Roseland Surgeries Winter Newsletter 2020

for the patients of The Roseland Surgeries

 

Forthcoming Bank Holidays:-

Christmas Eve Thurs 24th Dec – open as usual

Christmas Day Friday 25th Dec – CLOSED

Boxing Day Saturday 26th Dec – CLOSED

Sun 27th Dec – closed

Bank Holiday Mon 28th Dec – CLOSED

Tues 29th Dec – open as usual 8.30 am

Wed 30th Dec – open as usual 8.30 am

New Year’s Eve Thurs 31st Dec – open as usual

New Year’s Day – Friday 1st Jan – CLOSED

Sat 2nd/Sun 3rd Jan – closed

Monday 4th Jan – open as usual 8.30 am

If you need a GP for a medical emergency, eg. chest pain, when the surgery is closed, please call 999.  For medical advice that cannot wait until the surgery opens, please phone NHS111 and they will direct you appropriately.  Please remember to order your medication taking into account the days we are closed over the festive season.

Please do NOT call the emergency services for repeat medication.  Please note though that your local pharmacy will be able to give you an emergency supply if you inadvertently run out of medication. 

Medication Deliveries

As Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Friday this year, anyone who usually has a delivery on a Friday afternoon, will now receive it on the day before, Thurs 24th Dec and/or Thurs 31st December.  Tuesday deliveries will remain the same.

Please remember, we cannot leave your medication in a porch, or a box outside – we have to give it to the patient, or their representative to ensure that the medication is received.  Please ensure you will be in for your delivery – especially important if you’re waiting on medication for the Christmas period.

Are you waiting for an Out Patient Appointment?

Many patients will be waiting on delayed out patient appointments, diagnostic procedures and/or elective admissions.  In order to help patients who are concerned that their condition or symptoms are deteriorating, the Royal Cornwall Hospital has set up a patient hotline.   The aim of this hotline is to:-

  • avoid patients having to return to their GP to raise concerns about their condition or symptoms with a view to expediting care
  • ensure there is a clear route in for enquiries where patients are concerned about their condition
  • help keep patients safe whilst waiting for treatment as all enquiries and concerns are assessed by a clinician.

The hotline is:  0800 035 7777 or you can email:  rcht.cornwall.patienthotline@nhs.net

If you want to find out what the current waiting times are for treatment, you may like to visit the RCHT website, and you can access that link here.

If your symptoms are unchanged since the referral and you just want to know about waiting times, please DO NOT phone the hotline – use the web link. Many thanks.

COVID-19….. ongoing…….

As I write this, we are just coming out of a second national lockdown.  We’re all incredibly fed up, and with the weather turning colder, getting some exercise outdoors may be difficult for some people.

Roseland Surgeries remain open and we are continuing to operate our ‘phone first’ system, with the GP booking face to face appointments as they are needed.

The Roseland Together volunteers are in force and there for you to access should you need any help at all –  the Hub Coordinators can be contacted on: www.rspgroselandtogether.co.uk/

Financial help is also available if you are in difficulties caused by the pandemic via their local COVID fund.  This can be a cash grant or an interest-free loan via a strictly confidential application process.

Email roselandassist@gmail.com or phone

07711832232 to find out more.
Please look after yourself and stay safe and follow the Hands, Face, Space advice to help each one of us living here in the Roseland to also stay safe.

Covid-19 vaccinations

At the time of writing this newsletter, debate is still ongoing as to which vaccine we will receive, how we get it delivered to us and of course, how we administer it to our patients.

Please be assured that we will keep you updated and as soon as we know the detail, we will be sure to share it!  Please keep your eyes on the surgery website and Roseland Online for information.

Flu vaccinations

We have been able to secure a further batch of flu vaccines for all of our at risk patients who have not had had the immunisation.  So, if you would like one, please contact reception and get booked in ASAP.    If you are aged 50-64 years, and not in a ‘medical at risk group’ (i.e. have diabetes, lung/kidney/heart disease, immunosuppressed) you are now eligible for a free flu vaccination as well – and we have the vaccine in stock.

It is more important than ever that we immunise as many patients as possible – flu season is upon us, so please give reception a call and book your appointment.

Looking after your mental health

This has been a very tricky year and we know that some people have found themselves grappling with their mental health.  The festive season brings its own struggles and so, if you find you need some support, please do consider contacting one of the many helplines that are out there:-

If you just need to talk, any time of day or night

The following services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:

Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours

Text SHOUT to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text YM if you’re under 19

If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

Nightlink – 0808 800 0306 – an emotional support helpline and text service for anyone in Cornwall who is experiencing emotional distress. All calls are confidential. Nightlink is available seven days a week from 5.00pm – 12.00am. Text service 07717 989 021

SANE – 0845 767 8000 – offers support to anyone coping with mental illness, including concerned relatives or friends. The SANE helpline is available 7 days a week from 6.00pm – 11.00pm.

Papyrus are the national UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide and they provide  confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK.  HOPElineUK – 0800 068 4141 – this is a specialist telephone helpline for children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35. Call Hopeline if you have concerns about suicide either for yourself or for someone else. Alternatively visit their website at https://www.papyrus-uk.org HOPELineUK is available: Monday to Friday – 10.00am to 5.00pm; Evenings – 7.00pm – 10.00pm; Weekends – 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org Text: 07786 209 697

CALM – 0800 58 58 58 – (Campaign Against Living Miserably) Specifically for men, this service is open 7 days a week, from 5.00pm to 12.00am.
www.thecalmzone.net

Local services can also be viewed here:-

https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/i-need-help-now/

Season’s Greetings:

As this will be the last newsletter of 2020, the doctors, nurses and staff of The Roseland Surgeries would like to wish all of our patients, their families and carers a very happy and healthy Christmas and our warmest wishes for the New Year.

We would also like to celebrate the community spirit and multiple examples of generosity and bravery shown by residents of the Roseland in supporting the surgery and vulnerable neighbours during the pandemic. Kind words, donations of  PPE, plus freely given time and transport have helped us all get through it.

Nicola Davies

Practice Manager 

Dr. Will Hynds   MA  MB  BChir   MRCGP  DRCOG  DCH

Dr. Terese Tubman  BMed   MRCGP  DipFFP

Dr Jonathan Jacoby   MB  BCh  BSc (Hons)   MRCGP

Dr Mark Stephen  MB  BCh BSc MRCGP DRCOG

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