Marylebone Health Centre

Marylebone Health Centre

Practice News Update January 2015 Issue no11

Producedjointly by the Patient Partnership Group (PPG) and the Practice Team of the Marylebone Health Centre (MHC) www.marylebonehealthcentre.co.uk

From Dr Andy Goodstone, GP Partner
Welcome to our first newsletter of 2015.
At the practice we are aware that good access and efficient in house systems are key to the running of a successful surgery. We have recently introduced a number of IT developments aimed at improving the patient experience. These include electronic transmission of medications to a nominated pharmacist and increasing our web based services to enable medical records and results to be securely viewed on line.
In addition the PPG are creating a discussion group which will enable those patients unable to come to their meetings to have a more active role in the management of the surgery. The reception staff have details of the above schemes if you would like further information.
Other upcoming service developments include the review of our telephone system. Please forward any comments on how you feel the system can be improved by emailing PPG on .
On a final note I am pleased to welcome Dr Katie Moey and Dr Lisa Drew to the clinical team. Both Doctors joined the practice at the beginning of the year and have already established themselves as an important part of the team. Wishing you a healthy 2015.
Dr Andy Goodstone
Message from PPG- During winter months it’s important to think about how best to protect ourselves from the usual coughs and colds. Eating well is essential: ensuring that you eat regularly, have your five potions of fruit and vegetables a day and if you can't get out in bad weather stocking up in advance with tinned soups, dried food goods, sweet dried fruits such as dates or raisins.
Keep warm ensure your living room is between 18-21 C (64-70F) and the rest of your home at a minimum of 16C (61F). Cold weather can lead to serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia so keep active and move around. When you go out wrap up well and when it's really cold wear a hat as you can lose a lot of body heat through the head.
Depression can be exacerbated at this time, particularly Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). If that is affecting you, try to get out in the middle of the day and do some activity. There are lamps you can buy that simulate daylight which can be helpful. If you are over 65 and feel lonely or isolated, Age Concern (020 3004 5610) operate the Befriending Scheme where you are put in touch with a volunteer who shares similar interests and can give practical help such as going shopping, attending medical appointments. It has been proved that the scheme has a positive impact on a person's health, both physically and emotionally. /
Ask the Experts Event -
Whole Systems Integrated Care
Monday 23rd February 2015 5-7pm
Crypt Hall, St Marylebone Parish Church
Presentations and a discussion on the new systems which will be implemented across Central London for case management and care coordination.
We will hear what this means for patients and their GP, how hospital services are to be integrated into new ‘care teams’ and how this will support carers and families of people who are unwell.
There will be representatives from Community services, GPs, from the local GP network and patients involved in setting up this new system. Each expert will give a brief presentation about the service from their perspective which will be followed by a question and answer session. This session is shared work with colleagues at the Cavendish Health Centre.
The next Event will be Osteoporosis/Keeping Well/Avoiding Falls.
Please let us know if there are other specific health related subjects on which you would like the PPG to organise a forum by emailing -we
PPG MEETING DATES 2015: 2nd Feb,16th March, 27th April,8th June,20th July,31st August, 12th Oct and 23rd Nov. Meetings are held in the Crypt Hall from 6-8pm .
All patients are welcome
Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (CLCCG) Information regarding the local commissioning group can be found on their website www.centrallondonccg.nhs.uk
Important CCG dates: Please refer to their website which will be updated shortly with dates for your diary.
The Marylebone and Cavendish PPG are working with the Parish Team to hold monthly social and networking events where members of the local Marylebone community can meet and enjoy company over tea and cake. We hope to ask regular experts along so you can discuss issues which are important to you. These events replace the Memory café’s as we felt that the events would be much more useful if we opened the invitation up to all, not just dementia suffers. This is an opportunity to meet other members of the community and their families/carers and to receive practical advice and support. To find out more about this meeting contact: Rev. Edward Thornley
0207 935 7315.
On line Services- The SystmOne on line booking/cancelling appointments and requesting prescription request service is now available. If you wish to be registered for this service please speak to reception. You will require an email address for each person in your household.*We are sorry but the details which we held for you previously are not transferable, so we do have to ask you to repeat the process.
Many patients have changed email addresses from the original ones we have been given. This is an ideal opportunity for us to update your current information. You can also receive emails from the PPG about new services If you would like to. Once registered you will then be able to book or cancel your GP appointments online and request medication much more easily.
From 23rd February 2014 you will be able to see your summary card record and from April 2015 collect the results of any tests on line as well! For more information please visit the practice website. www.marylebonehealthcentre.com
Summary Care Record (SCR) Sharing Information
Under the new NHS GP GMS Contract (2014/2015 requirements), all GP practices are required to provide an automated upload of any changes to a patient's summary information, at least once every working day, to the Summary Care Record (SCR).We started doing this in December 2014.
The Health Secretary has also set a deadline of April 2015 for practices to provide online access to their own records, which as a minimum means giving patients access to the information contained in their Summary Care Record upload.
Summary Care Records contain details of a patient’s key health information – medications, allergies and adverse reactions. They are accessible to authorised healthcare staff in emergency settings in England and can support better, safer prescribing of medication for patients by providing up-to-date information on a patient’s allergies, previous adverse reactions and medications. Patient care can be supported by healthcare staff having faster access to their medical information and patients may not be required to repeat information to different NHS staff treating them. If you have any questions regarding the above, please feel free to Jeanette Creaser, practice manager of Leda Game, IT Lead.
Your Choice- You can choose to have a Summary Care Record. If you would like one, you don't need to do anything. It will happen automatically. If you don’t want a Summary Care Record you can opt out by signing the opt out form and giving this into the reception. For further information go to http://www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk/
Staff changes; We welcome
Nurse Marco Salvador, has joined our Nursing team and working every Friday. Marco is skilled at Health Promotion and offers Diabetic reviews, amongst other services.
Saiqa Hameed is now almost fully trained as a Health Care Assistant, and whilst we miss her working on Reception we welcome her skills in her new role.
Jefferson Salazar is the new Reception Supervisor. Jeff is also the lead administrator for prescriptions. Congratulations to Jeff on his promotion.
Dr Mohammed Bakir has replaced Dr Alice Hare as our new doctor post qualification on rotation at the Practice.
We warmly welcome Dr Katie Moey, who replaces Dr Smith who left surgery on the 16th January.
Dr Lisa Drew replaces Dr Ounnas who left the surgery in December.
Please extend a warm welcome to all our new staff.

Wasted appointments increase waiting times for patients!
595 appointments were made by patients who failed to attend in December 2014
291 appointments were made by patients who failed to attend in January 2015
Please cancel any appointments you are unable to attend, whether at the Practice or a hospital, so that it can be used by someone else.
You can cancel on line (speak to reception) or through our website www.marylebonehealthcentre.co.uk
Remember: we reserve the right to remove patients from the Practice who miss two appointments in a row without notice. /
Complementary Therapy Services at Marylebone
Due to the high demand for Osteopathy at the practice a second Osteopath, Andreas Symitris, has now started working on a Friday mornings. Andreas is well known to the practice and has previously offered his services in the past. As with all our osteopathy provision there will be no charge for registered patients. As the number of appointments to both our Osteopaths is limited referrals can be made after an assessment and recommendation by one of the GPs.

Have you made a New Years Resolution to Stop Smoking? If so we can help. The Stop Smoking Service is back to support smokers to quit their habit in 2015. Smoking cessation clinics at held at the practice.
If you smoke you can have a chat with Carmen the in-house Stop Smoking Specialist any Thursday from 8.30 am to 12 pm. No referral is needed and patients can book themselves into the clinic by making an appointment at the reception.
If you wish to stop smoking Carmen can offer Smokers psychological support over a period of six weeks and single or combination nicotine replacement therapy for up to 12 weeks free of charge. If you have any queries regarding the service or would like more information please contact Carmen on 07718201538; e-mail

Tell us what you think-Jeanette Creaser (Practice Manager) holds regular clinics where patients can talk to her about any concerns they have, provide feedback, ask questions or view their records-please ask at reception for more details.
Friends and Family Test - The Department of Health have asked all GP practices to take part in a quick survey. We will ask our patients via text message if they would recommend the service to their friends or family.
If you receive a text relating to the above matter please complete the survey, which will only take 2 minutes as it provides us with valuable information.

Did you know?......
The practice now offers a same day telephone triage service for all patients needing to speak to a doctor on that day. Following your telephone conversation the GP may recommend a same day appointment based on clinical need. Telephone calls received between 9 and 10;30 will be dealt with in the morning. Any calls after 10;30am will be managed in the afternoon.

Named GP for patients with a Chronic Condition or who are aged aged 75 and over.
You may be aware that from April 2014 all practices were required to provide patients with a chronic condition or those who are aged 75 and over with a named GP. This doctor who will have overall responsibility for the care and support they receive from us.
We have now written to all patients in these groups with the name of their ‘named GP’. Where a patient sees a particular GP regularly we have tried to allocate them to that doctor.
The named GPs will continue to work with other relevant health and care professionals involved to ensure that the patient has their health and social care needs met. If you have any questions, or wish to discuss this further with us, please contact us on 0207 935 6328 and speak to Leda or Jeanette.