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August Newsletter
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For the patients of The Roseland Surgeries
August Bank Holiday Closing
Monday 31st August – Surgery CLOSED
Patients are still able to contact a doctor in an emergency out of normal surgery hours and should you need a GP in an emergency when the surgery is closed, please telephone NHS 111 for advice. You may still telephone the surgery line out of hours – 01872 580345 – and an answerphone message will direct you to the right services. Please remember to make sure your medication is ordered in advance of this bank holiday weekend so you’re not left without any over the weekend.
Flu Vaccinations for Autumn 2015
Summer barely seems to have started and already we have our Flu Vaccination Clinics planned for this year to protect you for the winter months ahead! This year, our list will include those over 65, those with chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes, pregnant women and some of our youngsters as well. Starting in September, we will be holding a number of clinics with our experienced nursing staff across the week. Please do book an appointment by telephoning reception – if you’re over 65 or usually attend the flu clinic each year, don’t worry about waiting for your invitation letter!
For our young patients, we will be holding our very first Flu Party afternoon at Portscatho Surgery in early October – do look out for the invite and please contact us to book your appointment.
We would like to remind all our patients that the vaccination services provided by the Roseland Surgeries are not only vital for the health of the population, but the income they bring to our practice helps fund many other services throughout the rest of the year. Other organisations may approach you offering to provide an alternative service, but please remember they will not have access to your medical records and cannot give other immunisations, such as those to protect you again pneumonia, which are often given at the same time.
Hearing Loss Cornwall
Many patients suffering from hearing loss and those wearing hearing aids may not be aware of a company called Hearing Loss Cornwall. This registered charity was founded in 1932 and is managed by a committee comprising of deaf and hard of hearing people. Their aim is to support, advocate and help meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing adults and children in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. They have a lending library, equipment on display that may be of help to deaf and hard of hearing people and can help with information on all aspects of hearing loss. They also arrange Basic British Sign Language courses (6 week duration) providing there is enough interest.
If you would like to know more about this charity and/or access any help and support, they can be contacted either by telephone 01872 225868, textphone 01872 263664 or email on: info@hearinglosscornwall.org. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm (closed
1 pm-1.30 pm) They also have a website: www.hearinglosscornwall.org.
Hearing Aid Centre and Audiology at RCH
Patients may not be aware that the Hearing Aid Centre based at the Royal Cornwall Hospital holds repair sessions at the Audiology Department Monday to Thursdays 9 am to 4 pm and Fridays 9 to 12 noon. If your hearing aid becomes faulty or you experience problems which require advice, you can attend without an appointment. You would need to take along your battery book and please note that this service is only available to patients with hearing aids that have been provided on the NHS. If you have purchased a hearing aid from a private clinic, you would need to ask them for help and advice.
If you are unable to travel to Truro, you may be able to post your hearing aid for repair. You would need to post the faulty aid and the ear mould to the Audiology Dept and enclose your battery book, together with your details and a note regarding the problem you are having. If, however, you would prefer not to post your aid, there are some ‘outreach’ clinics available though these must be booked in advance and it could be a few weeks before you are seen. Should you need to do this, please telephone the department for further advice: 01871 2537867 (or textphone: 01872 240892)
Comments/Compliments/Complaints
Whilst we always like to hear compliments about the surgery and its staff, from time to time we know that things can and do go wrong. It is really important that you let us know if things do go wrong for you. We do have a formal Complaints Procedure and we’re happy to deal with your comments in writing. However, often problems can be dealt with by a ‘phone call, or popping in to see Nicola, the Practice Manager for a chat and this is a very good way of getting as much information as possible so we can sort the problem out. Information about our Complaints Procedure may also be found on the surgery website: www.roselandsurgeries.co.uk
It is only when patients and their representatives feed back their experiences, especially when they’re not so great, that we can hope to improve on the service we provide.
Patient Confidentiality
Concern has been expressed by a couple of patients about an unwillingness to divulge information regarding their loved ones. Unfortunately, the law regarding patient confidentiality is very clear. Regardless of whether you are the next-of-kin, without the express consent of the patient concerned, we are unable to provide any information at all – this also includes leaving messages with relatives asking the patient to contact us. Safeguarding confidentiality is particularly problematic with regard to minors. Children from the age of 16 are considered to be adults in regard to medical law and as such, parents are not entitled to information about a child of 16 or over who may have attended the surgery. There are circumstances when children under 16 have the same protection, but these are dealt with on an individual basis. Equally, if your husband or wife seeks medical advice about you, we cannot divulge this – we must always assume, unless otherwise informed, that they do not want the details shared.
There are, however, ways around this to enable us to work with the patient and their relatives/carers. Should any patient be happy for us to communicate with a relative or carer, all we require is a short letter giving us permission to do so. Although this can seem quite bureaucratic, it does protect everyone involved.
We know that this can seem completely ‘potty’ at times, but we have to work within the confines of the law, and ensure that we protect all of our patients. We hope that you will understand.
Living Well with Diabetes Day
We have received a flyer from Diabetes UK regarding a FREE one day event being run in Truro. The aim is to help people to live well with Type 2 Diabetes. This free event is being held by Diabetes UK at the Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre, Truro on Tuesday 15th September 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Book today – places are limited.
www.diabetes.org.uk/lwdd 0345 123 2399
(note: Living with Diabetes Days are funded by Tesco’s 2013/14 National Charity Partnership with Diabetes UK)
A concerning ‘cold calling’ incident
We have been informed by NHS England that a small number of patients in the North and East of Cornwall have been contacted by a company alleging to be working with information supplied by their GP. The company are trying to sell electronic beds and chairs and will pressurise the customer into agreeing to a sales appointment.
A similar incident was reported to NHS England in Exeter back in March, targeting patients with arthritis and I have personal experience of such cold calling ‘scams’ from my work in Gloucestershire. They were very plausible and one patient I know paid over a thousand pounds for an orthopaedic mattress which in fact, retailed at around £300.
Please be assured that NO personal information regarding any patient is divulged to any third party without the express consent of the patient, so if they say they have information regarding your medical history, or your current medication, please be cautious – this will not have come from the surgery. If you are contacted by the company, please let me know as soon as you possibly can. NHS England has set up a task force to deal with these rogue companies.
If you would like to download a copy of this Newletter, you can do so by clicking here.
Nicola Hayward
Practice Manager
Dr. Mike Black MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG FP Cert
Dr. Will Hynds MA MB BChir MRCGP DRCOG DCH
Dr. Terese Tubman BMed MRCGP DipFFP
Dr Jonathan Jacoby MB BCh BSc (Hons) MRCGP