appointment.
HEALTH EDUCATION
DESMOND – Diabetes Education Programme
If you have Diabetes, it is important that you learn how to manage the
condition. Short courses – such as the DESMOND programme for people
with type 2 diabetes can help. Referrals are made into the service for
people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The DESMOND programme is a 6 hour course usually lasting 1 to 2 days,
group participation with trained health care professionals. The aim is to
allow people to manage their Diabetes by focusing on lifestyle, diet and
exercise. DESMOND focuses on helping you change your lifestyle so that
you can manage diabetes, this means having a good understanding of
how diet and exercise affect the body. If you have diabetes and you
haven’t yet attended an education programme, talk to your GP or
diabetes team as they can refer you to a local one.
PULMONARY REHABILITATION FOR COPD
This is a programme of exercise, education and support to help you learn
to breathe and function at the highest level possible for you. You will work
with a team of specialists who will help you improve your physical
condition. You will learn how to manage your COPD so you will stay
healthy and active long after you complete the course. The course is
geared to each individual, don’t worry if you can’t walk very far, the rehab
team will monitor you closely and set achievable goals for you.
You will also learn about Breathing techniques, Medication, Nutrition,
Relaxation techniques and Travel – how to do everyday tasks with less
shortness of breath and how to stay healthy and avoid COPD
exacerbations. Speak to your GP or nurse for a referral. You will be
surprised what you can accomplish.
UPBEAT – EXERCISE REFERRAL SCHEME
The Upbeat scheme is a 10 week programme of activities based in
Calderdale. It is aimed at people, who have coronary heart disease,
Diabetes, people at risk of heart disease or stroke or over weight with BMI
over 30. It gives you the opportunity to try regular physical activity to help
improve health and wellbeing. There is also the opportunity to attend a 10
week “Healthy Weight” programme which is open to anyone who is
referred onto the scheme and wants to lose weight.
If you are interested in taking part then contact your GP or Practice
Nurse.
SHINGLES VACCINATION
The shingles vaccination is still available.
Additional people in their seventies are now eligible for free shingles
vaccination – are you one of them?
You may be eligible if you were born on or between
02.09.1942 and 01.09.1245
02.09.1935 and 01.09.1937
If you are eligible, talk to your GP or Practice Nurse about shingles
vaccination.
MENINGOCCCAL B VACCINATION FOR BABIES
The Men B vaccine is now available alongside the routine schedule given
at 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 12 months.
Fever can be expected after any vaccination but it is more common with
Men B. It is advised that giving paracetamol reduces the chances of
getting a fever. A dose of paracetamol will be advised at the time of
vaccination with 2 more doses. The nurse will give you more details at
your baby appointment.
NEW MENINGOCOCCAL ACWY VACCINATION PROGRAMME
Men ACWY vaccine is now available at the surgery for all 17 and 18 year
olds plus anyone up to the age of 25 attending University for the first time.
Meningococcal Disease is a rare but life threatening bacteria with
teenagers and young adults in the higher risk group.
Please contact the surgery to make an appointment with the nurse.
BLOOD CLINICS
Blood clinics are held at Kos Clinic in the Annexe Monday 8.30 a.m. to
12.30 p.m. and Friday 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Please book an appointment at reception.
Children under 12 who require a routine blood test need to telephone the
Children’s Clinic at the CRH on 01422 224374 to book a blood
appointment.
Phlebotomy clinics at Kos on Monday and Friday are unable to do this on
children under the age of 12 years.
BLOOD CLINICS AT LAWSON ROAD
Blood clinics are held at Lawson Road on Monday and Wednesday 8.30
a.m. to 11.30 a.m. for Warfarin patients only.
AUTUMN IS ON IT’S WAY
FLU VACCINATIONS
Yes it is that time of year again.
Flu Clinics will be drop in clinics and held in October and November. The
clinics will be held at both Kos and Northowram.
FLU DATES
Friday 9th October at Northowram - 7.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Thursday 15th October at Kos Annexe - 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Friday 23rd October at Northowram - 7.30 a.m to 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday 4th November at Kos Annexe - 7.30 a.m to 6.00 p.m.
Please note – No appointment needed.
We will be offering flu vaccines at a cost of £10 for those patients who are
not entitled to it.
Who is entitled to the flu vaccination?
 Anyone aged 65 years and over, also who turn 65 up to the end of
March 2015
 Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
 Children aged 2, 3 and 4 years (but not yet 5) on 31st August 2015
given as a nasal spray. It is painless and quick.
 Healthcare workers in direct patient contact
 Carers in receipt of carers allowance or are the main carer for
elderly or disabled person living in long stay residential or care
home facility.
Anyone with chronic long term health condition including:
 Diabetes
 Asthma treated with steroid
 COPD
 Bronchitis
 Chronic heart disease
 Chronic liver disease
 Chronic kidney disease
 No spleen
 Weakened immune system due to certain medication or illnesses.