WINTER 2011/12 LATEST NEWS

BOWEL CANCER SCREENING

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is now fully rolled out.

This means that most people in their sixties will have already received an invitation from the programme.

It is important to note, however, that exactly when the invitation is sent out depends upon a person's date of birth. For example, some areas began sending invitations to people with 'even' birthdays (60, 62, 64 etc). Others started with those with 'odd' birthdays (eg 61, 63, 65…). It can take up to two years for every eligible person in an area to be invited.

Most areas will have sent out invitations to all those eligible by the end of 2012.

Screening is for people without symptoms.

If you are concerned about any symptoms, please contact your GP or visit NHS Direct Online. If you have questions about the program, please ring the helpline on 08007076060. You can ring this number to request a screening kit if you are over 70.

Dr Kanji awarded MSc

We are delighted to announce that Dr Kanji was awarded the MSc in Dermatology Skills and Treatment on 23/11/11. Dr Kanji regularly carried out minor surgery at the Chequers Drive Surgery.

Transport Problems?

Do you have a transport need but don't know who to ask for help? Do you know someone who is socially isolated due to a lack of transport?
CLICK HERE for help and information>

SNOW

We are already thinking about winter and the possibility of snowy conditions - Can you help us to help others >

Charity Corner

As a practice we have decided not to have one single designated charity to support, but that we will raise funds for charities according to individual preferences. We will keep details of fundraising activities by the practice and also of activities being undertaken by individual members of staff in this section of the news.

Christmas Card Amnesty
Every year the staff at the 2 surgeries hold a Christmas Card Amnesty whereby staff may choose not to send Christmas cards to their colleagues, but instead to make a donation to a charity. This year we have chosen to support Carers Bucks (www.carersbucks.org/) which is a charity formed to support unpaid family carers in Bucks. We know they have helped lots of our patients in many different ways. People can be referred to carers Bucks, but can also self refer by ringing 01494 463536.

UPDATE: We raised £68.50

Movember

UPDATE: Jeremy has raised £630.00-well done Jeremy, and thank goodness the moustache has now gone!

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. The funds raised in the UK support the number one and two male specific cancers - prostate and testicular cancer. The funds raised are directed to programmes run directly by Movember and their men’s health partners, The Prostate Cancer Charity and the Institute of Cancer Research.

Our practice manager, Jeremy Pinner, is valiantly attempting to grow a moustache. We will keep you updated on his progress with a series of photos.

The link for donations is http://mobro.co./JemPinner

British Heart Foundation

Paula's raffle raised £72.00 for the British Heart Foundation. Many thanks to everyone who bought tickets, and to Paula for organising it.

Jeans for Genes Day - Friday 7th October

We are really grateful to the staff and patients at Hughenden Valley Surgery for their efforts in wearing jeans to work and contributing to this worthwhile charity. We have raised £32.00. Many thanks.

Jeans for Genes is the national charity raising money for children with genetic disorders, to fund the care they need now and the research which could change their futures.

In the UK, one baby in every 25 is born with a genetic disorder. Although individually these disorders can be extremely rare, together they are the biggest killer of children aged fourteen and under.

Jeans for Genes Day invites companies and schools across the UK to wear their jeans to work or school in return for a donation. This year is the charity’s 16th anniversary and to date it has raised over £35 million to help change the lives of children with genetic disorders.  Visit http://www.jeansforgenesday.com/


FLU
are you eligible?

A quick reminder, those in the at-risk groups and who are eligible to obtain a free flu jab on the NHS are:

• pregnant women (in any stage of pregnancy)
• anyone with a long-term condition including diabetes, asthma, liver disease, kidney disease or heart or chest problems
• people undergoing medical treatment who may have a compromised immune system
• people with a neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a frontline health or social care worker
• people living in a residential or nursing home
• a main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if they fall ill
• anyone aged 65 or over
 

Do you need help losing weight? Is your BMI over 30?
You may be eligible for 3 months free Weightwatchers or Rosemary Conley-ask your GP NOW!!

Eligibility criteria for referral:

1. Those patients identified as obese (BMI ≥ 30 or ≥ 28 for BME groups)

2. Those patients identified as overweight (BMI ≥ 28) with a co-morbidity e.g. high blood glucose, high blood pressure, high CVD risk, musculoskeletal issues.

In addition patients should not be pregnant, not have an eating disorder and have not attended a commercial weight management programme in the last 3 months.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

If you are affected by daytime sleepiness, you may have obstructive sleep apnoea. This particularly, but not exclusively, tends to affect people who are overweight. Click here to see if you may be at risk of this.

Are you affected by memory problems?

Perhaps someone close to you is suffering from memory problems? Ask your GP for a dementia resource pack when you are next in. This pack contains details of many local organisations that can help carers and patients in this situation.

Dr Hykin awarded FRCGP

Dr Hykin was presented with the Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners on 13th May 2011. The Fellowship is the highest award issued by the College to GPs in recognition of doctors who bring 'added value' to the profession. Dr Hykin would like to thank her colleagues and patients who nominated and supported her for this award.

Local probable Mumps outbreak

If you have missed any of your MMR jabs please feel free to book with our vaccine nurse.

To read all about the Wakefield scandal visit www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452.full.

THE PHARMACY SHOP

There's 'nothing' you can do for a cold???-WRONG!!

Did you know that you can buy all sorts of useful things in our pharmacy?  The pharmacy stocks ibuprofen tablets and liquid, also paracetamol tablets and liquid. It is often cheaper to buy the 'generic' product rather than the branded product - the pharmacy stocks both. The pharmacy also sells aspirin and co-codamol, as well as pholcodine linctus and menthol crystals for inhalation if you are suffering from a nasty cold. We sell aciclovir cream for cold sores - you don't need a prescription.  If you are feeling the chill, the pharmacy has a stock of hot water bottles. We also stock tissues and a range of thermometers and have a good selection of throat pastilles and nose sprays.

Foundation Year 2 Doctors

Since August 2010 we will again be supervising the training of foundation year 2 doctors. These doctors have already completed 1 year post qualification, but are not trained GPs, and will therefore be supervised by the partners in the practice as they learn about General Practice. You may be asked by the receptionist if you would be happy to be seen by the Foundation Year 2 Doctor. This is likely to involve a slightly longer appointment than usual.

Medical students

As you may be aware, this practice already teaches 4th year medical students each year between January and June. We are now starting to teach medical students closer to their time of qualification. These students need to have the opportunity to have patients consult with them much as would happen with a GP. The receptionists may ask you if you would be happy to be seen by such a student. This will mean a longer appointment, because after you have been seen by the student you will also be seen by the GP who is supervising that student. If you do not have the time for this (it will take about 30 minutes total) or would prefer not to be seen by the medical student then please let the receptionist know this after she has asked you.

Motability

One of our patients has asked us to mention this scheme. If you receive the higher rate of disability living allowance, you may be eligible for this scheme which she describes as "really brilliant" as you get to use a new car for 3 years, updated every three years, and much of the ongoing costs of running a car are covered by the scheme. Have a look at the website to see if this might be useful for you or your relative; http://www.motabilitycarscheme.co.uk/main.cfm?Type=CS

40+ ?

Why not try the NHS 40+ online health checker? Click here to visit the website.

EPIPENS

Please check the expiry date of your epipen if you carry one. We have ordered in extra supplies if you need them. For further information click here.