The newsletter for Churchill and Ching Way Patient participation Group
No 5- October 2013
Introduction
Welcome to our fifth newsletter. The summer has now given way to autumn and we can expect dark evenings and cold weather again. The colds and flu season will shortly be upon us and the practice has started providing flu vaccinations from the end of September. During the summer we were able to learn more about the changes taking place in the NHS when the patient engagement officers came to our patient meeting. This was very helpful and informative particularly in answering queries about the new setup.
The patient awareness week was held in the beginning of June and we were able to meet many patients to explain about our PPG and PRG. The NAPP annual conference was most interesting with many suggestions about improving the service we receive from the practice. More information on the conference and patient awareness week is available on www.napp.org.uk.
Finally it is again time for our annual patient survey and please do participate whether you are happy with the service or not. After all, it is the only way to keep improving our health care.
Community Information
· South Chingford Community Library. (Thanks to Barbara Peck)
The Library was opened in April 2012 by local MP Ian Duncan-Smith and has the support of our local councillors. Boris Johnson also visited the library on the opening day and donated a set of reference books which are now available at the library.
To begin with the Library opened on Saturdays from 10.00 am to 4.p.m and this was soon increased to Wednesday 10.00am to 4pm closely followed by a Thursday 10.00am to 4pm. This was made possible by our excellent volunteers, who enjoy what they are doing whilst getting to know the community and providing a much needed service, making the library is a fun place to be.
We are not funded by the council and have to fund the library ourselves, although Larkswood, Valley and Endlebury Wards have given us funds in the past.
The library could best be described as a community hub, a welcoming space where members of the communitycome to get books, read the papers, advertise local communityevents, use the internet or wifi, print documents or just get information and have a chat. It is the only non-denominational general meeting place in South Chingfordwhich is not a public house so everyone is welcome.
We have an average footfall of between 60 and 80 per session, and run a range of activities, such as job clubs, advice sessions and children and toddler groups.
We plan to introduce more sessions in future (a full range of current and future activities is available on request)
We would welcome suggestions on incorporating health care, particularly preventative medicine into our library.
· E4 Heat or Eat (Thanks to Paul Davis & Julia Adam)
Chingford Churches are supporting a local food bank, which has been open since July 2013. This is linked to the Walthamstow food bank, and was opened in response to increasing numbers of Chingford residents facing austerity crises.
In order to ensure that only those genuinely in need are given help, eligible people must be referred by a responsible body, such as from their church, social services, GPs, Old Folks clubs, CAB, schools, or children centres . The food bank is intended to provide help in the short term, such as sudden job loss, delayed benefits, disasters such as fire or flood etc. Food is provided for 3days per week, for 3 weeks, which may be extended through additional referral.
The service is run by volunteers, from South Chingford Congregational church, Hampton Road E4, but is not open on any set days at present. As well as food, some toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap and toilet rolls are also provided. Besides the donations of food, strong carrier bags, animal food and volunteers are needed. Financial donations are also welcome.
More information is available from Julia on 07970 542852 or Gary on 07841476567.
What’s new in practice
· A coffee morning was held in the Paradox Centre, Ching Way on Friday 27th Sept 2013 in aid of McMillan Nurses, and raised £221.04p. Many thanks to the organiser Debbie Brown, and to those who provided cakes and helped on the day.
· Flu vaccine clinics started on 21st September. Please book your appointment
· One – off shingles vaccine is available until March 2014. This is only available for patients aged 70 AND 79 years at present
· One off pneumonia vaccine is also available.
· 2 new doctors had been appointed- Dr Matthew Dearing to work at Churchill and Dr Kam Seehra at Ching Way.
· A new nurse Gloria Joseph has also been appointed and will work on both sites.
· The patient survey form is now available on-line and at reception on both sites. Please take a few minutes to fill this in.
· Missed appointments- please remember to cancel if you no longer want your appointment. Text reminders are being sent out so please give your mobile phone number to reception staff. The practice team is monitoring lost appointments and letters are sent to continuous offenders
Healthy Recipe (thanks to J. Cobb)
Crunchy Breakfast Cereal
4 large handfuls of oatmeal
1 large handful coconut
1 small handful flaked millet
1 large handful mixed nuts
1 large handful brown sugar
3 desert spoons of honey
1 desert spoon of sunflower oil
You can add sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ if liked.
Mix all ingredients together and put in a lightly oiled tin and cook at gas 4 for about 20 minutes until brown and crunchy. Turn once during cooking. When cool add raisons or dried apricot. Store in an air tight container.
Add milk and fresh fruit and enjoy!
Meet the Practice Team.
· Dr Johra Alam- GP partner
I joined the practice in 2003 as a GP trainee and have been here ever since! Over the years, I have taken on many roles within the practice and in the local health authority, now better known as Waltham Forest CCG.
As a practice, we have a strong commitment to training future doctors. I am one of six trainers in the practice and take part in training the qualified doctors who join us for up to 18 months to complete their GP training. I also teach medical students who attend the practice from Barts and the London Medical School. I have recently taken up the role of programme director overseeing the GP training at Whipps Cross Hospital and the local GP training practices.
I have a clinical interest in diabetes and work closely with the local hospital diabetes doctors and our practice diabetes nurse in delivering the more specialised elements of diabetes care within the surgery for our patients.
· Vaida Klimaviciute;
I started working for Churchill Medical Centre in July 2012 as a Temporary Receptionist and I am now working as Service Support Representative. Before I joined Churchill Medical Centre I was working in Hospitality for over 10 years where I have gained lots of skills and experience working with customers.
As Service Support Representative I provide administrative support to the Practice Business & Operations Manager and the Administrative Team (QOF Admin). I am also updating and maintaining personnel files, taking minutes in the meetings, liaising with suppliers and many other tasks.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, going swimming, yoga and cooking.
Meet the Patient Group- Jean Cobb
My name is Jean Cobb and I moved to Chingford 47 years ago when I married. I have had 3 children. As a trained nurse I worked for many years at Chingford Hospital and Ainslie rehab unit as a bank staff nurse. I have also been play group leader and for a brief spell a practice nurse (not at this practice). So I can see things from both sides.
I have always been interested in craft work, and after 2 carpal tunnel operations (by Dr Singer) have been able to return to knitting. Now retired, I run two knitting groups for South Chingford Community Library, where I volunteer two days a week. I was invited to join the Patients Participation Group 6 months ago by the mother of my friend and neighbour. I believe our health is our responsibility as well as the Doctor’s, and the Practice needs feed back on the service they give so that both sides can benefit. So it is no good you whingeing but not speaking up
Contact details and PPG meeting dates & times
If you would like to find out more about the Bridge group or the patient reference group, please check the practice website on www.churchillmedicalcentre.co.uk
Or telephone Sylvia on 020 8364 4340 (leave a message if no-one is there)
Alternatively come to our monthly meeting, meet friendly people and have a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Our meetings are held alternately at Ching Way from 1.30- 3.00pm and at Churchill from 5.30- 7.30pm. Please contact Sylvia for dates ( email as below)
Surgery Information
Opening times:At Churchill Medical Centre : Monday 08:00 – 20:00
Tue - Fri 08:00 – 18:30
At Ching Way Medical Centre: Mon, Tue, Wed 08:00 –18:30 ;
Thurs 08:00 – 20:00
Fri 08:00 – 18:30
You can call the surgery on 020 8430 7020
The surgery reception is open from 8 am at both sites
Surgery times are as follows:
At Churchill Medical Centre: At Ching Way Medical Centre:
ROUTINE CLINICS ROUTINE CLINICS
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 11:00 Mon – Fri 09:00 – 11:00 am
Mon(late) (pm) 16:30 – 19:30 Tue/Wed/Fri 14:30 – 17:00
Tue - Fri (pm) 15:00 – 17:30 Thurs(late) – 17:00 – 19:30
We do not close for lunch and we do not have a half day closure.
Outside of surgery opening times; please call 111
(NB – if you have more than 1 problem to discuss with the doctor or nurse,
please consider making a double appointment)
Please Note : The practice now sends out text messages to patients to remind them of their appointments, sending invites and occasionally some information about the practice. If you do not wish to receive text messages from the practice please inform the reception.
The next newsletter will be issued in January 2014: please send any contributions to