Tell us what you think...

Thank you to all patients who completed our patient survey recently. We are now analysing the results, which will be published in February 2012.

New doctors... we have been joined by two local doctors: Dr Simon Lowe full time and Dr Martyn Walling two days a week.

Telephone booking... following feedback from patients, we've made the automated telephone system easier to use.

Wasted appointments... in January 188 people did not keep their appointment without letting us know. That equals 35 hours of time. If you no longer need your appointment, please let us know so that we can offer it to someone else. Overall in 2011, 493 hours were lost in wasted appointments, the equivalent of 13 weeks' work for one person.

Self check-in... in January 63% of patients used the self checking-in monitor. Thank you! This enables our receptionists to spend more time on complex issues and answering the telephone. If you're not sure how to use the self check-in monitor, please ask one of the receptionists who will be pleased to help.  The monitor will now display a message saying how many patients are still to be seen before you.

New out of hours number... if you need urgent medical care or advice when we're closed, dial 111.

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