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The Willows Medical Centre Newsletter

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

FROM THE WILLOWS STAFF

Free NHS prescriptions - Do you qualify?

Form FP92A Application for prescription charge exemption certificate

People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption certificate.
You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:

·  a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance;

·  a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential;

·  diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism;

·  diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone;

·  hypoparathyroidism;

·  myasthenia gravis;

·  myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement);

·  epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy;

·  a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person; or

·  cancer and are undergoing treatment for:
- cancer;
- the effects of cancer; or,
- the effects of cancer treatment.

You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free .For more information go to: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/HelpWithHealthCosts.aspx

COHENS PHARMACY AT THE WILLOWS MEDICAL CENTRE

DID YOU KNOW, YOUR PHARMACY IS THERE TO HELP

If you have a minor ailment you might not have to see your doctor.

If you are exempt from prescriptions charges, you might be able to get medicine from COHENS for FREE, today, without an appointment!

Treatments available for FREE, go and see your COHENS pharmacy!

THE SCHEME COVERS:

SORE THROATS, ATHLETE’S FOOT, FEVER, COLD SORES, THREADWORMS, THRUSH, BLOCKED NOSE, BITES AND STINGS, EARACHE, TEETHING, HAY FEVER AND SPRAINS.

HOW TO REQUEST A PRESCRIPTION

WE DO NOT ISSUE PRESCRIPTIONS OVER THE TELEPHONE, UNLESS, A DOCTOR HAS AGREED THIS, IF A PATIENT IS HOUSEBOUND

We require the script in writing for audit purposes- THANK YOU

To order a prescription you can:

Register for On-Line – ask for a registration form at reception – Check out the website

By email – - we DO NOT reply to requests. It is the patients responsibility to follow up any queries you may have.

Back of the prescription – Please complete the counterfoil on the back of your prescription

On reception desk – Please complete the white requisition on reception desk

REMINDER 48 HOURS FOR A PRESCRIPTION

Please remember to allow 48 hours for your prescription to be ready at the reception or the Pharmacy that you have chosen to dispense your medication.

DRY JANUARY CAMPAIGN 2016

Dry January is your chance to ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline and save some serious £££s by giving up alcohol for 31 days.

Officially it starts on Friday 1st January 2016, which is when most people ditch the booze. Or you can wait until after the weekend or when you’re back to work on Monday 4th.

There are so many benefits of taking part:

Better sleep

More energy

Weight loss

Time not sleeping off a hangover

The sense of achievement for finishing your month

The realisation that you’re actually just as awesome without alcohol

And think of the money you’ll save

Dry January means that you won’t drink any alcohol for the whole month of January.

When you’re replacing alcohol with something else, it’s perfectly OK to drink alcohol-free beer or alcohol free wine. Many people find they have the same “feel “of drinking, but without the booze (and they’re much better than they used to be). Be careful though, it has to be alcohol-free, not “low alcohol” which is still made with alcohol and therefore a no-go for the month.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HARM ASSOCIATED WITH DRINKING ALCOHOL, PLEASE MAK AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR GP.

Negative news stories about statins linked to people discontinuing treatment

Negative news stories about statins are linked to some peoplediscontinuing their treatment, increasing their risk of heart attacks and dying from heart disease, according to research.

The study, published in the European Heart Journal, shows that for every negative nationwide news story about the cholesterol-lowering drug, there was a nine per cent increased risk of people deciding to stop taking statinswithin six months of first being prescribed the drug.

The researchers from Denmarkidentified 674,900 people, aged 40 and older, who were using statins between 1995 and 2010, and considered nearly 2,000 statin-related media stories over the same period.

Statins are the most commonly prescribed medicines in the UK and they work to lower the level of cholesterol in your blood.

Statins reduce risk of heart attack or stroke

Commenting on the study,our Medical Director,Professor Peter Weissberg, said: “This interesting study raises important questions about how people make decisions that affect their health and the consequences of those decisions. It is important for patients that their doctors base their advice on objective interpretation of the best evidence available rather than biased reports in the lay and medical press.

“Everyone is influenced to a certain degree by the media and this study emphasises why it is important that medical professionals, in particular, should be guided by the scientific evidence rather than opinion. Thanks to donations from the UK public, BHF-funded research has provided very strong and clear evidence that statins reduce the risk of someone dying from or being disabled by a heart attack or stroke.”

Are statins safe?

Statins are one of the most studied medicines available and research has shown them to be very safe and very effective. But it is only natural to have concerns about medication, particularly when there is significant negative media coverage – particularly about possible side effects.

Check The Willows website for more information From British Heart Foundation

BRADFORD AND AIREDALE

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCAY GROUP

Are you a service user or carer who has contacted the First Response Service?

The Link Project – Bradford & Airedale would like to hear your views !!!

The Link Project is a mental health advocacy group

Have your say and CALL them on 01274 770118 OR email

FREE ADVICE SERVICE – BENEFIT ADVICE SUPPORT

South Bradford Community Network provides a FREE ADVICE SERVICE in relationship to Debt and Welfare benefits, to people in the South Bradford area.

They have appointments at The Willows Surgery and drop-in sessions in Queensbury.

The Advice team can...

Provide Benefit Checks, Advice on Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support,

Disability Living Allowance, Council Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Carers Allowance, Assist with Debt Problems

They also:

Negotiate with Creditors

Help with Filling in Forms

Assist the Reassessment of your Claim

Review Benefits That Have Been Refused

Home Visits for the Housebound

If you have concerns about your ability to repay your debts we can help. With over 10 years experience of giving free debt advice in theSouth Bradford areawe will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

Call the Advice team on 01274 201389 or visit their website www.sbcn.org.uk/debt-management

WHAT IS THE NHS FRIENDS AND FAMILY TESTS

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR SURGERY – YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT

The NHS wants to ensure that you have the best possible experience of care.

The NHS Friends and Family Test is a way of gathering your feedback about your experience so we can make improvement to our services.

Your feedback will help us learn more about what you think about our service – what you like and what you think we could improve. Ultimately you’re helping us to make changes that will improve our services.

You don’t have to give your name or contact details, you can if you chose and we might get in touch to find out a little bit more about your feedback. If you need support when completing the question then a volunteer may be available to help you.

Patient Participation Group (PPG).

The PPG aims to represent the views of the wider patient community and works closely with both practices to understand how they work, communicate our experiences and give feedback.

Ø  Are you a patient with a few thoughts on improving the practice?

Ø  Would you like to be involved in events?

Ø  Do you feel it is important to put across the patient perspective?

Ø  Would you like to influence the development of services?

If so, we would like to hear from you! Please ask to speak to Cathy Gribble

CARERS RESOURCE

Your surgery would like to support you in your caring role by putting you in touch with the Carers Resource – an independent and confidential specialist service for unpaid carers.

Whether you have been caring for someone for a long time, or have just become a carer, it is important to know what support is available for you.

If you look after someone, please remember to:

Tell your GP that you are a carer

Ask if your GP or reception staff for a leaflets which may help you in your caring role.

If you prefer, you can contact Carers Resource direct on 01274 449660.

Carers Resource, Unit 15 Park View Court, St Pauls Road, Shipley, BD13 3DZ

STAY WELL THIS WINTER

Get ready for winter - Winter conditions can be seriously bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 or over, and people with long-term conditions.
We want to help protect you and those you care for.
Winter health advice

Cold weather doesn't have to go hand in hand with illness. Here are some simple things you can do to help yourself stay well this winter.

Keep warm – this may help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia.

Eat well – food gives you energy, which helps to keep you warm. So, try to have regular hot meals and drinks throughout the day.

Get a flu jab – flu vaccination is offered free of charge to people who are at risk, pregnant women, carers and some young children to ensure that they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications.

Find more winter health advice

Common winter illnesses

Colds – to ease the symptoms of a cold, drink plenty of fluids and try to rest. Steam inhalation and vapour rubs can also help. Prevent colds from spreading by washing your hands thoroughly, cleaning surfaces regularly and always sneeze and cough into tissues, throwing them away after use.
Sore throats – a sore throat is almost always caused by a viral infection, such as a cold. Try not to eat or drink anything that’s too hot, as this could further irritate your throat; cool or warm drinks and cool, soft foods should go down easier.
Asthma – a range of weather-related triggers can set off asthma symptoms, including cold air. Covering your nose and mouth with a warm scarf when you’re out can help.
Norovirus – this is also known as the winter vomiting bug, although it can cause diarrhoea too. The main thing to do to is drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can also take paracetamol for any aches, pains or fever.
Flu – if you’re 65 or over, have a long-term health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease, flu can be life-threatening, so it’s important to seek help early. However, if you’re generally fit and healthy, the best treatment is to rest, stay warm and drink plenty of water.

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Ask your pharmacist -Pharmacists are expert in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.

See your family doctor - GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Visit an urgent care service - Visit a walk-in centre, minor injuries unit or urgent care centre if you have a minor illness or injury (infections, vomiting and stomach aches) and it can't wait until your GP surgery is open. These urgent care services are often managed by nurses and some also have doctors. You don't need an appointment and they are open outside office hours.

Accident and Emergency - A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Call 999 in an emergency e g: Chest pains and / or shortness of breath

TRAINING DAYS 2016 – We will be closed from 12noon until 6pm

BANK HOLIDAYS 2016 – We are Closed ALL DAY

When the surgery is closed, our system will direct you to the Out of Hours Service.

If you need medical help fast, but it's NOT 999 EMERGENCY, please ring NHS 111.

January 2016