HOUGHTON CLOSE SURGERYFEBRUARY 2008 NEWSLETTER |
| Patient Participation Group The Patient Participation Group was set up to help promote communication between the Surgery and its patients and to look at ways to improve the service we offer our patients. The group meets twice per year and is attended by patient representatives, Dr Saint and Debbie Barry, Practice Manager. We are currently looking for new patient representatives for the group, so if you are interested in being involved please contact Debbie on 0844 815 1055. |
| A Big Thank You A big thank you to all of you who brought in Christmas gifts for the doctors, nurses and staff. We received many boxes of chocolates, biscuits and bottles of wine. We would like to thank you all individually, but hope you’ll accept this big THANK YOU from all the staff and doctors. |
| New Nurse We take this opportunity to welcome our new treatment room nurse, Caroline Giddings. Caroline has a wealth of experience, mainly in hospital based nursing. You can make appointments with her in the normal way by calling our main number on 0844 815 1055. |
| New Appointment System We have been reviewing our appointments system and are making some changes, which we hope will improve the availability of our doctors. From 4 February 2008 we will significantly increase the number of pre-bookable appointments whereby: A high proportion of appointments are available to pre-book up to 4 weeks in advance. A smaller proportion of appointments are available to pre-book 48 hours in advance. A limited number of appointments will be available on the day to cater for emergencies and other unforeseen medical problems. Please note these appointments will be booked with the Duty Doctor. Our Nurse Practitioners will continue to have book on the day appointments. |
| Holiday Vaccinations Our Nurses offer comprehensive vaccination and holiday advice appointments for “exotic” travel. Please be aware of booking ‘last minute’ holidays that may require you to have vaccinations. We are unable to offer short notice travel appointments and strongly advise they are done six to eight weeks prior to travel in order that you can be given maximum protection. You will be asked to fill in a travel schedule prior to your appointment with the Nurse, so your treatment can be planned. For full details and a copy of our travel questionnaire, please see services and clinics page. |
| Coughs and Colds It is important to know that most coughs and colds will get better on their own and that you can take simple measures to make them more bearable. Even if catarrh or phlegm is discoloured this is simply nature dealing with the infection. It is best to avoid ANTIBIOTICS as we are worried more and more by their side effects and the development of super bugs. Most of us get better with lots of fluids, Paracetamol for aches and pains, and inhalations of Vicks or Friars Balsam dissolved in water. |