September 2008

We thought it about time to send everyone a newsletter once again. As you can imagine, with 10000 patients this is quite a mammoth task requiring hours of folding, envelope-stuffing, stamping and sorting ready for posting. However with various changes happening to healthcare at the moment, now is a good time to let you know what is going on – we would also appreciate your help in responding to some information gathering requirements that we need to implement.

Dr Katy Preuveneers has joined us this August as an additional doctor to the team. Katy trained in Bristol and then undertook her postgraduate training to be a General Practitioner in Dorset. Dr Helen Kimble, who was working with us over the last year, left us in July and is expecting her first child

For some months, owing to changes in the way that the NHS dealt with the costs of vaccines in primary care, we have not been carrying full stocks of travel vaccines. We have now re-introduced our previous level of service and now stock, at Goodwood Court, the commonest travel vaccines – Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio. Patients who require Rabies, Japanese B Encephalitis, Cholera, or Meningitis ACWY will need to request a prescription to obtain these vaccines from a pharmacy. Yellow Fever is no longer administered by our practice and the nearest Yellow Fever centre is at Sussex Medical Chambers in New Church Road, 01273 430022. We advise you to ask about vaccines for travel at least 6 weeks before departure. click for link to our travel section

Drug manufacturing problems have led to some medications being unavailable over the last year and others have been limited by the NHS owing to tremendous price hikes by manufacturers. There has also been a planned move towards cfc-free inhalers. Hence some patients may have found substitution of medications on repeat prescriptions. Any changes are made by one of the doctors taking into account current best practice. Please talk it through with your doctor if you have any queries. On a similar theme, we would remind everyone who orders medications outside a consultation that they should use the pre-printed list of authorised medications which is issued on the side-slip of their prescription to ensure accuracy. Medications which are not authorised on such a listing are unlikely to be issued without consultation with your doctor.

Wii Fit … have you got one yet? If you enjoy your television and can operate a DVD type remote control, then the Wii Fit may be a good way of getting yourself fitter. No embarrassing moments in front of others; no need to get the car out to drive down to the gym; bring the family together jogging in the front-room and learn to walk a tightrope without causing any damage. If you get the chance, have a go and enjoy getting fitter, losing weight and improving your balance and posture.

We have been having problems with the landlord of the Eaton Centre regarding their demands for a massively increased rent. This has been causing a lot of stress to Dr Jani and may result in us having to withdraw from providing services at that site. We are awaiting the outcome of legal negotiations but hope to keep the Eaton Centre open for mornings Monday to Friday with Dr Katy working alongside Dr Jani. However we will be consolidating all telephone enquiries and requests to our main number 0844 477 0925 from 1^st November 2008. Please would you change your records to remove the 01273 733620 number.

We asked a proportion of our patients to comment on our practice services during July and August and we thank all those who did so. Results are available online and at the practice. We have taken on board some of your kind suggestions and have introduced a Saturday (pre-bookable only) surgery once a month for those who work away from Hove and also a clock in the waiting room! Other changes are taking place and you can follow changes on our website under the feedback section.

Your risk of Cardiac Disease or Stroke can be assessed using a computer analysis tool. If you have not had your cholesterol and blood pressure checked in the last couple of years, please DO BOOK IN in order that we can calculate your personal risk and advise you accordingly.

Screening for bowel cancer is starting in the next few months to more mature adults.. do not be surprised if an invitation to take part drops through your door. This is handled by a regional screening centre and not by the practice.

IF YOU ARE DUE A FLU or PNEUMONIA JAB this autumn, your invitation with dates of clinics will be sent to you by email or by post. If you do not receive an invitation and you believe you should be invited – please ask at Reception.

INFORMATION REQUIRED… All practices in Brighton and Hove are being asked to gather data on their patient population this year in order to assess the health needs that need to be put into the locality. Please help us in this mammoth task by completing the form below and returning it to us – or preferably, complete the online form on our website