Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Research at Coleridge

Many of you may not be aware that Coleridge is a memeber of the local NHS Primary Care Research Network. In Medicine we are constantly striving to find the most effective treatments for common conditions and reserach is a key factor which helps to provide this knowledge. As a practice we take great care to select studies which we feel will benefit our patients and help provide knowledge which will help us treat our patients better. We feel it is a great opportunity for you as patients to take part in studies which directly benefit you and improve treatment in primary care. From time to time you may be invited to take part in one of theses studies. there is no obligation to take part and if you decline it will not affect your treatment in any way.
We have just finished taking part in DUTY study which is aiming to find out if feverish children could be suffering from unsuspected urinary infections. We had lots of positive feedback from parents who participated in this study. We will soon be participating in a study to look at how best to treat cough in adults and children.

We will be keeping our website updated with the results of previous studies and up and coming studies so we'll keep you posted!
Lisa Gibbons GP lead for reserach

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

New service for Carers starting in March 2012

Carers support worker available at the Coleridge Medical

A Community Support worker from the Virtual Carers centre will be available at the Practice on a regular drop-in basis, to offer advice and guidance to patients who provide a Caring role.
This new service will compliment our existing services for Carers provided by the Nurses in our Carers team.
The drop-in sessions will be run on the first Tuesday and third Wednesday of each month, from 10-11am, starting on Tuesday 6th March, you will not need an appointment.

Virtual Carers Centre a Carers notice board has been provided by the Virtual Carers Centre for the waiting room. It is updated regularly and contains contact numbers and information for patients about further help and support available for Carers.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Thank you to the friends and family of Mrs Shapter for their kind donation

We would like the thank the friends and family of the late Mrs Dorothy Shapter for their kindness and generosity.

Their collection at her funeral has allowed us to buy a cohort of automated blood pressure machines.

In line with the latest medical research and guidance, we will be using these to enable us to get accurate home blood pressure readings on our patients before making a final diagnosis of high blood pressure.



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme

Are you male and 65 or over?

If so, you can have a quick, free and simple scan to see if you have an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)


What is an Aortic Abdominal Aneurysm?
The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body. It runs from your heart down through your chest and abdomen. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak. It can then start to expand and from what is called an aortic abdominal aneurysm.


The following are not screened; Men who have already had aortic surgery (although aortic valve surgery is fine) & men who have a severe medical condition contra-indicating surgery.

The chance of having an abdominal aortic aneurysm can also increase if:



  • You smoke

  • You have high blood pressure

  • You have a sibling or parent who has, or has had, an abdominal aortic anuerysm.

It is estimated that around 1 in 25 men aged between 65 and 74 in England have an abdominal aortic anuerysm. This is about 4% of men in the age group.


Contact the South Devon & Exeter AAA Screening Programme on 01803 655441 or visit aaa.screening.nhs.uk for more information.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Line Up & Sign Up

If you would like to register for SystmOnline to be able to book Doctors appointments online, come and see Teressa at the Front Desk on Tuesday 7th February 9am - 12pm.


A form of Photo ID will be required to register

Friday, February 3, 2012

Tuesday Injection Clinics

Unfortunately Tuesday injection clinics are suspended until further notice, due to the shortage of the Pneumovax injection.

Typhoid Shortage

Due to an International shortage of the Typhoid vaccine, no vaccine is available at present.
Limited supplies are due to be available towards the end of February 2012.
We will update the sites as more information becomes available.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Doctors Appointments Online

It is now possible to book Doctors Appointments Online.

In addition to being able to request your medication online we are delighted to announce that from Monday 6th February you will also be able to book routine appointments to see any GP.

If you have not already signed up for online access then please come to the front desk at any time to do so (form of ID required). For more information on how to register, contact one of our Reception Team.

We are very excited to be introducing this, we hope you will be too.

The following appointments can not be booked using SystmOnline:
- Smears
- Coil Fit/Removals
- Implant Fit/Removal
- Medicals i.e. HGV/Taxi/Adoption etc