Castle Practice Newsletter
05/06/2006

In the UK, people travelling for both business and leisure make over 50 million overseas journeys every year.  While many of us enjoy visiting different countries, it is easy to forget that many places do not have the same easy access to medical facilities and treatments as the UK.  It is important to be prepared before travelling overseas, be aware of the risks and protect yourself as much as possible. Contact Reception at least 8 weeks before you are due to travel as some vaccinations need to be given well in advance – whether or not you will need to have vaccinations depends on the individual country you will be travelling to, what existing medical conditions you have and what medication you are already taking.

                                                      We can advise whether vaccinations are required and what other healthcare measures are needed.

If you have not previously been immunised against diphtheria, polio or tetanus or are due for a booster, this is an ideal opportunity to have the vaccinations.  Not all vaccinations are available within the National Health Service and there may be a charge for certain ones.

If you are pregnant, you should not have any unnecessary vaccinations.

Contact Reception and ask for an appointment at the Travel Clinic.  You will be asked to confirm:-

·         The number of people travelling

·         All destinations

·         Date of travel

·         Contact telephone number

A Nurse will contact you by the end of the next working day and advise you regarding prescriptions, fees and appointments (if necessary).

Preventing Holiday Illness

Use sun sense – avoid direct exposure to sunlight between the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest – always use a sun protection lotion with an SPF (sun protection factor) and cover your entire body – reapply lotion every couple of hours – wear a hat and sunglasses with UVA and UVB filters – drink plenty of fluids – keep a careful eye on any moles on your body to check for any change in appearance.

You can reduce the risk of malaria and other insect borne diseases by using insect repellents – ask your Pharmacist for repellents that contain DEET (diethyltoluamide) as these are most effective – if you are visiting a malaria infected region, the Travel Clinic will be able to advise you about the most suitable anti-malarial drugs – some drugs need to be taken several weeks before your departure – if you develop a fever or unexplained illness during your time overseas or up to 3 months after your return, inform your GP as soon as possible.

You can reduce the risk of stomach upsets by trying not to use tap water (including for making ice, washing foods that will not be cooked and cleaning your teeth – many stomach upsets are simply caused because our bodies are not used to exotic or spicy foods – it is a good idea to introduce yourself slowly to local foods.

You can reduce the risk of heatstroke by keeping physical exertion to a minimum in hot conditions, drinking plenty of water or isotonic fluids (drinks that replace the body fluid lost through sweating) and avoiding alcohol in hot weather.

It is also advisable to carry an emergency first aid kit with you, especially if you are visiting a non EEA area.  This should contain adhesive dressings, insect repellent, antiseptic cream and water purification tablets – you can buy medical travel kits from Pharmacies.

Can I Take My Medication Abroad?

If you are planning a holiday abroad and are currently on medication, you will need to make some preparations well in advance of your departure.  Different countries have different rules and regulations about which medicines they allow in or how much of a particular drug you can carry.  To avoid risking your health or having a nasty experience with foreign customs, make sure you check all the facts before you leave.  See the HM Customs & Excise website to check the permitted allowances on various drugs.

Asthma --Some Key Points  Dr Hamilton

·         Asthma is common – symptoms can range from mild to severe. ·         Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways – the cause of the inflammation is not known. ·         The inflammation in the airways causes the muscles in the airways to contract and also extra mucus to form – this combination makes the airways narrower than normal. ·         Symptoms caused by the narrow airways include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. ·         Certain ‘triggers’ make symptoms worse in some people, eg, exercise, colds, pollen, allergy to pets and air pollution.

·         Most people with asthma are treated with inhalers:-

Ψ       Reliever inhalers relax the muscle in the airways.  This gives quick relief of the symptoms as the airways open wider.  These are known as bronchodilator inhalers as they dilate (widen) the airways (the bronchi).

Ψ       Preventer inhalers reduce inflammation which stops symptoms from developing.  The medicine in most preventer inhalers is a steroid medicine.

·         Most people with asthma should take a regular preventer inhaler.  The aim is to prevent symptoms so that you can get on with a normal life.

·         You may need a short course of steroid tablets now and then to treat a bad attack of asthma.  Steroids reduce inflammation.

·         You should not smoke.

·         Make sure you know:-

Ψ       How to take your inhalers.

Ψ       Which is your reliever inhaler and which is your preventer inhaler.

Ψ       What to do if symptoms get worse.

How Can You Better Manage Your Asthma?

·         Take time to learn more about your illness.

·         If you have asthma, we aim to see you on a regular basis at the Practice Asthma Clinic.

·         Even if you are well, this can be an ideal opportunity to get to know more about how to prevent your asthma flaring up, how to recognise warning signs, what to do and who to contact should your asthma get out of control.

·         Medicine constantly changes and to ensure you are getting the best and most up to date treatment, please take the time to attend our Asthma Clinic.

                                                                      Treatment Room

Please note that the TREATMENT ROOM now operates an APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

Please book your appointment by telephoning the Practice or calling at Reception

THE NUMBERED WAITING SYSTEM IS NO LONGER IN OPERATION

An appointment is not required for urine samples

You must complete a form (available from Reception or outside the Treatment Room)

And leave it with the sample in the designated box outside the Treatment Room

                                                Appointments Explained

Appointments are generally viewed as routine (the next available appointment) or emergency (same day appointment).

Routine Appointments – Reception staff can book routine appointments for you.  They can be made by either telephoning the Practice or by calling in person at Reception.

Emergency Appointments – If you have a problem which you feel is too urgent to wait for a routine appointment, you will be asked to give Reception brief details and a contact number.  A Nurse Practitioner or Doctor will then contact you and offer appropriate advice or arrange an appointment.  Please do not call at the Reception Desk – remain at home and telephone your urgent request on 028 9331 5805.

The Practice has Specialised Clinics to focus on the treatment of certain disease areas (as detailed below).  These clinics run on specific days each month.  We appreciate that people may wish to book appointments around their personal commitments but, unfortunately, appointments for these specialised clinics are fixed according to Doctor/Nurse availability as they run in conjunction with the above daily appointments.  Patients will be invited by letter to attend these Clinics – if you receive a letter, please inform Reception of the name of the Clinic stated in your letter.

►Asthma    ►Heart Disease    ►Hypertension    ►Diabetes    ►Epilepsy    ►Stroke    ►Mental Health

The Practice also runs the following Clinics – please contact Reception if you would like to book an appointment – these appointments are also fixed.

►Smoking Cessation    ►Weight Management    ►Bloods    ►INR (Warfarin)

►Ante & Post Natal    ►Childhood Vaccinations    ►Travel

Our Time therefore Your Time Wasted
 

What does this mean to YOU……..

3 minutes of wasted time per GP per prescription signed = 30 hours of wasted GP time

How many times during these 30 hours were YOU delayed waiting for a prescription to be signed?

5 minutes of wasted time per Receptionist per prescription = 40 hours of wasted Receptionist time

How many times during these 40 hours were YOU not able to get through to order your prescription?

What does this mean to YOU……..

10 minutes of wasted time per GP per appointment = 104 hours of wasted GP time

How many times during these 104 hours were YOU not able to get an appointment?

3 minutes of wasted time per Receptionist per appointment = 31 hours of wasted Receptionist time

How many times during these 31 hours were YOU trying to book an appointment?