SMS texting service roll out. The surgery is pleased to announce an enhancement to its existing text service. As some of you may be aware the surgery has been texting a reminder to patients regarding GP appointments for over a year. This service was well received, however the messages were basic. The surgery now has access to an enhanced system which will text patients a confirmation of an appointment when it has been made, then the day before the appointment the system will send a reminder including the time and date of the appointment. You will now be reminded about appointments not only for the GPs but also Nurses and for blood tests. The system will be further enhanced when regular blood test results will be texted to you. The feedback from the new service has been very positive.

If you do not wish your mobile phone number to be used for this purpose please contact the surgery and we can update our records.

Training Days

We hold regular training sessions on a Wednesday and on the following dates we will be CLOSED in the afternoon from 1.00pm.

During these closure times:

14th March 2012

If you need medical advice call NHS Direct on 0845 4647

If you need urgent medical attention call 0844 412 2239

Cold and Flu
Back Pain
Diarrhoea
First Aid

Cold or Flu

 

Resources

Colds & Flu
A factsheet on the causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention of colds & the flu

NHS Choices - is it the common cold or the flu?
Colds and flu can share some of the same symptoms (sneezing, coughing, sore throat) but are caused by different viruses, and flu can be much more serious.  Find out more.


Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Influenza – flu – is a highly infectious and potentially serious illness caused by influenza viruses.  Each year the make-up of the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the influenza viruses that the World Healflujabsth Organization decide are most likely to be circulating in the coming winter.

Regular immunisation (vaccination) is given free of charge to the following at-risk people, to protect them from seasonal flu:

  • people aged 65 or over,
  • people with a serious medical condition
  • if you are pregnant
  • people living in a residential or nursing home
  • the main carers for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer becomes ill
  • healthcare or social care professionals directly involved in patient care


Resources

For more information on flu immunisation, including background information on the vaccine and how you can get the jab, see Seasonal flu jab.

HPA - Season Flu Guide

RCGP & RPS Joint Statement on Flu Vaccines

Seasonal Flu guide


These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
 
For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS DirectNHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare servicesNHS ChoicesDepartment of HealthMy Surgery Website