Patient Group Newsletter

Summer 2024 - Issue 69

At last, after a slow start, we have some summer weather!

The stresses and strains which the NHS is under are apparent across the media but we remain fortunate to have a Medical Centre which continues to offer a good service. However, the number of patients who do not turn up for appointments, whilst being below the national average, do remain a concern. Missed appointments mean that professionally qualified staff are not fully utilised. There will always be a few who have last minute issues to attend to, but this does not apply to all. Please may I ask again that patients let the Medical Centre know if they cannot attend. This will not only benefit other patients who are waiting for appointments but it will also help to ensure that those who are available to care for us are able to do that.

There are many reports in the media of possible changes to working practices at GP surgeries, please be assured that, if any changes are proposed, the PPG will be made aware and patients will be kept informed. The recent reduction in operating hours of the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Exmouth Hospital will now continue until the end of October.

Exmouth Minor Injury Unit (MIU) opens 8am to 8pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.  On Tuesdays and Wednesdays opening hours are 8am to 3:30pm.  It will be closed all day on Saturdays.  These hours will continue for the next 3 months and will be reviewed by the NHS at the end of October. However, local pharmacies offer help and advice for minor ailments, and they can often be a more immediate source of help.  Alternatively, please call 111.

Inside this issue you will find details of the “Care Navigation” system, and you may find this helpful when requiring medical attention.

If you have any comments or concerns that you wish to raise, please do not hesitate to contact the Patient Participation group, or you can leave a note addressed to the PPG at the Surgery, we will respond as quickly as we can.

Wishing you a happy and healthy summer.

Sue Lake
Chairperson, Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre PPG

Care Navigation

Care navigation is a way for general practice staff to ensure patients are being directed to the most appropriate course of care through specially trained care navigators.

Care navigators are members of your GPs support staff who have been trained to help you get the right help from the right place. They will work with you to ensure that you are signposted to the right support at the right time.  They can direct you to the best member of the healthcare team to deal with medical issues and help connect you with the most appropriate service for any other support you might need.

Care navigators will not offer any clinical advice, all medical concerns will be referred onto the practice healthcare team.

Care navigation means patients are more likely to see the right person the first time and may be seen sooner than they would have done if they were to see a GP. It allows patients to better understand their options and increases patient choice through a two-way conversation with the care navigator.

By linking patients with the most appropriate care, care navigators can help to reduce the number of avoidable GP appointments releasing GP time for those patients most in need.  Linking patients with other members of the practice team also results in reduced patient waiting times and faster access to care for patients.

You may not need to see a GP for some conditions and you can seek support and advice on the NHS website. You can also see the NHS 111 website if you are concerned or worried.

NHS App

If you have access to the internet via a smartphone or tablet, please download the NHS APP so you can manage appointments, order repeat prescriptions, get health and safety advice, view your medical record securely.

What you need to do step by step:

• Once you enter your email address, you will be sent a 6 digit security code via email.  You will be asked to enter this code to verify your email address and press continue.
• Next, you will be asked to give your mobile phone number.  Another 6 digit security code will be sent to you via text message.  A security code will be sent to your mobile every time you log in.
• Once you enter your code, you will be asked to verify your ID, you are asked to provide a pictures of your passport of driving licence.

Additional information:

• After you download the app, you will need to set up an NHS login and prove who you are.  The app will then securely connect to information from your GP surgery.
• If your device supports fingerprint or facial recognition, you can use it to log in to the NHS app each time, instead of using a password and security code.

Urine Samples

If you have been asked to drop off a urine sample, there is a cream bin just inside the reception area on a table.  You will need to complete a request form and add this to the bag containing your urine sample. This is to ensure that the sample is handled and processed correctly.  Please DO NOT drop off a urine sample if you have not been asked to do so.

If the sample needs to be sent to the laboratory, it will need to be at the surgery by 11.30am as the courier arrives at 12.30pm and all samples for the hospital need to be processed, entered onto the clinical system and paperwork generated.

Book your flu and covid vaccinations today

We are now booking appointments for this autumn’s Flu and Covid vaccinations on Saturday 5th October and Saturday 12th October 2024 and have extensive clinics available during week days.

If you are aged 65 and over, or will turn 65 by 31 March 2025, or in a clinical at risk group you will be eligible for both vaccinations. You can receive both vaccines during a single appointment or at two separate ones.

Even if you were vaccinated last year, it’s important to get vaccinated again. Viruses can change from year to year and protection decreases over time. The best defence is to get your vaccine before the virus starts circulating. If you are eligible, please take advantage of this preventive measure to stay healthy and strong throughout the winter.

If you have previously had an adverse reaction to a flu vaccination or are allergic to eggs, please inform us. This will enable your GP to review your medical notes for suitability.

PHONE 01395 441212, MONDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 10.00AM TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Practice Activity February 2024

How to contact the Medical Centre

The medical centre is available, Monday to Friday, 8.00am-6.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays) and can be contacted in the following ways:

• Telephone: 01395 441 212
• NHS App (24/7): Send messages through your medical record and request medication.
• SystmOnline App (24/7): Send messages through your medical record and request medication
• Patient Triage: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri – excluding Bank Holidays

Please phone for anything which is urgent and requires same day advice – we appreciate there can be waits, but these will not exceed 20 minutes and we ask for your patience.