News

There has been much activity in the Government lead reforms of the delivery of patient care.Key aspects of the reforms include "money following the patient",services closer to patients homes,increased patient choice and involvement in community doctors and staff in "practice based commissioning".This is where Doctors/nurses and other providers become more engaged in developing new services which are more convenient for patients,have the same health outcomes and can be delivered using less resources.One of the key ways would be to stop preventable admissions eg by the use of community matrons who regularly review patients at high risk of admission.The local solution (which has been awarded an award by the government social enterprise unit,has been to join practices "commissioning budgets" together to develop services.All our Drs are involved in one way or another.There will be a mailshot across Rushcliffe in the spring,and new services announced via a Principia website.The surgery will not be moving,and current services will continue.But hopefully as GPs/nurses/managers work together away from consulting time,new local services will become more frequent.

The information within your referral may be reviewed by the following NHS staff:

* a copy of your referral letter will be retained by our Practice in your medical records

* a local clinician may make an assessment of your referral

* the Patient Choice Team may contact you to discuss where you would like to be seen

* the Booking Management Team will enable you to alter your appointment

* the organisation that you are referred to for your appointment

If you have a problem with your information being sent to the places listed above, please speak to your GP at the time of the referrral or contact the Practice Manager.

Thursday 4 October 8.30-11.30

Thursday 11 October 8.30 - 11.30 and 2.30-6.45

Other clinics will be added in due course

Please book your flu vaccination at reception if you have any of the following conditions

Diabetes
Asthma
Heart trouble
Kidney disease
Weakened immune system
If you are a main carer for an elderly or disabled person
If you are over 65

This vaccine is also available for children if they fall into the above categories

Please book your appointment early to ensure you receive the vaccination.

The surgery operates an Advanced Access System and consultations are by appointment only. These should be made by phoning 914 3366/914 3368 or by calling in to the surgery. There are some pre-bookable appointments but the majority are available to book on the day at the patient's request. Surgery times vary according to the individual doctors' clinical and teaching commitments. You may see any doctor, you are not limited to the doctor with whom you are registered.

On occasions there may be delays, if you have to wait please be patient, as there may be an occasion when you need a longer consultation in the future.

The purpose of operating an Advanced Access System allows patients to be seen on the day that they wish. Even if all the appointments have been taken for that day, if you feel you need to be seen you will be added to the end of surgery.

As part of this system you can make a telephone appointment with the doctor during morning or evening surgery. Telephone consultations are appropriate for some medication reviews, requests for referrals or general advice. They are not suitable if you think you may need to be examined. Telephone consultations are also available with our Practice Nurses. Please telephone the receptionists to book a consultation by phone and they will give you further advice on how this process works.

Please note that it may not be possible to communicate confidentially if you are using a mobile phone.

If you are seriously ill and cannot get to the surgery, or are permanently housebound and need a home visit, please telephone the surgery before 10.30 am. The receptionist will take the following details: patient's full name, age, address and telephone number and reason for requesting the visit. Should you feel that the problem is urgent, please make this clear during your call.

The doctor may need to telephone you to discuss the problem. Visits usually take place between morning and evening surgeries. The doctors often have several visits to do and will visit as soon as possible. Should you get much worse, telephone the Practice immediately or telephone 999. Please remember that we can examine and assess patients better at the surgery.

If you would like a chaperone to be available during your consultation please ask at reception and we will try to arrange for one of our Health Care Professionals to accompany you during your consultation.

We would normally prefer under-16s to be accompanied by their parent or guardian. However, we appreciate that this is not always practicable and therefore are willing to see patients who are under 16 alone.

The Department of Health has recently altered the Childhood Vaccination Programme and has now introduced pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into the schedule. All children born from 14 September 2006 will be vaccinated under the new programme.

For children born before that date, the Department of Health is recommending that your child receives a catch-up dose of this vaccine. This vaccine has recently been introduced to the routine childhood immunisation programme, and all children under 2 are being offered protection.

This vaccination is important for your child. Pneumococcal disease is a particular risk in children under 2 and can lead to meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). For more information about this vaccination please read the leaflets available in the Practice. If you have any further questions please get in touch with your Health Visitor, Practice Nurse or GP or visit the Department of Health website at www.immunisation.nhs.uk.

As a Practice we recommend pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for your child.

Please be aware that we will not disclose any information relating to you to anyone else without your express written consent.

All staff working within the NHS have a contractual responsibility to keep your information confidential.

If you do require your information to be divulged to a third party, please write to the Practice Manager.

In August 2003 the Department of Health began a Pneumoccal vaccination campaign for people aged 80 and over. This part of the campaign has been completed and the invitation is now extended to those aged 65 and over and also to those people who were born with, or have developed any of, the following medical conditions.

Chronic heart disease
Chronic respiratory disease
Diabetes
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic liver disease
A weak immune system
An absent or poor functioning spleen
Cochlear implant(s)
A CSF shunt

Children under 5 years old who have previously experienced invasive pneumococcal disease should also be vaccinated.

Q Can I deal with this myself?
A A well-stocked medicine cabinet will help treat many common illnesses. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines available over the counter.

Your nearest pharmacy can give on-the-spot advice for minor ailments. Selected pharmacies offer extra services through Pharmacy First schemes or sell additional treatments such as the emergency contraceptive pill.


Q Do I need more advice or treatment?
A You can call NHS Direct 24 hours a day 7 days a week on 0845 4647 for a confidential nurse-led telephone assessment and advice service which can point you in the right direction for treatment.

You could pop into the NHS Walk-In Centre on London Road and see an experienced nurse for the treatment of minor injuries and illnesses from 7.00 am - 9.00 pm every day of the year. You do not need an appointment.

You can call us at the surgery 24 hours a day. If the surgery is closed your call will be transferred directly to our out of hourse service.


Q Is it an emergency?
A An emergency is a serious injury or life-threatening problem such as - loss of consciousness, severe chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, suspected broken bones, deep wounds, swallowing something harmful or poisonous.

In an emergency you can go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 999 for an ambulance. Remember that A&E and 999 should only be used in an emergency.