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BRADLEY STOKE SURGERY

NEWSLETTER no. 18 – October 2014

2014 FLU VACCINATION PROGRAMME

We are now offering flu vaccinations for all patients who fall into the following categories:

  • Patients who suffer with one or more chronic disease; Asthma, Diabetes, Epilepsy, COPD, Stroke, CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease)
  • Low immunity due to disease or treatment.
  • Pregnant
  • Registered carers
  • Over 65 years
  • All healthy children age 2, 3 and 4 years. These vaccinations will be administered painlessly into the nostril.

We had two Saturday flu clinics for the first time on 4th and 18th October. These were well received by patients and it was lovely to hear so many positive comments about the practice and staff. Thank you.

Please book your flu vaccination now at reception

SHINGLES

Were you aged 70, 78 or 79 on 1st September 2014?

If your date of birth is between the following dates, you are eligible for a free Shingles vaccination:

02/09/1943 – 01/09/1944

02/09/1935 – 01/09/1936

02/09/1934 – 01/09/1935

Please speak to a receptionist to book your appointment before August 2015, otherwise you will lose out on the opportunity to have this vaccination on the NHS

EBOLA: IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR OUR PATIENTS

If you have been in West Africa in the past 3 weeks and feel ill or have a high temperature, it is important that you do not come into the Practice but call and ask for an urgent telephone consultation. A GP will call you back as soon as possible.

Thank you for you help and consideration.

PATIENT ACCESS

NEW INTERNET SERVICE COMING SOON

During December 2014 we will have to cancel all under 16’s Patient Access which gives patients the ability to book online appointments. Adults will still be able to book appointments for themselves but not for their children. Unfortunately we have been advised by our Medical Defence Union that we cannot allow this to continue due to patient confidentiality as the new patient access allows patients to see parts of their medical record.

All patients aged 16 or over whose parents have previously had on line access to book their appointments, will be responsible for stopping parental access and re-registering.

From 1st December 2014, all patients 16 and over will be able to view parts of their medical records on line from their own computer or smart phone with Patient Access.

You will have instant access to:

  • Book or cancel appointments
  • View your medications
  • Look at your allergies
  • Look at your immunisations
  • Update your personal details

All data contained within Patient Access is protected using the highest standard internet security so you can be sure all your personal information is safe and secure

How do I get started?

1.To be able to use the system you must have a computer or smart phone with internet access and be aged 16 years or over.

2.Please bring some form of photo ID to reception and ask to register for Patient Access. You cannot apply for this service for another person.

3.When you have completed a consent form the receptionist will be able to process your registration. You will need to sign the form in front of the receptionist.

4.The receptionist will give you details of how to log on to the service including a PIN and password. You must keep these login details safe.

5.You need to use these credentials to register for an account on the Patient Access website. Instructions will be provided.

6.Once you've registered on to the Patient Access website you will be given a unique username and password which you need to keep secure.

7.You can now start using online services immediately!

Please note this will be going live from December so you will not be able to sign up until after this date.

Friends and Family Test

We would like to know if you would recommend our GP Surgery to friends and family and if we could improve your experience.

To help us with this, please answer one simple question by clicking on the link at the bottom of our website’s homepage:

The link to go directly to the survey is:
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NEW PATIENT REFERENCE GROUP

  • Are you a Patient currently registered with our practice?
  • Do you have any opinions on how well we serve your needs?
  • Do you have an Email address and willing to complete a short survey?

If so we need you!

We want to engage with as many of our patients as possible to find out:-

  • How we are doing.
  • What improvements or additional services you would like to see offered in our surgery.

This will be a virtual group so you won’t have to spend time coming to meetings / give up an evening etc. All we ask of you is willingness to complete a short on line survey 2-3 times a year so we can plan our way forward with patients in mind and their views are taken into account.

We don’t ask you anything personal apart from ethnicity and age so we can ensure that the group surveyed represents our local community and its diverse nature.

If you are interested in taking part please either complete the form on reception or sign up via the practice website get involved section.

This can then either be handed back to reception or dropped in the suggestions box.

GET BETTER WITHOUT USING ANTIBIOTICS

How Should I Treat My cold?

The best way to treat most colds, coughs and sore throats is to drink plenty of fluids and to rest. Colds can last about two weeks and may end with a cough and bringing up phlegm. There are many over the counter remedies to ease symptoms – paracetamol, for example. Ask your pharmacist for advice. If the cold lasts more than three weeks, or you become breathless or have chest pains, or already have a chest complaint, see your doctor.

It’s very common for children to get coughs and colds, especially when they go to school and mix with other children. If you are concerned, see your doctor but do not expect to be prescribed antibiotics.

Why Should Antibiotics Not Be Used To Treat Coughs and Colds?

All colds and most coughs and sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not work against infections, such as colds, caused by viruses. Viral infections are much more common that bacterial infections.

What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are use to treat infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic, becoming antibiotic resistant. We can not be sure we will always be able to find new antibiotics to replace the old ones so by using them less often, we can slow down the development of resistance.

When will Antibiotics be Prescribed?

Antibiotics will only be prescribed when appropriate to do so. The complete course should be taken in order to get rid of the bacteria completely. If the course isn’t completed, some bacteria may be left to develop resistance. Antibiotics may be life saving for some infections and by not using them unnecessarily, they are likely to work when we need them.

EMERGENCY CARE

You can find a lot of useful information regarding access to emergency care at

For patient information, please note that the Minor Injury Unit at Southmead has relocated. It is now based within the Emergency Department (ED), located at Gate 35, Level 0, Brunel building, SouthmeadHospital.

SURGERY OPENING TIMES

Monday – Thursday8.00 am – 7.30 pm

Friday8.00 am – 6.30 pm

Telephone lines 8.30 am – 6.30 pm

From 6.30 pm in the evening until 8.00 am in the morning, you are covered by the Out of Hours service.

If you need medical help when the Surgery is closed please call 111. NHS 111 is a telephone advice line and signposting service for patients with urgent health problems, which do not need a call to 999. After assessment by a 111 health advisor, if you need immediate medical care they can arrange for you to talk to a clinical advisor, see a Doctor, or go to an appropriate alternative health care service. Calls to NHS 111 are free from both landline and mobile phones.