September 2017 Newsletter
Flu Clinics
If you have visited the Practice recently you will notice that we are now promoting our annual flu clinics for eligible patients. This is an important step for helping to protect your health during the winter season.
Current clinic dates are:
20 September
28 September
6 October
11 October
Patients eligible for this free vaccination include:
- Those aged over 65 years
- Children aged 2 and 3 years (older children will be vaccinated as part of the local schools provision)
- Patients with long term medical conditions
- Pregnant women
- Patients with caring responsibilities
Please ask at Reception or give us a call to book an appointment.
Please note that these clinics are only suitable for adult vaccinations. Child vaccinations are anticipated for delivery in late September and we will update our website and waiting room communications as soon as child flu clinics are available.
For more information see the Flu Clinics section of our patient information page.
Patient Feedback
A big thank you to all of our patients who provide feedback via our Friends and Family test, Practice Feedback forms and verbally or in writing either as a compliment of complaint! This is valuable to the Practice to ensure we are meeting our aim to provide quality care to our patients. The Friends and Family test is also available to complete on-line
Pharmacy First
Your local pharmacist can provide help, advice and dispense medication for a wide range of ailments. We advise our patients to consult with their pharmacist first for common problems as a GP appointment is not always necessary to treat them. More information about Pharmacy services will be featured in future newsletters. They form an easily accessible and additional service for your general and winter care needs.
Nursing Team
Nurse Prendegast has recently left the Practice to pursue another role. In addition Nurse Davenport is currently away long term sick and Nurse appointments are therefore limited at the moment. A new part-time Nurse has been recruited and will be joining us later in the month. In the meantime we appreciate your patience and co-operation whilst we have limited Nurse capacity.
MenACWY Vaccination
Were you born between 1 September 1998 and 31 August 1999? Are you leaving school or college? The MenACWY is an important vaccine to protect you against meningitis and septicaemia. It is being offered to teenagers and first time college and university students who haven’t already had the vaccination. All our of eligible patients have been sent a letter inviting them to attend for vaccination. However it is important to remind patients not to ignore this opportunity.
Meningitis is a serious disease which can be life-threatening or leave patients with long term medical problems. The signs and symptoms are:
- Pale, blotchy skin with or without a rash
- Severe headache or muscle pains
- Dislike of bright lights
- Stiff neck
- Convulsions / seizures
- Fever, cold hands and feet
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Drowsiness, difficult to wake up
- Feeling really ill
Not everyone will develop these symptoms and they can appear in any order. If you, an adult or child develop symptoms you should seek urgent medical advice. Further information is available on the NHS website.