BRUNE MEDICAL CENTRE
NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2012
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PRACTICE NEWS
New Practice Manager Emma O’Brien has now become the Practice Manager. She has worked at
the Practice for nine years and has previous management experience.
Brune Artwork The Presentation evening took place on Thursday 6th October 2011. 1st prize was
awarded to Brune Park Community College and joint 2nd prizes were awarded to Bay House and
Brune Park. Six other students from the three partaking schools were runners-up. The prize winning
artwork is now on display in the centre and we are pleased that the competition will continue again this
year.
New Partner We are very pleased to have welcomed Dr Teresa Deacon as a part time Partner with
the Practice. Dr Deacon was previously a very popular locum here.
GP Training Brune Medical Centre has become a GP Training Practice and occasionally, you may
be informed that a Year 3 medical student will be present at your consultation. If you do not wish the
student to be present please inform the receptionist. Final Year doctors also join us for 3 months at a
time under the guidance of the other partners. They are qualified doctors who will be taking surgeries.
Patient Decision Aids within NHS Direct website (PDAs) This website is attached to our Brune
Medical Centre website. It has been designed to help patients make difficult decisions about their
treatments and medical tests. They are used when there is no clinical evidence to suggest that one
treatment is better than another and patients need help in deciding which option will be best for them.
Extended Hour Clinics As well as normal hours weekday appointments, we also offer routine GP
appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, starting at 6.30 p.m. These appointments are for
patients who find it difficult to attend during the normal working day.
Assessment Clinics We hold Assessment Clinics every weekday morning. These are normally held
by our Nurse Practitioner/Prescriber. Please phone from 8.00 a.m. if you need advice by telephone or
need to be seen urgently.
Chaperones We are committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment where patients and
staff can be confident that best practice is being followed at all times. The safety of everyone is of
paramount importance. All patients are entitled to have a chaperone present for any consultation,
examination or procedure. This chaperone may be a family member or friend or a trained member of
staff.
Wherever possible we would ask you to make this request at the time of booking an appointment so
that arrangements can be made and your appointment is not delayed in any way. Where this is not
possible, we will endeavour to provide a formal chaperone at the time of request. However,
occasionally it may be necessary to reschedule your appointment.
Your healthcare professional may also require a chaperone to be present for certain consultations in
accordance with our Chaperone Policy. If you would like to see a copy of our Chaperone Policy or
have any suggestions or comments regarding this, please contact the Practice Manager.
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Website www.brunemedicalcentre.co.uk
Appointments can be requested in advance and repeat prescriptions ordered via our website. Patients
may also update their records or make any comments or suggestions on the website.
Out of Hours Services
In an emergency call 999 or visit the Emergency Department at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
For 24 hour confidential nurse advice, call 0845 4647 or visit the website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
For GP advice or treatment when the surgery is closed, call the Out of Hours Service on 023
9237 7 921 or 0844 8113 060.
The Emergency Eye Clinic is at Queen Alexandra Hospital – call 023 9228 6162:
Monday to Friday
8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Saturday
8.00 a.m. to 12.45 p.m.
Out of Hours emergency eye treatment, use main Accident & Emergency entrance (023 9228 6062)
Wasted Medicines
If you are receiving repeat medication which you do not need/take, please let us know so that we can
adjust your repeat prescriptions accordingly. If you have any unwanted medication, please return it to
the chemist who supplied it (for safe disposal) as it cannot be re-dispensed.
Used Sharps
Used Sharps, such as needles or lancets for blood glucose testing should be safely disposed of in a
special container provided by the Town Hall. If you are in need of a Sharps container, please discuss
it with your practice nurse at your next visit.
Update on Local Services
Services have been set up locally for the convenience of Gosport patients to avoid having to travel to
Portsmouth or Southampton for consultant appointments. These clinics are consultant led and, to date,
the following services are being provided:
ENT - Clinic based in Fareham
Gynaecology – Clinic based at Rowner Health Centre
Cardiology – Clinic based at Brune Medical Centre
Virtual Wards – This is a Community Nurse Specialist service which has been designed to allow
patients to stay in their own homes rather than being admitted to hospital. The service is gives 24 hour
care in the local community
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Phlebotomy in Gosport – by appointment, is undertaken at Brune Medical Centre for three local
practices. These are held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday mornings and on Tuesday
afternoons. There are four other practices in Gosport who also offer this service for designated
practices.
Phlebotomy at St. Marys’s Blood tests will be available at St. Mary’s from 8.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. on
weekdays. This is now by appointment only and the appointment lines will be open from 7.00 a.m. to
7.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays (023 9268 0275).
Orthopaedic Choice This is a new outpatient service for orthopaedic problems which is based in
Fareham Community Hospital
Parentline This is a free drop in service, to be based at Brune Medical Centre by the end of
September 10, to give parental support and provide a friendly face and a listening ear. Phone 023
8068 2499 or pick up a leaflet from the waiting room.
Italk Until now, all practices offered the services of a Mental Health Counsellor who would counsel
patients for one hour per week for six weeks. This service has been withdrawn and CBH (Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy) is now being offered. Not all practices have the room to offer this, so patients
will be able to choose the nearest practice, if they prefer.
Gosport Befriending Service Visiting and befriending, phone Jean Legg on 023 9260 4681
Outpatient Clinics
The Gosport War Memorial offer outpatient clinics in 42 different specialties which save time and
travel for Gosport patients.
Minor Injuries Unit
Gosport War Memorial Hospital
The unit is open every day from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m where experienced nurses can treat a range of
minor injuries that have been present for up to two weeks. They have access to the X-ray department
until 8.00 p.m. They can treat:
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Minor injuries
Sprains
Minor burns
but they cannot treat:
 Major chest pain
 Collapse
 Severe headache
 Ear problems
 Cystitis
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We need to keep this service available for Gosport patients so please do use it.
If you are unsure whether or not to attend, please call them on 023 9279 4753 or 4754
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Help with transport
Driving Force is a voluntary driving service for the disabled, elderly or infirm. They ask for a
contribution of 40p. per mile. Phone 023 9260 4688 or pick up a leaflet from the practice.
There was a pilot shuttle bus scheme which ran between Gosport and QA Hospital costing £5.00
return, £4.00 single and £3.00 for a child. Unfortunately, this pilot has now finished. Any comments
on this service would be appreciated by Community Action in Fareham – e-mail to
shuttle@actionfareham.org.uk or write to Community Action Fareham, Community Transport, 163
West Street, Fareham, PO16 0EF.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints
PALS can provide you with support, information and advice that is totally confidential and impartial.
Contact them on 023 8047 5265, fax 023 8047 5294, or e-mail hp-trcomplaints@sanhs.net or write to
FREEPOST, RRLB-EUUJ-KSAB, Patient Advice and Liaison Service-HPFT, Tom Rudd Unit,
Moorgreen Hospital, West End, Southampton SO30 3JB. www.hampshirepartnership.nhs.uk
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What to have in your Medicine Cupboard
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Paracetamol tablets or mixture for headaches, colds, bruises and control of fever
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Aspirin Soluble tablets for adults and children over 16
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Mixture for diarrhoea, but not to be given to babies

Anti-cough linctus for dry tickly coughs only
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Menthal crystals for steam inhalations
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Vapour rub for steam inhalations. Useful for children (over 3 months old) with stuffy noses or
dry coughs – rub on the chest and nose
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Elastoplast strip dressings for minor cuts
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Antiseptic solutions – dilute in water to clean cuts and grazes
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Antiseptic cream for treating septic spots, sores on the nose and grazes
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Calamine lotion for dabbing on insect bites, stings and sunburn
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Crepe bandage to hold dressings in place or support strains
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Cotton wool for cleaning cuts and grazes

Otrivine Childrens’ Formula Nasal Drops for runny noses in children over 3 months old. Dose
– one to two drops in each nostril once or twice daily but not for more than four days
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Thermometer
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Tweezers for removing splinters
Treatment of Minor Illnesses
Cuts – bleeding can usually be stopped by putting pressure on the cut for two minutes and it can then
be carefully checked. If it has bled freely, any germs will normally have been washed away by the
blood and a plaster can be applied, bringing the edges together so that it heals quickly. Keep dry for
one to two days. If the cut is deep and the edges cannot be pulled together with a dressing visit the
Minor Injuries Unit at Gosport War Memorial Hospital.
Grazes – dirt often enters a graze and it should be cleaned out with antiseptic solution then left
uncovered and kept dry. If tetanus immunisation is not up to date, this should be performed within 24
hours of a graze.
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Bruises – these are very common in children and settle in seven to ten days. It is unlikely that any
bone is broken if the child gets up at once after a fall and moves about normally though the child may
be stiff the next day. Cold compresses are helpful and reduce bruises and swelling. Try a bag of
frozen peas or ice, but wrap them first in a towel or cloth.
Head injuries – It is unlikely that serious injury will result if there is no loss of consciousness and the
person can remember what has happened. A doctor should be consulted if there is vomiting, visual
disturbance, undue drowsiness, difficulty in walking, severe headache or if loss of consciousness
occurred.
Insect bites – Calamine or antihistamine lotion eases the soreness and itching.
Burns and scolds – minor burns and scolds cause redness of the skin. Cold water should be poured
over the burn immediately and continued until the pain is subsiding or the area is no longer hotter than
normal skin. If larger than four to five inches across or if the skin is broken or there is severe
blistering attend the Minor Injuries Unit at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital. Take paracetamol for
the pain.
Diarrhoea – Often caused by infections or changes in diet. It is rarely dangerous though is usually
accompanied by colicky (cramp-like) pain in the tummy. It may also be preceded by vomiting and
usually starts to improve in 48 hours. Treatment is by drinking plenty of clear fluids (water or water
and fruit juice) and by not eating. Contact the doctor if it is not settling down after 48 hours, if pain is
continuous or blood is passed, if under six months old, if recently been abroad or if attacks are
repeated.
Coughs – during a cold, coughing prevents mucus from entering the air passages and causing
infection, so suppressing this protective mechanism may do more harm than good. Steam inhalations
loosen tacky mucus and relieve a dry tickly throat. Try adding a few menthol crystals or a teaspoon of
vapour rub to a pint of steaming water and sit inhaling the steam, with a towel over the head for 10
minutes three times a day. Coughing may be due to infection in the lower air passages. If it is a dry
cough, steam inhalations help as will anti-cough linctus from a chemist. Contact the doctor if
coughing continues for more than seven to ten days after a cold has cleared up, if coughing produces
yellow or green spit, if coughing produces blood, if there is also chest pain or shortness of breath or it
the patient or parent is unduly anxious.
Sore throats – most are caused by viral infections which do not respond to antibiotics. With simple
treatment the patients usually gets better within seven to ten days. Tonsillitis usually starts with a sore
throat which causes pain on swallowing. With children, and some adults, there may be a raised
temperature and the patient is obviously under the weather. You may see large tonsils with white
spots on them and the lymph glands in the neck may swell which is the normal response to infection.
Sore throat may occur with the common cold and a dry throat with pain on coughing is common with
the flu. Treatment is with regular paracetamol and plenty of fluids and steam inhalations may help.
Contact the doctor if still worsening after two days, if there is marked earache, if the temperature is
above 39.5 C (103F) or if the patient or parent is unduly worried.
Vomiting – often due to a virus when it is usually followed by diarrhoea. It can be due to an excess or
food or drink or a change of diet. Some children vomit when they have a high temperature which may
be caused by a throat or ear infection. The treatment is to eat nothing but drink little amounts of water
often. As the stomach settles, take dry biscuits or toast at first and avoid dairy products. Call the
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doctor if there is constant stomach pain if it lasts more than 24 hours, if a vomiting child has a
temperature of more than 38C (100F) or if the patient or parent is unduly anxious.
Fever – this is a common feature of many infections such as cold or flu. If it persists after 24-48
hours, especially in the young, old or frail, this may indicate a complication so the doctor should be
consulted. Measures to reduce the temperature should be taken; wear few clothes, do not wrap up
children or infants. Use a fan if available and give plenty of cool drinks. Give paracetamol regularly.
Nose bleeds – Sit in a chair, leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch your nose just below the
bone for 10 minutes non-stop. This should stop the bleeding. Avoid hot food or drinks for 24 hours
and do not blow the nose. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
PLEASE NOTE:
VICKS, MENTHOL AND KARVOL SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR INFANTS UNDER
THREE MONTHS OLD
CHILDREN UNDER 6 YEARS SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN TIXYLIX
CHILDREN UNDER 16 SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ASPIRIN
CHILDREN UNDER 16 SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN BONJELA, NJELA COOL MINT OR
PYRALVEX
Comments and Suggestions
We are always happy to hear of ideas for improvement in your care. Perhaps you would like to join
our Patient Participation Group? Please feel free to make comments or suggestions in person, by letter
or via our website www.brunemedicalcentre.co.uk
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