Have a cough or cold? Take care, not antibiotics

We are prescribing antibiotics wisely to help prevent the increase in antibiotic resistance and because most people get better without them.  Today is European antibiotic awareness day. More about Antibiotics Awareness Day is here.  http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/EAAD/Pages/Home.aspx

Why did you not get antibiotics today?

 Colds and most coughs, sinusitis, otitis media (earache) and sore throats often get better without antibiotics.
 The list below shows you how long these illnesses normally last, what you can do to ease your symptoms and when you should go back to your GP or contact NHS  111.

Illness lasts on average: 

 Sore throat 1 week
 Common cold 1 ½ weeks
 Sinusitis 2 ½ weeks
 Cough or bronchitis 3 week

What you can do to ease the symptoms:

• Have plenty of rest
• Drink enough fluids to avoid feeling thirsty. 
• Ask your local pharmacist to recommend medicines to bring down your temperature or control pain (or both)

When should you (or your child) to to your GP practice of contact NHS111?  (Listed in order of urgency, with the most urgent symptoms first):

1. If you develop a severe headache and are sick.
2. If your skin is very cold or has a strange colour, or you develop an unusual rash.
3. If you feel confused or have slurred speech or are very drowsy.
4. If you have difficulty breathing. Signs that suggest breathing problems can include:
o breathing quickly;
o turning blue around the lips and the skin below the mouth; and
o skin between or above the ribs getting sucked or pulled in with every breath.
5. If you develop chest pain.
6. If you have difficulty swallowing or are drooling.
7. If you cough up blood.
8. If hearing problems develop or if there is fluid coming out of your ears.

Why you should only take antibiotics when they are needed

•  Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive the effects of an antibiotic. They become ‘antibiotic resistant’ so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more you use an antibiotic, the more bacteria become resistant to it. 
• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria don’t just infect you, they can spread to other people in close contact with you. 
• Antibiotics can upset the natural balance of bacteria in your body. This allows other more harmful bacteria to increase. This may result in diarrhoea and thrush. 
• Some antibiotics can cause allergic reactions such as rashes, being sick if you also drink alcohol and reactions to sunlight – and other symptoms. 

Ottery St Mary Food Bank

We have just received some up to date information about the food bank.  Enquiries about vouchers can be made to the Health Visitors based at Ottery Hospital on 01404 816019 or 816021 or Ottery Children's Centre on 01404 813642

With a steady increase in requests for food we have established a more permanent store in the United Reformed Church in Jesu Street (opposite the Co-op.)

 

We will be opening from 1-3pm on Friday afternoons to redeem vouchers issued by social care / health / welfare agencies.  This wil replace the system of delivering food parcels.  In emergency situations we can arrange to open the Food Bank at other times by contacting us at:

 

osmfoodbank@gmail.com or our new mobile number 07821314920

 

You may also collect food on behalf of clients if you wish.

 

Chris I'Anson

Staff Training

We will be closed between 1pm and 2pm on Thursday 14th November for staff training.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Have you ordered your repeat prescription for Christmas?

Have your ordered your repeat prescription for Christmas?

Please think ahead to avoid being left without vital medication - whatever the weather and across all bank holidays.

We are anticipating a really busy time in the run up to Christmas and New Year, so if you need a routine repeat prescription or need to see your GP to get a prescription, please make your arrangements well in advance.

Our last working day will be Tuesday 24th December 2013.  We will open again on Friday 27th December 2013 and be open on Monday 30th and 31st December 2013.

We will be closed on 1st January 2014 and open again on Thursday 2nd January 2014.

You can book appointments and order repeat medication online.  Please bring proof of ID to our reception desk so that we can give you a password to access our system.

Remember, remember the 5th November - have fun and stay safe

For firework safety advice, go to http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Fireworksafety/Pages/Fireworksafety.aspx

The nearest minor injuries unit open this evening (Tuesday 5th November) is located at Honiton Hospital and is open until 2300.  

Our Nurse Practitioners' advice to treat burns is to:

• Cool the burn with cool  water for 10–30 minutes, ideally within 20 minutes of the injury occurring. Never use ice, iced water or any creams or greasy substances, such as butter. 

Please see medical attention for:

• all chemical and electrical burns 

• large or deep burns – any burn bigger than the affected person’s hand

• full thickness burns of all sizes – these burns cause white or charred skin

• partial thickness burns on the face, hands, arms, feet, legs or genitals – these are burns that cause blisters

We provide a minor injuries service in Ottery between 0900 and 1300 Monday to Friday.  If you need to be seen outside these times, the nearest MIU is located in Honiton Hospital. Their current opening times are: Friday to Tuesday: 0730 to 2300 and Wednesday to Thursday 1000 to 1800.

The closest accident and emergency unit, including Xray is located at the RD&E Hospital, Heavitree, Exeter. However if any injury or illness is life threatening you should dial 999 immediately.

If in doubt about where to be seen please telephone us on 01404 814447 for advice, or NHS 111 (dial 111).   

After 1800 or before 0830 if you need a doctor and your problem cannot wait until we reopen, please phone us and hold while your call is transferred to Devon Doctors on Call.  Alternatively you can phone Devon Doctors direct on 0845 6710 270 or NHS 111 (dial 111).

Minor Injuries Unit

The Minor Injuries Unit at Ottery Hospital will be closed until 2nd December 2013.   The practice will be providing a similar minor injuries service in Ottery between 0900 and 1300 Monday to Friday.  If you need to be seen outside these times, the nearest MIU is located in Honiton Hospital. Their current opening times are: Friday to Tuesday: 0730 to 2300 and Wednesday to Thursday 1000 to 1800.

Minor injuries are usually cuts, grazes, minor falls, animal bites, minor burns, bruising, sprains, strains, foreign bodies and minor bumps.

The symptoms for many minor illnesses can be helped or treated with products that can be purchased over the counter from your local pharmacy.  However if symptoms persist or get worse please telephone us.

The following web sites have symptom checkers  www.devondoctors.co.uk and http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx

The following are not minor injuries:

999 emergencies
Severe airway or breathing problems
Actual or suspected overdose
Accidental ingestion, poisoning, fume or smoke inhalation
Blows to the head with loss of consciousness
Sudden collapse or fall
Penetrating eye injury
Chemical or biological contamination
Full thickness burns
Burns caused by electric shock
Severe lacerations and penetrating injuries
Trauma to hands, limbs or feet substantially affecting function

The closest accident and emergency unit, including Xray is located at the RD&E Hospital, Heavitree, Exeter. However if any injury or illness is life threatening you should dial 999 immediately.

If in doubt about where to be seen please telephone us on 01404 814447 for advice, or NHS 111 (dial 111).   After 1800 or before 0830 if you need a doctor and your problem cannot wait until we reopen, please phone us and hold while your call is transferred to Devon Doctors on Call.  Alternatively you can phone Devon Doctors direct on 0845 6710 270 or NHS 111 (dial 111).

Emergency contraception - please contact us or call in as soon as possible.   If you are unable to get in to see us, or during weekends or bank holidays you can still  access free emergency contraception from Walk-In Centres, other Minor Injury Units, and some local pharmacies

Better late than never

Flu vaccinations are still available* - please book your appointment soon.

The practice is very busy when flu clinics are running.  When you come for your flu jab, for your own  safety and comfort, please:

• only attend if you have a pre booked appointment.  It's easy to get an appointment - phone up or book online but please do not turn up without an appointment.  Our clinics are reviewed beforehand so that we have enough vaccine available and the health professionals running the clinics are aware of the patients who will be attending.
  
• park in the Land of Canaan car park or Sainsburys

• arrive on time, and no more than five minutes before your appointment
  
• while you are waiting, take off your coat and roll up your sleeve
  
• make a separate appointment with your doctor or nurse if you have any other health matters that you would like to discuss. The flu clinics are for administering flu vaccine only.
  
• cancel and rebook your appointment if you have experienced any vomiting or diarrhea within the previous 48 hours.   Please also cancel and rebook if you feel unwell, have a high temperature or an infection.

You should tell the nurse before your vaccination if you are allergic to either eggs or chicken, if you have had a reaction to a previous flu jab and/or if you are allergic to antibiotics.

Flu vaccines are generally safe and well-tolerated.  Some people might develop tenderness and welling at the site of the injection.  A small number may experience any of the following: fever, headache, general aches and tiredness which may last one or two days.  If this occurs you may find paracetamol helpful (check that this is suitable for you by reading the instructions).

Sever allergic reactions following vaccinations are very rare and usually occur soon after vaccination.  If you develop symptoms such as breathlessness, swelling or a rash you should seek prompt medical attention.

*subject to eligibility

Staff Training

We will be closed between 1pm and 2pm on Friday 18th October for staff training.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Do I need a flu jab?

Follow this link to find out why a seasonal flu jab is recommended  http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx  and follow this link to find out who should have one http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspx
and then phone us to book your appointment

Sharing Information - Your Choice

Sharing information with the NHS  HSCIC (Health and Social Care Information Centre)
 
The NHS plans to link information from all the places you receive care eg GP, hospital and community services.  Sharing information can help improve understanding, locally and nationally, of the most important health needs and the quality of the treatment and care provided by local health services.  It may also help researchers by supporting studies that identify patterns in diseases, responses to different treatments and potential solutions.  

In approximately 4 weeks time we will be sharing information such as your postcode and NHS number (but not your name) with the HSCIC.  Your information will be used to link your records in a secure system.  How your information is used and shared is controlled by law and strict rules are in place to protect your privacy. 

We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.  If you are happy for your information to be shared you do not need to do anything.   If you wish to opt out of data sharing with the HSCIC then please let us know.  You can do this by completing a form at reception or please write to us or email us at coleridgemedicalcentre@nhs.net,  giving your full name, date of birth, postcode and a statement that says you do not wish to share your information with the HSCIC.  

For more information you can download a leaflet and FAQ from www.nhs.uk/caredata

Please note that this is a different scheme from the Summary Care Record (SCR).  More information about data sharing for the SCR can be found at
http://www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk/