Category: News

Getting vaccinated against the flu is the best way to stop yourself getting ill this Winter.

The NHS offers free vaccinations to certain groups of patients, and we currently have vaccines available for:

• 2 and 3 year olds
• Expectant Mums
• People aged 65 and above
• People under 65 who have a long term health condition such as asthma, COPD, heart or kidney disease or have HIV or AIDS.

To book your flu jab call us on 0191 281 4588, Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 6pm, or visit us at either 17 or 200 Osborne Road.

No one wants to get ill over the festive season, so here are some simple tips to help you and those around you stay well this Winter.

1. Get a flu jab – the best protection against a nasty illness

Young children, expectant Mums, people over 65 and anyone with a long term condition can get a free NHS flu vaccination. Call 0191 281 4588 or visit us to book today. 

2. Keep your home warm. 

Viruses that cause colds spread much more easily in low temperatures. Aim for 18C/65F inside and keep your windows closed.

3. Check on your neighbours – especially if they’re older

Why not pop in to see any older or more frail neighbours and check they’re prepared for Winter? You can call Age UK on 0800 055 6112 if you’re worried about anyone.

4. Stay active and eat well – hot food and warm drinks are important

Make sure you’re hydrated, nourished and warm. A bit of moderate exercise also helps you fight off bugs.

5. Coughs and sneezes cause diseases!

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, bin your tissues and wash your hands. Pharmacists will also be able to give you over-the-counter remedies for common ailments like colds and sore throats.

6. Dress for the weather – wrap up warm

Layers of clothing keep heat in and stop you getting cold. Hats, gloves and scarves help too – and make sure your shoes have good grip for when it gets icy.

We are keen to recruit an experienced, enthusiastic Health Care Assistant to join our Nursing team.

To find out more and apply, click here.

The successful candidate will have experience of a similar role, preferably within General Practice, as well as being an effective communicator with a ‘patient first’ attitude.

Applications are welcomed by 10th January 2020, and must be submitted directly through the NHS jobs page at this link.

Throughout the month of November, 150 scheduled appointments were lost with patients not attending.

That works out to an average of 7 appointments every working day, totalling around 35 hours or 2,093 minutes.

If you no longer need a scheduled appointment, please cancel it with enough notice for us to offer the time to someone else.

You can cancel by visiting us at either location, calling 0191 281 4588, via our online system or by replying to your reminder text message.

Reducing the number of lost appointments will help us increase appointment availability for everyone.

The role of Advanced Nurse Practitioners – or ANPs – has in recent years to offer patients more choice and increase the availability of appointments.

Our three ANPs – Lesley Ransome, Jane Rodger and Sabrina Smith – offer appointments covering a range of common medical conditions that people may previously have seen a GP for.

“As ANPs we see patients in the surgery, and visit them at home. We want to ensure patients receive the best care possible.”

– Lesley, ANP

Advanced Nurse Practitioners. as the name suggests. are Nurses who have completed extra medical training.

The additional clinical skills ANPs possess means they can diagnose patients· conditions and create treatment plans medication.

At Jesmond Health Partnership, our ANPs focus on providing same day appointments for urgent healthcare needs.

In the month of October, nearly 34 hours of clinical time were lost due to patients not attending appointments, or cancelling too late for the slot to be made available to anyone else.

65 scheduled appointments with Nurses went unused, and 79 booked slots with GPs or Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) were lost.

Reducing our ‘Did Not Attend’ rate will reduce the waiting time for appointments.

If you no longer need a scheduled appointment, you can cancel it by calling or visiting the surgery, through our website, or by replying to your reminder text message.