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June 2008
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Dr Feeney is taking '24 hour retirement' at the end of June.
This does not mean that Dr Feeney is leaving us though!! Patients will be pleased
to learn, that after July he will be returning as a ‘fixed share partner’.
This means that patients will be able to consult with Dr Feeney as he will be
working at the surgery for 3 sessions per week.
Extended Hours
Patient may be aware that GP surgeries may be required to offer extra appointments
soon. This will mean that the practice may have to be open outside of ‘normal
hours’. Our Patient Survey showed us that generally patients were happy
with the practice opening times, and if any extra hours were to be offered, that
patients would prefer them to be around the hour before and the hour after 'working
hours', so the hour from 8am – 9am and also the hour from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
Nothing has been finalized as yet, and when more information comes available
we will let our patients know. For up to date information on opening times and
various other matters, you can visit our website www.branchendsurgery.co.uk
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We are pleased to announce the formation of our patient forum, which held
its inaugural meeting on Tuesday 3rd June.
The main aim of the forum is to give interested patients the opportunity
to meet with practice staff and to discuss positive suggestions with a view to
improving various aspects of the care that we provide at the surgery. Any help
that the practice can give towards improving the quality of life of local residents
can also be explored. Given the current political climate, we would also hope
that the group can in future be called upon to influence the local provision
of health and other services that will affect us all.
We hope the forum will also enable us to ‘communicate better’ with
our patients. There are so many changes taking place nowadays and evolving a
system that helps keep everyone up to date has long been a challenge. Initially,
copies of this newsletter will also now appear on the parish council’s
NE43 website.
There are still places for any patient that would like to join the forum.
Please ring Sue Shone (Practice Manager) on 01661 842626
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Alison the Podiatrist has asked for this information to be included in this
Newsletter.
As I'm sure many of you are aware, the podiatry appointment
system has changed at Branch End Surgery. You will no longer receive your appointments
by post: you will need to telephone a designated podiatry number at Prudhoe Health
Centre 01661 832872, two weeks
before you are due for treatment. You will be advised about your frequency attendance
by the podiatrist.
The podiatry clerk is available to make your appointment on:
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 9.00am and 12.00 noon.
As she makes appointments for patients from other GP practices, you will
be asked your Name, Address and which practice you attend. If you receive treatment
from Margaret the podiatry assistant, it would be helpful to highlight this to
avoid inadvertently receiving an appointment with Alison or James the two podiatrists.
There is no change to the date or place of treatment – appointments
are available on a Monday or Tuesday at Branch End Surgery.
I would advise everyone to mark your appointments on your calendar or diary
and prompt yourself when to telephone.
Thank you for your cooperation during this period of change, hopefully problems
will be kept to a minimum.
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In the current warm weather it is important we protect our children against
the effects of the sun.
The following guidelines will help parents protect their children.
- Keep your child out of the sun between 11am – 3pm
- Keep babies under 6 months out of the sun altogether.
- Ensure all children wear a floppy hat with a wide brim that shades the
face and neck.
- Ensure you protect your child’s shoulders and back of neck when
playing as these are the most common places to be burnt.
- Use a cream 30 – 50 (SPF) apply often every hour if possible, don’t
assume that that putting a t shirt on your child will protect them from the sun
as the sun can penetrate through most cottons.
- Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids – water if possible.
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If you have been waiting more than 20 minutes for your appointment please contact
the reception staff.
The appointment time allocated for each patient is 10 minutes for GP’s
and 15 minutes for the Nurses.
The GP’s and the Nurses will do their utmost to keep to time but the patient
may need a little extra time to discuss an urgent problem.
Please be patient as sometime in the future you may need a little longer
than your 10 or 15 minutes.
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April / May 2008
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Many of you were aware that the Branch End Surgery finances were recently
reviewed by the care trust, along with the finances of nearly all the practices
in Northumberland.
The care trust wanted to make drastic cuts to our budget, which would have
meant considerable changes to the work of the practice and a reduction in patient
care starting from April 2008. We have resisted the cuts and negotiated hard
and firmly with the Care Trust to preserve services for Stocksfield.
These negotiations have now closed. Contrary to Care Trust information, the
solution has not been satisfactory. The good news is that the original drastic
cut of 10%will not happen from April. Instead the practice will have a 3% cut
this year increasing to 6% in the year following from April 2009. In addition
to these cuts, the practice will have to undertake extra work yet to be defined
and there is also no guarantee of future income. Services will be maintained
for now, but the developments and improvements that envisaged will not now be
practicable and reductions in some areas of our services may become necessary.
Negotiations were hampered by the over riding threat of Branch End Surgery
potentially having no contract to provide services from April 2008,and the contract
being passed on to international private health care companies. This would have
lost forever the continuity of care that individual team members and patients
have enjoyed and was felt by us to be a risk too great to take. We therefore
felt compelled to accept an unsatisfactory contract.
Times are still difficult and services are still under threat, albeit in
a more measured long term manner. We have been very grateful for all the support
we have received and will continue to work towards ever improving the care of
our patients.
With thanks, Drs Feeney Corbett and Maguire
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Friday 2nd May 8am – 6pm
Saturday 3rd May CLOSED
Sunday 4th May CLOSED
Monday 5th May CLOSED
Tuesday 6th May 8am – 6pm
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The Deafblind group was established when it became apparent that there were
people experiencing similar difficulties in dealing with dual sensory loss.
The group is a self – led group which meets on a monthly basis at the Northumberland
County Blind Association in Morpeth offering support, information and guidance.
The group is very informal friendly and enjoyed by all members. If you feel
that you would benefit from attending or able to offer some voluntary time.
Please contact: Keith Shepherd - 01670 819479
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There have been recent changes to the District nursing team.
From January 2008 the District Nurses from Corbridge and Branch End surgeries
have been working as one team.
The team consists of:-
Denise Thompson - Community Matron
Ann Wagstaff - District Nursing Sister
Dawn Robson – Staff Nurse
Val Anderson – Staff Nurse
Gwen Goodfellow - Staff Nurse
Karen Graham – Staff Nurse
Anne Maddison Staff Nurse
Brenda Dowden – Auxiliary Nurse
The nurses are based at Corbridge Health Centre but call at Branch End daily
to liaise with members of the PHCT, attend meetings and collect messages.
Housebound patients will continue to receive home visits, as before and District
Nurses will be doing clinics at both practices.
To arrange an appointment at the surgery please ring the surgery number as
normal.
To speak to a District Nurse or to arrange a home visit please ring the
District Nurses on their direct line 01434 633997.
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We are very keen to set up a forum for our patients to meet with us and discuss
ways of improving the care we provide.
This matter was discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting held on the 21st
April. Anyone interested (especially from the rest of our practice area) is welcome
to write to Sue Shone the Practice Manager or telephone the surgery 01661
842626 and speak to her.
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November / December 2007
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Most of you will have had your flu injection at the flu clinics held during
October and November, but if you would still like to have the injection please
make an appointment with the one of our practice nurses.
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A nightmare for everyone is trying to get hold of special medication on Christmas
Eve. If you have elderly relatives coming to stay and they take regular medication,
check that they have packed it. It can also be helpful if they bring a printed
list of their tablets – the one that comes with every prescription is ideal.
Then if something is forgotten, the doctor will immediately know what is required.
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Please note that we operate a zero tolerance towards those who abuse our
staff in any way. Our staff are here to help you and and make many allowances
for people who are anxious and/or unwell but will not tolerate any abusive behaviour
including raised voices or swearing.
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- Eat Well, Exercise and Sleep.
Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day and exercise.
This will make it easier for your body to resist infection.
- Wash Your Hands.
Regularly washing your hands with soap and water will help you to avoid flu and
other infections. Lather for at least 20 seconds, then rinse and dry. Washing
your hands after coughing and sneezing reduces the risk of spreading infection
to others.
- Open Windows
Weather permitting, open a window to let some fresh air circulate. Germs like
stagnant air and a stuffy environment.
- Don’t Smoke
Smoking affects your throat and lungs, making you more vulnerable to viruses
that cause colds and flu. Avoid smoking or inhaling any second hand smoke.
- Keep Your Distance
Germs spread quickly when coughed and sneezed into the air, so use a tissue to
cover your nose and mouth whenever possible. Quickly dispose of it and wash your
hands. Avoid contact with people who are ill. If you are ill, stay at home and
rest.
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There is a big difference between having a cold and having the flu.
A Cold can cause a sore throat, sneezing and a blocked or runny nose. You feel
bad, but you can get by, and it lasts seven to ten days. With Flu there’s
a sudden onset of high fever, aches including backache and you feel awful for
five to seven days. Here is a general guide on how you can help fight your symptoms:
- The body needs energy to fight infections, so do get plenty of rest.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially hot water with lemon, ginger and honey.
- Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or aspirin can relieve headaches, muscle and sinus
pain, and reduce fever, shivers and inflammation. Aspirin or medicines containing
aspirin should not be given to children under 16.
- Decongestants such as menthol lozenges and chest rubs can relieve blocked
noses and have a soothing effect on a painful sore throat.
- Antibiotics are no good for fighting flu or colds. You can get advice
or suitable remedies from your local pharmacist. Always contact your doctor if
you are not getting better after a few days, if you are unduly short of breath
or if you are coughing up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm.
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September 2007
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Anne Brooks the Practice Manager is leaving after 12 years to further her
career. We send her our best wishes and good luck in her new job.
In her place, we welcome Sue Shone. She is a very experienced practice manager.
Christine Hunter
We are sorry to announce the retirement of Christine Hunter after twenty four
years. She has been an extremely valuable member of the nursing team and will
be greatly missed by all the staff and patients at the surgery Christine has
asked to write a few words and they are as follows:
Week 2
of my retirement 7.45am and I am sitting in the garden having my breakfast watching
the early morning walkers up on Hadrian’s Wall, what more could an ex-district
nurse want.
It is so nice to be given this opportunity via the Branchend Newsletter to
say goodbye to you all. 24 years at Branchend has meant I have met a tremendous
amount of people over the years. I have felt very privileged to have been part
of so many of your lives. I think I must have been one of the luckiest District
Nurses to have worked with such a great team of people, and for an incredibly
nice practice population of patients.
Thank you all
Much Love
Christine Hunter (ex Nurse)
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60 patients failed to attend for their doctor and nurse appointments in July
and August. This meant that 60 appointments were wasted. Please make sure that
you write down your appointment time or ask for a card from reception.
If you are unable to keep your appointment please let us know so that your slot
can be given to someone else.
Out of Hours Emergency Number
From 5.30 onwards and weekends the emergency number to ring is:
0845 60 80 320
Or for Medical Advice only
Please ring NHS DIRECT
0845 46 47
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Have you had at least 5 vaccinations against tetanus during your life?
If not, you may be at risk of contracting an illness commonly known as lockjaw,
which still kills!
If you are unsure whether you have adequate cover against tetanus please
ring the practice nurse or make an appointment as soon as possible.
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ARE YOU OVER 60 OR DISABLED?
Northumberland STARS
(Small Tasks and Repair Service)
Northumberland STARS provides a FREE handyperson to people who are 60 or disabled.
This is a project which runs in conjunction with Age Concern all around the county.
The handyman is able to carry out a range of small tasks and repairs around the
home such as:
• Fix curtain rails
• Hang curtains
• Check and fit smoke alarms
• Fasten down loose carpets
• Move furniture
• Put up shelves
• Change light bulbs
• Repair gates
• Fit letter boxes
• Put up pictures
• Put up mirrors
• Mend sticking doors
more ………….
If you need any help at all with any of the jobs listed or you are not sure if
the job you need may not be covered Please ring
01670 351135 and you will be given advice accordingly. Do not forget this is
a Free service so you are entitled to help.
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