Author: jesmondhpadmin

From Monday 23rd March, all appointments with the Practice Nurse Team will be at 17 Osborne Road.

We are currently still able to carry out urgent blood tests, ECGs, smears, childhood immunisations, pregnancy immunisations, dressings, and blood pressure and diabetes monitoring.

As we posted yesterday, Health Visitors are no longer doing Well Baby clinics in the practice, but the Practice Nurse team are doing baby vaccinations.

The Coronavirus pandemic means we are having to make a number of changes like this to protect patients and staff, while continuing to provide the service you need.

It’s a fast changing situation, and we’ll do our best to keep patients informed of what changes we are making and why. Our Patient Briefing at this link sets out the current situation.

Cervical screening is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

The test – which takes no more than 10 minutes – checks the health of your cervix and looks for cells that could cause cancer.

Why it’s important

Since the early 1990s, the rate of cervical cancer in the UK has decreased greatly, but in the last decade it has begun to rise again.

Around 3,200 women develop cervical cancer every year, yet 99.8% of those cases are preventable.

Despite cancer cases going up, nearly all of which could be avoided, only 71% of women regularly attend their screenings. That’s the lowest rate for 20 years.

Coming in for a screening

If you’re over 25 you’ll be invited to a screening every three years, then every 5 years after you turn 50. Once you’re 65 you’ll only need to be screened again if one of your previous 3 test results was unusual. You’ll get a letter in advance asking you to book a time and date.

Most screenings happen in GP surgeries or sexual health clinics, and are carried out by female Doctors or Nurses. They’ll give you privacy and make sure you’re comfortable, but you are in control and can ask them to stop at any time.

You can bring someone with you for support, or something to read or listen to. Your comfort is important.

The NHS website can walk you through the screening process, from how to book through to results and follow up. 

Nearly all cases of cervical cancer can be avoided, and screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent it. When you get your invitation, please don’t ignore it.

 

We understand people are concerned about the spread of coronavirus in the UK.

We want to let all patients know about the steps we are taking and plans we are putting in place, and what you as patients can do to help keep yourselves and those around you safe.

You can read our full patient briefing by clicking here, but these are the main points we want you to know:

Summary

• For most patients Coronavirus will be a mild illness.
• Self-isolate if mild illness with a fever or cough.
• You can access the most of the up-to-date information via NHS 111.
• Contact 111 if deteriorating and you are concerned regarding Coronavirus or 999 if severely unwell.
• We are increasing our telephone capacity to be able to provide advice where needed. Patients should call for advice rather than attending the practice without an appointment.
• We are reducing routine face to face work in the practice to avoid well patients coming into contact with patients who may have coronavirus.
• We will try to do as many routine reviews via telephone.
• All unwell/urgent work will be done at 200 Osborne Road.

Coronavirus: Patient Briefing

We are aware that people are concerned about the Coronavirus outbreak. At these times, it is not just the adults that have some worries.

This is a fantastic resource for anyone with little people at home that can help answer some of their questions and concerns.

Click the image below for a helpful guide to explaining Coronavirus to kids.