Friday, September 27, 2013

I'm not feeling well and the surgery is closed.........

Many minor ailments are self-limiting (which means they get better over time) and can be treated or symptoms alleviated with over the counter medicines eg pain killers for aches and pains, creams and medicines for insect bites, cold sores and other minor skin irritations, cough and cold, indigestion and heart burn remedies.    The local pharmacists can give you more information and advice. If you have a minor illness and you are no better within a couple of days or your symptoms are worsening please DO get in touch.

If you are not sure what to do and we are closed, please dial 111 for advice from the NHS 111 service.

999 and A&E departments are for medical emergencies
GP out of hours service is for urgent medical problems that cannot wait until we reopen

If you take regular medication please always ensure that you have enough to cover the weekend.  Repeat prescription orders can take 48 hours for us to process, please plan ahead.  

Have you booked yet?

Seasonal flu vaccinations are now available for eligible patients.

Fluenz is a nasal spray containing seasonal flu vaccine.  It is available to 2 to 3 year old children in clinics running in October.   We will be writing to the parents/carers of eligible children to remind them to make their appointment.   Please don't wait for your letter, if you would like to book your child(ren) an appointment please telephone us.

Friday, September 20, 2013

NHS 111 Goes Live In Devon


Devon switched on its new NHS 111 service on Tuesday 3rd September at 11.00am. The Devon service is going to be managed over 5 years by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The Outof-Hours GP calls to Devon Doctors will be gradually migrated over to 111 between October 2013 and April2014. NHS Direct will end its operations in September this year shortly after the launch of 111 and all NHSDirect calls will go to 111 instead.

NHS 111 is a national initiative that is being rolled out across the country. It is a new three-digit dial
telephone service being introduced to make it easier for patients to access local health services, when they have an urgent need. NHS 111 is available 24-hours-a-day, 365 days a year. Calls from landlines and mobile phones are free.

When patients call 111 they will be assessed, given healthcare advice and directed to the local service that can help them – that could be an out-of-hours doctor,a walk-in centre, a community nurse, an emergency dentist or a late opening chemist. If an emergency ambulance is required then this will be arranged automatically.

The new NHS 111 service aims to improve public access to healthcare services and drive improvements in the way the NHS delivers care. NHS 111 can help us to make sure that people get their urgent care needs met in the right place at the right time.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Flu Appointments Now Available

Your appointment for a seasonal flu injection is available now (subject to eligibility*).  Please book online or telephone us on 01404 814447.

*You are eligible if you are:-


  • are over 65 years old
  • live in a residential or nursing home


Or if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Asthma
  • Suppression of your immune system (eg splenectomy, chemotherapy)
  • Chronic heart disease
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Stroke
  • Multiple Sclerosis or Central Nervous System Degeneration


or are:

A registered carer
Pregnant

Emergency SMS

If you cannot make voice calls to an emergency service you can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone.  Emergency SMS is part of the standard 999 service which has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss or difficulty with speech.

To find out more and details on how to register please go to www.emergencysms.org.uk or www.rnid.org.uk/esms