Groby Surgery and Health news

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No change to free prescription age rules

August 2023  NHS prescription charges were introduced 71 years ago. They were abolished in 1962 but budgetary pressures led to their reintroduction 3 years later, though with exemptions for some patients. There are variations in different parts of the United Kingdom. Nearly 90% of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge, with the remainder generating income of around £600 million in 2022.

In England the age at which people receive free prescriptions is not linked to the state pension age, and they benefit from the age of 60. The gap is set to widen as legislation is in place to increase to the pension age to 67 then 68 in future years.

As the default retirement age has been abolished the Government thought that some people older than 60 who continue to work may be better placed to meet the cost of their prescriptions.

In order to consider the pros and cons of any change to the entitlement age, a consultation was undertaken to seek views on the options to end the age 60 rule and align the prescription charge exemption upper age to the state pension age. The majority of the 117,000 responses received were opposed to a rise in the upper age exemption, and after consideration the Government has decided that the prescription charge upper age exemption will remain at 60. The Government also confirmed that people under 16, or aged 17 and 18 but in full time education, will also continue to be exempt.

Community Pharmacy England, the representative body for community pharmacy owners in England, supports the removal of all NHS prescription charges. They argue that the charge places community pharmacy teams in an impossible position of policing a Government tax that many people cannot afford, whilst the money doesn’t benefit the pharmacies who collect it.

“We welcome the Government’s decision to keep NHS prescriptions free for all people aged 60 and over in England,” said Chief Executive Janet Morrison. “Having to pay for prescriptions often affects the most vulnerable people in our communities. The sad truth is that many people – whatever their age – are left having to make unbearable decisions about which medicines they can afford to pay for. Prescriptions are free of charge in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland so why not in England also?”

The British Medical Association also believes prescriptions should be free for all patients in England as they already are in the rest of the UK. “Prescription charges defeat the fundamental principle of healthcare under the NHS, namely that care is free at the point of delivery,” the BMA said in its response. “Abolishing prescription charges altogether is the fairest and the simplest option to protect the health and wellbeing of older people in England.”

Patients urged to consider using the NHS app

August 2023  Both Groby and Glenfield surgeries no longer accept prescription requests over the phone, so many patients now use online services to access the NHS. They find the facility to request repeat prescriptions from home on their computer or tablet a real time saver. Some may use their mobile phone to access the links from the surgery website either at home or when they are out and about, but to do this they must ensure they remember their User ID and Password.

The NHS app has been specifically designed for those who want to access their details easily from their mobile phone or a tablet, and both surgeries are encouraging patients to consider using the app. It can be used to

· View and cancel GP appointments.

· Order your medications.

· Choose/change your nominated pharmacy.

· View aspects of your records as agreed with your GP

You can also

· Check your symptoms (111 online).

· Register as an organ donor.

· Find out how the NHS uses your data.

You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App, but even before proving who you are, you can use the NHS App to search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments and find local NHS services.

The app is available from Google Play and the App store, depending on your device, and includes the potential to set up facial recognition or fingerprint analysis instead of passwords. When deciding whether to take advantage of new facilities it’s always better to know upfront what is needed when setting up apps. There are videos and plenty of supporting information online to help patients understand the process.

The NHS app is proving a vital tool in encouraging the use of online services. Released in 2018, a study of app users found that nearly two thirds of people who registered for the App had never previously registered for an online service which connected to their GP practice. Users rated ordering repeat prescriptions as the most useful service on the app, followed by viewing their medical record. In the follow-up survey, 87% of users said they found ordering a repeat prescription easy and convenient.

The national patient satisfaction survey

August 2023  Every year a number of patients from every surgery in the country are invited to take part in a survey find out how people feel about their GP practice. The results of the 2023 survey are just out. Although it was sent out to over two million people across the UK, less than a third replied. Despite this poor response rate it does provide the NHS with useful information and year on year comparisons. 

 The full data, analysis and responses to 18 questions, can be found online at https://gp-patient.co.uk.

Where should a new Groby surgery be built?

April 2023  What a dilemma. For sixty years developers have been busy building houses and boosting the population of Groby, but no provision has been made for a healthcare facility. Now most of the undeveloped land has gone. Through the Parish Council the residents are the largest owner of recreational land, but should they countenance putting a surgery on it? The community has spent so long campaigning to stop unwanted development that it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. But, eventually, it may be a question residents have to face.

Hopefully, some privately owned land may be offered before any difficult decisions have to be made. Groby Parish Council has no responsibility for the provision of NHS services and would prefer not to allow any development on Council owned land. However, no sites have been suggested by their owners, and so the Parish Council has been asked by the Surgery for help. This requires the facts to be established and an open discussion of any options. Even if residents think it’s a good idea, there are reasons why the Parish Council may not be allowed to permit it.

The worst case scenario

If, in the longer term, Groby Surgery had to close without a central replacement, then there is still the possibility of a surgery on the Trading Estate on the Anstey side of the A50, if IMP comes forward with a successful proposal to build on the fields. Alternatively, subject to available capacity, patients could apply to nearby surgeries, some of which can be reached by bus. Ratby, Glenfield, Markfield and Anstey are not within walking distance, but are all easily accessible by car and taxi. No single surgery is likely to be able to add around 3,500 new patients to their list.

Replacement is overdue

Patients have been asking for new premises ever since the Patients Group was formed nearly ten years ago, but the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group couldn’t find an alternative site.

The new partners at Groby Surgery re-opened the search for anyone with a transferable interest in a suitable site to put it forward for consideration. In addition to the land held by developers there are a few vacant sites in private ownership, including on Markfield Road and Leicester Road, and the 4 acre meadow on Newtown Linford Lane, owned by shareholders in the CIC.

Surgery asks the Council for help

Last summer the practice wrote to the Parish Council asking for help. In a meeting open to the public, and reported in the Spotlight, the Council agreed to meet with Dr Chotai. It restated its policy of not selling land, but said perhaps a lease might be possible, with all costs being met by the practice. It set up a working party to examine the issues, made up of a number of parish councillors, a surgery doctor, and representatives of the patients.

Many hurdles to jump

If the surgery identifies a suitable site on Parish Council land this should be subject to passing a whole string of challenging tests including

• approval by Fields in Trust,

• the viability of utility provision.

• an impact assessment,

•   public consultation,

• the approval of the full Council

• planning consent.

Discussions in open meetings

All meetings between the Council and the Practice have taken place openly at the working party. Satellite views of undeveloped sites across the village have been considered and a short list of possibilities agreed for the practice to examine.

No Councillors on site visits

Site visits by the doctor and two patients were arranged and they also visited Ratby to see progress on their new surgery. This confirmed that any Groby development would be significantly smaller. No representative from the Parish Council was present, as the visits were simply to assess suitability from the viewpoint of the practice.

The practice reported to the working party that, of the Council owned sites, it was perhaps a discrete development in a corner of Stamford Park adjoining the car park at Sycamore Drive that might be the most appropriate.

In addition to improved facilities for patients there would be better working conditions, including a staff room and training facilities. Sharing the under used car park would significantly reduce the amount of land required and ensure that dog walkers, footballers, and other visitors would not be disadvantaged.

Fields in Trust protection

However Stamford Park is registered with Fields in Trust. This registration is designed to protect land from development and the Trust pursues this mission with vigour. The conditions for the release of land are very demanding, and no further progress can be made until the Trust has indicated what would need to be on offer by way of alternative land or financial compensation in order for a release to be agreed.

Their agreement does not mean that it is a fait accompli, as there are still issues such as planning consent and the views of residents and patients to reconcile. At some point the Council may be required to consider the pros and cons of a proposed development, but much has to be done beforehand.

Do you have a suitable site?

Hopefully patients will have a new surgery, as Groby shouldn’t be the only local village without its own convenient access to NHS healthcare. If you have control of a potentially suitable site, be reassured that there is still time for you to join the discussion and help secure a future for Groby surgery.

 What a dilemma. For sixty years developers have been busy building houses and boosting the population of Groby, but no provision has been made for a healthcare facility. Now most of the undeveloped land has gone. Through the Parish Council the residents are the largest owner of recreational land, but should they countenance putting a surgery on it? The community has spent so long campaigning to stop unwanted development that it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. But, eventually, it may be a question residents have to face.

The Groby nursing home that was never built

January 2023  It’s widely acknowledged that the National Health Service is experiencing the clinical equivalent of a log jam. Hospital patients that are well enough to be discharged remain occupying beds badly needed for patients needing to be admitted. They cannot be discharged because of the lack of aftercare in the community, whether at home or in residential care.

Local authorities are struggling to provide aftercare in the community, and there are insufficient care home places available. Some argue that home care is inefficient, not because the dedicated carers don’t work hard enough, but because part of their day is spent on the road travelling between clients. Many elderly people, who would welcome a more compact bungalow, actually live in oversized family homes. A building programme that provided safe places for those needing care, whilst at the same time retaining their independence without leaving their local community, would

• enable the cost of care in the community to be reduced by eliminating unproductive travelling time, 

• help with the NHS bed problem and

• release much needed family homes on to the housing market. 

Carers want to help their clients, not spend time under pressure driving between homes. Other benefits might follow. Supermarkets, for example, might be persuaded to offer reduced home delivery charges where costs were reduced by a group of customers accepting a common delivery slot.

In 2022 a report indicated that there were 10,496 residential care homes and 4,039 nursing homes in England, housing 361,00 residents. It adds that in 2019/20 total spending on adult social care was £23.3 billion, only £99 million more than 2010/11, but is it safe to assume this is a like for like comparison?

The shortage of care and nursing homes is something that the residents of Groby know about, as the village doesn’t have one. But thirty years ago, in 1993, a nursing home was proposed for the village. A company called Sharpestone Investment Ltd of Rugby submitted a planning application to develop land which backs on to the Markfield Road allotments and is accessed from the mineral line footpath near the church.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council refused planning permission. The planners said the development wasn’t in keeping with the conservation area, would represent over development of the site and would have an overbearing effect on the dwelling it would adjoin. Traffic and parking was also an issue. Subsequently permission has been given for a housing development on the site of one and two bedroom apartments, though construction of the dwellings is yet to commence.

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Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter August 2018

More prescribing restrictions being considered

A review by our Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) last year revealed that the majority of people buy their own medicines to treat minor ailments and most people are willing or very willing to buy medicines for minor ailments and seek advice from their local pharmacist. Some prescribing restrictions were introduced in order that the cash saved could be used elsewhere in the NHS.

Readers may have seen on the television that this year, following a 12 week public consultation, NHS England issued guidance for CCGs on conditions for which over the counter items should not routinely be prescribed by GPs  This includes ten further conditions that are not included in the current West Leicestershire guidance - these include cradle cap in infants, dry or sore tired eyes, excessive sweating, infrequent constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, mild contact dermatitis, minor burns and scalds, oral thrush, prevention of dental caries, ringworm and sleep problems.

Our local CCG want to know how these changes might affect you, but you'll have to be quick as their survey closes on Monday 20 August. More information is available on the CCG website at www.elesurvey.co.uk/f/615150/158b

Our new Doctor has arrived

Dr Tanjit Ghag is the new female Partner at Groby Surgery. She started last month after working at other surgeries for a number of years as a salaried GP/locum. Her special interests are Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

The benefits of exercise

A review has found that muscle and bone strengthening and balance activities continue to have great health benefits for all adults, including older adults aged 65 years and over.

For employers and the economy, musculoskeletal health conditions are the second most common cause of sickness absence in the UK, accounting for 30.8 million days lost in work. Falls are responsible for around 95% of all hip fractures, costing the NHS over £1 billion per year.

In older adults, poor muscle strength increases the risk of a fall by 76% and those who have already had a fall are three times more likely to fall again. Strengthening and balance activities not only help to prevent this, but also help improve your mood, sleeping patterns, increase your energy levels and reduce the risk of an early death.

All adults are recommended to undertake strengthening and balance activities suitable for them at least twice per week in order to maintain and improve health.

For those at risk of falls or fracture, supervised structured exercise is also recommended at a pace that suits the individual to help maintain independence and support healthy ageing. The advice is that we need to give equal weighting to activities that boost muscle and bone strength and improve balance rather than simply focusing on aerobic exercise.

“Alongside aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, all adults should be aiming to do strengthening and balancing activities twice per week,” said Dr Alison Tedstone, Head of Diet, Obesity and Physical Activity at Public Health England.

Activities found to have the most benefit for muscle and bone strengthening include ball games, racket sports, dance and Nordic walking. Resistance training which usually involves training with weights is helpful and also body weight exercises.

Enjoy hot weather safely

After a cold winter the weather has gone into reverse gear and weather forecasters are predicting more hot weather, though the forecasts do sometimes seem to change suddenly.

Sun lovers are being urged to follow this simple advice:

• • Drink cold drinks and avoid tea, coffee and alcohol which can dehydrate you

  • Use sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15, make sure that it is still in date, follow the pack instructions and apply at regular intervals – otherwise it is ineffective. One study found that most people don't apply enough

  • Use sunscreen together with shade and clothing to protect your skin from burning – never use sunscreen as a reason to stay longer in direct sunlight

  • Make sure you have water with you

  • The heat can be dangerous for the very young, older people or those with serious illnesses. In particular, it can make heart and respiratory problems worse. So check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours and friends who may find the heat too much.

“If you feel unwell after being in the sun for some time, it’s a good idea to go somewhere cool to rest and have a cool shower or bath,” said James Ogle, GP at West Leicestershire CCG. “If you are breathless, or are confused or dizzy, visit the NHS Choices website, call NHS 111 or seek advice from your local pharmacy.”

Annual October Survey

The contents of the annual patient survey is currently being considered by members of the Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group. If there is a question that you feel should be included, or you want to ensure that you receive a copy of the questionnaire so that you can participate, you can contact the PPG at grobysurgeryppg@btconnect.com. Better still join the PPG as a patient member! Meetings are held every 2 months and last no more than an hour.

Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter February 2018

The two not-so-secret weapons to help beat flu

Local resident Carol was unlucky enough to pick up influenza just after Christmas. If you think that the press and television have overstated the effects of flu just read what she says about her personal experience of this debilitating illness.

“I was on the ferry home from a really lovely Christmas with my son and his family when I started to feel quite unwell,” she explained. “I started to ache all over and developed a nasty headache. It was a night sailing but I felt so ill that I couldn’t sleep that night, I also felt really hot and feverish, and although I am usually someone who is up and about and always doing something, when we got home I went straight to bed and stayed there for five days. The first couple of days I didn’t even eat anything, I ached so much it was all I could do to lift my head off the pillow to sip some water occasionally. After that week out of it, the aching and high temperature disappeared but it has left me with a cough and feeling really weak and I am exhausted if I try and do much at all. Even walking upstairs is an effort and although it is now four weeks since I first took ill with the flu, it is still making itself felt!”

Carol is now making a full recovery but as she said the after effects of flu can hang on for weeks. There's no way to guarantee that you won't contract flu as it is nimble and can change from year to year, outsmarting your body's natural defences. More than one variation can be circulating in the community and forecasting which three to include in the annual vaccine always turns out to be a bit of a lottery. Nevertheless vaccination is the first not-so-secret weapon we can use.

You may think that now that February is here the risk is reducing, but the vaccine is available free of charge for those

• • aged 65 or over on 31st March 2018

  • who are pregnant, regardless of the stage of pregnancy . There's strong evidence to suggest pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications if they get flu.

  • adults and children with a serious long-term health condition

  • who are main carers for someone who is elderly or disabled ( speak to your GP about having a flu jab along with the person you care for).

If you have avoided flu so far this winter just read Carol's story again and decide whether you want to do all you can to avoid the misery she experienced. Groby Surgery still has the vaccine available so if you want to check your entitlement or book an appointment ring 0116 2313331.

The not-so-secret weapon number two

The vaccination provides protection once flu is in your system, but not-so-secret weapon number two is designed to stop it getting inside and creating it's havoc. There's no rocket science involved here, just the common sense your mother taught you. And if some historians are right it's the same secret that meant that in the 14th century fewer Jews died from the Black Death than non-Jews : hand washing.

Good hand hygiene is the main way to protect yourself from infection and passing on the virus to loved ones. Hand washing with warm water and soap is the most effective and inexpensive way to prevent the spread of germs and infections. Studies show it lowers the transmission of flu, colds and diarrhoea, both at work and home. If you’re a parent or guardian, it’s important that you make sure that your children are taught how to wash their hands properly, particularly if they’re around grandparents or friends and relatives that are ill.

Hand washing is important not only in preventing colds and flu but it also helps to limit exposure to other unpleasant infections such as norovirus, which is also prevalent in winter. To clamp down on germs, everyone is urged to use a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes, and then throw away the tissue. Finally, kill the germs by washing hands properly for at least 20 seconds, about the time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice. Make sure to use soap. These simple measures can make a big difference and will help protect you, your family and those around you.

People who are suffering from an illness such as colds and flu are also asked to try to avoid visiting relatives in hospital where possible, to help prevent infection on the wards. Patients in hospital are more susceptible to bugs and infections, and they can spread fast. Anyone with even a heavy cold should try to avoid visiting where possible, and when you do visit, please wash your hands properly and use a tissue when you sneeze.

What has the Black death have to do with hand washing? It's said that Christians believed their mortality rate from the Black Death was at least twice that of Jews and this belief led to their persecution. However, it is argued that Jewish law compelled one to wash hands many times throughout the day and one could not eat food without washing hands. At least once a week, a Jew bathed for the Sabbath. It's believed that the sanitary conditions in the Jewish neighbourhood, primitive as it may be by today’s standards, was always far superior to the general sanitary conditions.

If all this is true then washing your hands may not just protect you from flu. You may also survive the winter without contracting the Black Death.

Have you been told your medicine is out of stock?

It's a growing problem

(This is an article published in the November 2017 Groby Spotlight which will be of interest to patients.  It is not an official Surgery or Patients Group communication.)

When a reader who had requested a repeat prescription a week before he ran out of tablets called at the pharmacy he had a surprise. He was told that it was not possible to dispense his prescription because of a shortage of the drug. Although it was something he had heard about on the news in relation to war zones or less developed countries it was not something he had experienced before or expected to hear in the UK in 2017. Was it a failure within the NHS or had there been a disastrous factory fire resulting in a temporary shortage? Perhaps it was a supply chain problem within the pharmacy group, as other chemists in the area had the pills in stock.

The truth is that there is an underlying problem, not restricted to the UK, and the pharmacy is not to blame. Pharmacies are aware of the problems and t have to work hard to try and manage the shortages. They reported problems as far back as 2012 and last year the All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) at Westminster repeated a call for more to be done to tackle medicines shortages. Over half of community pharmacists responding to a survey said they dealt with drug shortages on a daily basis. In the survey, 48% of community pharmacists said they spent 21–50 hours a month dealing with medicines shortages while 16% said they spent 51–75 hours; 5% were spending over 100 hours a month on medicines shortages.

Additionally, 48% of community pharmacists reported that patients had needed additional medical treatment, time off work or been caused emotional distress in the prior six months as a result of medicines being unavailable. And GPs reported the same outcome in 36% of cases where medicines were unavailable.

Calls for an early warning system

In a letter to the minister for community and social care, the group called for the Department of Health, NHS England and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to establish an early warning system to monitor and detect drug shortages, to help reduce the impact on patients.

Twelve months later the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is in urgent discussions with the Department of Health about the current supply issues and is seeking immediate action to offer relief for community pharmacy contractors.

Following problems at two manufacturers the PSNC says it is aware of the very great difficulties that contractors are having, with both shortage and pricing issues playing a part. If pharmacies cannot obtain generic drugs at the NHS “Drug Tariff” price a concession may be allowed, but it is only valid for the month in which it was granted and if the problem persists it must be re-applied for.

Pharmacies under pressure

These issues are having a huge impact on workload and cashflow. PSNC has written to the pharmacy minister seeking urgent intervention to offer some relief for contractors adding “We have stressed our concern for the ability of some pharmacists to survive the cashflow crisis, and warned of the disastrous impact this could have on patients and other NHS services as we go into the winter period.”

One PSNC Member,Mark Burdon said: “Like all community pharmacy contractors, those of us on PSNC are deeply frustrated and alarmed by the current medicines supply situation.” In the October 2017 edition of the Pharmaceutical Magazine he says that some manufacturers allow only a few selected pharmacy wholesalers to stock their medicines. “They have limited the places from which we can source medicines and diluted competition in the market. This makes the market less resilient, so when things go wrong — a power outage at a major wholesaler, for instance — it can be chaos for pharmacies who have to borrow medicines from one another.”

More profitable to export

For many years we could import drugs cheaply, but as sterling has fallen in value importing is often no longer a good way to source reasonably priced medicines. “In fact, generics prices in the UK are now so low,” he explained “that it is not difficult to imagine why the UK market might not appeal to generics manufacturers at all — why would any business want to sell at lower prices when they could fetch higher ones elsewhere? Pricing is a major worry; when medicines are in short supply they tend to become more expensive, and sometimes we simply cannot obtain medicines for anywhere near the Drug Tariff price ”

The PSNC would like to see a simpler process, with the Department of Health (DOH) making speedy adjustments to address the impact of high price rises. With so many medicines currently affected they are also seeking urgent intervention from the DOH to ensure the resilience of the medicines supply chain.

Well pharmacy explained the problems

The Well pharmacy group, whose local branch is on Ratby Road, has been very helpful in providing a comprehensive explanation of these problems and has gone further, investigating the case of the particular drug that the Spotlight reader needed. “There has indeed been a problem getting hold of a number of generic (non-branded) medicines, and this has affected all parts of the supply chain, including our competitors. This has been an intermittent problem since the beginning of the year,” said a spokesperson.

“Because the supply has been intermittent, the product has been available at a level to meet the overall patient need, but at a low enough level that pharmacies will have used the stock on their shelves, and may have been unable to replenish them immediately. What we tend to find is that with a drug that is regularly used but not dispensed each day, the pharmacies who run out first are those who have regular patients using the drug. Other stores in the area may have supplies on their shelves and not ever realise that there has been a shortage.”

In this case their enquiries reveal that the problem was sourcing the ingredient that has the effect on the body. It appears for the brand that Well mainly uses the raw ingredient had to be obtained from a different source, which caused an interruption in supply.

“In those circumstances,” she continued “we would expect that the pharmacy would have assessed the patient need (did they still have some tablets at home or could it be sourced from a different pharmacy?) and made alternative arrangements. If a customer was able to source elsewhere this would be the preference to reduce the anxiety for customers, but in some circumstance where all pharmacies are out of stock, the pharmacist would liaise with the GP to change to a different drug if there is no available product. This is of course an absolute last resort – everyone in the supply chain works very hard to minimise these events and shortages may be very short-term or intermittent, but they do have a knock-on effect: if one product has a shortage, other brands or strengths are used, and if it is not resolved quickly it can become a wider issue.”

One of the manufacturers whose supply has been interrupted told the Spotlight that they had moved their production site but expected their product to be back in stock by early January. In the meantime they thought that supplies would be available from other manufacturers.

So if you are told by the pharmacy that they have no stock of the drug you need don't blame them. They will have been working behind the scenes to dispense your full prescription.

So what should you do?

If you need the drug urgently, for example because you have little or none left or are going on holiday, and it's the only item on your prescription you could ring nearby pharmacies to see if they have any in stock at the strength you need. Your pharmacist will then give you the prescription to use elsewhere.

If you need the drug urgently and there are other items on the prescription, you need to check with the other pharmacy that they also have the other drugs available if you want them to dispense the full prescription. You cannot split the prescription between two pharmacies, so if you leave the pharmacy with those medicines that are available you will have to ask your doctor for an additional prescription. This is inconvenient for you and extra work for your doctor. This is the point at which the real cost of shortages starts to increase despite all the work pharmacists do to ensure supplies of medicines are readily available. Like a stone in a pond the ripples extend way beyond the source.

A last word from Well pharmacy HQ

“We absolutely don’t want anyone to worry, or to go without their medication – there is always something that can be done, and the pharmacist and GP will work together to make sure a patient's condition is controlled.” Other pharmacies no doubt share this objective.

Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter September 2017

Never contracted flu? Lucky you.

If you're eligible get the free jab in October and stay lucky

Anyone who has suffered from influenza will tell you what an unpleasant infection it is even for those who are young or normally healthy. For the elderly, or those with certain conditions, it can mean more than just a few unpleasant days, so it's sensible to take the precaution of the free vaccination if you are eligible. The flu vaccine will be available free on the NHS to those 65 or over on 31st March 2018, adults over the age of 18 at risk and children aged six months to two years at risk.

There will be special sessions at Groby Surgery on September 29th and October 7th or, if this is not convenient, by arranging to see the nurse at a later date. Both patients and surgery benefit from the flu jab programme, so by attending one of the clinics you will be supporting Groby Surgery.

The dates for your diary are September 29th between 8.30 – 12.30pm if you want to ring and pre-book an appointment, or October 7th if you want the flexibility of dropping in anytime between 8.30am and 13.00pm. If you are ringing to book an appointment please telephone after 11.00am. If you are over 65 and have never had the pneumococcal vaccination ask about this as well, as it is also free.

When attending for vaccination try and wear something that gives easy access to your upper arm.

Enhanced Summary Care record

Patients will have a Summary Care Record (SCR) unless they have chosen not to have one. The SCR includes important information about medicines being taken, allergies and any bad reactions to medicines. It's all very useful but there are circumstances where having more information available could improve the care you receive.

Sometimes you may need to be treated by health and care professionals who do not know your medical history. Essential details can be difficult to remember when you are unwell or have complex care needs, but there is another option available. You are entitled to ask for an Enhanced Summary Care record which can hold more information about illnesses and health problems, operations and vaccinations, who should be contacted for more information about you, what support you might need and how or where you would prefer to receive care.

All patients are being recommended to ask for a form at the surgery and to sign up.

Cancer : Helping you to take control

Are you or a loved one battling against cancer? Building on a successful event earlier this year, the West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group(WLCCG) is holding another drop-in afternoon especially for people who have been diagnosed with cancer, the carers who are helping them live with the diagnosis, those who have survived cancer and those who support them.

In conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support, the event will be on Wednesday 4 November 2015 from 1pm to 5pm, and lunch will be provided. The location is Sketchley Grange Hotel & Spa, Sketchley Lane, Burbage, Hinckley LE10 3HU.

At the event you will be able to get private, personal advice from clinical nurse specialists on all aspects of living with cancer, drop in sessions on taking care of both your physical and your mental health, advice on welfare and benefits as well as a chance to get a makeover from WLCCG partners at Boots. Macmillan will have an information centre there, as well as offering advice and support on the cervical, breast and bowel cancer screening process.

Simply go along for as long as you wish, at any point during the afternoon. If you can’t make this event, there will be further events across West Leicestershire in 2018.

Getting help with health costs

Although most NHS treatment is free, there are still some costs you might need to pay, for example, to get your prescriptions or to travel to your hospital appointment, costs associated with eye or dental care, or wigs and fabric support costs. There is detailed information about what assistance is available and to help you decide whether you qualify, too much to include in an article. There's lots of information online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-help-health-costs and also a blue booklet you can pick up from the leaflet rack in the surgery waiting room.

Don't forget online services

If you have access to a computer or other device that can connect with the internet don't forget that you can book appointments or ask for repeat prescriptions from home. As you would expect the system has to be secure and confidential, so it will be no surprise to hear that you need a user name and password to do this. Just have a word with reception if you want to sign up for online services. Even if you still want to drop a repeat request in at the surgery you can still have the prescription sent electronically to a pharmacy that you use regularly to collect your medication.

Taking the first steps to a healthier lifestyle

A nationwide campaign encouraging adults to get more active by building just 10 minutes of brisk walking into their daily lives is being backed by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. The One You campaign is encouraging adults to start improving their health by walking briskly for 10 minutes each day and to help, people are being encouraged to download the ‘Active 10’ app.

This free app shows how much brisk walking they’re doing, when they can increase their pace and how they can fit more brisk walking into their day. It also sets goals and provides hints and tips to keep people going, and has been endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Over 50,000 people have already downloaded the app, which can be found by searching ‘Active 10’ online.

Chirag Ruda, the Borough Council's Health Improvement Officer, said: "I would encourage people to take the first steps towards a healthier lifestyle by downloading this app. Over time, brisk walking can help to lower the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes."

For more information contact Chirag on 01455 255913 or email chirag.ruda@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk.

Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter May 2017

The summer is coming – be ready for the sun

In the last month the wind has been cold and the sky overcast for much of the time. But there have been the first signs of something better with some beautifully sunny days. And as May moves into June hopefully there'll be more sunshine to come. That's good news but no-one should underestimate the strength of the sun as we get into the summer months.

Sunshine not only lifts the spirit it also helps us produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to it. Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, nutrients needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

Vitamin D is found naturally in a small number of foods, including oily fish, red meat, liver and egg yolks. It's also found in fortified foods like breakfast cereals and fat spreads. However, it's difficult for us to get the recommended amount of vitamin D from food alone.

Our main source of vitamin D is from the action of sunlight on our skin. From October until the end of March the sun isn't strong enough in the UK to produce vitamin D. That means we have to rely on getting it just from the food we eat or by taking an inexpensive supplement.

The new advice from Public Health England is that adults and children over the age of one should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10mcg of vitamin D, particularly during autumn and winter.

People who have a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency are being advised to take a supplement all year round. These at-risk groups include people whose skin has little or no exposure to the sun, like those in care homes, or people who cover their skin when they are outside. People with dark skin, from African, African-Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds, may also not get enough vitamin D from sunlight in the summer. They should consider taking a supplement all year round as well.

The dilemma we face is that when it comes to helping us produce vitamin D the sun is good for us. But too much sun can damage the skin and getting sunburnt should be avoided as it is a risk factor for skin cancers. So we slap on the sun cream to protect our skin in the summer months. One study suggests that properly applied SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce production of vitamin D in the skin by over 99% and so the frequency of use of sun cream should be borne in mind when considering whether or not to take a supplement all year round.

The authors of one report warn that sunscreens should not be used as an excuse for excessive sun exposure. They also say that the protection obtained from sunscreen depends to a large extent on how it is used, and that people often apply it too thinly. They suggest that using a sunscreen with a high SPF of 30 is a way to counteract this.

The following measures to reduce exposure to the damaging effects of sunshine should be taken:

• • limiting exposure to direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm in the UK in summer

  • seeking shade

  • wearing clothing that provides a high level of absorption of UV

  • wearing a hat that shades the face and neck

The advice given is that sunscreen should be used in addition to, rather than instead of, these measures.

Go to http://www.nhs.uk to read the articles that have been used to write this item. Just enter sunscreen or vitamin D into the search box to read lots more.

A busy time for Groby Surgery

This is proving a particularly busy year for everyone down at Groby Surgery. In addition to all the day to day work there has been a visit from the West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and, this month, an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.(CQC)

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England, making sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encouraging care services to improve. The whole spectrum of care is covered, including local GP surgeries, and key questions that are asked about services they inspect include

• • are they safe,

  • effective,

  • caring,

  • responsive to people’s needs

  • and well-led.

After reporting on nearly 7,000 inspections the CQC has found that most care is good – with over 300 practices, serving over 1 million patients, now rated Outstanding. Their experience has been that where practices fall short in some respect the inspection usually results in the practices working hard to make improvements. The inspections are thorough and, just like other audits such as OFSTED school inspections, the CQC will find areas that they feel are in need of improvement even in those practices they rate good or outstanding. At one Leicestershire surgery rated Good the Inspectors nevertheless found more than 10 issues which they felt needed addressing. So, whatever the outcome of an inspection, the certainty is that there is more work to come implementing any recommendations that follow from a report.

March PPG meeting

The Patients Group March meeting had a visitor from the local Well pharmacy on Ratby Road. A problem highlighted was the expectation by some patients that they had to have a specific brand of drug, and refusing to accept another branded substitute even when of identical composition.

One of the other issues raised has been mentioned before – the amount of prescription drugs that are wasted. Every pill returned to the pharmacy for disposal represents money which isn't being spent on patient care in the NHS. Someone who needs a drug that is so expensive that it has to be rationed must feel very frustrated when they hear that the value of drugs returned to pharmacies in our local West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group alone was estimated at more than £2million. And that was back in 2013!

Once you leave the pharmacy the drugs in your hand cannot be returned for use by someone else, so before you leave it is important to check that you have the right prescription and be confident you intend to use the drugs.

Practice Nurse

The new Practice Nurse has settled in and is enjoying her work at Groby Surgery. She has been able to take over some of the routine checks previously undertaken by the Doctors, which has been a great help.

Groby Surgery Patients Group Newsletter

Enjoy Autumn outdoors but look after your health

Any older readers who grew up in semi rural surroundings will no doubt have spent long summer hours outdoors playing with friends, blissfully unaware of video games, mobiles and Pokemon. There would probably have been warnings from mum and dad of the risks, including the possibility that wooded and bracken covered areas would probably harbour ticks, particularly if sheep, deer or foxes shared the space. Those may have been days when dogs had free reign to come and go as they pleased, so they were equally vulnerable to inadvertently picking up ticks. Groby residents are spoilt for outdoor attractions with Martinshaw Wood, Groby Pool, Bradgate Park and the Charnwood area on our doorsteps.

A growing problem with ticks

Recent newspaper reports seem to suggest that the problem has moved closer to home to local parks and even gardens where the conditions are right, and that this is a problem both for dogs and their owners. The spider-like ticks are present across the country, and apparently a dog is just as likely to pick one up in both rural and urban areas.

The ticks can carry a number of diseases and this includes Lymes Disease which can lead to complications like meningitis or heart failure if not detected quickly and left untreated. Symptoms of Lyme disease can include a distinctive bulls-eye rash, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, muscle and joint pain.

In the early 1970s, a number of rheumatoid arthritis cases occurred among children in and around Lyme, Connecticut. Researchers looked at several possible causes, but realizing that most of the children with arthritis lived and played near wooded areas, they then focused their attention on deer ticks They knew that the children’s first symptoms typically started during the summer, the height of tick season, but it was not until 1981 that researchers identified the cause of Lyme disease and discovered the connection between the deer tick and the disease. A former Groby woman was reported to have been one of the first subsequently diagnosed in the UK.

The University of Bristol has been conducting the Big Tick project, the largest ever veterinary study of ticks and tick-borne disease in the UK. It was launched in April 2015 in the New Forest. Last year veterinary practices were asked to examine dogs for ticks each week and the results indicate that 31% of the 15,000 dogs checked were carrying a tick. The south-west, East Anglia and Scotland were the highest risk areas. The research is now being extended to cats.

Ticks prefer moist areas with dense vegetation or long grass. The species of tick most frequently found on people is commonly known as the sheep or deer tick. They are usually found in

woodlands, grassland, moorland, heathland and some urban parks and gardens. Ticks wait until an animal or person brushes past then bite to attach to the skin feed on the blood. It may take several days before they finish their meal and drop off. Ticks are most active between spring and autumn.

If you do get bitten, removing the tick quickly and correctly can help to reduce any potential risk. The safest way to remove a tick is to use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, or a tick removal tool pulling upwards slowly and firmly. Mouthparts left in the skin can transmit infection. Apply antiseptic to the bite area, or wash with soap and water and keep an eye on it for several weeks for any changes and contact your doctor if you begin to feel unwell. Remember to mention you were bitten by a tick or have recently spent time outdoors.

Dog owners should check their dogs for ticks, particularly the ears, where the hind leg meets the body and the paws. A vet should be consulted for advice on treatment. Recently in the UK, there have been increasing reports of non-native ticks imported on dogs and the subsequent infestation of owner’s houses. The tick species associated with these infestations is the brown dog tick. Unlike ticks commonly found in the UK, this species can survive indoors, which can lead to infestations if left untreated. Infestations also present a potential health risk to animals and humans, due to the ability of this tick species to transmit diseases.

Wasps

This is also the time of the year when other insects such as wasps come looking for us so a few tips on how to treat insect stings might come in handy over the next few weeks.

To treat an insect bite or sting:

• • Remove the sting or tick if it's still in the skin

  • Wash the affected area with soap and water.

  • Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to any swelling for at least 10 minutes.

  • Raise or elevate the affected area if possible, as this can help reduce swelling.

  • Avoid scratching the area, to reduce the risk of infection.

  • Avoid traditional home remedies, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.

  • Ask your pharmacist about over-the-counter treatments that can help.

There's lots of advice about ticks and insect stings online.

And don't forget the flu jab

Once you've fully recovered from any bites you can start to look forward to the next landmark in the health calendar, the influenza season. There are two schools of thought about the flu jab. There are those who say that when they've had it they've immediately suffered with flu like symptoms and those who attribute their lack of influenza infections to their annual jab. This group probably includes some who have experienced the genuine misery of a full blown flu attack in the past and have vowed to get the jab so it never happens again.

The injected flu vaccine contains inactivated, or killed, strains of the flu virus and therefore cannot cause flu. The nasal spray flu vaccine for children contains live, but weakened forms of flu virus but again this vaccine does not cause flu. The flu virus in both the injected and nasal spray vaccine is grown on fertilised hens' eggs so anyone with an egg allergy should have an alternative egg-free vaccine.

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS  to adults over the age of 18 at risk  (including everyone aged 65 and over) and children aged six months to two years at risk of flu.  If you are currently 64 but will be 65 on March 31 2017, you still  qualify.  Pregnant women and carers for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill are also eligible.  If you are unsure of your eligibility ring and ask. If you are not registered with Groby Surgery and believe you are eligible for the flu vaccine you should contact the Practice you normally visit.

The date for the 2016 flu clinic will probably have been set by the time this edition drops through your letterbox, so check on the surgery website for the date. If you can't check online ring the surgery to enquire but please don't call early in the day when other patients are ringing to book appointments to see a doctor or nurse.

Changes in the waiting room

The new computer system now seems like yesterday's news, but if you are fit enough not to have needed to visit the surgery in recent times you'll notice some changes the next time you call. There's a new touch screen facility so that you can record your presence and book yourself in. The scrolling display has gone and has been replaced by a new large screen to tell you your doctor or nurse is ready to see you.

Please remember that this newsletter has been published on behalf of the Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group and the advice given has not been written by clinical staff at the surgery. It has been taken from trusted sources, but you should contact the surgery

• • if you have any concerns or need further advice,

  • or your condition does not improve,

  • or do not think it is appropriate for your circumstances.

                                                        Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group

.................................................................................................................................................................................

Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group newsletter March 2016

Don't forget to take your pills

Patients who suffer from a long term health condition may be likely to be taking regular medication to control the symptoms. Someone with multiple problems may have an array of pills to take regularly. They may be daily or even twice daily. They may be weekly or even monthly. We are told to 'keep taking the pills' but sometimes remembering to keep taking the pills can be more to the point. Missing a dose or taking too many is something to avoid.

Long term pill takers normally fall into a routine which ensures that the medication is taken as prescribed, but the risk of forgetting increases when the daily routine is disturbed. This disturbance may be as simple as being away from your normal environment, for example taking a holiday or having friends or family to stay. Or it may be the impact of suffering from some unrelated illness such as a heavy cold, flu or viral infection.

Patients have different ways of managing the situation and may maintain a chart on which the dose is ticked off when taken or by marking up the pill boxes or blister packs. This can work well but the downside is that the fact you have missed a dose today may not be apparent until you tick the box tomorrow.

This doesn't actually remind you to take the medication. A dedicated dispenser of the daily dose can cost as little as £1 but has the same problem, so perhaps the ideal is something which gives an audible reminder. An internet search shows that there are many such products out there. They include a cheap and simple 7 day pill box with a count down alarm function to very sophisticated and expensive systems for someone with multiple problems and medication. There are lots of products between the two extremes ranging from partitioned pill boxes with digital alarms to a simple alarm small enough to fit into any pocket or purse. This type of device would meet the needs of those who don't need a pillbox but who want a helpful reminder to take their medication at a certain time and it can also double as a kitchen timer!

Nowadays most people have something which already meets such a simple requirement – a mobile phone. If you want a reminder to take your pills then setting an alarm call for the time or times your medication is due may be all that you need. For those with smartphones who are into the world of downloading 'apps' there are a number available, often free, which are designed to give a reminder when your medication is due. You, or someone you know have to set the dosage times, and names of the medication before the reminders will work. Some give an audible reminder, others just a visual reminder when you check the screen. But you should take into account the limitations of relying on a mobile app or technological solutions and keeping things simple may be the best option.

An alarm may sound but if the doorbell or telephone rings you may still get distracted and forget to take your pills, so it is important to keep a manual record if you need one. If you have a memory problem and don't keep a record there is also the risk of taking your medication twice and this is equally undesirable. Talk to your doctor if you find it difficult to remember to take your medication or find yourself taking repeat doses.

Have you devised your own system for ensuring you take your medication without fail? Have you come up with a simple and inexpensive way of ensuring you don't forget? Why not share your experience or ideas with other readers?

Easter closure

The surgery will be closed on 25th March (Good Friday) and 28th March (Easter Monday), so bear this in mind if you need a repeat prescription.

Premises refurbishment

The last Groby Surgery Patients Survey demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with the service provided by the doctors, nurse and reception staff. As one might expect there were some negative responses and these mainly referred not to the level of service offered but the surgery premises and the need for some redecoration. Following the replacement of the front door the Practice partners have now arranged some internal redecoration which will be apparent when you next visit. In addition to paintwork this includes new blinds in the waiting room and in the consultation rooms new blinds and floor covering.

Patient toilet facilities

The problem with the downstairs toilet has been resolved and it is once again available for patient use.

The description of the products in this article is given for information purposes only and should not be interpreted as a recommendation or endorsement of them. If you are not a patient at Groby Surgery but need advice about any of the issues raised you should contact your own doctor.

Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group  February 2016 Newsletter

Should you have a pneumonia jab?

February already. The Autumn queue at the surgery for the flu jab now seems a long time ago. This is the time of the year for vulnerable patients to be thinking about getting vaccinated against pneumonia.

Pneumococcal infections can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis, but the vaccine gives protection against them. The NHS says that at their worst they can cause permanent severe brain damage, or even kill. These infections can be most serious in people with certain long-term health conditions and older people, so these groups are offered a pneumococcal vaccination on the NHS. It's a simple and safe vaccine.

There are 5,000 to 6,000 serious pneumococcal infections every year in England and Wales. An estimated 3,400 people over the age of 65 in England die in hospital every year from pneumococcal infections. Pneumococcal infections are easily spread by close or prolonged contact with someone who has symptoms of the infection or someone who is not affected but is a 'carrier'. Once the bacteria have entered your body – usually through your nose or throat – they can either lie dormant or they can multiply and cause health problems. One to three days is thought to be a typical incubation period.

These infections can be invasive and serious,and inside a major organ or in the blood. Meningitis, an infection of the brain, is an example of an invasive infection. Non-invasive infections outside the major organs can be less serious.

So if you are over 65 it sounds like a good idea to reduce the risks of developing an infection by arranging to see the nurse for a 'pneumo jab'. And you are also advised to have one even if you are not yet 65 but have a chronic long term health condition. You're considered to be at a higher risk of a pneumococcal infection if you have:

• • diabetes

  • a long-term respiratory disease

  • heart disease, for example, congenital heart disease

  • chronic kidney disease

  • chronic liver disease, for example, liver cirrhosis

  • a suppressed immune system caused by a health condition such as HIV

  • a suppressed immune system caused by medication such as chemotherapy or steroid tablets

  • a cochlear implant (a small hearing device fitted inside your ear)

  • had the clear fluid that surrounds the brain and spine leaking from its usual position, for example, as the result of an accident or surgery

  • had your spleen removed, or your spleen does not work properly

So give the surgery a call after the peak time for booking appointments with the doctors has passed and arrangements will be made for you to see the nurse. If all the vulnerable readers of the Spotlight phone straight away the nurses's diary will fill up very quickly, so please be patient.

Facebook pages could be on the way

The surgery has its website but the Patient's Participation Group doesn't have an online presence. Well not yet. At the January meeting of the Group the new Chairman, Derick Harrison, floated the idea of following the lead of other PPGs and creating some facebook pages. Everyone was in favour and impressed by the achievements of other groups, so he has been busy working away at it.

Settling in

Alison, the new full time receptionist reports that she is settling in and enjoying her new role at Groby Surgery.

Membership

Finally don't forget that it would be really helpful to have younger patients represented on the Patients Group, particularly parents with young children. Meetings never last more than an hour and only take place six times a year. So why not be part of it? You can leave your contact details at reception or email GrobySurgeryPPG@btconnect.com.

If you are not a patient at Groby Surgery but want further medical advice on any of the issues raised please contact your own doctor.

January 2016

Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group  January 2016 Newsletter

How making the right choices can help keep you healthy

Christmas is out of the way and for some the Festive Season may have brought with it an unwelcome weight increase. January provides an opportunity to make a New Year's resolution to shake off the extra weight, but how may people make such resolutions nowadays?

A website that devotes itself solely to compiling statistics claims that 45% of Americans usually make New Year's Resolutions but only 8% are successful in achieving their resolution. It seems people in their twenties are nearly three times as likely to achieve their objective as people over fifty. Only three resolutions in the American top 10 are health related, with losing weight coming in at number 1, staying fit and healthy at number 5 and giving up smoking at number 7. Surprisingly drinking less alcohol isn't one of the top 10 resolutions.

For many losing weight and staying fit and healthy may mean the same thing – dietary changes and more exercise. There are many long term life changing conditions related to diet, lack of exercise and smoking. These include diabetes and coronary heart disease, conditions which experts now believe people stand a better chance of avoiding if they adopt a healthier lifestyle. Some people may be experiencing 'advice fatigue' as yesterday's dietary villains are replaced with new threats. A reduced intake of saturated fats was the prime target at one time but now we are told to cut down on salt and sugar as well. As always the best advice seems to be to remember a adopt a balanced diet whist trying to keep within the changing guidelines for fat, sugar and salt.

If you are setting yourself a target which means a dramatic change in your lifestyle you need to ensure that you have had professional advice

There's lots of help online at the www.nhs.uk. Click on 'Live Well' and you'll find 10 tips to help you achieve your goal, be it to lose weight, quit smoking, eat healthily or drink less. There's also lots of information on other health related subjects.

If you want to give up smoking you can join a group or have one-to-one support if you prefer. The NHS has stop smoking services staffed by trained stop smoking advisers all over the country. To find your nearest NHS Stop Smoking Service call the Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044 to speak to a trained adviser.

The statistical evidence for being physically active seems to be growing and the NHS says it's essential if you want to live a healthy and fulfilling life into old age. They say it's medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have up to :

• • a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke

  • a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes

  • a 50% lower risk of colon cancer

  • a 20% lower risk of breast cancer

  • a 30% lower risk of early death

  • an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis

  • a 68% lower risk of hip fracture

  • a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)

  • a 30% lower risk of depression

  • a 30% lower risk of dementia

Taking more exercise doesn't have to mean driving to the gym and paying to exercise, and joggers can often be seen on the streets of Groby. Regular running can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can also keep your weight under control and boost your mood. If you feel out of shape, or you're recovering from injury or worried about an existing condition, you should see your GP before you start running. And if you’ve not been active for a while, it is better to build your fitness levels gently by walking regularly. A classic case of learning to walk before you run.

The NHS says that walking is underrated as a form of exercise, but is ideal for people of all ages and fitness levels who want to be more active. Regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers. It's simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. You'll find help and advice on the Live Well link on the NHS website, along with tips about other forms of exercise.

Whether you run or walk you'll also find help online which will calculate such things as how far you've run and the calories you've burnt. One easy package is www.gb.mapometer.com. You can plan your route by clicking the map. For example, you could check the circular route from the Stamford Arms, up Ratby Road, Sacheverell Way, and Leicester Road back to the Stamford. You'd cover 2.8 miles and burn 293 calories running, 205 walking, but only 118 cycling. If you choose to swim the route it will burn 862 calories, but we'd need a lot more rain before that becomes possible.

New Chairman

In recent months there have been some new faces at the Patient's group meetings. Derick Harrison, one of the recent recruits, is taking over from Ernie Broadhurst who is retiring as Chairman. Ernie has played a key role in setting up the PPG and Derick is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

Young parent? Why not join us?

The membership of the Group is skewed to what we'll call the slightly more mature patient. It would be really helpful to have younger patients represented, particularly parents with young children. Of course young parents have less time, try to juggle numerous activities and the 6pm meetings are probably at a not very convenient time for a parent. On the other hand they have never lasted more than an hour and only take place six times a year. So why not be part of it? You can leave your contact details at reception or email GrobySurgeryPPG@btconnect.com.

News from the surgery

If you haven't been into Groby Surgery recently the next time you visit you may see some new faces in reception as Alison and Margaret have joined the team. Alison is working full time and Margaret part time. There's also a bright new front door to welcome you.

At the time of writing the downstairs toilet for patient use is currently not available as improvements are being made. Please ask at reception if you wish to use the staff toilet upstairs, and take care not to bump your head.

If you are not a patient at Groby Surgery but want further medical advice on any of the issues raised please contact your own doctor.

 Groby Surgery Patients Participation Group

October 2015

Flu jab now available for Groby Surgery patients

Groby Surgery was visited by hundreds of patients on the last Saturday in September.  They were all there for one thing – their annual influenza vaccination.  But despite this turnout there are still many elderly or vulnerable patients who would benefit but have yet to roll up their sleeves and have this preventative 'jab'.   If this includes you, and you are registered with Groby Surgery on Rookery Lane, then the Practice would like you to ring 0116 231 3331 and book an appointment with the nurse. 

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS  to adults over the age of 18 at risk  (including everyone aged 65 and over) and children aged six months to two years at risk of flu.  If you are currently 64 but will be 65 on March 31 2016, you still  qualify.  Pregnant women and carers for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if their carer falls ill are also eligible.  If you are unsure of your eligibility ring and ask.

If you are not registered with Groby Surgery and believe you are eligible for the flu vaccine you should contact the Practice you normally visit.

August 2015

New telephone system for Groby Surgery

As soon as the telephone lines to Groby Surgery on Rookery Lane are opened at 8.30am each morning patients are calling to book appointments to see a doctor. In order to deal with these quickly patients are asked to make calls after 10.00am for other purposes, such as checking for test results or prescription queries. Some patients forget and call during this peak period resulting in delays and frustration for those who need to make an appointment to see a doctor. “The best way patients can help our reception staff deal quickly with requests for appointments to see a doctor is to wait until after 10.00am to speak to us about any other matters,” said Kay Dean, Practice Manager.

A new telephone system due to be installed at the surgery within the next couple of months will provide an opportunity to improve the appointment booking service. Patients will be asked to press a number on their handset indicating the purpose of their call and priority will be given to those who are ringing to book a consultation with a doctor at the surgery, a home visit or a telephone consultation. Callers with other, less urgent, enquiries, or who wish to book to see the practice nurse, will be asked to ring back after 10.00am. “When it is installed the new equipment will not affect the number patients dial to speak to us,” Kay added, “they will still call 0116 2313331.”

These telephone menus are not universally loved but patients at Groby Surgery will no doubt appreciate their call for a consultation being treated as a priority.

April 2015

How to contact Groby Surgery

26 Rookery Lane, Groby, LE6 0GL (Tel : 0116 231 3331)

Retirement of Dr Gajebasia

Earlier this year the Spotlight reported on the Borough Council's infrastructure wish list for Groby,  put together as part of it's plans for the next 25 years.  Working with outside agencies the Council had identified potential shortfalls in service provision across all aspects of village life and suggested what needed to be provided.The  largest item was the provision of a ￡1million medical centre.  The Primary Care Trust (PCT) had identified this could be the cost of a new medical centre to support existing and new patients.  It was a response to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council which asked what the requirements would be to deal with a large increase in population in the area.  Because of the timing the PCT had to respond before it had completed its own Implementation Plan which deals with  the future development programme for the next few years, and so the inclusion of this item was neither a promise nor a proposal.  

The plan has now been completed and does not include a new medical centre for Groby.  However, if the PCT secures any  'S106 contributions' from housing developers  towards key facilities required to support the new population the trust will be looking to direct this funding to the surgery  most likely to provide services to that increased population.

“The Groby GP surgery is not one of the identified projects that the PCT will be supporting within this investment planning process,” said Amanda Anderson, Primary Care Premises Manager. “but could benefit  if we secure any s106 contributions from housing developments directly impacting on Groby.   The PCT is facing the infrastructure question all over the County and in Rutland because of the Government's agenda to increase housing.”  

“Given the  limited resources we could not support all infrastructure requirements.  Experience has taught us that not every new dwelling in an area will result in a new patient as there will be some movements within a small area which will not necessitate a family to change GPs.  Taking all of this into account there are many reasons why a new medical centre is not proposed for Groby within the foreseeable future.”