Greasbrough Medical Centre
GREASBROUGH MEDICAL CENTRE
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
NEWSLETTER – MAY 2017
Hello and welcome to the Spring / Summer issue of the Patient Participation Group Newsletter.
A number of improvements have been made at the Medical Centre since the last newsletter which are beneficial to both patients and the practice staff:-
- A new telephone system has been installed which has two extra lines into the surgery which will allow patients easier access when contacting the surgery.
- The system also has an automated service for booking and cancelling appointments and prescription ordering. Patients are urged to use this facility.
- A new text message service called MJOG has been installed. This allows the surgery to text patients for information. Patients are able to reply by text with any information required by the surgery as well as cancelling appointments.
The practice still has of course it’s on line service which allows patients to book and cancel appointments, order repeat prescriptions and gain access to certain areas of their medical history. Patients are urged to sign up for this free service. Ask at Reception if further information or help is required.
Unfortunately the practice still suffers from numbers of unattended appointments (DNA’s) despite all the various services now in place which allow patients to cancel appointments without the need to ring the practice. Not only is a DNA costly, but is frustrating as the practice is unable to allocate the appointment to another patient. If you are unable to attend an appointment, or no longer require it, please utilise one the available services to cancel your appointment
Are you aware that the Patient Participation Group has its own Notice Board in the practice? As you walk into the reception area it is situated dead ahead on the opposite wall. Take time out to have a look.
Free Health Checks are still available and ongoing:-
1)40 – 74 Health Checks.
Commit to this free health check then the Medical Centre can work with you to reduce your chances of developing many health problems in the future.
The health check takes on average 30 minutes only.
Don’t take risks with your future health. Contact the Medical Centre today and make an appointment.
For more information collect a leaflet from the Medical Centre.
2)75 and Over Health Checks.
FREE NHS health checks are available to patients in this age group?
It is well established that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and dementia increase with age. This risk can also be aggravated by life style choices such as being overweight, being physically inactive, having an unhealthy diet, smoking, consuming excessive alcohol, as well as having high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Commit to this free health check then the Medical Centre can work with you to reduce your chances of developing these health problems in the future.
The health check takes on average 30 minutes only.
Don’t take risks with your future health. Contact the Medical Centre today and make an appointment.
For more information collect a leaflet from the Medical Centre.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Centre.
Rotherham’s NHS CCG and Foundation Trust are creating a new facility at Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate which is due to open in July 2017.
A number of changes are envisaged including the closure of the Walk-in Centre currently located in the Community Health Centre on Greasbrough Road. This walk-in Centre occupies only about 10% of the Greasbrough Road building which will continue to host the large number of other services currently resident there. It is being evaluated which services / clinics could best occupy the vacant space once the WIC moves out.
The new UECC at Moorgate will provide an improved patient care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year all under one roof.
This NHS investment is aimed at providing a better service via:-
- Early and rapid patient assessment by senior staff.
- Better access to closer / integrated mental health services.
- Co-location of GP out of hours service and care co-ordination centre.
- Improved links to social care services
- Enhanced facilities to meet future demand.
- Patients will have one location for urgent conditions.
- More experienced staff to reduce waiting times.
- Improved flexibility of NHS staff.
Self-Care.
Demand on all health services is very high, and is unlikely to improve in the short term.
It is thus advisable that patients choose the right care for their symptoms to help the health services. It is recommended that health services should be chosen in the following order:-
- Self-care – look after yourself at home with a well-stocked medicine cabinet
- Pharmacy – your chemist is able to offer expert advice on common illnesses and the best medication to treat them.
- Ring NHS 111 – for 24 hour helpline health enquiry and advice.
- GP Practice – for illnesses that persist you should see a nurse or doctor at your surgery.
PPG Meetings.
We are still seeking new members for our group.
Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 8th June 2017 at 4.00pm in Greasbrough Library.
John Gorman
PPG Newsletter Editor.