THE LONDON LANE CLINIC
Practice
Newsletter
Autumn/Winter
2014
Flu vaccination programme
The flu vaccination season is upon us and,
as in previous years, all patients aged over
65 ie those whose 65th birthday
falls on or before 31st March
2015, pregnant women and all
patients in the following disease
groups: diabetes, chronic respiratory
disease and asthma, coronary heart
disease, chronic renal disease,
immunosuppression, liver disease and
neurological disease such as stroke, are
eligible for a free flu vaccination.
Please ask a receptionist if you would like a
list of clinic dates.
These clinics are by appointment only.
You are welcome to use the blood
pressure/height/weight machine (located on
the right of the reception counter) when you
attend for your appointment.
As in previous years, local pharmacies will
be offering vaccinations (for a charge) to
patients who are not included in the NHS
vaccination programme.
Flu Vaccinations for 2,3 & 4 year
olds
This year all children aged 2, 3 or 4 on the
1st September 2014 ie born between
2/9/2009 – 1/9/2012 will be eligible to
receive the nasal spray vaccination (called
Fluenz).
Also, any children in a clinical risk group
aged 5-17 will be offered the same nasal
spray vaccination. This is painless and
easy to give and has been used safely in
other countries for a number of years. The
parents of all eligible children have been
written to about this.
Website: www.TheLondonLaneClinic.GPSurgery.net
Shingles immunisations for patients
aged 70,78 and 79.
Were you aged 70, 78 or 79 on 1st
September 2014? If you were born between
2/9/43 – 1/9/44
2/9/35 – 1/9/36
2/9/34 – 1/9/35
you are eligible for the shingles vaccination.
We have set up special clinics where you
can receive both flu and shingles
vaccinations at the same time. Please
contact Reception to book an appointment.
However, if you can’t make these, you will
still be able to receive your shingles
vaccination up until August 2015.
Named GP for over 75s – and others
As part of the national initiative to match
patients with a named GP we have allocated
a named GP to all patients aged over 75.
This initiative will be extended to all age
groups in the future.
Requesting repeat prescriptions
early
If you have to request a prescription early
due to, for example, holidays, please could
you make a note of this on your prescription
request.
Sprucing up the surgery
The practice is investing
considerably in new sink units to
help with infection control in the
consultation rooms. We apologise
for any inconvenience caused by
the building work that this will entail, but
hope that everyone will appreciate the
improvement.
Blood taking (phlebotomy) service
The practice provides a phlebotomy service
with bookable appointments for all patients.
This is on four mornings per week 8.3010.15. If however, you would prefer a walkin service, you may still have your bloods
taken at the hospital – either Beckenham
Beacon or the Princess Royal University
Hospital.
Please remember that it is the patient’s
responsibility to contact the
practice and obtain the results
of any tests. The receptionist
will be able to inform you whether
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THE LONDON LANE CLINIC
you need a follow-up appointment.
Unfortunately, the practice will not be in a
position to contact patients about the results
Blood tests and investigations
initiated at the hospital
Please bear in mind that the results of any
investigations requested by the hospital and
not the surgery are not routinely sent to the
surgery. If you would like to obtain these
results, you would need to contact the
hospital department directly. The phone
number will be on your hospital letter.
Staff News
o
Farewell to Dr Eileen MacCann who
retired at the end of September after
having worked in the NHS for over
20 years.
o
We are delighted that we have been
able to recruit Dr Vishal Patel, a
Kings graduate who has previously
worked in South East London, to join
us as an Associate GP from 1st
October. He specialises in
paediatrics and joint injections.
o
We also welcome three new part
time Health Care Assistants, Lauren,
Yvonne & Mandy, who will provide a
range of services such as smoking
cessation advice, new patient health
checks and ECGs. They also help
provide the practice blood taking
service.
o
We would like to congratulate Dr Rita
Austin who is expecting a baby in
February 2015.
CC TV
The London Lane Clinic now has CCTV in
order to ensure staff and patient safety.
Material produced will be used for
monitoring and training purposes.
“emisaccess ”
Booking appointments and
requesting repeat prescriptions over
the internet
As mentioned in previous newsletters (but
it’s worth repeating!), it is possible to book
an appointment with a doctor, or send a
message and/or request a repeat
prescription from the practice using the
internet. If you ask at reception for your PIN
code they will print out a letter for you with
your personalised code and information on
what to do. You then visit
www.patient.co.uk and set up an account for
yourself using the codes on the letter. Once
the account is set up, you can book up to
two (non-urgent) appointments with a doctor
over the internet. You will also be able to
request a repeat prescription using the form
on the screen, or send a message direct to
the practice. The advantage is that you can
use the internet any time, day or night, and
no time is spent waiting on the telephone.
In future this system will also allow you
access to your Summary Care Record ie
information on your medications, and any
allergies or adverse reactions. We are in
the process of altering each patient’s
EMIS Access registration to enable you to
view your summary care record.
Website: www.TheLondonLaneClinic.GPSurgery.net
Friends & Family Test
All NHS patients are going to be given the
opportunity to provide anonymous feedback
to the organisation providing their services
using the Friends and Family Test. This is
being rolled out nationally and
will be in place by April 2015.
It will include outpatients, GP
services, community and
mental health services, the
ambulance service and dentistry. We plan
to have this fully operational in December.
~~Top Tip~~
Making the most of your consultation
When attending an appointment at the
surgery or any other part of the health
service, if you are unsure about someone’s
role, ask them to explain it.
Consider asking a friend or relation to be
with you when you see professionals.
Write down what you want to discuss with
someone before you see them.
Write down anything important they tell
you.
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