Scam?

Cold Calling Incident – have you been contacted?

This week NHS England SW has received two reports from two GP surgeries in the North and East of Cornwall regarding a company who had cold-called one of their patients, seemingly with the patient’s medical history. (In the first incident the company allegedly claimed they had obtained this information from the patient’s GP Surgery).

The company are trying to sell electronic beds and chairs and pressurise the customer into agreeing to a sales appointment.

This incident is similar to one reported in the Exeter area in March, but at that time it targeted patients with arthritis.

If you experience such an incident, please do the following:

·         Write down as much information about the call as you can.

·         inform us immediately and tell us what happened via our email address coleridgemedicalcentre@nhs.net (attention Practice Manager)

·         Inform the police

We will inform and share information given to us with NHS England.

Age Concern will be here on Wednesday 12th August 2015 from 0930 until 1200 noon

No childhood vaccination clinic on Monday 3rd August 2015

Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances the childhood vaccination clinic on Monday 3rd August 2015 is cancelled.  The next available clinic will be on Thursday 6th August.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Order your repeat prescription in time for the August bank holiday

The bank holiday is approaching.  Please order your repeat medication in plenty of time.

Please plan ahead to avoid being left without vital medication over the August bank holiday.

We are anticipating a busy time in the run up to the bank holiday, 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 Friday 28th August 2015.  We will open again on Tuesday
1st September 2015.


You can book appointments and order repeat medication on line.  Please see our website for further information or ask at our reception desk.

Ear Syringing Update

Due to the shortage of nursing time with sickness and retirement some non essential nursing procedures have had to be suspended for the time being. Ear syringing is one of the services we hope to resume later in the year.

In the meantime the message from Philly Evans, Nurse Practitioner is:-

Please continue to oil your ears with olive oil and the wax may soften and come out on its own. You can also get sodium bicarbonate ear drops which are astringent and can make the ear sore but break the wax up to allow it to  come out naturally.

Please telephone us is only if you have earache or Audiology/RDE have asked you to get your ears syringed.  We have created a waiting list and patients will be contacted once our staffing levels are back to normal.  

Please note that NHS Walk In Centres will only syringe audiology appointment  waiting list patients

Staff training on Tuesday 21 July 2015 1.00pm - 2.00pm

The surgery will be closed between 1pm and 2pm on Tuesday 21 July 2015 for staff training.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you need medical assistance when we are closed you can:

• phone the  NHS 111 service for medical advice by dialling 111.
• pop in to your local pharmacy for advice and over the counter medication.
• If your problem is urgent phone the NHS 111 service by dialling 111. 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.

CQC Inspection Report

Our CQC inspection report is now available.  Go to our Care Quality Commission section to read it

We want your feedback

It's easy, choose an emoticon (face), complete the survey and post in the slot by the prescription desk.

Heatwave

We have reports that there is an 80% probability of heatwave conditions between 1200 on Tuesday and 0600 on Thursday in parts of England.  To prevent major and avoidable effects on health during severe heat Public Health England recommends:-

Stay out of the heat

• Keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
• If you go out in the heat walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf
• Avoid extreme physical exertion
• Wear light, loose fittings cotton clothes

Cool yourself down

• Have plenty of cold drinks, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
• Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruit with a high water content
• Take a cool shower, bath or body wash
• Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck

Look out for others

• Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool
• Ensure that babies, children or elderly people are not left alone in stationary cars
• Check on elderly or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during a heatwave
• Be alert and call a doctor or social services if someone is unwell or further help is needed.

If you have a health problem

• Keep medicines below 25C or in the refrigerator (read storage instructions on the packaging)
• Seek medical advice if you are suffering from a chronic medical condition or taking multiple medications

If you or others feel unwell

• Try to get help if you feel dizzy, weak, anxious or have intense thirst and headache; move to a cool place as soon as possible and measure your body temperature
• Drink some water or fruit juice to rehydrate
• Rest immediately in a cool place if you have painful muscular spasms (particularly in the legs, arms or abdomen, in many cases after sustained exercise during very hot weather), and drink oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes
• Medical attention is needed if heat cramps last more than one hour
• Consult your doctor if you feel unusual symptoms or symptoms persist

Keep your environment cool

• Keeping your living space cool is especially important for infants, the elderly or those with chronic health conditions or who can't look after themselves
• Place a thermometer in your main living room and bedroom to keep a check on the temperature
• Keeps windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped
• Close curtains that receive the morning or afternoon sun, however, care should be taken with metal blinds and dark curtains as these can absorb heat - consider replacing or putting reflective material in-between them and the window space
• Turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment - they generate heat
• Keep indoor plants and bowls of water in the house as evaporation helps cool the air
• If possible, move into a cooler room, especially for sleeping
• Electric fans may provide some relief, if temperatures are below 35C

(longer term)

• Consider putting up external shading outside windows
• Use pale, reflective external paints
• Have your loft and cavity walls insulated - this keeps the heat in when it is cold and out when it is hot
• Grow trees and leafy plants near windows to act as natural air-conditioners

Surgery closed between 1.00pm - 2.00pm Wednesday 10th June for staff training

The surgery will be closed between 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday 10th June 2015 for staff training.  
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you need medical assistance when we are closed you can:

• phone the  NHS 111 service for medical advice by dialling 111.
• pop in to your local pharmacy for advice and over the counter medication.
• If your problem is urgent phone the NHS 111 service by dialling 111. 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.