NEWSLETTER
Whetstone Medical Centre
February 2016
Issue 23
Dr Hayward – Family Planning
I am currently training to insert contraceptive coils. If anyone is interested in considering a coil, please
speak to reception.
A Mirena coil contains the hormone progestogen. It thins the lining of the womb so it can be helpful for
woman with heavy periods as well as contraception and it and it can stay in for 5 years, (longer if you are
over 45).
A copper coil is non-hormonal and can stay in for 10 years, (longer in woman over 40).
I also can insert and remove the contraceptive implant. If anyone is interested, please contact reception.
This can usually be fitted into my normal appointments slots. The implant can stay in for 3 years and it is
a very effective contraceptive. It is easy to insert and usually takes less than 10 minutes.
Wired – Carers Grant
Are you an adult and do you provide care for someone over the age of 18?
YES – Then you may be eligible for a CARERS GRANT! This is one-off payment
and could pay for: Training courses such as Manual Handling, educational, hobbies etc.
 Health therapies such as massage or podiatry or leisure activities
 Travel/costs to visit family or even help towards a laptop or tablet to improve
social isolation through social media
To find out more about Carers Grant and how the Carers Wellbeing Service can help you with your
caring role contact Carers Helpline on 0151 670 0777 or email: cws@wired.me.uk
Kat Hunt, HCA
Kat Hunt is our Health Care Assistant, who started with Whetstone medical
Centre October 2015. Kat is qualified to do NHS Health Reviews, Learning
Disability Reviews, Dementia Screening, Blood Pressure Monitoring, Podiatry,
Ear Syringe, Dressings, Suture/clip Removal, B12 injection, Flu and
Pneumonia injections.
To book an appointment with kat for any of the above, please speak with
reception.
Patient Access
Did you know that you can now look at your GP records, book appointments at your
GP surgery and order repeat prescriptions online?
You can already go online and see some of the information in your
GP records, including your medications and allergies. During the
next year, you will be able to see even more. This will include
illnesses, immunisations and test results. Each GP surgery will make
this information available at different times, as their computer
systems become ready.
Just like online banking, you can look at your GP records on a
computer, a tablet or a smartphone, using a website or an app.
If you would like to start using online services, see the Getting
Started with GP Online Services guide for more information. Information on how to get started is also
available online at www.nhs.uk/patientonline or from your surgery or on their website.
Your surgery has a responsibility to look after your GP records. You must also take care online and make
sure that your personal information is not seen by anyone who should not see it.
Parking
We have had number of complaints concerning lack of parking in the practice.
This is a problem that we are aware of and unfortunately, the situation is made
worse by patients leaving their cars while shopping. We have used all available
space to increase car parking. We have now asked our Patient Participation
Group to write to the council to request disabled bays in Quarry Bank just outside
the practice. We will be happy to hear any reasonable suggestions from patients.
Patient Participation Group
The practice has a patient participation group that will meet at regular intervals throughout the year to
discuss how best to improve services for the patients of Whetstone Medical Centre. If you would like to
join the group, please contact Debbie Hughes, Reception Manager.
DNA
Easter Holidays
Useful Phone Numbers
Please remember to cancel
your appointment if it is no
longer needed! In the month
of January we had 102 wasted
appointments. If you cancel
your appointment in time, it
can be offered to some one
who may need an urgent
appointment.
Friday 25th March 2016 closed
Monday 28th March 2016 closed
Monday 02nd May 2016 closed
Monday 30th May 2016 closed
NHS 111: 111 or visit
www.nhs.uk
OOH: 0151 678 8496
Emergency Dentist: 0151 514
2222, option 1
If you have any suggestions or comments please address them to Anita Jones Practice Manager