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 PATIENT NEWSLETTER
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SPRING 2016
ALDERGATE MEDICAL PRACTICE
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 fever is a common allergic condition that affects up to one in five people at some point in their
Hay
life.
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Symptoms of hay fever include:
  sneezing
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  a runny nose
  itchy eyes
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You'll experience hay fever symptoms if you have an allergic reaction to pollen.
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Pollen
 is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. It contains proteins that can
cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses (small air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead) to
become
swollen, irritated and inflamed.
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You
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tree pollen, released during spring
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grass pollen, released during the end of spring and beginning of summer
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weed pollen, released late autumn
Self-help tips
It's sometimes possible to prevent the symptoms of hay fever by taking some basic precautions, such as:
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wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you're outdoors
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taking a shower and changing your clothes after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body
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staying indoors when the pollen count is high (over 50 grains per cubic metre of air)
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applying a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) to the nasal openings to trap pollen grains
.
Contacting you ...
Please make sure we have your
up to date contact details, this
includes your mobile telephone
number.
We are using SMS (“texting”) as
a way of reminding you of your
appointments and notifying you
about other information.
If you do not wish to
receive such SMS Messages
please let us know.
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Patient Online Access
www.patient.co.uk/access
This Practice offers the following online
options:
Book, view amend and cancel
appointments
Order Repeat Prescriptions
Access to a record of your
immunisations, allergies and medication.
If you would like to register for this
service, please ask in person at Reception
for a registration form.
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The FFT is a feedback tool that supports the fundamental principle that people who use NHS services
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services. It is a continuous feedback loop between patients and practices.
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The initial Friends and Family test question is:
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"How likely are you to recommend our GP practice to friends and family if they needed similar
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care or treatment"
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Extremely likely, Likely, Neither Likely or unlikely, Unlikely, Extremely unlikely,
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Don’t know
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 The Practice has to submit the totals for each of the above answers to NHS England on a monthly
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basis.
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We also ask two further questions:
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What do you like about our Practice?
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What areas do you think we could improve?
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The comments for these questions are collated and discussed at Practice Meetings. We
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Friends and Family Test
are continually trying to improve the services we offer and welcome any feedback.
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Practice Staff:
Jayne Davies – Reception Manager
Jayne started work at the Health Centre in 1978 as a filing clerk for 6 months!!! By
June 1980 Jayne was promoted to Receptionist. Following the move by the
Practice to its present location in 1990 Jayne was promoted to Senior Receptionist
and then Office Manager.
Kathryn Strong – Reception Manager
Kathryn has worked for the Practice since 1994 and has recently been promoted to
Office Manager working alongside Jayne Davies.
Amanda Markgraaff – IT Manager
Amanda joined our practice in August 2015. She has worked within the field of
General Practice for just over 30 years, 10 years of which were working for IT
Company who specializes in IT systems for GP surgeries.
GOODBYES:
Celia Treadwell
Celia retired from her role as Medical Secretary in February 2016. She had worked
at Aldergate Medical Practice for 26 years and she will be sorely missed by
everyone. We all wish her the very best and a healthy and happy retirement.
Jayne Meilke.
Jayne retired from her role as a Health Care Assistant in January 2016.
Dr Kiran Singh
In March we said goodbye to Dr Singh as she moved on to pastures new. We wish
her all the best in her future career.
Aldergate Medical Practice Patient Participation Group
We want to ensure that the views of patients are received by the Practice regarding the services it
currently delivers, and about any changes or new services that it may be considering.
The group meets regularly, at least four times a year, new members are very welcome
If you would like more information about the PPG or would like to join, please send an e-mail to:
[email protected] or [email protected]
Virtual Patient Participation Group (vPPG)
Do you have something to say, but don’t have the time to attend meetings?
Do you have ideas about how to improve your local practice?
Do you have ideas how you would like to see services provided, changed or improved?
Then join our “Virtual Patient Participation Group”
What is the Virtual Patient Participation Group?
This is a Group which is being set up in response to patients that have said they would like to be
involved in a Patient Group but are unable to attend meetings.
As a member of the Virtual PPG we will send you email asking for your opinion on a range of topics
You decide how often and when you would like to answer
Benefits of becoming a member
By doing this you will help the practice to provide an accessible and responsive service and you will be
amongst the first to hear about news and updates.
BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(BMA)
Improving and protecting health
Self care - guidance for patients
Many of us will have a cold, sore throat or other minor illness at some point during the winter and
some of us will have flu. The most common winter illnesses will usually get better without the
need to see a doctor.
Here are some tips to help you keep well and self care through the winter months:
1. Treat yourself at home
Colds, flu and most sore throats do not need antibiotics and you can treat your symptoms at
home. Make sure you get lots of rest, drink plenty of water and take pain relievers, such as
paracetamol or ibuprofen, if you need them.
2. Order repeat prescriptions and book your flu jab in good time
If you take regular medication make sure you order your repeat prescriptions from your GP
surgery in good time. And if you're eligible for a flu jab - it is available free from your GP if you
are over 65, pregnant or have a long-term condition such as heart failure, diabetes or respiratory
disease - make an appointment at your surgery. Children aged two and three can have the vaccine
as a nasal spray.
3. Speak to your pharmacist
Your local pharmacy can recognise many common health complaints. They can give advice or,
where appropriate, medicines to help you manage the symptoms. If your problem is more serious
or you need medical advice, your pharmacist will advise you to contact your GP.
You can also ask your pharmacist what over the counter remedies to keep in your medicine
cabinet at home to help get you and your family through the winter months.
4. Check online for information and advice
There is lots of information on the NHS websites about how to keep well, check your symptoms
or use self-care to stay healthy and treat common winter illnesses such as colds, sore throats and
flu.
Visit NHS England
You can also get advice on how to self care, including leaflets to help you manage the most
common ailments from the Self Care Forum website.
Visit the Self Care Forum
Join the discussion on Twitter - #SCW2015
Further reading
This could be the moment for self care (blog)
Support self-care for patients, says BMA (news)
If your symptoms persist, or you are at all unsure, always seek advice from your GP, nurse
or pharmacist.