Lordshill H/C
Newsletter
April 2017 Edition6
Welcome to the Spring edition of our newsletter. This quarter we are focusing on eConsult and online services.
Patients registered with the practice are encouraged to try using eConsult next time they need support from their GP, as initial results show many people are already finding the service a convenient way to access medical advice. This is a pilot being trialed for one year from 1st April 2017.
eConsult - What you need to do:Patients go to the practice website and click the eConsult option. This action takes them to a different website which asks them what they want.
Many patients seeking information on a range of health issues find out what they want immediately. In an earlier pilot study, 60% of patients were able to resolve their health concerns without visiting their practice.
Patients who do decide to submit a request for GP advice (it’s a questionnaire) will receive a response by the end of the next working day (not including weekends) –The practice contacts each patient by email to let them know the outcome of the eConsult, which could include being offered an appointment, talking to a healthcare professional over the phone or collecting a prescription.
With the increased pressure on GPs and primary care services, we need to change the way we do things so that we continue to provide for the needs of today’s population by ensuring that patients can access the most appropriate response for their needs in a timely way.This means making a more effective use of the resources at our disposal, including GP time. eConsult provides better access for patients at a time convenient to them, in the comfort of their own home; better health outcomes as patients are presenting earlier; and improved practice efficiency by encouraging patients to self-triage where possible.
Give it a go and please do let us know what you think of this new service.
Debbie Charman
Practice Manager
GP online services
Did you know you can book and cancel appointments, order repeat prescriptions and look at your medical history on-line?
GP online services allow you to access a range of services via your computer. Once you have signed up, you will be able to:
- book or cancel appointments online with a GP.
- renew or orderrepeat prescriptions online
- view parts of your GP health record, including information about medication, allergies, vaccinations, previous illnesses and test results
The service is free. Everyone who is registered with a GP can have access to their practice's online services.
How can Istart using GP online services?
To sign up for online services:
1. Tell a receptionist that you would like to start using their online services
2. She will then ask you to fill in a short form
3. You will have to provide photo ID and proof of address. If you do not have any ID then either a member ofstaff will have to confirm your identity if you are known to them or you may have to answer questions about personalinformationin your GP record
4.Once you have signed up, you will receive a letter with your unique username and password and a link to where you can log in.
I'm not good with the internet – where can I get help?
There are a number of different services for people who need internet training such as UK online centres. Others are provided by local authorities, colleges and charities. The best place to start would be your local library.
EasterOpenings
We are closed on Friday 14th April and on Monday 17th April 2017
In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can call NHS Direct (111) to speak to a triage nurse. Your needs will be assessed and advice offered or arrangements made for you to see a doctor.
Please ensure you have enough medication to last you over the Easter period.
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Urgent Prescription requests
Urgent prescription requests are requests for medication which you need within 24 hours to prevent you becoming severely unwell. Urgent medications include; epileptic medication, insulin, inhalers for lung conditions, emergency contraception and EpiPen for anaphylaxis.
Urgent prescription requests will be ready for collection from 18:00hrs the same day.
Urgent prescription requests are not requests for medication which has been ordered late. Routine requests submitted as urgent requests will be reviewed by a Doctor, and if appropriate rejected or only part issued. You should allow 72 hours (3 working days) for routine repeat prescription requests.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your repeat prescription request is ordered in plenty of time. Urgent requests for medication that is available over the counter will not be processed as urgent; it will be processed as a routine request. This is not the receptionist’s, but the doctors decision: please respect them.
Urgent requests are monitored and recorded on your records. Urgent repeat requests may result in you receiving a letter from the surgery, to identify the cause for repeated urgent requests, and trying to assist you to manage your medication better.
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Be Breast Aware
Breast awareness is a part of general body awareness. Learning how your breasts feel at different times will help you know what is normal for you, and enable you to spot any changes should they happen. Changes to look out for are:
APPEARANCE: any changes in the outline or shape of the breast, especially those caused by arm movements, or by lifting the breasts; any puckering or dimpling of the skin.
FEELINGS: discomfort or pain in one breast that is different from normal, particularly if new or persistent.
LUMPS: any lumps, thickening or bumpy areas in one breast or armpit which seems to be different from the same part on the other side. This is very important if new.
NIPPLE CHANGE: nipple discharge, new to you and not milky; any change in nipple position: nipple rash on or around the nipple; bleeding or moist, reddish areas which don’t heal easily.
If you are in any doubt please book an appointment your GP.
Testicular lumps and swellings
Lumps and swellings in the testicles are a relatively common symptom in boys and men,and can have a number of different causes.
The vast majority of testicular lumps and swellings are caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions that may not need treatment, but it's important to know what's normal for you and tosee your GP if you notice any changes in your testicles so they can try to identify the cause.
What causestesticular lumps and swellings?
There are many possible reasons why your testicles may become swollen or develop a lump.
A sudden and severely painful swelling in one of your testicles can be a sign of a condition called testicular torsion, which is where the blood supply to a testicle is interrupted.
In rare cases, testicular lumps can be a sign of testicular cancer. Cancer Research UK estimates that fewer than four in every 100 testicular lumps are cancerous.
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Seeing your GP - You should see your GP if you notice any lumps, swellings or changes in your testicles. Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine your testicles to try to identify the cause of the problem. In some cases you may be referred for further tests, such as an ultrasound scan of your scrotum, to confirm a diagnosis.
If you experience sudden or severe pain in your testicles, it's important to contact your GP immediately or visit your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible because urgent treatment may be required.
How testicular lumps and swellings are treated
Treatment for testicular lumps and swellings will depend on the underlying cause. Many conditions do not need to be treated if they are not causing any many problems and they are not cancer.
Some lumps and swellings will improve over time, and simple measures such as taking over-the-counter painkillers or wearing supportive underwear may be enough to relieve any pain or discomfort in the meantime.
Surgery may be recommended to drain away any fluid or remove any solid lumps, if the problem gets worse.
Testicular torsion will require urgent surgery to restore blood flow to the affected testicle because the testicle will start to die if not treated within a few hours of the problem developing.
Urine Samples
As you can imagine, we are on the receiving end of various specimens from patients.
Specimens from people are potentially a hazard to anybody dealing with them, therefore we need to minimise the contact staff have with specimens.
To help with this, we would ask that any decanting necessary is done by the patients themselves. Please make sure all specimens are clearly labelled and have paperwork with them. The paperwork is either a printed form from a clinician, or a specimen form provided by the receptionists.
We can only accept samples which are in appropriate sample containers, as using jars or containers from home could contaminate your sample. You can collect urine bottles from reception
- Ensure your specimen is labelled with your name and date of birth. Any sample not labelled will not be able to be identified by the nurse, and will be disposed of
- Drop your specimen/sample into reception at any time of day from Monday to Friday. Anything brought to the desk after 3pm on a Friday will be refused
- Urine results are usually available 5 working days after bringing in your sample. Please make a routine telephone appointment for your results.
And finally………
Please let us know what you think about the Newsletter or any other things in/around the Surgery. We welcome all feedback. If you have any comments, views or suggestions or funny stories to share with us please do so via
Out of Hours
Weekends, bank holidays and eveningsHUB ACCESS –To help improve our access, we are now able to offer patients who need to be seen in the evening or at the weekend an appointment with a GP or HCA at a hub. The West hubs are at Aldermoor Surgery and Shirley Health Centre. All consultations are reported back via the computer system so patients clinical notes are kept up-to-date (consent will be required for this).
Appointments at the hub are booked via Lordshill Health Centre.
Please note this is NOT a walk-in-service
You can also attend: The Minor Injury Unit, Royal South Hants Hospital, Brintons Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YG
Open every day from 8.00am to 10.00pm.
NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED
IN THE EVENT OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY PLEASE DIAL 999