Codford Surgery

CODFORD SURGERY

MIDSUMMER NEWSLETTER

Our Wonderful NHS

There was recently a study reported in the BMJ comparing the National Health Services of multiple countries in the western world. I am proud to say that the United Kingdom came top in most but not all categories.

In addition to comprehensive primary and secondary care services we have vaccination programmes for the young, teenagers, the elderly and those suffering from conditions that make them vulnerable. We have health screening to try and detect early problems that are amenable to more effective treatment if detected early such as breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, aortic aneurysm screening (recently introduced), diabetic eye disease screening, vascular disease screening for those in middle age (a five year rolling programme between the ages of 40 – 74), Smoke Stop, Midwives and Health Visitors screen for pregnancy related disorders such as post natal depression. All of these interventions are of course optional and voluntary.

We in Primary Care are incentivised to offer appropriate and comprehensive care to patients suffering from certain conditions such as osteoporosis, asthma, COPD, heart disease and many others. More recently we have been encouraged to focus on those most vulnerable of our patients to actively think if every preventative measure that can be offered is offered in order to reduce the risk of any deterioration that could lead to hospitalisation. We know that most patients would prefer to stay in their own homes if possible.

I sometimes think that there are so many interventions that we can offer and so many members of the extended Primary Care Team that we are sometimes remiss in not signposting these services. Could I highlight two services at this point? There is an NHS option for engaging with Weight Watchers or Slimming World. Our patients have had significant success with these services. There is also an NHS option of engaging with local gyms at reduced cost for those who suffer from health problems that would benefit from more exercise. Please don’t hesitate about raising these questions in a consultation.

New Staff

We are delighted to welcome Dr Sarah Butcher as a regular member of the medical team. Sarah is an experienced Doctor who has been working locally for some years. She integrated into our team beautifully and we are privileged to have her as a colleague.

Alison Sloane. Alison has joined our Practice Nurse Team. Again Alison is a very experienced Practice Nurse with particular interests in diabetes care and wound management, we are thrilled to have her as part of the team and I am sure you will enjoy consulting with her.

Jack’s Jamboree

Jane and I struggle to find words to thank the Valley for the kind thoughts, prayers and practical assistance that has been offered to our family following Jack’s injury. We are very fortunate to live in such a supportive community. We are all adjusting to our new circumstances and am very grateful to our colleagues for shouldering the work at the surgery in our absence.

CONT/………. For the literati

Some of you will be aware that Laurie Lee died earlier this year. I, therefore, sought out a book that I had meant to read some years ago “As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning”. It is a story of his journey on foot from Stroud across England, by boat to Vigo in Spain and then across Spain. Early in the story he talks of walking down the Wylye Valley and I think it is very likely that this enigmatic young man walked the back road that runs through the villages south of the River Wylye.

On a similar note could I offer my congratulations to the team that presented the 1914-18 Exhibition. It was a fantastic show case for the village, very professionally presented and an absolute credit to everybody involved. Once again this engendered pride in living in the Wylye Valley community.

Reconfiguration of Dispensary

As the work of the Dispensary has grown so it has outgrown its current position in the Surgery. We will, therefore, shortly be embarking upon a reconfiguration of the Surgery, Reception and coffee room areas. This will result in a degree of disruption as we work through the different phases of work. Please be patient with us I am sure that the finished product will be a significant improvement especially in the working environment for our Dispensers.

Anthony Nolan Foundation

We have had several patients whose lives have been transformed by bone marrow transplantation. I am also aware of one patient who has acted as a donor. Having spoken to the Foundation they would be keen to support an evening event at the Surgery registering new potential donors. This would simply involve completion of paperwork and a simple blood test. We have had a similar event at the Surgery before but some years ago. They are keen to register young people aged 18-30 as this is the age group that is most helpful to them as potential donors. If you would be prepared to be a bone marrow donor then please give your name to Reception and we will call you when we have a date for the event.

Best wishes for the summer. Please don’t forget to use ample sun protection – yes I know I am one of the worst culprits!