THE HEATH AND SOUTH PARK SURGERIES NEWS – AUTUMN 2015
STAFF: We are saying goodbye to one of our receptionists, Anne, at the end of September. Anne is a
longstanding, loyal member of the practice team and will be sadly missed by her colleagues at the surgery.
FLU VACCINATIONS: We are expecting our first delivery of flu vaccinations on 14 September 2015, and it is
hoped clinics will commence on 15 September 2015. If you are eligible for a flu vaccination, please contact the
surgery either by popping in or phoning 01522 516870 to book your appointment.
Please note we are only able to vaccinate patients who are eligible for a free flu vaccination. We are not able to
offer private flu vaccinations at the surgery.
You are eligible for a free flu vaccination if you fall into one of the following categories: Aged 65 years of age or over
 Aged 2, 3 or 4 on 1 September 2015
 Pregnant
 Have certain medical conditions:o Chronic long term respiratory disease, such as asthma (that requires inhaled or tablet steroid
treatment or has led to hospital admission in the past), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) or bronchitis
o Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
o Chronic kidney disease
o Chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis
o Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease
o Diabetes
o Problems with your spleen for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen
removed or a weakened immune system due to conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or as a result
of medication such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
 Resident in a long stay residential care home or other long stay care facility
 Receive carer’s allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare
may be at risk if you fall ill
 Are a healthcare worker with direct patient contact or social care worker.
PNEUMOCCAL VACCINATIONS: If you are aged 65 and over and haven’t yet had a pneumococcal vaccination
and would like to have one, this can be given at the same time as your flu vaccination. Please ensure you book a
double appointment if you require both vaccinations.
NAMED GP: All patients at the surgery have now been allocated a named GP. Please ask at reception for
details of your named GP. Having a named GP does not limit you to only being able to see the one GP.
COMMUNITY EVENTS: We are planning on holding a community event on Saturday 24 October at Bracebridge
Heath Village Hall, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm, where we will be able to update you on current local services. We plan
to have several stalls allocated to local charities/non-profit services which provide support to people in the local
area. Please come along and join us.
NON-NHS WORK: Doctors have many requests to complete/provide information which falls outside of NHS
work. Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of their
patients. The GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time,
Please allow up to 2 weeks for doctors to process requests for this type of information.
APPOINTMENT TIMES: The doctors make every effort to keep to allocated appointment times but due to
unforeseen circumstances, doctors can occasionally run late. These are some of the reasons that can cause the
doctor to run late: Emergency situation arising from A&E/Hospital
 Paramedic request to speak to GP
 Emergency presentation at reception
 Patient attending with multiple problems
 Urgent results phoned/faxed through
 Phone call from Coroner to speak to GP”
(Please turn over)
If you feel you need you have more than one problem you would like to discuss with the doctor, please request a
double appointment and we will do our best to accommodate the request.
Have you considered making an appointment with our nurse prescriber?
Our nurse prescriber can:
Advise / treat adults and children over the age of 5 years, and can prescribe for:
Minor Ailments:
- Coughs; colds; chest infections; hay fever
- Exacerbation of asthma; Chronic Bronchitis
- Pyrexia (temperature symptoms )
- Stomach ache; vomiting; diarrhoea; constipation
- minor ear/nose/ throat infections; eye infections
- Headache/Migraine
Genito-urinary problems:
- Urine infections .( male &female)
- Thrush; vaginal discharge symptoms
- Menstrual problems
- Pill checks
Our nurse prescriber cannot:
Issue sick notes
perform chronic disease management unless
Practice Nurse is not available
Skin complaints:
- Eczema/Dermatitis/Psoriasis/ acne/ impetigo/
fungal infections
- Rashes
- Sunburn
- Insect bites
- Scabies & head lice
- Minor allergic reactions
Musculoskeletal:
- Sprains/ strains
- First presentation back pain/ Ankle/Knee pain
- Minor head injury
(bumps to the head)
Perform wound management other than simple
dressing when Practice Nurse/Health Care
Assistant is not available
Treat for mental health issues
NB, breast lumps, testicular lumps / swelling and moles are likely to be referred on to the GP for further
assessment and therefore unless an emergency, avoid booking with the Nurse Prescriber.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY TEST: We are continuing to participate in the NHS Friends and Family patient feedback
scheme which asks patients to answer one simple question about the Practice. Please complete a questionnaire
when you visit the surgery. Anonymised results are available on our website and on a noticeboard in the surgery.
TRAINING DATES: The practice closes one afternoon per month for staff training and will be closed on the
following dates from 1.00pm:Tue 15 September
Tue 20 October
Tue 17 November
Tue 15 December
If you require urgent medical help between 1.00pm and 6.30pm on these dates, please ring 01522 516871 to be
connected to the out of hours service. If you require urgent medical help between 6.30pm and when the surgery
reopens at 8.00am the following morning, please dial 111. If you have a life threatening emergency (eg breathing
difficulties or chest pains), please ring 999.
OPENING TIMES OVER CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR 2015:
Mon 21 December
Tue 22 December
Wed 23 December
Thu 24 December
Fri 25 December
8.00 am – 6.30 pm
8.00 am – 6.30 pm
8.00 am – 8.15 pm
8.00 am – 6.30 pm
Closed *
Mon 28 December
Tue 29 December
Wed 30 December
Thu 31 December
Fri 1 January
Closed *
8.00 am – 6.30 pm
8.00 am – 8.15 pm
8.00 am – 6.30 pm
Closed *
* If you require urgent medical help whilst the surgery is closed, please dial 111.
If you have a life threatening emergency (eg breathing difficulties or chest pains), please ring 999.
CONTACT DETAILS: If you change your address/telephone number/mobile phone number, please remember to
notify the surgery so we can update your records.
Thank you.