Surgery Closing Times

On Wednesday 29th June 2011 we will be closing at 6.00pm.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Seasonal Flu Injections

We are now able to book your Seasonal Flu Injection. The clinics start on Tuesday 20th September. Please telephone the surgery (after 10:00am) if you would like an injection and: -

• are over 65 years old


• live in a residential or nursing home

Or if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

• Chronic respiratory disease


• Asthma


• Suppression of your immune system (eg Splenectomy, Chemotherapy)


• Chronic heart disease


• Chronic renal failure


• Chronic liver disease


• Diabetes mellitus


• Stroke


• Multiple Sclerosis or Central Nervous System Degeneration

OR are: -

• A Registered Carer


• Pregnant

Carers Project

The Carers Project in its current form ended on the 31 March 2011. We joined this Pilot Project in the first stage in July 2008 providing support and advice appointments for Carers. In the second phase starting in March 2010 the appointments became more structured, with a preparatory workbook for Carers to complete, and the option of a vascular check when indicated. Both pilots have been subject to an evaluation study carried out by the University of Plymouth, and direct feedback to the NHS, to support the development of new policies focusing on the welfare of all Carers.

When we started in 2008 we had very limited awareness of how many of our patients were Carers. To date we have now identified 302 Carers and provided 194 of them with Carers check appointments and ongoing support and advice. For the future we await details of new specification for Carers Support in Devon. More details on this when available, will be posted on our website and included in the next Practice Newsletter.

*Carers Week 13th - 19th June 2011*

Travel Advice

If you are going to travel abroad please plan your health requirements as soon as you book your trip. We prefer not to give travel advice by email or phone. Instead we ask that you go to the website www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk, print out the travel advice for each country you intend to visit and then make an appointment in our travel clinic. Please bring your print out with you. The nurse will discuss your health requirements and start treatment as required.

Fundraising

The practice team regularly raises funds for charity. Beneficiaries of this year's efforts are Cancer Research, Children in Need, Zambia Appeal, Devon Community Foundation, Hospiscare, Help Scheme and Comic Relief. We would like to thank everyone who has generously donated prizes, baked cakes, invented all sorts of ingenious ways to get us to part with our money and of course all those who give so generously to such worthwhile causes. In addition we would like to thank patients, visitors and staff who donated to the Poppy Appeal. You raised £82.23.

Disruption in June

We would like to make all of our patients aware of some disruptions which we will be experiencing during June 2011:

During the week commencing 6th June our builders will be refurbishing the patient toilet next to the Nurses suite. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

From the week commencing 13th June for a period of approximately 4 weeks, South West Water will be replacing the mains water pipes along Canaan Way. Our entrance will be between two sets of traffic lights which may make entering and exiting the car park difficult. Please use the public car park at Land of Canaan whenever possible.

Messages to Patients using Email and Text (SMS)

We have had a good response from patients who would be happy to receive electronic messages from us, but we would like to encourage more of you to consider this option. With your permission we can now arrange to contact you via email or Text message (SMS). We will only text or email you with messages that are relevant to your ongoing health care e.g. appointment confirmation and reminder, test results, health screening opportunities etc. If you would like to receive messages from us via email or text (SMS) please complete a consent form so that we can record your agreement on your patient record. Forms are available on the Reception & Prescription desks, in the Branch Surgeries and also on our website.

New Surgery Times

From 19th May 2011 Dr Cole and Dr Gibbons will change their work patterns. Dr Cole will see patients on Monday afternoons, Wednesday mornings and Thursday mornings and afternoons. Dr Gibbons will see patients on Monday mornings, Tuesday mornings and afternoons and Friday afternoons. Dr Stuart will move her Whimple to Monday mornings and Dr Cole will be at Whimple on Wednesday mornings.

Dr Jean Brown

Dr Brown has reduced her hours. To make her list of patients more manageable it has been necessary to reduce Dr Brown's list size. Patients who are affected by these changes have been informed that they will be transferred to the care 0f Dr Cole and Dr Gibbons.

Bank Holidays Approaching

WE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY 22nd TO MONDAY 25th APRIL AND FRIDAY 29th APRIL TO MONDAY 2nd MAY.

Please order your repeat prescription so that you do not run out of medication over the bank holiday period.

WHEN WE ARE CLOSED

If you have a life threatening emergency please dial 999. If you have an urgent medical problem that cannot wait until we are open, the emergency duty doctor on cal can be contacted by telephoning the surgery number on 01404 814447. Your call will automatically be transfer to the out of hours service. Alternatively Devon Doctors on Call can be contacted directly on 08456 710 270. Please note that for your safety Devon Doctors record all calls. Medical advice can be obtained from NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or from your local pharmacy.

If you require a routine appointment or have a general enquiry please contact us during our usual opening hours.