MUNRO MEDICAL CENTRE NEWSLETTER SPRING 2023
Welcome to the Practice Newsletter. In it you will find some useful information, especially if you are not able to use a computer. However, there are references to important websites and it might be useful if you have a friend or relative who could gain access to the relevant information for you.
Flu and Covid Vaccination
Now we have changed the clocks and the days are getting shorter, have you thought about protecting yourself from the flu and covid viruses. All patients over the age of 65 are eligible, along with a group of patients aged between 18 and 64 with underlying health conditions, health and social care workers and patients who are immunosuppressed and their household members. If you think you are in any of these categories, please contact the surgery to book your appointment.
Children aged between 2-3 years are eligible for a nasal flu vaccination, please contact the Care Navigator Team to book an appointment, and protect them this season.
All primary school children (from Reception to Year 6) are also eligible for a nasal flu vaccination and will be offered this via their school. If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s school regarding this.
Shingles Vaccination
There has been much information in the press regarding the shingles vaccination programme which has seen some changes this autumn….
From 1 September 2023, patients who turn 65 year old will be eligible for the shingles vaccine. If you turned 65 before this date, you will be eligible for your shingles vaccine when you are 70 years of age. . You will be offered two doses of the vaccine, which need to be given 6-12 month apart. The practice will be inviting patients who are currently eligible.
For further information Shingles vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Clinicians
We shall be welcoming Dr Oluwatosin back to the practice in December following her maternity leave.
Dr Marcus will be staying with us to continue his final year studies in GP training, Dr Solomon will remain with us for two days a week from December 2023 and we shall be joined by another Registrar Dr Nwoji Chidera.
Reception
If you want simple advice from your doctor, self help information or an administrative request (such as a sick note or test result) You can submit an online query via the eConsult banner on our website. This is a very effective way of communicating with the practice. Please give it a try!
Dispensary
Secretaries
Private Referrals
You should contact the Private Provider directly to book an appointment, you don’t need a referral from your GP. If you have Private Medical Insurance, you should check with your insurer before you proceed. If a private insurer requests a GP referral, this would be classed as non-NHS work, and thus the private company can be levied a charge for this.
If a private provider requires medical information, this can be provided by supplying copies of hospital letters received by yourself or by sharing your medical records via the NHS app or online medical records system. Alternatively, you can make a SAR request to obtain a free of charge printed summary of your medical record. This is dealt with by the Data Department at the Practice.
If a private provider requests more information from the surgery, this can be provided, following consent, and the cost of preparing the report can be charged to the private provider.
NHS Referrals
If you have been referred to the hospital, this may have been sent via the Elective Activity Coordination Hub (EACH). They work on behalf of GP Practices in Lincolnshire and encourage patients to contact them first rather than your GP, if you have any questions or issues you would like to discuss about your referral. If you have any queries, you can also contact them by email at [email protected] or on 01522 309500 Monday-Friday 8am – 8pm (excluding bank holidays).
Primary Care Network (PCN)
Enhanced Access
From 25/11/23 we will be seeing patients within our ‘Enhanced Access’ service on Saturday mornings. This service will be operated from our Pinchbeck branch. Patients will still be able to access our remote GP service, ‘Push Dr’ on Saturday afternoons. These are pre-bookable services only, with appointments available 1 week in advance.
Sleepstation
We have introduced a new service within our Primary Care Network. Sleepstation is a clinically validated sleep improvement and insomnia course. It is web-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi). Delivered entirely online, and carefully tailored to each individual, Sleepstation helps people sleep better and overcome insomnia without medication. CBTi is the recommended first line treatment for insomnia. There is a criterion to meet to be accepted into this service and patients can be referred via our Health and Wellbeing coach.
Friends and Family Test Results for October
Friends and family test results demonstrate our patients rate their overall experience as ‘very good’. We appreciate all feedback received, it enables us to listen and learn from your views, to enable us to shape the future of your local practice.
Patient Participation Group (PPG)
You may be aware of our “friends of the surgery” group. (PPG). We are currently trying to re-establish this after the covid pandemic. The group is currently “virtual” receiving a copy of the quarterly practice newsletter and advised of any upcoming changes to the services offered and their feedback is welcomed. If you think you might be interested in getting involved in the group, please email [email protected]
National Practice Survey
The national patient survey results have been reviewed and we are really pleased with the results. However, we have discussed and assessed the areas of satisfaction and feedback. 66% of patients felt they were satisfied with the appointment times available, however, to improve these further and become even more accessible, some face to face appointments are going to be be offered on a Saturday morning.
Lastly, on behalf of the practice we should like to wish all our patients and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. This festive season can be a difficult time for some, if you need additional support, there are support lines below which are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for you.
Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans,
Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19.
If you are under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill
BBC ActionLine www.bbc.co.uk/actionline