Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre

Patient Group

NEWSLETTER: DECEMBER 2013 – ISSUE 38

BUDLEIGH SALTERTON AND DISTRICT HOSPISCARE
The Budleigh Salterton and District Hospiscare team are based here at Budleigh Surgery and consist of 2 clinical nurse specialists and 1 assistant practitioner. We work closely with Exmouth and Lympstone services to provide cover 7 days a week and a telephone advice line is available tour patients overnight. The fact that we are based in the surgery means that we meet regularly with the whole team to discuss ways we can support people in Budleigh Salterton fully. We offer specialist palliative care to anyone who has a life limiting illness, although the majority of people we visit have a cancer diagnosis we also visit people with non-malignant diseases such as heart failure, chest problems and neurological conditions.
Referral to our service is primarily through the patients GP although we work closely with both the district nursing team and community hospital and they both refer patients accordingly. We visit patients at home, in nursing and residential homes and community hospitals. We work closely with the GPs to offer symptom control advice, emotional support, practical guidance on care options and advanced care planning. We are supported by volunteers who can offer assistance with transport to appointments and sitting services for care breaks.
We have a section of the notice board in the foyer of the surgery if anyone would like further information on our services or is interested in becoming a volunteer.
BOOKING APPOINTMENTS
Feedback to the practice suggests that at times our appointment system can feel complicated. We hope that if we outline how the system works it will make using it feel easier.
The tension that exists for us is making sure that every day we have enough spaces to see people that need to be seen on that day. We also need to be able to offer follow up appointments for people whose problems need on-going review, at the same time ensuring continuity with the clinicians who are looking after them. We also wish to provide the opportunity to book ahead for people to make it easier for those working or with difficulties with transport to the surgery.
The first hour of surgery each morning is reserved for appointments booked in advance. A few other appointments through the day may be booked as well, for the reasons explained above. As a practice we see everyone who wishes it, on the day they have contacted us. What we are not able to do is to guarantee which doctors are available as demand varies so much day to day.
We work as a team and try to manage a system that allows continuity of care but flexibility in recognising that all the clinicians develop areas of increased expertise so that one’s registered doctor may not always be the best person to see with regard to a particular problem. For many straight forward problems it will clearly not matter who the clinician is and any of us would be happy to help.
When you contact us you will be able to be seen on that day. If you wish to see a particular doctor you can book in advance but it may be at times there are no appointments for several weeks. We hope if the problem is straightforward you will consider seeing another doctor. However, if it is with regard to something that needs the continuity/skill of a particular doctor, then the receptionist can take a message for that doctor to contact you to ensure the appropriate follow up is arranged.
For people working away and for those who find it difficult to get in within normal surgery opening hours we run extended surgeries that can be booked in advance:
Monday 7-00 am to 8-00 am and Monday 6-30 pm to 7-30 pm
Alternate Saturday mornings, 8-30 am to 10-30 am
Our phones are very busy when the surgery opens at 8-30 am. It is much quieter and easier to get through after 9-00 am. Please remember we always see everyone on the day that you contact us and it might not be necessary to phone at 8-30 am.
CARE DATA INFORMATION
Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff to support your treatment and care. It is important that we, the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all patients. We would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service, to help us provide a full picture. This will allow us to compare the care you received in one area against the care you received in another, so we can see what has worked best.
Information such as your postcode and NHS number, but not your name, will be used to link your records in a secure system, so your identity is protected. Information which does not reveal your identity can then be used by others, such as researchers and those planning health services, to make sure we provide the best care possible for everyone. How your information is used and shared is controlled by law and strict rules are in place to protect your privacy. We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.
BENEFITS OF SHARING INFORMATION
Sharing information can help improve understanding, locally and nationally, of the most important health needs and the quality of the treatment and care provided by local health services. It may also help researchers by supporting studies that identify patterns in diseases, responses to different treatments and potential solutions. Information will also help to:
• find more effective ways of preventing, treating and managing illnesses;
• guide local decisions about changes that are needed to respond to the needs of local patients;
• support public health by anticipating risks of particular diseases and conditions, and help us to take action to prevent problems;
• improve the public’s understanding of the outcomes of care, giving them confidence in health and care services;
• guide decisions about how to manage NHS resources fairly so that they can best support the treatment and management of illness for the benefit of patients.
WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE INFORMATION?
We will only use the minimum amount of information we need to help us improve patient care and the services we provide. We have developed a thorough process that must be followed before any information can be shared. We sometimes release information to approved researchers, if this is allowed under the strict rules in place to protect your privacy. We are very careful with the information and we follow strict rules about how it is stored and used. We will make sure that the way we use information is in line with the law, national guidance and best practice. Reports that we publish will never identify a particular person.
DO I HAVE A CHOICE?
Yes. You have the right to prevent confidential information about you from being shared or used for any purpose other than providing your care, except in special circumstances. If you do not want information that identifies you to be shared outside your GP practice, ask your practice to make a note of this in your medical record. This will prevent your confidential information being used other than where necessary by law, (for example, if there is a public health emergency). You will also be able to restrict the use of information held by other places you receive care, such as hospitals and community services. You should let your GP know if you want to restrict the use of this information. Your choice will not affect the care you receive.
DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING?
If you are happy for your information to be shared you do not need to do anything. There is no form to fill in and nothing to sign and you can change your mind at any time. If you have concerns or are not happy for your information to be shared, speak to your GP practice or for more information, including a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), please go to the website at www.nhs.uk/caredata. You can also get further information from the website at www.hscic.gov.uk.
OPEN DAY EVENT
Meet your Medical Centre Team, GP’s and PPG Committee
Date: Friday 31st January 2014, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Venue: Town Hall, Station Road, Budleigh Salterton
Agenda:
·  Services offered by the Medical Centre
·  Out of Hours Services and how to contact us
·  Memory Café
·  Update on the future of Budleigh Salterton Hospital
·  Priorities for Health and Social Care going forward
·  Patient Reference Group surveys and recommendations
·  Hospicare
BUDLEIGH SALTERTON MEDICAL CENTRE’S MEMORY CAFÉ
Are you worried about your memory? Do you care for someone with memory problems?
Come and meet new people and play games and quizzes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm (every other Friday) - Venue: Budleigh Salterton Football Club
Fridays: 13th & 20th (Christmas Party) December 2013, 10th & 24th January, 7th and 21st February 2014
Budleigh Salterton Football Club, Greenway Lane, Budleigh Salterton (Free Parking)
For all enquiries please phone Sophie or Diane on 01395 441212
We are selling books in the reception to raise money for the Memory Café and would be very grateful for any book donations – thank you very much
Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014
Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre will be closed on:
Christmas Day Wednesday 25th December 2013
Boxing Day Thursday 26th December 2013
New Year’s Day Wednesday 1st January 2014
On all other days our opening hours of 8.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, will remain the same
We will take this opportunity to wish all our patients a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year
If you need a doctor outside of these hours for an urgent medical need call
Devon Doctors on 0845 6710 270 or for non-urgent medical advice dial 111.
In an emergency when someone needs medical help to save their life dial 999.

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