Practice News
Patient Group
Autumn 2012 Newsletter
Dated: 10-Oct-12
Contents:
- Wallingbrook Patient Participation Group
- Winkleigh Nurse Practitioner
- North Tawton Additional Appointments
- Toys in Waiting Rooms
Wallingbrook Patient Participation Group AGM
Wallingbrook Patient Participation Group’s (PPG) Annual General Meeting is on Monday 29 October 2012 at 6.30pm at The Pavilion, Leigh Road Chulmleigh. The meeting is open to all patients of Wallingbrook Health Group. The purpose of the meeting is to:
- Informally meet the members.
- Receive a report from the Chair.
- Ask questions and raise points to the PPG.
The following areas are represented:
Maggie Samuel (Chair) - Chulmleigh
Gail Flockhart, Peter Stutt and Trish Sansom - Winkleigh
Bill Dean - North Tawton
*Lynn Lane - Okement area
Elizabeth Russell-Lake, *Vic Webb - Ashreigney
Ralph Glass - Lapford
Karen Acott, Dr Wielink and Eve Willis -
Wallingbrook Health Group
* New Members
Historically some communities of the Wallingbrook Health Group have had greater representation than other areas. To redress this balance we are currently seeking additional members from Kings Nympton and Worlington districts. We are also under-represented by younger patients.
Any adult patient in the Wallingbrook Health Area wishing to be considered for inclusion on the committee needs to submit a written letter to Eve Willis at the Wallingbrook Health Centre, outlining their relevant experience and what they could offer the group. Telephone 01769 581996
Or evewillis@nhs.net by 5 November 2012.
Patient Participation Notice Boards
PPG notice boards are in all surgeries.
Friends of North Tawton
Friends of North Tawton (FONTS) is a voluntary fundraising body in North Tawton, led by Lorna Dawes. We would like to thank them for the items of equipment supplied to the surgery in North Tawton for over 20 years.
Winkleigh Nurse Practitioner
Winkleigh is planning to have a Nurse Practitioner for an afternoon session once a week in the near future.
Winkleigh
Extra Session starts Wednesday 17 October with Sarah Holmes Nurse Practitioner in the morning and Dr. Sherlock in the afternoon.
Suggestion boxes will be rolled out shortly.
North Tawton Additional Appointments
North Tawton is to have an additional nine Doctor appointments per week. Their ‘Pitch up and Wait’ appointments are to be rescheduled to allow for the needs of mothers and the elderly.
WHG Telephone Number
The landline numbers for the Practice are: 01769 580295 or 08443 878078. This is also on the label on each prescription bag.
Toys in Waiting Rooms
All toys will be removed from waiting room areas by 1 Jan 2013 to improve infection control. Patients are advised to bring their own toys when visiting the surgery.
Sarah Stapleton leaves the Surgery
It is with great sadness that we advise that Sarah Stapleton has left Wallingbrook Health Group. We would like to thank her for all her hard work and support for the past 15 years. We wish Sarah lots of luck and happiness in her new role.
Role of Nurse Practitioner
Often confused with a Practice Nurse, the Nurse Practitioner can see patients for many minor illnesses and injuries. Our Nurse Practitioner may also prescribe in these areas when necessary.
Examples of problems with which the Nurse Practitioner can help: coughs colds and chest infections; skin and wound infections; stomach pain; some female problems (it is recommended that you speak with the Nurse Practitioner beforehand for assessment).
She may also be able to give advice in certain circumstances over the telephone for:
eye infections; head injury; diarrhoea and vomiting; simple cough and cold advice; sore throat; women’s health e.g. thrush, delaying of period and female urine infections.
If the presenting condition is something she is unable to attend to the Nurse Practitioner will refer the patient back to their usual GP or Duty Doctor, depending on the severity.
Role of Pharmacist
Historically, the fundamental role of Pharmacists as a healthcare practitioner was to distribute drugs to doctors for medication that had been prescribed to patients. In more modern times, Pharmacists advise patients and health care providers on the selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medications and act as a learned intermediary between a prescriber and a patient. Pharmacists monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective use of medication.
Increased numbers of drug therapies, an ageing but more knowledgeable population, and deficiencies in other areas of the health care system seem to be driving increased demand for the clinical counselling skills of the Pharmacist. One of the most important roles that Pharmacists are currently taking on is one of pharmaceutical care. Pharmaceutical care involves taking direct responsibility for patients and their disease states, medications and the management of each in order to improve the outcome for each individual patient.
More recently, some Pharmacists have independent prescribing qualifications and are able to provide improved access to medicines. Many of these Pharmacists are referred to as clinical/hospital Pharmacists when they work in hospitals supporting consultant teams but are increasingly found in GP surgeries supporting the primary healthcare team, where they are commonly known as practice Pharmacists or Pharmacist Practitioners (usually when they have prescribing rights).
At Wallingbrook, all patients are encouraged to speak to the Pharmacist who will be able to help with medication queries, shortage of medicines, medication reviews, discharge medication and chronic disease information. The Pharmacist will always liaise with your GP directly if there are complex issues that require GP input and in some cases generate an appropriate appointment.
Total Missed Appointments/Clinical Time
Week beginning:
3 September 9.25 hours
10 September 10 hours
17 September 25 hours
Ancillary Services Not Under Wallingbrook Health Group Control
Physio
Chiropody
District Nurses
Health Visitors
Midwives
Test Results
Patients can telephone a week later for their test results. If they are not back within the week, the receptionists will chase for the results. Blood test results may take a little longer. GP’s will review the results and the reception team will contact the patient if they are required to see the GP or have a repeat blood test.
Voluntary Car Service
Lapford is urgently seeking new volunteers and Winkleigh would like to start a service.
Anyone able to contribute to a voluntary service in these areas should contact WHG on 01769 580295 or 08443 878078.
New Appointments to Group
Joiners
Sam Bunton - Patient Services Coordinator
Alison Deacy - Checking Technician
Leavers
Carol Bissett - Patient Services Advisor