FRESHWELL EASTER NEWSLETTER 2012
Despite all the negative media reporting regarding the state of the NHS, we have plenty of positive news to share with you!
NEW SERVICE: We have a new cardiology service which is up and running in the surgery weekly from. This provide heart scanning using our ECHO machine, and enable our patients to be seen locally for many cardiac problems.
CREAMER:  Thanks to the CREAMER Fund and their brilliant fundraising efforts, we have been able to purchase a micro-suction machine for ears, which means that we can do more for our patients without the need for a hospital attendance. We are also hoping to install a digital facility to our x-ray machine, which will enable us to communicate electronically with the hospital radiology departments, therefore speeding up the reporting of our on-site x-rays.
OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE AT THE PRACTICE:
Don’t forget our other in-house services which you are welcome to use:
1.Citizens’ Advice Bureau. These appointments occur on Wednesdays and are bookable at Reception or by calling 01787479397.
2.The Village Agents. They attend the surgery every third Thursday afternoon of the month to give advice on local resources available, and can be contacted on 08009775858.
3.	The HOP (Hospice Outreach Project) bus comes to the surgery car park one Wednesday a month. They provide a supportive service to patients with terminal illness, and their relatives. There is no need to make an appointment to be seen.

OTHER NEWS:
•	We are delighted to announce that Dr Evans had a baby boy in October and is returning to work at the beginning of April for three days a week. Dr William Walker, who has been covering her maternity leave, will stay with us one day a week.
•	Once again, Freshwell Health Centre ranked very highly in the national patients’ satisfaction survey and we thank all the patients who were sent a survey form for their kind comments.
•	Over the course of this year we have developed a Patient Reference Group which consists of volunteers who have helped us to plan our own patient survey, and help us in instigating the changes suggested by the results. You are welcome to see the results of the survey on our website and if you wish to become part of this group, please ask at Reception.

VASCULAR CHECKS: We continue to offer free NHS vascular checks for any patients between 40 and 74 who are not already receiving treatment for diabetes, hypertension or other heart conditions. All patients who fit the criteria will receive an invitation at some stage over the next year to come in and have a health screen. They are an excellent way to see what state of health you are in and get some personalised advice!

FLOOD: Our one bit of bad news was our flood that occurred during the cold weather, which has meant that the waiting room has been out of action until it is fully dried out and redecorated and we thank you all for your patience and apologise for any inconvenience it has caused. We hope to return to full service as soon as possible.

SATURDAY SURGERIES:  We continue to offer Saturday morning surgeries for emergency patients. The dispensary is available for emergency dispensing, and to anyone who has been unable to collect their drugs during the week who can make advance arrangements to collect their drugs on a Saturday. It is not open for general dispensing.

A reminder from the nurses! 
For anyone booking their summer holidays: please give them at least six weeks’ notice for completion of travel vaccination programmes.

All patient referrals to hospital outpatients by the doctors are now sent through a Central referral service (CRS) where they are directed to the most appropriate service for the patient. The patient will then be rung or written to with an offer of an appointment. Anyone not receiving a communication from the CRS may ring to find out if their referral has been processed on 0300 123 0771.  Any patients who then do not attend for their appointments, or do not respond to the CRS offer will have to go back to their GPs to be re-referred- a waste of GP appointments & NHS money so please communicate with CRS to avoid this happening.

Best wishes from Freshwell team for a Happy Easter