The Parks Medical Practice Newsletter PPG – Roade – – Grange Park Summer 2021

Welcome to our Summer Newsletter Patient Tip

The NHS is always changing and this Summer is Our phone lines are busiest at 8:00am. no exception. Please read on for information on Covid-19,flu vaccinations, new team updates and If you are calling with a query or for test

social prescribing. results, please wait until late morning or the afternoon.

We are increasing the use of text messaging to We are continuing to book patients in as reduce the amount of letters we are sending, quickly and appropriately as possible. saving NHS funds. However, please remember that same day appointments are not always possible, unless

it is urgent. Please help us by keeping your details up to date. Let our receptionists know ASAP if you change address or telephone numbers, so that we can

update our files and contact you. We regularly post information such as site closures, telephone problems and

much more on our Facebook page, along with helpful NHS and Wellbeing information. Please search for The Parks

Medical Practice and follow us for regular updates. Surgeries www.theparksmedicalpractice.co.uk

Park Slope Surgery Roade Surgery 32 Stoke Road 16 Road Blisworth Roade Northants Northants NN7 3BT NN7 2NN 01604 878000 01604 863100

Grange Park Surgery Hanslope Surgery Don’t forget to sign up for online Wilks Way 1 Western Drive services the next time you are in the Grange Park Hanslope surgery. Just ask at reception and Northants Bucks show photo ID. NN4 5DW MK19 7LA 01604 434747 01908 510230

Roade Drop in Coffee Did you know? Mornings

We have a team of three clinical pharmacists who specialise in Are you are Carer? managing patient’s medication by optimising the treatment they are on

and discussing any concerns and queries they have with their Have you lost a loved one? medication.

Do you feel alone anxious

overwhelmed or just ready for a A message from one of our Clinical Pharmacists - Christabel morning out and some company?

Here at The Parks Medical Practice we have built a new team of medical professionals who are experts in their field to enhance patient services. Coffee mornings recommenced in July and will continue on the first One of our pharmacists has a particular speciality in Diabetes type 2 Monday of every month from 10am and can therefore provide excellent advice and management for those to 12pm at St Mary’s Church. with pre-diabetes and established type 2 diabetes.

Come along for a cup of coffee and We also do a lot of behind the scenes work running audits and quality a chat and see how we can help improvement programmes to ensure patients are receiving the most you. up-to -date medications and monitoring according to the treatment guidelines. As we come out of lockdown we hope other agencies will join

If you ever have a query related to your medication; whether that be a ourselves and the great team at St side effect, how to take your medication, or you just need a little bit Mary’s to bring you information and more information about what you are taking - please feel free to call the surgery and ask to speak to one of our pharmacists. support on the first Monday of every month.

Practice Team Update

Our Doctors and Nurses are still available for consultations and are continuing to see and treat patients face-to-face, by telephone and by video call.

Our team continues to grow to help us manage patient demand and we have recently welcomed the following new staff…

Advanced Paramedic – Kieron Tanner – minor illness

We are also being joined by three new GPs during August/September 2021.

Dr Amy Amin – Hanslope Dr Kamr an Dawood – Grange Park Dr Abdul Kahar – Blisworth

Meet the Team We are the ‘Social Prescribing

Team’ for your surgery and are here to listen and help with ‘what matters

to you’, whatever that may be. Sarah We can provide emotional support Serena whilst exploring practical resources to

match your individual needs. Linking

you up with the right support at

the right time.

Serena

From money and housing advice to walks and talks, from bereavement and Andy carers support to choirs and cafes, we’re here to help you find your way. Barbara

Social Prescribing – A View from a Patient

‘Social Prescriber’ – a phrase I had recently heard of but didn’t really understand. So I decided to find out

the reality by talking to Sarah Robilliard. Andy

They may be able to deal with a problem themselves, but mostly they can provide a link to specialist help. These may be a voluntary service group, or it may be part of the NHS. Social Prescribers have the time and the experience to first delve into the underlying problem and then locate help. Sarah described an important part of her role as a listening ear.

A clinician may pick up on a problem that a Social Prescriber can help with and make a referral. Not many people would trouble their GP unless the problem was severe however there are services to help and this is a common issue where the Social Prescribers can step in and refer someone for help.

I’m so glad I took the time to find out more.

A message from our Physiotherapist – Anish

Thank you everyone for welcoming me into the practice.

Firstly, the Physiotherapy Service seems to be well established and my clinic utilisation is going very well. I have seen a number of patients from The Parks Medical Practice and the other practices, within the PCN.

I currently work three days a week for The Parks Medical Practice on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Any patients who have any musculoskeletal issues can book to see me, through reception.

I think my services have a positive impact on our patients and I am hoping to improve the care of our MSK patients even further.

●●● E-Consult Patient Benefits? Did you know you can receive medical advice and guidance without even attending your GP Surgery, using E-Consult.  Medical advice is available 24/7 even when the practice is All of our staff aim to provide you with best quality of care possible, closed. Patients can check whether this is face-to-face or online. their health symptoms online and receive on the spot What is it? medical advice and NHS treatment guidelines. E-Consult enables GP practices to offer online consultations to their patients. This allows patients to submit their symptoms or  Patients may not need to requests to their GP electronically, and offers around the clock travel to the surgery and their NHS self-help information, signposting to services, and a symptom query may be resolved with a checker. Furthermore, staff members can book patients in for a phone call. telephone consultation with a doctor, if they require this.  Patients can access E-Consult How does it work? wherever and whenever they like, from any device. Also, it Visit the practice website and click on the E-Consult link, which allows the patient to fill in the can be found at the bottom of the home page. This will take you form at their own pace and to an online form, which you can fill in and submit to the practice. with as much detail.

The practice reviews every E-Consult and decides upon the right  Lastly, patients can request care for each patient. For example, a one way message with sick notes and test results advice or information to the patient, a telephone or video without the need for an consultation and finally a face-to-face appointment with a health appointment, which saves care professional from the practice (this will usually be when a both patients and practice clinician needs to physically see a patient). We can also determine time. whether you are better suited to see a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. ●●● Visit our practice website https://www.theparksmedicalpractice.co.uk/

The Cancer Support Group

The Cancer support group meets on the third Monday of the month at 8pm, for those suffering from or helping someone with cancer.

The carers group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10.30am, for everyone who is looking after a relative or friend in need.

Location ~ Hanslope Church kindly allows us to use the Coffee area for our meetings. There is a friendly and informal atmosphere.

Please feel free to come along for a cup of tea (Covid restrictions permitting) and a chat with those who understand and want to help.

Have you heard of the PPG?

I hadn’t either until a few months ago when my friend asked me if I would like to become involved. The Parks Medical Practice has a thriving patient participation group who meet one evening a month (via zoom at the moment). It’s a lively group of about 8 of us who meet with the practice manager and other medical staff to discuss ideas and ways to improve the services for the patients. It’s a platform to communicate the things patients feel are important, highlight the things The Parks are doing well and things that sometimes aren’t going so good.

The Parks are there for all of us and unless they get feedback about their services they will never know if they are doing things right from a patient perspective. If you feel that you want your voice heard or that you want represent the patients in your local area then come and get involved.

Written by a member of the PPG

To express an interest, please email [email protected] and she will pass your details to a PPG member.

Covid-19 Vaccinations

Our Covid vaccination programme has been a huge success, giving 25,000 vaccinations between January – June 2021

Our Clinics have now finished to give our staff and volunteers a well-earned rest.

Thank you to all who have helped make the clinics

so successful.

Booking Covid-19 Vaccinations

Patient can call 119 to book into the Covid vaccination clinics and can also visit… https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid- 19/coronavirus - vaccination/coronavirus -vaccine/

Booking a Covid-19 Test

Patient can also go to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus -test, to order a Covid-19 test if you are experiencing Covid symptoms.

Hay-Fever Control Summer

Symptoms of Hayfever:

 Sneezing and coughing If you have asthma, you might also:  Runny or blocked nose  Itchy, red or watery eyes  Have a tight feeling in your chest  Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears  Be short of breath  Wheeze and cough Treatment:

There is no cure for hayfever and you cannot entirely prevent it from happening however there are ways to ease your symptoms.

 Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen  Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes X Do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse X Do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen

You can also receive treatment from a GP or pharmacist for your hayfever, if your symptoms are severe. For more information on hayfever symptoms and treatments, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay- fever/

Visit your pharmacy for advice and guidance. Sun Safety Tips:

Sun Protection In the UK, the sun is at its strongest between 11am and Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. You can burn yourself even 3pm from March to October. when it's cloudy. Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight. ~ Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm Sunburn: ~ Cover up with suitable Sunburn is red, hot and sore skin caused by too much sun. It may flake clothing and sunglasses and peel after a few days. You can treat it yourself and it usually gets ~ Use at least factor 30 better within 7 days. sunscreen

 Avoid sun exposure as soon as possible  Cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or a damp towel For more information on sun  Apply after sun cream or spray such as, Aloe Vera safety, visit  Drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration https://www.nhs.uk/live- X Do not use petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin well/healthy-body/sunscreen- X Do not scratch or try to remove peeling skin and-sun-safety/ X Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes over sunburnt skin

Please note, we are no longer able to provide private travel advice or vaccinations. Please book through a private travel clinic.

Covid-19 Restrictions

Commencing the 19th July 2021

Throughout the pandemic we have followed the specific NHS guidance for Primary Care closely and our procedures will remain the same until this is updated.

Many of our patients and staff are still vulnerable to the Coronavirus and we know the new variants are spreading fast.

Social distancing ~ Social distancing will remain in place on our premises. Please continue to leave a safe space around other people.

Hand Hygiene ~ Please remember to sanitise your hands when entering and leaving our sites, to prevent bacteria spreading.

Face Coverings ~ Please continue to wear a face covering when you attend

the surgery, as will our staff members.

Most appointments with our GPs will continue to be carried out by either telephone or video call. The GPs will continue to invite patients in for a face-to-face review when needed as has been the case throughout the pandemic.

Thank you to our Patient Participation Group members for supporting our cautious approach and to all the patients who have supported us through the pandemic.

Flu vaccinations and Covid Boosters 2021/2022

We have ordered flu vaccinations for our patients and expect them to be delivered during October 2021 for clinics to be held at the end of October and throughout November, December and January. As always, delivery dates can change at the last moment and we will not book appointments until deliveries are confirmed.

Different flu vaccines have been recommended for different age groups again. This is because our immune system changes as we get older and vaccines are now developed to get the best possible immune response in different age groups.

Patients eligible for NHS influenza vaccination in 2021 to 2022 are:

 all children aged 2 to 4 (through their GP Practice)  all children aged 4 to 15 (through their school)  those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups  pregnant women  those aged 50 years and over  those in long-stay residential care homes  carers  close contacts of immunocompromised individuals  frontline health and social are staff

We will also be offering Covid booster vaccinations, but details are still to be confirmed. We anticipate that GP Practices will be asked to prioritise our most elderly and vulnerable patients first, and we will call patients in priority order.

If possible, we hope to offer both vaccines in the same clinic, but you may be called to separate clinics.

We will invite as many patients as possible via SMS text message. Please ensure that your local surgery holds your current mobile number and that you have given us consent to send you SMS text messages.

Please let us know if:

 You are housebound (that is you are unable to leave your home even for medical appointments, shopping etc.)  You are living with a person who is severely immunocompromised  You are an unpaid carer for a friend or relative who is vulnerable  You are employed in a frontline health or social care role to care for patients who are vulnerable