Dementia....the next steps?

Dementia.....the next steps?
Our Health is a website that provides information about dementia and a wide range of local dementia services.   www.ourhealth.southwest.nhs.uk 

We care for carers.  As a carer you are entitled to a health and well being check.  This is an  hour long appointment focusing on you.  If you are between 40-74 you can also choose to receive a vascular check.  This will predict your risk of developing problems such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.    Your check is completely free of charge, confidential and personal to you. It takes place here with one of our trained health care assistants or practice nurse.  

Please contact us for more information and to find out if you can get support for the person  you care for while you have your health check.

Power Cut

Ottery St Mary experienced a power cut this morning.   Consequently our lights and computers went out and our phone system was inoperable.  We put our business continuity plan in place which means our doctors and nurses were still able to see patients.   We quickly established one incoming telephone line (we usually have eight) and therefore apologise for any inconvenience caused if you were trying to reach us by phone.

Our online appointment booking facility and repeat prescription ordering service were not affected by this power cut.  If you would like to sign up to these services please come to the reception desk with proof of ID and we can set you up straight away.

Normal services have now resumed.  Thank you for your patience.

Patient Survey Report now available on line

Our patient survey report is now online at http://www.coleridgemedicalcentre.co.uk/formsleaflets.html You can also view it by clicking 'General Information' and then 'Forms and Leaflets'    

Ready for a Bank Holiday?

As the bank holiday approaches it is worth thinking about what you would do if you or a member of your family became unwell over the holiday period.  We recommend that you:-

• stock up on over the counter medicines.  Your pharmacist can also give you advice on treatments and products available.
• check you have enough prescription medicine to see you through the holidays and if you are going away pack enough for at least the duration of your holiday. 

If you need any medical assistant when we are closed you can:

• phone NHS Direct for medical advice.  Their telephone number is 0845 4647
• pop in to your local pharmacy for advice and over the counter medication
• phone us on 01404 814447 if your problem is urgent.  Your call will be automatically transferred to the out of hours service (Devon Doctors on Call).  To avoid putting undue pressure on this service, please only phone  if your problem cannot wait until we reopen
• phone 999 immediately in the event of a life threatening, medical emergency

We are closed on Good Friday (29th March 2013) and reopen on Tuesday 2nd April 2013.  

We would like to wish all our patients a very happy Easter.

Dr Gibbons offers more sessions

From April Dr Gibbons will be increasing her sessions from 4 to 6 per week.  Her new sessions will be Monday mornings, Tuesday and Thursday all day and Friday mornings.  She will continue to share patients with Dr Cole.

Dr Cole's sessions (including Whimple branch surgery)  are Monday afternoons, all day Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Dr Cox is retiring - have you said goodbye?

After more than 30 years in general practice, Dr Cox is retiring at the end of March. If you would like to, please leave him a farewell message in the book on our reception desk.

Healthwatch Devon
If you would like to be kept informed about Healthwatch Devon, you can sign up to the electronic mailing list by visiting http://www.devonrcc.org.uk/c/92/healthwatch-devon-newsletter

Cake Glorious Cake

We raised £90 for Comic Relief with our bake off and raffle. 

Save a Life - Give Blood

Wednesday 3 April 2013

13:15 to 15:15 and 16:45 to 19:15

VILLAGE HALL

BEECH PARK

WEST HILL

To make an appointment please call 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk

Coughs, colds and antibiotics

Anitbiotics do not help against viral infections such as cold and flu. The main symptoms of winter cold and flu bugs are:

• coughing
• sneezing
• blocked nose
• sore throat
• headache
• a slight temperature

If these are the only symptoms you have, it’s unlikely that your doctor will be able to do anything.
You may want to visit your local pharmacy, where you can get advice on how to manage the symptoms and buy over-the-counter medicine.  More advice and when you should see your doctor at NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/coldsandflu/pages/coldcomfort.aspx

Swap Fags for Swag

No smoking day Wednesday 13th March 2013.  Swap fags for swag - see how much money you might save.  http://www.wequit.co.uk/   We can help you quit.  Give us a call on 01404 814447.

Independent Living Centre in your area.

The Occupational Therapists from Devon's Independent Living Centre are visiting for assessment, advice and information about equipment for daily living, seating and mobility.  They will be at Roberts, 13 Mill Street, Ottery St Mary on Tuesday 12th March from 2pm to 4pm.  Call the ILC for more information 01392 380181 (NHS Devon/Devon County Council)

Self Help Gastroenteritis

NHS Choices advice on Gastroenteritis http://bit.ly/x6PlUB

Lay Member to Sit the Commissioning Group in Exeter

Interested in becoming a lay member to sit on the commissioning group in Exeter? The posts will be advertised in the Express & Echo from 21st Feb and are currently on NHS Jobs at the following link: http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/cgi-bin/vacdetails.cgi?selection=913046349