National Dementia Awareness Campaign
[posted 9th March 2010]
The Department of Health, supported by Alzheimer's Society, will launch a major national awareness campaign about dementia this month.
In February 2009 the Department published the National Dementia Strategy for England: a five year plan to radically transform the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers in England.
The awareness campaign forms part of the Department's commitment to deliver the Strategy by improving public understanding about dementia.
Professor David Colin-Thomé is the the National Clinical Director for Primary Care, he is acutely aware of the crucial role that GPs and other colleagues in primary care play in supporting the early and effective diagnosis of dementia, and in helping families facing the condition. He is hoping that this campaign will begin to improve public understanding about the condition.
The campaign will use national TV, radio, press and online advertising, featuring people with dementia talking about their experience of the condition. It will encourage the public to find out more about dementia and the simple ways they can help someone living with it. It has been developed following significant research to establish current levels of public understanding about dementia and the ways to improve this.
The theme for the campaign is 'Dementia. The more we understand, the more we can help.' As part of the campaign, people will be encouraged to visit the NHS Choices website for information on dementia, to ring an information line for an information pack or to contact Alzheimer's Society.
Why do we need an awareness campaign?
The research conducted for the Department suggests that a lack of knowledge about dementia, and fear of its consequences, can result in the public avoiding contact with people with dementia - leaving them feeling isolated and discriminated against. The campaign aims to begin to address this attitude of avoidance, by ensuring that people are better informed and understand the true nature of the condition.
Impact on primary care services
The campaign will not specifically tell people to go to their doctor. However, it will increase the profile of dementia, and may prompt a rise in individuals approaching primary care services. On the basis of previous campaigns we believe that this impact is likely to be manageable.
Members of the public who wish to find out more about dementia can ring the information line (0300 123 1914)* or visit the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk/dementia. A comprehensive information pack, containing clear, simple, practical advice on how to support someone with dementia, will be sent to those requesting further information.
Further information can also be found via the Alzheimer's Society's website www.alzheimers.org.uk/.
Information about local Alzheimer's Society services can be found at: www.alzheimers.org.uk/primarycare.
Order Repeat Prescriptions Online
[posted 3rd Feb 2010]
If your doctor has agreed for you to have repeat prescriptions, you can now order a repeat prescription online. In order to access this service you will need to be registered with EmissAccess. To register for or access this service please follow the link below.
[posted:3rd Feb 2010]
Included in this issue is the latest news on the Building Extension
Please click on the link below to view the Newsletter:
[posted 9th March 2010]
Swine flu has diminished in the UK and as a result the National Pandemic Flu Service, set up to offer online and telephone assessments, has now closed. The decline in swine flu cases means the service is no longer needed, although it can be reinstated within seven days if a new wave of infections emerges. However, it remains important that you know how to protect yourself, your family and others.
Key messages
- Read up on swine flu symptoms
- Stay at home and call your GP if you are still concerned
- You should call your GP directly if:
- you have a serious underlying illness
- you are pregnant
- you have a sick child under one year old
- your condition suddenly gets much worse
- your condition is still getting worse after seven days (or five days for a child)
Key actions
Swine flu remains a threat in the UK. Prepare now by:
- Learning to recognise the symptoms of swine flu
- Establishing ‘flu friends’ - friends and relatives who can help if you fall ill
- Keeping paracetamol-based cold remedies in the house
- Having a thermometer available so you can check your temperature if needed
Note: If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours please check on them. They may need your help but be reluctant to ask for it. It is important you do what you can.
Audit of Dispensing Services 2009
[posted 21st Oct 2009]
Following discussion with the dispensers it was agreed that it would be helpful to audit how satisfied our patients were with the services provided by the dispensary. During August, September and October 2009 patients collecting prescriptions were asked to complete a questionnaire. You can read the results by clicking on the following link:
Results of Dispensing Survey 2009
[posted 5th Oct 2009]
As you may know Dr Amanda Lyon has left Morland House Surgery to move with her family to Switzerland. Amanda has been a GP at Morland House Surgery for over eight years and will be greatly missed by the partners and staff at the practice as well as by her many patients.
We are delighted to inform you that Amanda will be replaced by Dr Ahsan Alvi.
Dr Alvi who has provided locum cover at the surgery in recent years qualified as a doctor at St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London in 1998. After qualifying, he worked in hospitals in south London, High Wycombe and Leicester gaining hospital clinical experience before deciding to train as a General Practitioner in the Oxford area. This training included a 6 month attachment to the Oxford Mental Health Trust.
Since qualifying as a GP in 2004 he has worked as a GP in Oxford but spent 2006 in Jordan and took 6 months out in 2008 to work in Syria.
Dr Alvi's special interest within General Practice is psychiatry.
We look forward to Dr Alvi joining the practice on 4 January 2010. Until then his duties will be covered by our locum doctor Dr Paul Park.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Practice Manager if you require any further informationin.
[posted 5th Oct 2009]
FLU … Anybody can get it - Help Protect Yourself Now!
ARE YOU
• Aged 65 or Over?
OR DO YOU SUFFER FROM
• Asthma?
• Chronic Respiratory Disease?
• Heart problems?
• Diabetes?
• Kidney Disease?
• Immunosuppression?
If YES – You Are At Risk!!
You Are Entitled to a FREE Flu Vaccination.
Morland House Surgery in Wheatley is running Flu vaccination clinics for its patients throughout October and November.
Call the Surgery to make your appointment NOW!!
Telephone 01865 872448
[posted 16th June 2009]
To prevent illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia the Department of Health recommends that you should have a once in a lifetime pneumococcal vaccination if you are aged 65 or over, or under 65 and affected by any of the following conditions:
a) Chronic respiratory disease
b) Chronic heart disease
c) Chronic kidney disease
d) Chronic liver disease
e) Diabetes
f) A weak immune system
g) Cochlear implants
h) Dysfunction of the spleen or Asplenia
i) Cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Please book an appointment with the practice nurse to receive the vaccination.
Building Work Starts On Extension
[posted 1st sept 2009]
We are pleased to announce that, having received planning permission, building work will commence in September 2009 on an extension to Morland House Surgery. The extension will greatly improve the facilities currently available in the existing building and will provide 4 new consulting rooms and a new waiting area for our patients on the ground floor.
Whilst the building work is being carried out car parking spaces on site will be restricted. We would therefore ask patients to bring their car to the surgery only when absolutely necessary and to park elsewhere if possible. Please note that there is no parking available in Morland Close.
Whilst the building work is being carried out we will endeavour to ensure that any disruption to our neighbours and patients is kept to a minimum. We apologise however for any inconvenience that may be caused.
To see the plans for the new buildings click on the following link:
Barbara Noakes
Practice Manager
On behalf of the Partners
[posted:20th April 2009]
Morland House Surgery, including the dispensary, will be open on Saturday mornings (Bank holiday weekends excluded) for urgent doctor’s appointments and nurse clinics from 8.30am to 11.20am. A small number of appointments can be booked in advance (by phone 01865 872448 up to Friday evening or online www.morland-house.co.uk) and some will be reserved for emergency walk-in. Please note the surgery phones will not be answered on a Saturday morning.
In addition from 1 April 2009 we will be piloting a summer Wednesday evening clinic from 6.30 – 7.20pm for commuters and working patients who find it difficult to attend the surgery during the day and don’t want to keep taking time off work for this. The surgery will only be open at this time for patients who have booked in advance.
The doctors will take it in turns to do the Saturday surgery but will not be doing home visits or routine phone calls. The nurse clinic will be available for pre booked immunisations and travel vaccinations, cervical screening, smoking cessation and weight management support.
The out of hours service will continue to operate throughout the weekend including Saturday mornings and from 6.30pm weekday evenings to provide urgent medical care, telephone advice and home visits when necessary. The out of hours service can be contacted by phoning 0845 345 8995
We are currently taking on new patients. If you live in the area and have not yet registered with us please contact reception on 01865 872448 to arrange for this.
2009 Patient Satisfaction Survey
[posted:10th March 2009]
During December 2008 and January 2009 the surgery carried out a patient satisfaction survey. A random selection of patients were asked to complete the questionnaire ensuring that a minimum of 25 questionnaires per 1000 patients was achieved and that patients of all the GPs in the practice were surveyed. To find out the results of the survey and discover what actions have being taken in response to comments in the patient survey please click on the link below.
Results of the 2009 Patient Satisfaction Survey