Home  Newsletter and latest news Summer 2009 |
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INNSandOUTS of Abbey Medical Practice Practice Newsletter Summer 2009 Issue 21
INNSandOUTS, our regular newsletter is designed to inform you of developments within the Practice, local and national health issues and other information to help you get the best from the services we offer.
Don’t forget!
Since Friday 1st May the practice has been known as the Abbey Medical Practice and our web-site, which has details of all the services we offer, current personnel and latest news is at: www.abbeymedicalpractice.uk.com/
Afternoon Closures
The surgery will be closed on the following afternoons for ongoing development training for all doctors and staff: Thursday 2nd July and Wednesday 2nd September. If you require a doctor on these afternoons, telephone the surgery in the usual way and you will be put in touch with the doctor on call service. If you want general medical advice at any time, telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
Opening Times (Gold Street)
Surgery opening times are:
Monday to Friday – 08.00am to 6.30pm
We are also offer 2 ‘extended hours’ surgeries on Tuesday evening, 6.30 – 8.00pm and Saturday mornings 8.00 – 9.45am
Opening Times (Earls Barton Surgery)
The opening times at the branch surgery are:
Mondays to Thursdays - 8:30am to 5.00pm
Fridays – 8.30am until 12.30pm.
Out of hours
Out of hours cover (from 6:30pm-8:00am) and at weekends, bank holidays etc. is provided for urgent medical problems. The practice is served by an out of hours service called Nights, Evenings and Weekends Doctors on Call (NENEDOC), incorporating Keydoc, which is based within the Hospital grounds at Kettering. The telephone number for advice is 01536 522955. Alternatively you can telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for immediate health advice at any time of the day or night.
Flu Vaccinations
The Abbey Medical Practice strongly recommends that you have a yearly ‘flu vaccination if you are over 65 or “at risk”. This year we have arranged specific ‘flu vaccination clinics on 5 Saturdays from 3rd to 31st October at Gold Street, Wellingborough and midweek sessions at Broad Street, Earls Barton. Clinics will be run from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Gold Street and 9.00am to 11.30am at Earls Barton.
Unlike previously, 2009 vaccinations are by APPOINTMENT ONLY. If you are in the “at risk” group you will be contacted by letter/postcard.
Attendance for Appointments
It is the policy of the Practice that patients who arrive late by twenty minutes or more for their appointment cannot be assured of being seen as previously arranged. Two choices may be offered; a) to wait until the doctor with whom the appointment had been made has finished his/her surgery to be seen at the end, or b) to arrange another appointment through the receptionist. Also, please remember that it is our policy of “one problem = one appointment”.
Repeat Prescribing
Repeat prescriptions can be requested either by using one of the two ‘post boxes’ that are situated outside the main doors (for use when the surgery is closed) or in the entrance hall or, of course, by post. If an s.a.e. is enclosed your new prescription will be sent back to you. Please note, that there is no requirement to see your doctor to arrange for repeat medication. However, when a review date is shown, this is purely for internal purposes and does not signify that an appointment is needed. If a ‘review appointment’ is required, you will be notified by letter or by a message on your next repeat prescription slip.
Travel Advice Clinics
This travel clinic is only held at our Gold Street surgery one afternoon each week. Appointments are booked though our receptionists in the usual way and travellers must allow at least 6 weeks notice prior to travel. Some aspects of this service is outside the scope of the NHS and fees are charged as displayed in the waiting room. In addition, please note that a non-refundable deposit of £10 per person is payable upon making a ‘travel appointment’ in respect of the necessary ‘risks to health’ research by our travel specialist and administration incurred.
Hay fever
Summer is here and with it, for some, hayfever! Now might be a good time that your inhalers or medication is available and in date. Most hayfever treatments are available from your chemist as over the counter medicines, which for those who are liable to prescription charges, often cheaper too!
Sun Safety
Stay safe in the sun this summer and by taking a few simple steps you could dramatically reduce the risk of skin damage. Remember to stay out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, which is between 11.00am and 3.00pm, wear loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and use a sun screen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), for example SPF 15 means that you can spend 15 times longer in the sun before getting burnt. Also take extra care with children by using a sun block and additional protection on tips of ears, noses and cheeks. Babies less than 6 months should be keep out of the sun as much as possible and use a sun screen especially for babies.
Volunteer Car Service
If you have an hospital outpatient appointment and have no transport the Wellingborough Volunteer Bureau now offer the “Volunteer Medical Car Service” Telephone 01933 272735 or ask at reception for further details.
Volunteer Car Service (Earls Barton)
If you have a hospital outpatient or Doctors appointment and have no transport and live in the Earls Barton/Mears Ashby area the Earls Barton Help Scheme, supported by “Churches Together” may be able to assist. Telephone 01604 812526.
Summer is here! Enjoy it and stay safe!
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