Newsletter October 2017

This newsletter is prepared by the Patient Participation Group of the Axminster Medical Practice.

Successful Patient & Practice Collaboration / On-line prescription ordering - frees time for the Dispensary to concentrate on getting prescriptions ready for collection.
/ The new process for ordering repeat prescriptions is working very well.
A huge thank you to all patients who have worked with the practice to ensure that this change in process has worked so efficiently.
The Dispensary now has more time to focus on patient enquires and to the preparation of medications ready for collection.
Getting GP appointments easier by year-end.
/ During the Summer and Autumn, you may have noticed that there were lessappointments available with GPs and sometimes in urgent situations you may have had to see a different Doctor. These shortages have been caused by difficulties in filling vacancies after Dr. Mount retired due to ill health and Dr. Allen remains on long- term sick leave. The practice is doing its best to cover vacancies and would like to thank Patients for their understanding. Urgent cases will be seen, please be prepared to give the receptionists details regarding your need to see a GP urgently. Your conversations are confidential and will help the receptionists to allocate you an appointment efficiently.
If you experience any issues, please do not hesitate to speak to Linda Coombs the Practice Manager.
/ Winter 2017 Vaccination Campaign Underway – Make your appointment NOW!
Protect yourselves & those around you.
All of the following information is derived from the NHS website .
/ Pneumonia vaccine –for patients over 65 and those at risk. This is an important vaccine that normally requires only 1 injection. People over 65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination,which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab.
People with a long-term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination, depending on their underlying health problem.
/ Shingles vaccine– there is currently a national campaign that allowsseveral age groups to get the vaccination free of charge until April 1st 2018. Shingles is debilitating and painful and it is recommended that you get vaccinated. Some people are left with pain lastingfor years after the initial rash has healed.
It's fine to have the shingles vaccine if you've already had shingles.The shingles vaccine works very well in people who have had shingles before and it will boost your immunity against further shingles attacks.
/ Flu shot-This is offered free of charge on the NHSto people who are at risk. This isto ensure they are protected againstcatching flu and developing serious complications.
You are eligible to receive a freeflujab if you:
  • Are 65 years of age or over
  • are pregnant
  • have certain medical conditions
  • are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
  • receive acarer's allowance, or you arethe main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill

/ Meningitis ACWY– Teenagers born between 1st. Sept 1998 & 31st August 1999 need to be vaccinated against this life threatening and disabling disease. Eligible patients should have received 2 letters by now – Please help us by following up with your older children and getting them vaccinated.
/ Feedback – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
Please tell the Practice what you think about the service you receive. In order to be fully prepared for the next inspection of our Practice it is important that plenty of feedback is available. Please complete oneof the feedback forms, which are available at reception. Please tell us:What is good, what could be done better etc. Thank you!
/ Another way to collect feedback is via the Friends and Family survey – on the website click on Have your say and you will find a survey – Please complete it, The surgery is for us so please speak up. Thanks

/ Contact or Join the PPG - If you would like to join the PPG group, or have opinions you would like to share, please contact
Secretary – Suzie McFadzean –
Chairperson – Shelagh Fearnley –

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October 2017 Newsletter SMcF