New Immunisation The rotavirus vaccination programme The rotavirus vaccination programme is being introduced in all parts of the UK. Rotavirus is a highly infectious virus which causes gastroenteritis. For further information visit: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/rotavirus-vaccine.aspx Shingles vaccination programme The new shingles immunisation programme is being introduced from 1st September 2013 comprising of a single injection to last a lifetime, and will be offered routinely to patients who are aged 70. For further information visit: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/shingles-vaccination.aspx Pneumococcal vaccination Pneumococcus can cause diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and blood infections. You should consider having the vaccine if you are aged over 65 years or have certain diseases of the lung, heart, kidney, liver and nervous system. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/pneumococcal-vaccination.aspx All children under 2 years and people aged 65 or over and those in other at-risk groups should be immunised, this consists of a one-off injection. And don’t forget Measles… Two doses of the MMR vaccination are needed to ensure full protection against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. If your child has only had one vaccination (or none at all) please contact the Practice and make an appointment with the nurse to complete the course. FLU CLINC DATES AVAILABLE TO BOOK NOW! Saturday 5th October 2013 9.00am – 11.30am Saturday 19th October 2013 9.00am – 11.30am If you are eligible for the Flu vaccination please book your appointment as soon as you can so we can reduce the number of invitation/reminder letters we need to send out. Further dates will be added when available. The Flu vaccine is given every year to patients over 65 years of age and to patients in an at-risk group of developing serious complications from seasonal flu. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx NEW DOCTORS Dr Melissa Sander a salaried GP is due to join the Practice in September 2013. Dr Djahla Hewazy is our current Registrar she joined our Practice in March of this year and will be with us until August 2014 and is under the supervision of Dr Simmonds. Dr Louisa Paolini a Registrar is due to join our Practice in August and will be with us until February 2014 and will be under the supervision of Dr Simmonds. A GP Registrar or GP trainee is a qualified doctor who is training to become a GP through a period of working and training in a Practice. They will usually have spent a number of years working in a hospital before you see them in a practice and are closely supervised by a senior GP or trainer. 1 of 2 New Telephone System The Practice is to have a new telephone system installed later this year. The installation will not cause any disruption to our service. Urine Samples Do you know the difference! Urine analysis is used to detect urinary tract infection but did you know urine analysis can also be used to measure kidney function. Patient’s with conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease as well as other conditions are asked for a sample to measure their Albumin/Protein creatinine ratio. If you are asked for a sample it is important that you know what the sample is for and that you have been given or that you ask for the correct sample bottle and pathology form. (Red top bottle for urinary infection and White top bottle for kidney function) Please help us by always returning your sample with your details on the label, all samples should be handed in at the surgery before 12 noon on the same day the sample was taken. Repeat Prescription Notice After collecting your repeat prescription from the surgery please do not request your next repeat earlier than two weeks before it is needed. Requests that are too early will not be processed. Online Services Visit our Practice Website for registration information, secure online prescription requests and to update your personal contact details. You will also find the latest General Practice information on healthcare and our services. Patient Participation Group Our last PPG meeting was held on the 3rd July 2013 and our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18th September 2013 at 6.30pm. Minutes from all previous meetings can be seen on the Practice website at www.queenhillmedicalpractice.nhs.uk Members from the PPG will be on hand at the Saturday morning Flu Clinics for patients wishing to know more about our Patient Participation Group. Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group has published its prospectus. A copy can be found on the following CCG website link: http://www.croydonccg.nhs.uk/pages/default.aspx NHS Choices – Your feedback Are you happy with the services Queenhill Medical Practice provides, would you like to have your say? Good feedback is very much appreciated, however we know there is always room for improvement and positive comments and suggestions are welcome. Please take the time to tell us and others what we do best. To have your say visit the NHS Choices website at: http://www.nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=44639 Information relating to any of the mentioned internet links is available from the Practice on request. 2 of 2