Practice News

October, 2009—for the latest information see the NHS Website

Swine Flu

As you will be aware, a new influenza virus has emerged. The virus is now widespread across England, and there have been cases in Towcester. After a lull during the summer holidays, cases are increasing again. In the vast majority of cases, the illness is mild. The risk seems low to those who are fit and healthy. Higher risk patients are those under 5, pregnant women, those with long-term lung conditions (including mild asthma), heart, kidney, liver or neurological problems, diabetes and the immunosuppressed (low immune systems).

Flu virus transmission can be reduced by frequent hand washing with soap and water, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, disposing of dirty tissues carefully (Catch It, Kill It, Bin It) and cleansing hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently with a normal cleansing product.

As you will imagine, we are busy with this, on top of our normal workload. Today, the Government launched the National Pandemic Flu Service to relieve pressure on GP services. This provides assessment for those who think they may have swine flu, and, where needed, can issue prescriptions for antiviral medication. The website can be accessed here, or you can telephone them on 0800 1 513 100. We expect that in some cases they will pass the case onto us, for example to assess children under one year old, or those with worrying, prolonged or unusual symptoms.

If you think that you or someone you care for may have swine flu, then please stay at home and either contact the Pandemic Flu Service, or telephone us (01327 323 900, or Nenedoc out of hours, 03336 664 664). The aim is that straightforward flu cases will be managed by the Pandemic Flu Service, they will also be the main source of advice for many people. The following however, should call consider calling their doctor or nurse here at the Health Centre, or Nenedoc, if they have symptoms;

· Those with underlying serious illnesses (such as respiratory illness like asthma or COPD, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, neurological problems, diabetes or a suppressed immune system)

· Pregnant women

· Those with symptomatic children under one year old

· Those whose symptoms seem to be getting suddenly worse, or don’t seem typical for flu.

· Those whose symptoms are getting worse after 7 days (5 days for a child).

· Anyone wanting further specific advice or information that has not been answered by the Pandemic Flu Service.

We will assess you over the phone. Please do not make an appointment to come and see us, nor attend A&E. You may pass the virus on to others.

Both the Pandemic Flu Service and ourselves will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms. If we diagnose swine flu, you may be prescribed antiviral medication. It is controversial whether everyone with swine flu need take this, for example healthy young adults. However, it is recommended that those in the high risk groups listed above should take antivirals to prevent complications. The medication should be started as soon as possible (ideally within a day or so of onset of symptoms).

The Pandemic Flu Service or your GP will issue you with an authorisation voucher or code that your Flu Friend (someone not affected, who can collect your medication for you and look after you) can take to a designated local collection centre to collect your antiviral medication. At the time of writing, the Lloyds Pharmacy here at the Brooke Health Centre is a designated collection centre. The other nearest collection points are the ‘Day and Night Pharmacy’ and Spackman & MacKenzie pharmacy in Daventry. You can find the latest on local antiviral collection points here.

If you have been diagnosed with swine flu then please stay at home for the duration of the illness, to minimise transmission to others. This especially applies to children. Take plenty of fluids, and something to make you feel a bit better such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Adopt the hygiene advice to prevent you passing it onto others. You can self-certify illness requiring time off work for up to a week, we can only offer sicknotes if you have been off work for longer than a week.

We need to examine affected patients who are under 1 year of age, and those who are unwell, particularly those with breathing problems—please call us.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us.

This information is too brief to cover many of the issues, please check the NHS website on Swine Flu for the latest information, which may also have changed since this website was last updated.

The Brook Health Centre

Swinneyford Road

Towcester NN12 6HD

Telephone: 01327 323900

September, 2009

September Newsletter

Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

We are starting early for the seasonal flu vaccinations. If you are over 65 yrs or “at risk” please BOOK NOW. Appointments available from 8^th September.

The swine flu vaccine will be delivered later in the year. We will keep you informed of expected deliveries and appointment sessions.

Practice Nurse Emma Smith who works on both sites, but mainly at Silverstone will be leaving us on 21^st September to take up a new role as diabetic nurse specialist at Northants General Hospital. She has been with us for nearly 8 years and we will be very sorry to lose her, but wish her all the best of luck in her new career. The nurses from the Brook Health Centre will be covering Emma’s sessions after she has left.

Patient Participation Group

The patient forum is looking for new members. We would still welcome more volunteers to be part of this group. The aim of the group is to get feedback and join in general discussions on how we can provide the best service to our patients. We meet approximately every 2 months. In this changing time, it is very important to have patient’s input and we value your opinions. The next meeting is planned for Thursday 12^th November 12md. Please contact Ann Waters at the surgery if you are interested in joining our group.

Silverstone Surgery

We have been carrying out extensive refurbishment of the Silverstone Branch Surgery. There has been disruption during the process, but thanks to all patients who have attended the surgery during the alterations and have been so understanding. The staff have done a sterling job keeping up with all demands whilst the work has continued. This work will be completed by the end of July when new carpets would also have been fitted.

The consultation period is now over. When the PCT board met, they approved the request to change opening times. Dr Supple has listened to views of the village patients and is going to provide an extended service to what was originally requested. The surgery will now open 5 mornings and 3 afternoons. There will be 5 doctor sessions and 5 nurse sessions, including the phlebotomist on a Wednesday. Patients will of course be able to access services at the Brook Health Centre at any time. The new surgery times for Silverstone will commence in September 2009 and are as follows:

Silverstone Opening times (to include dispensary):

Monday 8.00-12.00 2.00-6.00

Tuesday 8.00-12.00 2.00-6.00

Wednesday 8.00-12.00

Thursday 8.00-12.00 2.00-6.00

Friday 8.00-12.00

Silverstone Nurse’s sessions:

Monday 8.30-12.00

Tuesday 8.30-12.00

Wednesday Phlebotomist 8.30-11.30

Thursday 8.30-12.00

Friday 8.30-12.00

Silverstone Doctor’s sessions:

Monday 9.00-12.00

Tuesday 8.30-11.30 2.00-5.30

Thursday 8.00-11.30

Friday 8.00-10.30

Prescriptions

Brook Health Centre:

Silverstone Surgery:

The dispensary remains open all the time the surgery is open, and prescriptions can be collected and ordered as before from Silverstone surgery.

Other ways to order prescriptions:

· Repeat slip: hand you repeat slip from right side of prescriptions to reception and tick the items required.

· E mail:

Towcester.prescriptions@gp-k83620.nhs.uk

silverstone.prescriptions@gp-k83620.nhs.uk

· On the web site, You may BOOK APPOINTMENTS ON LINE AND ORDER PRESCRIPTIONS via the web site.

Please ask the receptionist to register you for the process. You will then be given a login and password which enables you to access our advanced bookings for appointments and prescription ordering service.

The Breastfeeding support group is held on a Monday morning 11-12.30 in the Health Education Rm, 1^st floor. This is a drop in session, open to all breast feeding mums. It provides peer support and a venue to meet other breast feeding mums. Health visitors and a breast feeding counselor are also available during those sessions.

The Baby Clinic is held on a Wednesday morning 10.30-12 in the Health Education Room.

Baby weighing scales: You may weigh your baby in the Health education room at other times to the baby clinic. The only time is may not be possible is if the room is in use by another group.

Family Planning Clinic

There is a Family Planning/Gynae clinic held on a Monday evening from 4.30pm. If you wish to be seen or have any queries about this, please ring reception.

Appointments—tips to help you

PLEASE NOTE WE CAN BOOK APPOINTMENTS FOR YOU UP TO 6 WEEKS IN ADVANCE. We encourage you to book advance appointments for routine consultations.

BOOK ON THE DAY APPOINTMENTS: This is a clinic run jointly by the duty doctor and nurse daily in the mornings. This is available for patients to be seen on the day they ring. You will be seen by a doctor and/or nurse.

TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS

The doctors and nurses are available to talk to any patients who may request it. Please ring and the receptionist will be pleased to put your name on the list for the doctor or nurse to call you back at the end of surgery.

Please note all telephone calls are recorded for security and training purposes.

September, 2009

Flu Vaccinations

Seasonal (‘ordinary’) Flu Jabs are now available.

Please call and book your flu jab now in one of our flu immunisation clinics.

This is the annual seasonal flu vaccination. The government recommends annual Seasonal Flu jabs for;

· those aged over 65,

and those aged over 6-months of age with;

· Chronic respiratory disease. This includes diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and cystic fibrosis. It also includes severe asthma where the person requires continuous or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids or has been admitted to hospital because of their asthma. It is recommended that all children who have previously been admitted to hospital for lower respiratory tract disease should be immunised.

· Chronic heart disease. This includes diseases such as chronic ischaemic heart disease, congenital heart disease and hypertensive heart disease that require regular medication/and or follow-up and chronic heart failure.

· Chronic renal disease. This includes diseases such as nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure and renal transplantation. Those with chronic liver disease can also be considered.

· Diabetes mellitus.

· Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment. This includes people who have a damaged or no spleen and people who are on immunosuppressant treatment or high doses of systemic steroids. HIV infected individuals.

· Chronic neurological disease. This includes people who have had a stroke and those who have transient ischaemic attacks (mini-strokes).

· Also those living in residential care homes, and perhaps those who are carers of elderly or disabled persons.

· Health and social care professionals, and poultry workers.

Swine Flu (H1N1) Jabs will be available in the next few weeks.

The Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) is currently planning to offer the swine flu vaccination to the following groups;

· Individuals aged between six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups.

· All pregnant women, subject to licensing conditions on which is the appropriate trimester to administer the vaccine

· Household contacts of immuno-compromised individuals

· People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at-risk groups

· Frontline health and social care workers will be offered the vaccine at the same time as the first clinical at-risk groups.

Subsequent use of the vaccine in the wider population will depend on the evolution of the pandemic and emerging clinical data on the use of the vaccine. The JVCI has advised that the vaccine can be co-administered with all other vaccines, including seasonal influenza and childhood vaccines. Swine flu vaccination is likely to involve two separate jabs, given some weeks apart for effectiveness. District nurses will vaccinate all housebound patients in line with usual seasonal flu arrangements.

October, 2009

Nenedoc

This is the new name for Snowdoc. The new number is 03336 664 664. They provide treatment and advice for urgent illnesses and minor injuries when we aren’t available, Monday—Thursday 6.30pm—8am, and weekends from Friday 6.30pm to Monday 8am (including bank holidays). Calls are charged at local rates.

October, 2009

October Newsletter

SEASONAL FLU VACCINATIONS

IF YOU HAVE NOT AT YOUR FLU VACCINATION and are over 65 yrs or “at risk” please BOOK NOW.

THE SWINE FLU vaccine will be delivered shortly. Patients who are at risk will be notified about appointment sessions. If you have any questions or queries, please ask the nurse or doctor to advise you.

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

The patient forum is looking for new members. We would still welcome more volunteers to be part of this group. The aim of the group is to get feedback and join in general discussions on how we can provide the best service to our patients. We meet approximately every 2 months. In this changing time, it is very important to have patient’s input and we value your opinions. The next meeting is planned for Thursday 12^th November 12md. IT WILL BE AN INFORMAL MEETING WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE GROUP AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW IT WORKS. Please contact Ann Waters at the surgery if you are interested in joining our group.

OUT OF HOURS CARE

Please note:

The new number for out of hours service is Nenedoc 03336 664 664

(calls at local rate)

Monday to Thursday 6.30pm-8.00am,

Friday 6.30pm to Monday 8.00am,

And also bank holidays

COFFEE MORNING

We would like to thank Ann Cilia and Lillian Hales who held a coffee morning on 8^th October to raise money for the Health Centre Equipment fund. They worked very hard and raised a very impressive sum of £150. Any donations to the equipment fund contributes to buying equipment which enhances our patient’s care, that might otherwise not be provided on the NHS. Many items have been purchased for The Brook and Silverstone such as resuscitation equipment, defibrillators, specialist camera equipment for diagnosing skin conditions, and many more items.

PRESCRIPTIONS

Brook Health Centre:

We no longer have a dispensary at Towcester. If you wish to collect your prescriptions from Lloyds in the Brook Health Centre or any pharmacy direct, just let the receptionist know and we will record that information on your records to ensure your prescription arrives in the correct place. In the interests of safety and greater efficiency, we are going to trial an enhancement to our prescription ordering service. If you wish to order by phone, option 2 will take you directly to Lloyds Pharmacy at the Brook. They will take your order and liaise with us to process the prescriptions. If you wish to collect from Lloyds, Watling St, then please ring them directly.

Silverstone Surgery:

The dispensary remains open all the time the surgery is open, and prescriptions can be collected and ordered as before from Silverstone surgery.

Other ways to order prescriptions:

· Repeat slip: hand you repeat slip from right side of prescriptions to reception and tick the items required.

· E mail:

Towcester.prescriptions@gp-k83620.nhs.uk

silverstone.prescriptions@gp-k83620.nhs.uk

· On this web site: brookhealthcentre.co.uk. You will need to register for this service – please ask at reception.

All prescriptions ordered through reception by repeat slip or note, via e mail or the web site will be processed within 48 hours. If ordering through the pharmacy for direct collection from them, please allow 72 hours.

CRYO CLINIC

We are starting a clinic for removal of minor skin complaints. Liquid nitrogen is used for this process. Appointments will be shorter and patients are asked not to discuss any other problems with the doctor at this clinic. The doctor or nurse will book appointments for the cryo clinic after they have seen the relevant clinician and had an assessment of the skin condition.

PARKING AT THE BROOK & SILVERSTONE

Both surgeries have a large demand for parking. We do not have the luxury of vast areas to allow for parking. The police have asked that patients consider at all times other road users and pedestrians.

Please park a little further away if it is safer and more considerate. The common problems are;

· Double parking

· Blocking pavements

· Blocking exit views when driving out of car park

· Blocking driveways

If we all think and consider where we park at all times, it may stall the introduction of the dreaded yellow lines!

FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC

There is a Family Planning/Gynae clinic held on a Monday evening from 4.30pm. If you wish to be seen or have any queries about this, please ring reception

APPOINTMENTS – TIPS TO HELP YOU

PLEASE NOTE WE CAN BOOK APPOINTMENTS FOR YOU UP TO 6 WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS

TELEPHONE RECORDER—Please note all telephone calls are recorded for security and training purposes

Updated—December, 2009

Swine Flu Vaccine

We have just received a supply of Swine Flu (H1N1) vaccine, and are starting swine flu vaccination clinics. Please call to make an appointment for vaccination. If you think you need the vaccine and have not been invited, then please speak to your doctor or nurse.

The vaccine needs to specially mixed and used while still fresh, so we will not be able to offer swine flu vaccination outside of scheduled swine flu vaccination clinics. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Most people will need only one injection, some will need a booster three weeks after the first. The vaccine brand we have received is Pandemrix®. The booster must be of the same brand. Links for further information about the vaccine itself are given below.

The Department of Health recommends swine flu vaccination for patients with the following conditions;

· Pregnant women (as pregnant women have been more susceptible than many to serious complications from swine flu).

Plus the following patients, who include most of those who normally receive the seasonal flu jab;

· Chronic Respiratory disease—this includes COPD (chronic bronchitis or emphysema), asthma requiring use of inhaled steroids or previous hospital admission, children previously admitted to hospital with chest infections, and those with other lung diseases.

· Chronic Heart Disease—including those requiring medication or follow up for heart problems or angina, heart failure, high blood pressure with cardiac problems, and congenital heart problems.

· Chronic neurological disease—history of stroke or TIA (mini-stroke)

· Diabetes - type 1 and type 2

· Chronic kidney disease – renal failure, kidney transplants or serious kidney problems.

· Chronic liver disease – cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc

· Immunosuppression — due to treatment (chemotherapy, some patients taking oral steroid tablets) disease (such as splenectomy or spleen problems or HIV)

The above list is not exhaustive—please speak to your doctor or nurse for individual advice.

Others who are offered vaccination include;

· Frontline health and social care workers,

· Immunosuppressed patients may benefit from their household contacts being immunised also.

A higher than expected proportion of those over 65 seem to have some immunity already to swine flu, so healthy individuals over 65 are not being prioritised for swine flu vaccination yet.

The swine flu vaccine does not protect against ‘ordinary’ seasonal flu, and those who usually have the annual flu jab should have this also (the two can be given at the same time).

Common side effects such as pain at the injection site, and mild, short-lived flu-like symptoms are listed for the swine-flu vaccines, but overall the injections are believed to be safe. As the vaccines are new, rare side effects may not have been identified yet, but so far this seems unlikely. As with seasonal flu jabs, the vaccines contain inactivated (effectively dead) virus, and cannot cause the flu itself.

Further information is available from your doctor or nurse, or from the following links;

· NHS Swine Flu Vaccination leaflet

· The Directgov website that has comprehensive links, including further swine flu advice.

· Information about Pandemrix—the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) (included list of possible/known side-effects), European Medicines Agency Information, and the vaccine’s Summary of Product Characteristics (detailed information meant for health professionals but open for anyone interested) and Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) safety information for patients.

17th December, 2009

Children and Swine Flu Vaccine (in addition to the paragraph below)

The second phase of the national swine flu vaccination programme has commenced. The government are recommending that all children aged from 6 months to 5 years be offered swine flu vaccination. We have already started this programme and are pleased to be making good progress.

We are also pleased that there has just been a change in the dosage for healthy children to one single dose (although those with suppressed immune systems will still need two doses, 3 weeks apart). If you would like your child vaccinated against swine flu then please book as soon as possible as uptake is high.

January, 2010

January Newsletter

LATE SURGERIES AT TOWCESTER

The surgery in Towcester is open until late on the following days;

Monday - Wednesday 8.00pm

Thursday – Friday 6.30pm

SWINE FLU

Patients who are at risk have been notified by letter and asked to make an appointment at one of our sessions. If you have any questions or queries, please ask the nurse or doctor to advise you.

SILVERSTONE DISPENSARY

Silverstone surgery continues to have a dispensary from which any patients living in villages are able to get their prescriptions. The dispensary also offers a delivery service to any housebound patients.

The dispensary remains open all the time the surgery is open, and prescriptions can be collected and ordered as before from Silverstone surgery or by the following methods.

Other ways to order prescriptions:

· Repeat slip: hand you repeat slip from right side of prescriptions to reception and tick the items required.

· E mail:

Towcester.prescriptions@gp-k83620.nhs.uk

silverstone.prescriptions@gp-k83620.nhs.uk

· This Website: brookhealthcentre.co.uk (You will need to register for this service – please ask at reception.)

PRESCRIPTIONS

Brook Health Centre—We no longer have a dispensary at Towcester. If you wish to collect your prescriptions from Lloyds in the Brook Health Centre or any pharmacy direct, just let the receptionist know and we will record that information on your records to ensure your prescription arrives in the correct place.

Please note:

The new number for out of hours service is Nenedoc 03336 664 664 (Calls at local rate)

Monday to Thursday 6.30pm-8.00am

Friday 6.30pm to Monday 8.00am, also bank holidays.

NEW FEMALE GP STARTING IN JANUARY

Dr Clare Turner will be starting with the practice in mid January and will hold surgeries at Towcester and Silverstone. Dr Turner is a highly experienced GP and I am sure will be very popular.

ENT CLINIC

From February an Ear Nose and Throat Clinic will be held once a month at the Brook Health Centre. A specialist from the hospital will be able to see patients referred to this department locally instead of traveling to hospital

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

The patient forum is still looking for new members. We would still welcome more volunteers to be part of this group. The aim of the group is to get feedback and join in general discussions on how we can provide the best service to our patients. We meet approximately every 2 months and are planning topical discussions such as diabetes management and alcohol awareness. In this changing time, it is very important to have patient’s input and we value your opinions. The next meeting is planned for Thursday 21st January. Please contact Julia Jones at the surgery if you are interested in joining our group.

NEW PRACTICE MANAGERS

Ann Waters has now retired from the practice and a tearful farewell was said on Friday 8^th January. Ann has worked tirelessly to make our practice one of the leading surgeries in the county and she will be missed. Her role has been taken over by Julia Jones and Karen Wheeler .

SILVERSTONE SURGERY

The new surgery times for Silverstone commenced in September 2009 and are as follows;

Opening times (to include dispensary);

Monday 8.00-12.00 2.00-6.00

Tuesday 8.00-12.00 2.00-6.00

Wednesday 8.00-12.00

Thursday 8.00-12.00 2.00-6.00

Friday 8.00-12.00

Nurses’ sessions;

Monday 8.30-12.00

Tuesday 8.30-12.00

Wednesday Phlebotomist 8.30-11.30

Thursday 8.30-12.00

Friday 8.30-12.00

Doctors’ Sessions;

Monday 9.00-12.00

Tuesday 8.30-11.30 2.00-5.30

Thursday 8.00-11.30

Friday 8.00-10.30

When Silverstone is closed, all calls are directed to the Brook Health Centre.

CRYO CLINIC

BREAST FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP

The Breast feeding Support Group is held on a Monday morning 11-12.30 in the Health Education Rm, 1^st floor. This is a drop in session, open to all breast feeding mums. It provides peer support and a venue to meet other breast feeding mums. Health visitors and a breast feeding counselor are also available during those sessions .

BABY CLINIC

This is held on a Wednesday morning 10.30-12 in the Health Education Room.

Baby weighing scales: You may weigh your baby in the Health education room at other times to the baby clinic. The only time is may not be possible is if the room is in use by another group.

FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC

There is a Family Planning/Gynae clinic held on a Monday evening from 4.30pm. If you wish to be seen or have any queries about this, please ring reception.

APPOINTMENTS – TIPS TO HELP YOU

PLEASE NOTE WE CAN BOOK APPOINTMENTS FOR YOU UP TO 6 WEEKS IN ADVANCE

TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS

PARKING

Please be aware that patrols are being carried out to monitor parking in this area. The following parking offences each carry a fixed £30 penalty:

· Obstruction of the pavement

· Obstruction of a bus stop

· Obstruction of the road

· Parking on a junction