Riverside Patients Association

The committee wishes you, the Doctors and Staff a

Happy and Healthy New Year.

GRAND DRAW

The Committee are delighted to report that the 2009 Christmas Draw raised the magnificent amount of £957.00 for the funds. We would like to express our deep appreciation to all those patients who donated so many wonderful gifts, which undoubtedly made this such a record breaking event.

CHRISTMAS DRAW WINNING TICKETS Ticket No.

Luxury Food Hamper 211

Brown Teddy Bear 643

Expresso Coffee Machine 326

Tin of Biscuits 767

Big Teddy 897

2 Cut Glass Wineglasses with bottle of Schloer 268

Radio Alarm 595

Christmas Tablemats and coasters 907

Lavender Body Care presentation set 773

Portable Radio 599

Lavender Sleep Well collection 653

Pack of Birthday cards 673

Toiletries and Toilet Bag 86

Necklace 953

Christmas towel, soap and Christmas candle 824

Small bear 14

Box of Bendicks Mints 616

Aromatherapy Basket 243

RIVERSIDE PRACTICE INFORMATION.

Practice Manager.

Practice Opening Times.

The practice opening times are 8:15am to 1:00pm and 2.00pm to 6:30pm every weekdays (excluding bank holidays). The practice also closes for training every 3rd Thursday afternoon in the month.

In addition the practice does offer extended opening hours for patients that find it difficult to see a GP during normal working hours. These appointments are held on some Saturdays and some early evenings, please ask at reception when you are making an appointment. These appointments are intended to be booked in advance.

New Practice Website.

The practice has re-designed it’s website to give a more modern look and to provide a lot more information about the practice. The front page details current important issues and news that patients may like to be aware of. There is also a page where you can download copies of the latest Newslink as well as information about the Riverside Patients Association.

2009 – Lost appointments.

At the January Patient’s Association meeting the practice reported the 2009 “did not attend” figures. These are the figures that show how many appointments were missed by patients who did not contact the surgery to cancel the appointment – resulting in a lost appointment that another patient could have used.

Number of lost GP appointments:228

Number of lost Nurse appointments:888

The practice has respectfully requested that patients contact them to cancel an appointment if they are no longer able to attend. This is very important given the high demand for appointments.

Patient Contact Details.

The practice has asked us if we could just remind patients to inform them of any changes in contact details including mobile phone numbers. Accurate contact information is vital in order that the practice can look after patients effectively and efficiently. If your details have changed please advise the practice as soon as possible.

Repeat prescriptions.

The practice has also asked us to remind patients that they require 2 full working days to process repeat prescriptions at the practice. For example any repeat prescriptions requested on a Monday will not be ready for collection by the patient (or the pharmacy in cases where the pharmacy collects and manages repeat prescriptions) until Thursday.

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New Eye Care Service available at the Practice

ACES is a new NHS eye service developed in Wisbech by General Practitioners and two experienced local Ophthalmic Surgeons in collaboration with Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust. This service is free under the NHS.

Patients are now able to receive their eye care from an Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Practice rather than in a hospital. This will allow for much quicker and more convenient appointments.

The most modern equipment is available to assess eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataract, cases of acute red eye and vision loss.

Major eye surgery is performed locally in the operating theatre of NorthCambsHospital, Wisbech.

ACES can look after most eye conditions. Your GP or Optometrist will advise you if you are suitable and if so will then make the referral to ACES.

As a patient of the Riverside Practice you are welcome to attend the Riverside Patients Associations meetings. They are usually held the first Tuesday of the month at the practice at 6.30pm.

You will be made welcome.

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Newslink is published in collaboration with The Riverside Practice.

Items or article for inclusion should be sent to:

The Editor of the Newslink c/o The Riverside Practice.

Next issue due April 1st 2010

Articles due date March 12th 2010 entry subject to practice acceptance.

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