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Spring 2010

Winter 2009

July 2009

Early morning and evening appointments From 1st September we will be offering some early and evening appointments. Emergencies will continue to be dealt with by the Out of Hours services during these times. You will need to use the intercom to gain access to the building when you attend one of these appointments. Prescription collection and other reception services are not available at these times.

Monday 7.00 - 8.00 and 18.30 - 20.00

Tuesday 7.00 - 8.00

Thursday 18.30 - 20.00

Friday 7.00 - 8.00

Car Park

Bury PCT has implemeted a car park management scheme. Patients parked on the Health Centre car park are permitted to park up to a maximum of 1 hour. The car park is for patients to use when visiting the Health Centre and Pharmacy only. If you are seen to be visiting other off site premises then you will be issued with a fixed penalty charge. If you expect to be in the health centre over one hour please inform the Primary Care Trust reception desk. Please note Bury PCT are unable to deal with any penalty notice directly. For any questions/appeals please ring car park management on 0870 609 2453

A new automated book-in system has been installed. This is a quick and easy way to book your self in when attending the surgery for an appointment. We are hoping that this will help make a receptionist available for other queries and to answer the telephone. A member of staff will be happy to assist if you have any difficulties.

Prescription Line We now have a new automated prescription line open 24 hours a day. Please follow the instructions carefully. Prescriptions ordered before 12 noon using this service will be ready for collection after 3pm the same day Monday - Friday.

Choose and BookThis is the government's new initiative that should be operational by the end of 2005. The scheme is intended to give patients choice about where they are treated.

Once the doctor has decided to refer, patients will be given several choices, to determine which hospital they wish to go to. A booking line will then allow patients to make a convenient appointment. It is envisaged that this method of referral will be fully operating by 2006.

Care at the Chemist

We are one of the Practices within Bury PCT that is participating in the Care at the Chemist Scheme. The scheme allows patients to obtain medication for minor ailments directly from participating community pharmacies without the need for a consultion with a GP, or a prescription. Patients exempt from prescription charges would receive the medication free.

The scheme covers the following minor ailment conditions

Constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, hay fever, athletes foot, threadworms, headlice, headache earache/temperature, vaginal thrush, oral thrush, teething/mouth ulcers, bites and stings, dry cough, chesty cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, contact/seborrhoeic dermatitis.

For further information ask at reception for a Care at the Chemist leaflet or see the posters displayed in the practice.

Carers

We are currently taking part in the Carers Health Project, which aims to identify carers and ensure that they are informed about services to which they may be entitled. If you look after anybody who is frail or has physical or mental disabilities or you have a disabled child you are a carer. It is important that you let us know, even if you do not require any help at the moment it allows us to keep you informed of any new services, which may become available.

Blood Pressure Machine We now have a BP machine located in the waiting area for patients to use. Please complete a lifestyle questionnaire and follow the instructions on display to take your blood pressure, attach your reading to your questionnaire. We ask that you hand it directly to a receptionist in case any action is required.

THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

Would you prefer to speak to the GP rather than make an appointment to come in? If so, then please ask the receptionist to book you a telephone consultation. These are available in both the morning and the afternoon and the receptionist will tell you the approximate time the GP will ring you back . Please leave your telephone number, and remember not to leave the answerphone switched on.

Repeat Prescribing - As from 13th May we are now issuing 28 days supply of medication rather than 56 days. At the moment this is for patients over the age of 60 and under 16. The reason for this is because analysis has shown that this will save on wastage of medication. Our telephone line can become very busy at times, please remember to order your repeat prescription in advance of when you need the medication. Why not try ordering your prescription on-line!

Advanced Access

To achieve the Governments directive that patients should be able to access a health care professional within 48 hours routinely we have made amendments to our appointment system.

MEDICATION CHANGES.

For patients taking Omeprazole/Lansoprazole/Pantoprazole the dosage has been reduced. This is because we recognise that after several months' usage, the dose can safely be halved and your symptoms should not return.

The practice has also been made aware that efficiences in prescribing can be improved. As part of this, it has been suggested that prescriptions for Imdur 60mg should be altered to Isosorbide Mononitrate 20mg tablets 1 to be taken at night and 1 with breakfast. This will not alter the effectiveness of your medication.

If you wish to discuss either of these changes please contact the surgery and arrange for a telephone consultation with the Dr of your choice.

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© 2001-2007 Simon Child

Tottington Medical Practice
16 Market Street, Tottington, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 4AD
Tel 01204 88 5106