Creech Medical Centre
Hyde Lane,
Creech St Michael
Taunton TA3 5FA
Tel: 01823 442357
PATIENT NEWSLETTER
AUTUMN 2017
In this Issue:
Have you recently missed an appointment at the surgery
New Email Address
New Telephone System
Report from the Practice Manager
Report from the PPG Chair
New Evening & Weekend GP Services
NEW “OneYou Programme”
Protect Yourself From Flu
Do you need Care and Support to help you to continue to live at Home?
NEW Somerset Carers Service
Getting to a Hospital or Medical Appointment – Patient Transport
Friends and Family Test
Patient On-line Group
Opening Times:
We are open from 8.30am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday. The surgery can be contacted from 8.00am in the morning by phone on 07850 202295 but only for emergency calls that will not wait until 8.30am. We are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
New Telephone System Coming Soon...... We are in discussions regarding upgrading our telephone system and the way we manage calls. We hope to have a new system installed in the New Year which will improve the efficiency of our call handling. We hope this will be a seamless transition for patients
Report from the Practice Manager
We have a new Healthcare Assistant (HCA), Alison Deakin who is working 4 mornings per week. Alison is a very experienced healthcare professional who has taken over some sessions from our existing HCA, Jodie Warren. Jodie has reduced her hours to 1 morning per week. This means we now have HCA cover for 5 mornings per week, creating more blood test appointment availability which should help to reduce waiting times.
Following the departure of former Receptionist, Gemma Hodges, we have recruited two new Receptionists, Jenny Dalgren and Amy Wood, who start in October. Please be patient whilst they go through their training.
Bereavement Support:
If someone you know is dying or has recently died, it can be hard to find the support you need. Sue Ryder can provide information, advice and helpful support online. When facing the death of a loved one, you might be feeling overwhelmed and wondering what to expect; you can find out what you need to know online as well as an online community which helps you to connect with others who have experienced a similar loss and understanding. Talking to others who know what you are going through can be invaluable and it allows you to help each other through your difficult times. For more information as well as access to the online bereavement community, simply visit:
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLU THIS YEAR
IF YOU HAVEN’T HAD YOUR FLU VACCINATION YET AND YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE VACCINATION Please telephone the surgery to book an appointment with the Practice Nurse.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE?
IF YOU ARE:
-Age65 or over
- Pregnant
- Suffer from a chronic serious medical condition such as:
. diabetes
. heart disease
-respiratory disease
(eg asthma or COPD)
- kidney or liver disease,
- have a weakened immune system
- have a BMI over 40
- are a registered carer
YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A FREE FLU VACCINATION.
*Children aged 2-3 are also eligible for a nasal flu vaccination from their surgery
Please call Creech Medical Centre 01823 442357 Mon-Fri after 10am to book an appointment.
What is Flu and How Do I Treat It?
Flu is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes. It can be very unpleasant, but you'll usually begin to feel better within about a week.
You can catch flu– short for influenza– all year round, but it's especially common in winter, which is why it's also known as "seasonal flu".
It'snot the same asthe common cold. Flu is caused by a different group of viruses and the symptomstend to start more suddenly, bemore severe andlast longer.
Some of the main symptoms offluinclude:
- a high temperature (fever)of 38C (100.4F) or above
- tiredness and weakness
- aheadache
- general aches and pains
- a dry, chestycough
Cold-like symptoms– such as a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and asore throat – can also be caused by flu, but they tend to be less severe than the other symptoms you have.
Flu can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you haveto stay in bed and restuntil you feelbetter.
Read more about the symptoms of flu.
What to do
If you're otherwise fit and healthy, there's usually no need to see a doctor if youhave flu-like symptoms.
The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You cantake paracetamol or ibuprofento lower a high temperature and relieve aches if necessary.
Stay off work or school until you're feeling better. For most people, this will take about a week.
Will I need to see my GP?
Consider visiting your GP if:
- you're 65 years of age or over
- you're pregnant
- you have a long-term medical condition–such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease,kidney diseaseor aneurological disease
- you have a weakened immune system–for example, because you're having chemotherapy orhave HIV
- you develop chest pain, shortness of breathor difficulty breathing, or start coughing up blood
- yoursymptoms are getting worse over time or haven't improved after a week (cont. Over)
In these situations, you may needmedicationto treat or prevent complications of flu. Your doctor may recommend taking antiviral medicine to reduce your symptoms and help you recover more quickly.
Read more about antiviral medication for flu.
How long does flu last and is it serious?
If youhaveflu, you generallystart tofeel ill within a few days ofbeing infected.
You should begin to feel much betterwithin a week or so, although you may feel tired for much longer.
You will usually be mostinfectiousfrom theday yoursymptoms startand for a furtherthree to seven days. Children and people with weaker immune systems may remain infectious for longer.
Most people will make a full recovery and won't experience any further problems, but elderlypeopleandpeoplewith certain long-term medical conditions are morelikely to havea bad case offlu or developa serious complication, such as a chest infection.
Read more about the complications of flu.
How you catch flu
The flu virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes.
These droplets typically spread about one metre. They hang suspended in the air for a while before landing on surfaces, where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours.
Anyone who breathes in the droplets can catch flu. You can also catch the virus by touching the surfaces that thedroplets have landed onifyoupick up the virus on your hands and then touch yournose or mouth.
Everyday items at home and in public places can easily become contaminated withthe flu virus, including food, door handles, remote controls, handrails, telephone handsetsand computer keyboards. Therefore, it's important to wash your hands frequently.
You can catch flu many times, because flu viruses change regularly and your body won't have natural resistance to the new versions.
Preventing the spread of flu
You can help stop yourself catching fluor spreading it to others with good hygiene measures.
Alwayswash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, as well as:
- regularly cleaning surfacessuch asyour computer keyboard, telephone and door handlesto get rid of germs
- using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- putting used tissues in a bin as soon as possible
You can also help stop the spread of flu by avoiding unnecessary contact with other people while you're infectious. You should stay off work or school until you're feeling better.
In some people at risk of more serious flu, an annual flu vaccine (see below) or antiviral medication may be recommended to help reduce the risk of becoming infected.
Read more about how to stop the spread of flu.
The flu vaccine
A flu vaccine is available for free on the NHS for:
- anyone over the age of 65
- pregnant women
- children and adults with an underlying health condition (particularly long-term heart or lung disease)
- children and adults with weakened immune systems
An annual flu vaccine nasal spray is also offered to healthy children aged two and three, and to children in reception class and school years one, two, three and four.
The best time to have the vaccine is in the autumn, from the beginning of October to early November. If you think you might need it, contact the surgery.
You should have the flu vaccination every year so you stay protected, as the viruses that cause flu change every year.
For more information on who should have the fluvaccine and how to get it,read the sections on the flu jab for adults, the flu jab for pregnant women andthe children's flu vaccine.
***FRIENDS AND FAMILY TEST***
Just a reminder about the “Friends and Family Test”. To give us your opinions on the practice.
PLEASE COLLECT A SURVEY FORM FROM THE RECEPTION DESK OR SEE THE PRACTICE WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS: