Whitecliff Group Surgery Staff Newsletter s1

www.whitecliffpractice.co.uk

Dr Evans, Dr Ford, Dr Nixon, Dr Berry, Dr Slater, Dr Sword, Dr Nankervis Whitecliff Surgery, Whitecliff Mill Street & Mrs. C. Tilley Child Okeford Surgery, Upper Street Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7BH Child Okeford, Dorset, DT11 8EF

WHITECLIFF GROUP SURGERY NEWSLETTER – SUMMER 2015

CHANGES TO OUR TEAM  Dr Slater will be going on maternity leave in September; her maternity leave will be covered by Dr Stephanie Martindale.  Dr Purcell – goes on maternity leave in July; her maternity leave will be covered by Dr Catherine Hill.  Dr Griffiths is leaving in July and Dr Wood will join in August to replace her.  Advanced Nurse Practitioner – Nicola Bennett joins the team July 2015.

JOINT WORKING - THE SURGERY & PRAMA CARE Chloe Mutton (Community Development Worker – Prama Care) works with the Blandford Surgeries to develop community opportunities in and around Blandford. Chloe has been setting up Health and Well Being events, setting up new community groups and linking into existing community groups.

As well as the community social / interest groups, there are also more specific organisations and groups around Blandford and the surrounding villages that can provide practical support and advice for people who may be struggling with an illness or a health condition, who are carers, who are experiencing a difficult point in their life, may be lonely or bereaved.

Chloe is working with the surgery to ensure that patients are aware of all the variety of events, groups and help that is available for local people. Chloe’s work is funded form the proceeds of the PramaCare shops including the PramaCare fair trade gift shop (opposite The Hambledon Gallery in Salisbury St.). By supporting the shop you are also supporting this work.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER 5th and 6th June 10am-5pm Well and Connected Blandford

8th June 2015 10:30am - 12pm Informal Bereavement Support Group (monthly)

8th June 2015 10:30am - 11:30am Shared Reading (monthly)

11th June 2015 9:30-11:30am Carers Awareness Stand at the Surgery

18th June 2015 10:30-12pm Twiddle-mitt knitting morning (monthly)

24th June 2015 2pm-4pm Male Carers Skittles Group (monthly)

25th June 2015 10am-4pm Carers Pamper and Relaxation Day

7th and 10th July 2015 12pm-13:30pm Precautionary Health Checks at Methodist Lunch Club (monthly)

For more information about any of these activities then please contact Chloe Mutton on 07790 803 156, or Alicia Trowbridge on 01258 452501. MEDICATION REVIEWS

Why do we do medication reviews? It is important to review medication regularly to make sure it is appropriate for you. Each individual varies biologically which means different medications suit different people better. By having medication reviews we can help make sure you are benefiting well from your medicine.

How do we organise the medication reviews? Within our database we safely and securely record all of our patient’s information allowing us to understand all we can to make sure we give you excellent clinical care. On a patient’s computer record there is a repeat prescription document containing a review date. Before this date expires you are required to make a telephone appointment for a medication review. The dates for your reviews will be shown on your repeat sheet (these may be different for each drug). It is important you pay attention to such notices so we can make sure your medication prescriptions can continue.

What happens at a medication review?  We confirm which medicines you are taking on a regular or as required basis.  We make sure you understand why you have been given that medicine and know how to take it or use devices such as inhalers.  You may be asked about any herbal remedies or supplements you take as they can interfere with your prescribed medications.  Practical aspects of ordering and obtaining supplies can also be discussed.  We offer medication support where necessary such as “dossette” boxes.  We answer your questions about the medicines you take.  We update the review date for an appropriate time period.  We invite you to attend any blood tests or blood pressure check-ups as appropriate. The pharmacist or nurse will usually do medication reviews but if you need a blood test / blood pressure check you will need to see the nurse or phlebotomist. Certain drugs can only be reviewed by a doctor. It is important to pay attention to such notices so we can make sure your repeat medication requests can continue to be provided by the Dispensary. NEWS FROM THE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP- UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR The next meeting of the patient Group takes place on 30 June and the committee would be pleased to hear from any patients who have issues they’d like us to discuss with the partners who attend the meeting on behalf of the practice. Please email me at [email protected], or write to me care of one of the surgeries. Meanwhile, here’s an update on current activity.

Working with the Surgery As a result of recent queries channelled through Patient Group members we asked the surgery to clarify the process for medication reviews. This is a process which has sometimes led to repeat prescriptions being delayed simply because patients might not have been clear what they needed to do and when. The process has now been clarified and is outlined earlier in this newsletter which we’re sure you will find helpful.

Working with the Community Members of the group were very pleased to meet many patients when we had a stand at the “Well and Connected” information fair organised by the DT11 Partnership in the Corn Exchange on 5&6 June. We did this jointly with members of the Eagle House Surgery Patient Group and we understand nearly 650 people came through the door to talk to the various exhibitors. We signed up a good number of new people to the surgery mailing list (or Virtual Patient Group as we like to call it) and generally raised awareness of the Patient Groups to the good citizens of Blandford and surrounding villages! A member of our Group also helped by talking to patients at the Whitecliff surgery, about “Carer’s Awareness Week” which took place week commencing 8 June. The practice is very keen to know which patients are Carers, whether that is for partners, family members or other friends and neighbours. We know that many carers often don’t regard themselves as such, simply regarding it as their day to day role in loving and caring for people around them. If the surgery knows someone is a carer, they can help provide help and information as well as being mindful of the needs for the person being cared for if the carer themselves become ill. If YOU care for someone please do register with the surgery. Please ring (01258 452501) and speak to Debbie Collins (Carer’s Lead).

Working with the wider NHS As previously reported in these newsletters, members of the patient group have been taking a close interest in the Clinical Services Review being undertaken by Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCG). This review is designed to come up with options for the future delivery of clinical services in the County in light of the squeeze on funding for the NHS. The review has been in progress for several months and throughout we have been promised a structured consultation process at the end of the review period. It’s therefore disappointing to note that some of the options for the future delivery of services have been reported in the press (BBC South Today, etc.) making it look like all the decisions have already been made. The public consultation phase actually commences in August, and we recommend you look out for opportunities to have your say before the final decisions are made. After all this will affect EVERYONE !

The current situation and recent press releases can be found by visiting: www. dorsetsvision .nhs.uk/news/

Ms Gwyn Bates Chair, Whitecliff Group Practice Patient Participation Group

FACEBOOK: Did you know Whitecliff Group practice now has a Facebook page? Follow it by searching for The Whitecliff Group Practice.