Patient Communications Letter October 2009
 
To all our Patients,
 It is always very helpful for us to know what you think about the Practice and what you think about the changes that have been made and your suggestions for future changes. We review all your comments and propositions and we would like to assure you that we are in the process of making positive modifications.
Through comments received we are now aware of some of your concerns.
In order to deal with these systematically we will be reviewing some of the following arrangements as priorities.
We always try our best to make changes where necessary however, it might not always be possible to implement all the proposed changes in all areas.

Appointments system
On Monday 2nd November 2009 we will be introducing a daily Duty Doctor morning rota session. This doctor will be responsible for triaging patients requesting urgent/home visit appointment requests. Please contact our reception team between 08:30-09:15am if this service is required and they will forward your information to the doctor to contact you.

Our pre - bookable appointments that are now available up to 4 weeks in advance,  routine 24 hour and 48 hour advance appointments remain as previously.

We also now have a Patient Texting Service. You will receive Text message reminders for your booked appointment in advance. Please let us know if you wish to cancel your booked appointment. We hope this service will help you to attend your appointments on time. It is important that in order to provide this service we have your up to date mobile number on our system.
Please do not forget to give us your up to date mobile number. 
 
Waiting Times in surgery
Some of the Comments suggested that the waiting time in the surgery can be anything up to an hour. In order to offer as many appointments as possible, the appointment length(10min) is often not long enough to address all aspects of the consultation thoroughly. We have already changed the appointment set up to allow catch up time for the Doctors. We can assure you these delays happen as Doctors have to allow adequate time in relation to individual consultations; this cannot be helped in most cases. You could help by asking for double appointment if you feel your consultation will not be adequately covered in our normal ten minute appointment slot

Our aim is to offer comprehensive Primary health care service in a friendly and helpful environment. We will keep you informed of any further changes in order to meet your expectations.
Thank you                                                                                          Wishing you best of health.  
 

Heart Disease
Asthma & COPD
Cancer
Mental Health
Diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Pain

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a preventable disease that was responsible for the deaths of 88,000 people in the UK in 2008 (British Heart Foundation CHD Statistics 2010). In all, 191,00 died from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. Death rates are highest in Scotland and North of England and lowest in the South of England. CHD is the biggest killer in the country.

British Heart Foundation - Vinne Jones' hard and fast hands-only CPR

British Heart Foundation - What is a heart attack?

There are more videos available on all aspects of BHF and heart disease on the BHF video site

 Audio MP3 Downloads

British Heart Foundation Now you can download and listen to podcasts free from the BHF - either on the move or in the comfort of your own home. We have a few examples below, there is a full list on the podcast page.

Controlling Cholesterol

Giving Up Smoking

Risk Factors & Heart Disease

Alcohol & Your Heart

"The British Heart Foundation is Britain’s leading charity fighting heart and circulatory disease – the UK’s biggest killer. The BHF funds research, education and life-saving equipment and helps heart patients return to a full and active way of life. The charity relies on donations to continue its vital work."

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

The BHS recommends that only properly validated BP monitors be used both in the clinic and at home. All the monitors listed on their website have been clinically validated. This means that all the machines, regardless of their cost, give reliable readings when used correctly. Please note that added cost does not equate to added accuracy.

View a list of clinically validated BP monitors

Useful Links

CHD - Healthtalkonline
Healthtalkonline Healthtalkonline, an award-winning charity website, lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. An excellent resource compiled after interviewing a wide range of people suffering from heart disease.

CHD
An excellent resource with useful video, audio, images and references relating to CHD.

NHS Choices
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of CHD.

British Heart Foundation
Our vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. We will achieve this through our pioneering research, our vital prevention activity and by ensuring quality care and support for people living with heart disease.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

 
For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS DirectNHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare servicesNHS ChoicesDepartment of HealthMy Surgery Website