Coronavirus: latest information and advice - GOV.UK
Advice for travellers from Wuhan
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
- call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
before making a face to face appointment at you GP surgery call NHS 111.
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.
What this means in practice
We are asking people to take simple, common-sense steps to avoid close contact with other people as much as possible, like they would with other flu viruses.
This means remaining at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan and not going to work, school or public areas including GP surgeries.
Where possible, you should avoid having visitors to your home, but it’s ok for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food.
Transport
You should not use public transport or taxis until 14 days after your return from Wuhan.
Getting food and medicine
We recommend that you stay at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan, and avoid public places. Where possible, contact a friend, family member or delivery services to carry out errands on your behalf.
Taking children to school
We recommend that you stay at home for 14 days after arriving from Wuhan, and avoid public places. Where possible, contact a friend or family member to take your children to school.
Why the advice has changed
This is an evolving situation and the advice has changed based on emerging information from China about the number of cases and spread of the infection from person to person.
This is a highly precautionary measure to limit the potential spread of infection.
23 November 2019
Home Visits:
You may have seen headline news this weekend that doctors have voted to stop home visits...
Doctors Vote To End Home Visits
Rest assured that we have no plans to withdraw our Home Visit Service.
Home visits are a vital part of our service and for some, the only way they are able to access it.
It is essential for the safety of all patients that the service is used appropriately, however.
- As we are a rural area, our home visits impact our patients more than our inner-city colleagues.
- Each home visit request costs you, our patients, approximately six GP surgery appointments.
- Unless you are unable to leave your home, you will be asked to attend the surgery where we can access your medical records.
- There is actually a very narrow gap between being so unwell that you cannot travel by taxi to the surgery; but not being unwell enough to need to go to hospital. Consequently, the medical need for a home visit is rare.
We are limited as to what we can offer in your home...
- GPs no longer carry medication with them.
- Nor do we have the specialised tools or manpower of the Paramedics or First Responders.
- There are no longer any gaps within surgery times to leave the practice for home visits; so most visits must take place between am surgery and pm surgery.
- Depending on the number of visit requests in a day, your visit may be delayed until after pm surgery.
- It is common for people to request a GP visit because they cannot leave their home, but then to have gone out when the doctor attends. Each episode is equivalent to six consecutive patients failing to attend their surgery appointments.
- Obviously it is not correct to request to use the home visit service just because you don’t want to order a taxi, or because the weather or the roads are too bad to travel to the surgery.
The issues around home visits are not exclusive to our area and the decision by the BMA to vote to end home visit appears to be a reflection on the impact nationally, on access to GP appointments, when GPs are requested to drive out to see patients who may or may not be there.
Once again, please rest assured that we are not withdrawing our Home Visit Service, and if a home visit from a GP is what you need, then that is what you will get.
Chequers Drive Surgery Temporary Closure
12/11/2019
Could blood pressure tablets be more effective if taken at bedtime?
Over recent days very large numbers of people have used GP appointments to discuss media reports that blood pressure medication may be more effective if taken at bedtime.
Please refer to the following information provided by the NHS before requesting an appointment.
https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/could-blood-pressure-tablets-be-more-effective-if-taken-bedtime/
In all circumstances, it is unlikely that you will need an on the day appointment or an emergency appointment with a doctor to discuss this issue.
Thank you for leaving those appointments for patients that are acutely unwell.
If, after reading the published advice carefully, you still have concerns then the best action would be to speak to your pharmacist.
If you are in need of a doctor's appointment, they will tell you.
Thank you for helping us, help you.
1 November 1994 - 1 November 2019
Huge Congratulations to Dr Sara Cottam, who today celebrates her 25th Anniversary at Hughenden Valley Surgery!!
With the number of appointments within that time measured in the hundreds of thousands, its hard to overstate the direct impact that Dr Cottam has had on her community, but the true impact is in fact far wider.
Not only was Sara instrumental and central to the very existence of our current practice, but her unwavering support of the Rennie Grove Hospice and her relentless commitment to safe prescribing and improving prescribing standards throughout the whole region offer us just a flavour of her dedication to her profession and her patients.
Sara's encyclopaedic knowledge of the local service, the local population and the local geography (if you live in a house without a number I am referring to you!) and her tireless contribution to the health and well-being of those we serve goes well beyond any measure.
As Sara enters the next chapter of her career as our Senior Partner, we wish her nothing less than continued success, good health and the happiness she deserves and has so thoroughly earned.
CONGRATULATIONS SARA, AND WELL DONE!
WE ARE ALL REALLY PROUD OF YOU!
Date: 08 October 2019
Zantac / Ranitidine Recall Update
We are aware that at approximately 4pm today the MHRA, the government department that monitors medication safety, has advised that there is a total recall of all prescribed Zantac products.
Click here for details: ZANTAC RECALL
The document advises that Zantac bought over the counter (without a prescription) is not affected as it is made by a different company.
At this time, all other forms of Ranitidine are also unaffected.
We have zero patients prescribed Zantac which is subject to this recall notice.
We have 295 patients prescribed other forms of Ranitidine which is not subject to this recall notice.
We will contact you if you need to change your medication.
It is not necessary to book an appointment with a GP to discuss this issue at this time.
Date: 26 September 2019
Thames Valley researchers honoured at awards
Healthcare staff in Thames Valley and South Midlands were honoured for their contribution to NHS, public health and social care research at an awards event in Reading last night.
The fourth Thames Valley Health Research Awards was held in Reading Town Hall and organised by the NIHR Clinical Research Network Thames Valley and South Midlands (LCRN).
More than 90 researchers in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire were nominated by colleagues with winners were selected by a panel of judges.
The LCRN’s Clinical Director Prof Belinda Lennox said: “We’ve had a fantastic year in 2018/19, with more than 60,000 participants recruited to studies thanks to the hard work of our staff, patients and public volunteers.
“This award ceremony was a great opportunity to celebrate those who have made this possible. They have all made an outstanding contribution to research and it was an honour to thank them for their hard work by presenting them with these awards.”
Our very own Dr Hykin received a Highly Commended award for the fantastic work she does in Outstanding Research Impact.
**New Doctors**
The practice is delighted to announce that three new doctors have started with us this August (2019):
We welcome Dr Rita De and Dr Rachel Amess who have both joined us from local practices and Dr Alexander Robinson who has arrived from a practice in Essex. They will all be great additions to our expanding clinical team.
Message from Dr Hykin
To my patients,
I shall be leaving the practice at the end of the year. This is so that I can spend more time with my family and pursue my interests in the field of medical safety. I shall have been with the practice for almost 18 years and I have really enjoyed working here with my wonderful colleagues. Working in general practice is such a challenge, but so very rewarding when we get things right, and I do so hope that I have been helpful to people across the years. I am going to miss my patients but I know that you are in safe hands, and that new and excellent GPs are joining the practice to build on the strong foundations laid many years before I even qualified as a doctor. I wish you all good health.
Dr Lynnette Hykin
Bowel scope screening
Bowel scope screening is a new test for people aged 55 where a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end is used to look inside your bowel.
It's done to look for and remove any small growths called polyps. These could eventually turn into cancer if they're not removed.
The test is also called a flexible sigmoidoscopy or "flexisig".
When it's offered
Bowel scope screening is being rolled out to all men and women in England aged 55. Depending on where you live, it may not be offered in your area yet.
If you're registered with a GP and live in an area where the test is available, you'll automatically be sent an invitation. Call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60 to check if it's available in your area.
It's a one-off test, and you'll only be invited to have it once.
If you decide not to have the test straight away, you can have it at any point up to your 60th birthday. Call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60 to arrange an appointment.
From 60 onwards, you'll be invited to do a bowel cancer screening home test kit every 2 years instead.
Click here for more information
HUGE RISE IN FLU CASES REPORTED THIS WEEK. HAVE YOU HAD YOUR JAB?
Just over 50% of our at risk patients have had their flu jabs so far this season despite all the extra clinics, a pattern seen across the UK as the mild winter and lack of deaths this year (only 41 so far) have led to a drop in vaccine uptake.
The inevitable surge in cases of flu in the UK has now started with a vengeance.
You do still have time to protect yourself and those around you.
Just come in to either surgery and we will give you your flu jab while you wait. You do not need an appointment.
We thank our other patients who may be waiting to be seen for supporting this approach. Overall the few moments waiting could save you several weeks of waiting for an appointment later if the national outbreak hits our community before those needing jabs have had them.
The press are today reporting that ONE MILLION cases were reported last week - taking the total number of cases to two million this season.
Flu outbreak: Number doubles to 2 million in just one week.
Remember, if you have any chronic illness, or care for anyone that does or if you are over the age or 65, or pregnant then you need a flu jab. Children at risk can also have flu vaccination as nose drops (see below).
Please don't risk it.
Winter is coming.
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Care Navigation
To radically improve access to appropriate medical services we have introduced the NHS Care Navigation Scheme.
Our front of house personnel has been trained to work with patients to ensure they are seen by the most appropriate member of the practice clinical team. It has often been the case that patients visit their practice and see a GP who is in actual fact, not the most appropriate or suitable person to deal with their problem.
Care Navigation is designed to ensure that a patient gets to see the most appropriate team member and in some cases are assisted to self-refer (to specialties such as podiatry); when a prior clinical appointment is actually not needed. Using Care Navigation will help speed up the clinical process by ensuring you get to see the right person sooner.
Our practice has recently recruited a highly experienced First Contact Physio who is the most appropriate person to see regarding joint or muscular pain and will in most cases be a much faster route than a GP (who usually refer on to a FC Physio).
We have also expanded our nurse practitioner team and they are able to see a greater number of general illness cases. They can deal with a great many problems as can our prescribing nurses.
To enable this to work effectively the Navigation team will request a basic indication of the problem so they can then signpost the patient to the correct clinician. This isn’t a requirement but it is very likely to a delay if they are unable to use their knowledge to place the patient appropriately. To facilitate this; the team will only accept appointment requests by telephone up until 9am after which patients may do so in person.
We have also recently introduced a replacement telephone system which we hope will further improve access to the surgery. The system is still being adjusted to deliver what we need it to but we are confident all facets will be fully functional by the beginning of February.
Important news form the National GP Awards 2018!
1/12/2018
Breaking News:
Hughenden Valley and Chequers Surgeries have found themselves in the Winners Enclosure at the National GP awards once again this year.
The GP awards, now in their 10th year were described as the "Oscars of the Health Service" and gather annually to acknowledge extraordinary or outstanding excellence and unparalleled dedication to patients in all areas of Healthcare throughout the United Kingdom.
This year, the biggest event yet, saw literally tens of thousands of Healthcare Professionals being considered for their dedication, drive and innovation.
There many inspirational accounts of service and patient care far exceeding expectations all over the country. Several have been featured in the National and Local Press already; but of course, there can only be ONE WINNER!
We are literally brimming with pride to announce that Nurse Carole Knight, our very own welfare and V.A.L.I.A.N.T. nurse has been acknowledged as the Nation's Community Nurse of the Year!!
You can find out more here:
National General Practice Awards - The Winners
For those who work with her and for the many hundreds of our most vulnerable patients that she cares for, this accolade will come as no surprise but the truth is that maintaining this level of excellence is not easy. Very few areas of the country recognise the true and widespread value of the service that Carole spearheads yet and fewer still, not even our own region allocate any funding at all to such services.
Without the unabridged commitment and outstanding dedication that Carole brings with her each and every day, the service would simply fail and any of us needing to use the Emergency Services would soon find ourselves queuing up with hundreds of additional patients.
It is both heartwarming and reassuring that the care, compassion and "outstanding professional service" that Carole personifies have been recognised at such a very high level.
Well done Carole!
Parkrun Practice Initiative
In an exciting and innovative initiative, The Hughenden and Chequres Surgery is partnering with parkrun UK to promote the health and wellbeing of staff and patients. Under this initiative, We have become parkrun practices.
RCGP Clinical Champion for Physical Activity & Lifestyle, Dr Andrew Boyd is involved in the Royal College of General Practitioners initiative and says:
"Inactivity is a leading cause of premature illness and death in the UK. GPs and their teams play a key role in encouraging and empowering their patients to get more active in the best interests of their health. parkrun provides an accessible, non-intimidating local opportunity for patients and staff to increase their activity levels, and have fun doing it, all in the great outdoors - and for free!"
Whether people want to improve their fitness, make new friends, cope with health problems, learn new skills or simply be outside with others, parkrun has a positive impact on health and wellbeing and changes lives.
Our practice meets up on the first Saturday of every month at the Rye park in High Wycombe and all staff and patients are welcome to join us and We can not wait to see you there.
On-the-day appointment requests
Click here for more infomation about On-the day appointment requests
First Contact Physiotherapist
Big Welcome to our First Contact Physiotherapist, Zoe. Zoe will see and assess all new (or flare-ups of old) musculoskeletal problems. She can refer people onwards for joint replacements if she thinks these are indicated, she can request x-rays, she can book people straight into the joint injection clinics held by Dr Hykin, Dr Jinah and Dr Wilson, she can refer people for courses of physiotherapy (NHS or private), she can refer emergencies direct to hospital if needed, she can refer to weight loss courses and many other destinations as well as making immediate recommendations for certain exercises plans according to the underlying problem. Zoe is coming to our surgery once a week, increasing to twice a week in November. She is starting at Prestwood, and in November will have a weekly session at Hughenden too. She will see people from both ends in both clinics though, and right now, there is no waiting list at all!!!! Her appointments are THREE times as long as a standard GP appointment so a thorough in depth assessment can be made. We will be displaying posters to remind people about this new service, and also our receptionists will be asking on the telephone and at the desk whether your problem is more suited to see our First Contact Physiotherapist rather than a GP or nurse. Because she provides a First Contact Service, Zoe isn't here to provide ongoing physiotherapy or old-fashioned massage type treatments and this way can keep the waiting list short or even absent. We believe that this new service will also help reduce the pressure on GP appointments and help musculoskeletal problems get resolved far quicker than has previously been the case.
Top of Form
Improved Access to GP Appointments
Amersham and Chesham Improved Access Service
Amersham and Chesham Improved Access Service
Local GPs are working together to offer patients better access to appointments in General Practice in Buckinghamshire, known as the ‘Improved Access’ Service. This means that you can now book an appointment in a practice local to you:
- Up until 8pm from Monday to Friday
- On a Saturday (your practice can confirm which practices are open, and their opening hours on this day)
- From 9am until 1pm on Sunday (at one of the three FedBucks Improved Access Hubs located across the county)
Amersham and Chesham Improved Access GP Surgeries
Patients registered with any GP Surgery within Amersham and Chesham will be able to access this service via the participating surgeries in their area. In Amersham and Chesham these surgeries are:
- Amersham Health Centre
- Gladstone Surgery
- Hughenden Valley Surgery
- John Hampden Surgery
- Prospect House
- Rectory Meadow Surgery
- The New Surgery
- FedBucks Improved Access Hubs located at Wycombe Hospital, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Threeways Surgery, Stoke Poges (Sundays and Bank Holiday weekends only).
All appointments need to be pre-booked in advance.
How to book an Improved Access appointment
Ring your GP Surgery as normal. If you would like an Improved Access appointment, the reception staff will tell you where clinics are being held on what day, and the times of the available appointments. A convenient appointment will be booked for you. If you use this service, it is very likely that you will be seen by a clinician from another surgery and not your own GP. The receptionist at your GP surgery will be able to provide details on this service to help you book an appointment.
This is NOT a walk in service – if you need urgent medical advice after 6.30pm, please phone NHS 111. NHS 111 will enable you to talk to a GP and book an urgent GP appointment if necessary. You can also use our local online symptom checker, Health Help Now (http://bucks.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk/) to help to find the right service in Buckinghamshire for your health needs.
We’re here for you for longer.
Should you have the flu vaccine? Please contact reception today to arrange your FLU APPOINTMENT.
3 September 2018
Thames Valley Police is one of three forces that have been chosen to conduct spot checks on driver's vision, with the possibility of drivers losing their licence immediately at the roadside if their vision is not safe.
See details here: BBC News
Can YOU read a number plate at 20 meters (approximately 60 feet)? If not then do not drive until you are safe and book your eye test with your optician today.
1 July 2018
People who missed out owing to late 90s scare stories warned of the increased risk in crowded places
Festivalgoers who missed the MMR vaccination 20 years ago have been urged to get the jab before the European festival season after infection rates in England tripled in a year.
It has been 20 years since the controversy surrounding the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which falsely linked the jab to autism and resulted in a significant drop in its uptake. The health concerns of MMR were widely discredited and Andrew Wakefield, the doctor behind the research paper which made the claim, was struck off the medical register.
The Royal College of Nursing has warned of an increased number of outbreaks of measles in parts of southern Europe. Young adults who may have missed the injection owing to scare stories in the late 90s are particularly at risk. This is because they are highly likely to be going on city breaks or visiting large European festivals such as Benicassim in Spain, which starts this weekend.
While travellers to Europe do not often consider the need for vaccinations, since the beginning of 2018 there have been more than 757 cases of measles reported across England. This compares with 274 confirmed cases last year.
The outbreaks are often associated with travel to European countries including Greece, Romania, Italy and France, according to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Measles, a highly infectious viral illness, is spread easily through airborne or droplet transmission, particularly in crowded places. Symptoms can last up to 10 days, and in few cases, can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. The MMR vaccine is available for free. Just ask at Reception and we can organise the vaccines for you.
click here to read the full article in the Guardian
Parkrun Adventures!
by Dr Lynnette Hykin
30 June 2018
Our practice has joined forces with
Parkrun UK to become a Parkrun-Practice!
We are the first practice locally get involved, however, we hope that others will soon follow in our footsteps.
This important national initiative is raising awareness of the positive and enormous impact on health and wellbeing that comes from participating in these events, either as a runner (or walker) or as a volunteer.
So what is "Parkrun"?
Its safe, organised, free, weekly, 5k events for all ages from 4+, every Saturday morning (0900), in areas of beautiful open space.
2k junior Parkruns are for 4-14-year-olds and their families on Sunday mornings.
There are now over 750 Parkrun locations in the UK.
The events are organised by local volunteer teams.
These are NOT races: you can walk, run, jog, volunteer or spectate.
Parkrun is open to all, including those who are inactive or have health conditions or disabilities.
YOU can improve YOUR health and well-being through physical activity, including volunteering.
Socialise, make friends and be part of a welcoming, supportive community.
I have been participating in Parkrun for over three years now, and I have done over 100 runs. I was never a very active person, quite often skipping ‘games’ at school, and I didn’t take up any sport at all after leaving school. Recently though I was persuaded by my daughter to ‘get fitter’. I started with the NHS couch to 5K, and having found that feasible, I then moved on to Parkrun, though I could have started with Parkrun from the beginning. My daughter has left home and can’t usually make it to our local Parkrun, so I persuaded my sister to start!
I find it easier to do regular exercise when I have someone else to encourage me, but there are plenty of ‘soloists’ at Parkrun too. It is such a friendly and supportive environment. We all cheer each other on, and there are volunteer Marshalls all around the course (you could be one of these) who also cheer and clap and generally encourage everyone. No matter how slowly you go around the course, you are always lapping the person who stayed home!
Now that we have become a Parkrun Practice, I have decided to change my loyalty from my usual Oxford Parkrun and come to Wycombe Rye Parkrun, alternating with Banbury Parkrun where my sister’s GP practice is based.
I hope to see some familiar faces there!
One final thing... there is cake!
Council Tax Discounts:
14 May 2018
Did you know that patients with certain disabilities such as Dementia may be eligible for a discount (of approximately 25%) in their Council Tax which could be back dated to the date of diagnosis?
More information can be found here: Local Council Tax Discounts and here: Dementia UK help page
Military staff and their families may also be entitled to similar discounts. Information can be found by clicking the Local Council Tax Discounts link.
Amazing support from our Community:
11 April 2018
We wish to extend a huge thank you to the pupils of the 6th form at the Royal Grammar School who are fundraising to provide additional medical equipment for our patients.
Thank you also to our local Residents Association who have now joined them and are supporting their efforts!
It really is a wonderful example of how our tremendous community pulls together around us and for each other!
If you wish to add your support or help or just read about their efforts you can find out more about whats going on here:
Royal Grammar School Fundraising Page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hughendenvalley
Details for the local Residents Association can be found here: https://hughendenresidents.org/
Thank you again for what you are doing from all of us at Hughenden Valley and Prestwood Surgeries!
Protecting your confidentiality:
7 April 2018
The new national GDPR regulations come into force in May 2018 and we have take steps to ensure your data continues to be used appropriately.
We have published an updated Privacy Notice to be found in the 'further information' section of this website which gives more details.
GP Research Active
31 March 2018
Breast Cancer Family History?
2 October 2017
Breast cancer will affect around 1/8 women in their lifetime. However, some women are at higher risk of developing breast cancer and may benefit from more regular mammograms and, in some instances, prophylactic medication. There is a really helpful tool on the BreastCancerNow website which we would encourage our patients to use. It stratifies your possible risk, and you can print out the results and show it to your GP if it suggests that referral onwards may be indicated. Unfortunately, because of the very large number of women who have got relatives with breast cancer, it is not feasible for us to complete the questionnaire for you in a consultation. This is the link to the questionnaire;
http://familyhistory.breastcancernow.org/family-history/specialist-referral/
Quadrivalent flu vaccine - Confirmation
1 September 2017
Following items recently in the news we can confirm that the practice has been using the quadrivalent vaccine throughout this season's flu campaign.
Fundraising
Dr Hykin has been fundraising for Helen and Douglas House, a Hospice for children based in Oxford. On 24th June straight after completing her 100th Parkrun (5K) she went on to do the 3K rainbow run in aid of Helen and Douglas House
This is the link to the JustGiving fundraising page;
Justgiving fundraising page
What is the P.O.I.N.T.?
Updated 2 January 2018
Do you think you might need a GP appointment but are not sure or just can't get an appointment?
Since 2008 the number of appointments in General Practice has approximately doubled.
At Hughenden Valley and Chequers Surgeries, we presently have enough appointments so that, if divided evenly, every single man woman and child can have an appointment approximately once, every single month.
You may be surprised to learn that even though there is a widely publicised and desperate shortage of GP appointments nationally, many people still book appointments when they do not need to; for example, if they have a minor ailment.
In just one day, for example, 14 'urgent case' appointments were used by people who had been stung by a wasp. The wasp itself remains at large.
In the event of an emergency, a wasp sting needs to be managed by the emergency services. If it is not an emergency then a wasp sting should be managed by your pharmacist.
In the extremely rare event of a wasp sting needing ongoing treatment, then your pharmacist will arrange for your GP to see you.
Introducing POINT:
At Hughenden Valley and Chequers Surgeries we pioneered a brand new service called POINT.
The Pharmacist Opinion: In Need of Treatment service has been developed in collaboration with local pharmacy services and is designed to help those people that need to see a GP, see a GP!
Simply present yourself to your Pharmacist with your health concern, and they will help you. It's that simple.
If you are not sure whether or not your problem is appropriate to take to a Pharmacist, you can find some information here: NHS Pharmacy Help, but if it's not an emergency and it's not already being looked after by a doctor, then it should probably go to a Pharmacist before you try and book a GP appointment.
When you see your Pharmacist, if you need to see someone else about your health problem then you will be 'pointed' in the right direction by your Pharmacist.
If, for example, you need to be seen at your GP surgery then you will be given a form (like the one shown here) to take to the GP receptionist who will arrange a fast-tracked appointment for you.
The fastest way to get a GP appointment when you need one, is to see your Pharmacist.
Pharmacies wishing to use this form may do so without charge.
A generic version of the form (Microsoft Word Document) may be downloaded here: DOWNLOAD HERE on a PC / Mac.
We were finalists in the "GP Practice Team of the Year"!
The award went to 'Sandwell & West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group' who oversee 103 GP Practices in Birmingham. They are not a 'GP Team' in the strictest sense, but clearly they deserve an award.
Naturally, its hard to compete with that kind of infrastructure and budget, but we could not be more proud of our team.
Despite attracting one of the very lowest rates of funding in the UK we are still able to strive for and achieve excellence every day and that's entirely due to the dedication of the team that serves our patients.
In the context of the NHS in 2016 this is a massive achievement. While other practices are cutting services we are still increasing them and while across the country average waiting times are up by 30% this year, we are finding new and innovative ways to buck that trend. It is commonplace now, for GP surgeries to have stopped booking any advanced appointments at all (source www.pulsetoday.co.uk June 2016). We will continue to book appointments in advance for those who need them until further notice (please remember to cancel your appointment if you no longer need it).
Nationally and locally surgeries are preventing access to any appointments at all without first undergoing a telephone assessment. We have decided that at this time we will not follow that trend and we have not removed our established systems, but rest assured we are under as much pressure as any other surgery.
Believe it or not, it really is still the case that people book up doctor's appointments for sore throats and suspected urine infections, often with symptoms for less than 24 hours.
Remember, if your child is under 5 years of age, speak to your health visitor first and if you have a minor ailment yourself then you should call 111 if you do not know what to do.
We are one part of a very large NHS jigsaw. It is important that we all consider which part of the NHS we actually need before booking a GP appointment, otherwise the appointments wont be available for those people that need them.
Your local NHS has set up a Minor Illness Unit in High Wycombe for people with minor illnesses. You do not need an appointment you just go there (its at Wycombe Hospital) and you do not need to book a GP appointment before going.
For those who do not need to go to the Minor Illness Unit, the entire pharmacy network is ready and waiting to help you. You do not need to see your GP before going there either.
We are very pleased to announce that we have installed a Free Wifi service for patients
We are aware that it can be frustrating if the patients in front of you need a little longer than average with the doctor.
Whether you need to check your emails or just want to see what the weather is like outside without having to look out of the window, hopefully this will make your wait a little easier.
Exam worries? Stressed? Check this out...
Are you a young person worried about exams, or perhaps you just got your results and don't know what to do now? Feeling stressed or just need someone to talk to?
"Time to Talk Bucks" is a service for local young people. They are getting positive feedback from many of our patients.
You can find their website here: Time To Talk
They have a "live chat" link at the top of this page, or you can email counselling@timetotalkbucks.org.uk or call 0845 408 5022 or 07764 210398 to speak with a member of the Time to Talk Bucks team.
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Wycombe Minor Illness and Injury Unit (MIIU) - field trip
Last year Dr Hykin and Nurse Lynne did a field trip to look at the Wycombe MIIU. This is what they said;
'We wanted to know what it would be like for our patients to come here. The MIIU was easy to find, being well sign-posted from the 'magic roundabout' in Wycombe.
The unit was well lit and clean with helpful notices. People check in with a receptionist who takes down some basic details of what is wrong, and what GP surgery the patient comes from. The receptionist gives the patient some idea of the wait time and then the patient sits in a waiting area. There is a drinks machine, and also a water dispenser.
We looked at several consulting rooms which we noticed were well equipped. There was a plaster room and there was an area where x-rays and scans can be taken.
On the day we visited, patients could be seen by either a GP or a nurse practitioner of which there were several. The unit was established to provide on-the-day NHS care for those with minor illnesses and injuries. They told us that they could see and treat patients with sore throats, ear infections, hay-fever, asthma flare -ups, eczema and skin infections to name but a few of the conditions they see daily, as well as injuries such as lacerations and limb fractures. Some of the patients had been recommended to come by their own surgery, some came because they had seen information about the MIIU on posters or on the internet, and some because they had been before. Some patients came because they worked in Wycombe but lived elsewhere.
Whilst we visited, we noticed about 6 people in the waiting room and observed the waiting time to be around 35 minutes.
In summary, we were really impressed with this service. With resources under so much pressure throughout the NHS, it is really good to know that there is such an efficient service locally to provide the appropriate care that people need for their minor illnesses and injuries without them even needing to phone ahead for an appointment.'
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B - SHAW - Bucks Sexual Health And Well-being service launches
Buckinghamshire County Council has recently recommissioned the specialist sexual health services for both 'genitourinary medicine' and 'contraception'.
The new service is known as B-SHAW (Bucks Sexual Health and Well-being).
Service providers and clinic opening times have changed and there is now one single point of access via a central telephone number: 0300 303 2880.
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Having trouble getting a nurse appointment?
Then please help us out.
The sharp-eyed among you will have noticed that over the past few years a considerable chunk of work which used to take place in hospital is now being done in the surgery.
While this is not the best place to discuss the politics as to why that has happened, the removal of most services from Wycombe Hospital has not helped us locally.
Our brilliant nursing team have born the brunt of much of this increased workload, which in turn makes it really important that the appointments that we have left over are used most effectively.
In the meantime we have undertaken a thorough review of the work that our nurses do and one area where we have found that we can free up resources is with the completion of health-questionnaires.
Historically, these have been completed either by a nurse during a consultation with a patient, or by a patient, again during a nurse consultation.
We have been trialling a new system whereby the questionnaires are completed at home, and then we make contact with patients who need to be contacted. It has gone well and we are already seeing shorter waiting times for nurse appointments.
Suitable areas which have been identified for "home questionnaires" include:
- Asthma Questionnaires
- Hypertension Monitoring Reviews (for patients who monitor their own blood pressure at home)
- Smoking Status reviews
If you usually "report in" to see a nurse annually, even when entirely well, you may be asked to fill in one of our new home assessments first, so that we can make sure that despite the ever increasing pressures on the service, our resources remain accessible to those who need them.
Of course we are able to offer this new service to many more patients than we could ever see during our nursing clinics, so do not be alarmed if you receive a health questionnaire from us when you are not expecting one!
Its all part of the service!!
Home assessments will typically be sent to you during the month of your birth, so that they coincide with your other health reviews.
Again, by reducing duplication we are finding we can help more patients with the resources that we are allocated.
This is an area of new development in General Practice and is likely to change with time.
For now we thank you for your help in getting it going, and welcome your feedback.
** You can find the links to the new questionnaires via the Online Services section of the site - Click Here: to go there directly**
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FREE FIRE SAFETY CHECK
Did you know that you can arrange a FREE fire safety assessment for yourself, someone you care for or anyone locally via the brilliant team at the Buckingham and Milton Keynes Fire Authority?
You can download the necessary form by clicking this link:
Fire Assessment form
and then send it by post to:
Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Brigade HQ, Stocklake, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1BD
or by email to:
cs@bucksfire.gov.uk
and they will take it from there.