The Spires Practice

THE SPIRES PRACTICE

NEWSLETTER

September 2015

New staff
Dr Tim Ireson, GP Registrar, joined the practice in July.
Sister Susan Webb, Nurse Practitioner joined us in May.
New receptionists have joined us:
Holly at the St Chads Health Centre in Lichfield
Mandy at Burntwood Branch Surgery
Persons collecting prescriptions on your behalf
Please note that you are required to complete and sign a consent form if you want to allow someone else to collect prescriptions on your behalf.
Ask a receptionist for a consent form.
Spires Practice Reference
and INteraction Group (SPRING)
Would you be interested in joining our patient group which we have formed to ensure that our patients are involved in decisions about the range and quality of services we provide? This is a ‘virtual’ group, the members of which communicate with the practice via email from time to time. If you’re interested in joining, please ask reception for a form.
Patient on-line Access
Patients who have registered for on-line service can now have access to a summary of their medical record containing information regarding medications, allergies, adverse reactions & vaccinations.
If you do not already use this service did you know that you can order repeat prescriptions and book selected appointments on line?
For further information or to request a password please ask at reception. Photographic proof of ID will be required for access.
You have a Named GP
From 1st April 2015, all GP practices are contractually required to allocate a named, accountable GP to all their patients (including children). Individual patients are informed at the first appropriate interaction at the practice. This does not prevent you from making an appointment with any of the GP’s available at the practice.
Summary Care Records(SCR)
NHS England is now using an electronic record called the Summary Care Record (SCR), which is being used to support patient care.
Your SCR contains important information about any medicines you are taking, any allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines that you have previously experienced.
Allowing authorised healthcare providers to have access to this information will improve decision making by doctors/healthcare professionals and prevent mistakes being made when patients are being cared for in an emergency or when their GP practice is closed.
Your SCR will also include your name, address, date of birth and your NHS Number to help identify you correctly. It is very important that you keep us up to date , if anything changes, i.e. your name, address or telephone numbers, etc.,
You can however, choose to opt out of having your SCR being shared by letting us know and completing an ‘opt out’ form. These forms are available at reception and further information is displayed around our waiting rooms.
Information can only be viewed by professionals directly involved in your care e.g. hospital. Staff will always ask you for your permission for accessing this information, every time they need to use it.
Annual Reviews
If you suffer with a chronic disease i.e. Asthma, COPD, Heart disease etc., Please remember to book an appointment in your Birthday month to have your annual health check. Please note you don’t need to wait for your reminder letter to book this appointment.
Shingles Vaccine
Are you eligible for the Shingles Vaccine?
If you are 70yrs old with a birthdate between
2/9/1943 and 1/9/1944 and 78 or 79 with Birthdays between 2/9/1934 and 1/9/1936
Sessions are now available please book an appointment with the Nurse / Flu Vaccinations are now available
Don’t let the flu bug get you this year!
Those eligible for a free flu vaccination please get in touch. Receptionists are now taking bookings.
If you care for someone you are entitled for a free flu vaccination also.
NHS 111
You should use this number if you need medical help or advice urgently but only if you do not have a life threatening situation. NHS 111 is available 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. Calls directly to 111 are free from a landline or mobile phone.
If you feel your problem could be life threatening emergency please call 999.
Did you know you can book a double appointment?
All of our GP appointments are normally 10 minutes long. If you feel you might need more time, please ask reception to book you a double appointment.
Booking Appointments
In the last couple of months we have changed our appointment booking system and the changes have been well received. Whilst ‘routine’ appointments with the doctor of your choice can be booked as least 6 weeks in advance, we also keep ‘on the day’ appointments available for more urgent issues. This can be with any GP or with a Nurse Practitioner.
We have surgeries at both Lichfield and Burntwood – if you’re unable to get an appointment at your usual surgery, the doctors would be happy to see you at the other one.
If you know you need a routine appointment book it as soon as you can to ensure you can be seen at a convenient time.
Late Night Surgeries
We currently offer late surgeries from 6.30pm on alternate Wednesday’s & Thursday’s at Lichfield and Burntwood, at which both GP and a Practice Nurse will be available.
Burntwood Health Centre
Many residents of Burnwood will be aware that Greenwood House (the old residential home on Lichfield Road) has been considered as a site for a new Health Centre in Burntwood.
Both practices (Spires & Fulfen) situated in Burntwood Health Centre at Hudson Drive are well aware of the limitations of the current building. This includes the age of the building, maintenance requirements, shortage of space and lack of parking facilities.
Both practices, as well as Staffordshire County Council (who own Greenwood House) and NHS England have been working together and have been discussing how to move a new development forward. Plans have been drawn up and are ready for implementation.
We are still waiting for final approval by the county council and NHS England, and although we are optimistic, decisions could still go “either way”
Friends and Family Test (FFT)
From 1st December 2014, along with all other GP Practices, we introduced the ‘Friends and Family Test’. The questions are quick to complete.
When answering the questions please think about every part of your experience, from your initial contact with us, arriving at the surgery and booking in, to receiving your care or treatment.
Patients are encouraged to complete the test by filling in a slip when you visit the surgery. The post box and slips are readily available at reception.
If you already receive text message reminders about your appointment, you may also receive the friends and family test by text also.
New Practice Website
A new Practice Website has just been launched replacing the old one. This will be more informative. Our aim is to keep our patients as up to date as possible with any changes within the current health climate.
The website address will remain the same:
www.spires-practice.co.uk