SUMMER NEWS LETTER

2010

Practice nursing team.

Julie Caskie, Fiona Waters and Sue McCartney run regular clinics for chronic disease management and routine problems such as dressings, immunisations,and minor injuries.

Health care assistants Kate Collins and Sally Walker now hold regular blood taking sessions, take blood pressures, new patient health checks, ECGs and Kate will shortly be offering smoking cessation advice.

Minor illness appointments.

Appointments are available with Julie most days for problems such as hayfever, ear infections, sore throats, urine infections and emergency contraception

Fees

GPs are sometimes asked to complete accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes, or a report to certify that a patient is fit for a specific activity, or pre-employment medicals as requested by employers, and you may be asked to pay a fee for completion for this work as suggested by the BMA.

Do you want to stop smoking?

Please make an appointment at reception to see our specialist NHS stop smoking advisor. We run a clinic every Thursday afternoon.

Any old, out of date or unused medication please hand in to your local pharmacy and they will be able to dispose of it safely. Pharmacists are also qualified to give advice on common complaints, such as coughs, colds, flu, sore throats aches and pains.

NHS Direct on 0845 46 47a confidential 24 hour advice and health information service staffed by nurse and professional advisers.

Child immunisation clinics

 

One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases. We run child immunisation clinics every Wednesday morning but,  if this is not convenient we will try to find another more suitable time. The right clothing can save time and effort at the clinic, so choose thin cotton layers fastened with poppers for babies under 12 months, and loose short sleeve shirts are ideal for older children. As a parent you may not like seeing your baby or child being given an injection, but try to stay calm, the less fuss the better. Remember, vaccinations are quick safe and effective.

 

HOLIDAYS

Travel Clinics  Ensure your holiday immunisations are up to date by obtaining a Travel Form. Please obtain a form from reception, preferably six  weeks before you travel (especially if you are going somewhere tropical) or visit our website www.cliftonhealthcentre.co.uk.

Please return your completed  travel form to the surgery and arrange an appointment to see one of our practice nurses.

 Sun Safety – Protect yourself and your family! Make sure you never burn:

Stay in the shade between 11am – 3pm

Wear loose cotton clothes in the sun and wear a hat.

Remember to take extra care with children

Use Factor 15+ sun cream. Fair skins (and red hair) are at greater risk of burning

Precautions – take a medical kit, especially if you are going to a remote destination.

Take adequate supplies of any regular medication – always carry medicines in your hand luggage on an aircraft.

Air Travel – Travel in loose clothes and try to walk around the aircraft.

Drink little and often to reduce dehydration (not alcohol as this causes dehydration)!

While you are away – over exposure to the sun can cause burning, dehydration and even skin cancer. So cover up!

OPENING TIMES

From August we have created some appointments on Mondays, later in the evening and early morning appointments, to help accommodate patients that find it difficult to get in during the day

If you would like one of these appointments please let the receptionists know and they will try to organise one for you. If you are able to attend during the day we would appreciate if you could continue to do so.