Kings Medical Practice News www.kingmedicalpractice.co.uk

The surgery is only closed on the statuary bank holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day) - we are otherwise open as normal. If you need a doctor when we are closed ring 111 for advice. Our opening times over the Christmas period are: Monday 19/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Tuesday 20/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Wednesday 21/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Thursday 22/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Friday 23/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Saturday 24/12 - closed Sunday 25/12 - closed Monday, Boxing Day Holiday 26/12 - closed Tuesday, Christmas holiday  27/12 - closed Wednesday 28/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Thursday 29/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Friday 30/12 - 8.00 am - 6.30 pm Saturday 31/12 - closed Sunday 1/1- closed Monday, New Years  Holiday 2/2 - closed Tuesday 3/1 - 8.00 - 6.30 pm We continue to run our 'Sit and Wait' surgeries every morning we are open and are afternoon appointment have been changed to 'book on the day' appointments. If you feel your appointment is more urg...

Wakefield CCG is reviewing its policy on prescribing gluten free products. Currently GPs in the NHS can prescribe gluten free foods like bread, flour, cereals and pasta to people with coeliac disease. This policy was created at a time when gluten free foods were not as readily available as they are today. In recent years supermarkets now stock a wide range of gluten free foods and it costs more for the NHS to supply gluten free products than it does to buy them from a supermarket. Wakefield CCG is consulting on not routinely funding gluten free foods provided on an NHS prescription. It is estimated that this would save the CCG £200,000. If you would like to take part in this consultation then cl ick here www.wakefieldccg.nhs.uk/prescribing-changes-engagement/ and follow the links. There is both an online survey and also a survey form you can fill in and post back to the CCG.

We are changing our repeat prescription system so that from 1st November the surgery will no longer accept repeat prescription requests from pharmacists of dispensing companies. We are doing this so that we can monitor more closely what medicines you need and more particularly what medicines you don't need. Under the old system some patients built up a stock of unused medicines. This is unsafe and wasteful. You can request your repeat prescription in several ways: By handing in the tear off part of your repeat prescription and ticking the items you want. By making a request online - you need to register for online access but it is then very easy to request repeat requests. Ask at reception how to get a login and password. By letter By telephone - 01924 223909 option 3 after 10 am please If you already order your repeat prescription directly from the surgery by any of the above methods nothing will change. We need 48 hours to process repeat prescription requests: Re...

We are holding 'flu vaccination clinics on the following three Saturdays - October 1st. October 8th and October 29th. We recommend 'flu vaccinations to anyone who would be at more risk of the serious complications of 'flu than the general population. This means people over 65, those with a chronic lung or chest condition like asthma or COPD, people who have diabetes and people with heart disease. In addition and annual nasal spray flu vaccine will be available for children aged two, three and four years old plus children in school years one and two. It is being offered to those children with a date of birth on or after September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2015. If you would like your child to get the nasal spray flu vaccine then make an appointment for one of our Saturday clinics. If you  click here  you can follow a link to the page on our website where you can download our 'flu information leaflet and consent form. The 'flu vaccination clinics are being held betwee...

The surgery is closed on August Bank Holiday Monday 29th August, 2016.  We reopen, as normal on Tuesday, 30th August at 8.00 am. If you need urgent GP assistance or advice over the weekend then dial 111. Have a good weekend and I am hoping it does not rain!

The NHS Constitution says that patients are entitled to be seen and start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to hospital. Local hospitals have a target set by NHS England that 92% of patients referred with be seen within 18 weeks. However a common complaint of patients is that when we refer patients to our local hospital it takes longer than that for them to get seen. In my role on the CCG Board I am aware the Pinderfields is failing to meet its 18 weeks target. If you click here you can read about their performance in the public minutes of Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust board. The last minutes publicly available are from July and they give details of their performance in April, 2016 which I understand has not improved a lot since. Below is a list of the performance of each speciality: From the table you can see that the specialities that are performing particularly badly are orthopaedics, ENT, plastic surgery and neurology. This is the reason that patients ...

As August approaches our current GP trainees move on and we welcome new GP trainees to the practice.  We are saying goodbye to: Dr Zak Tai - he is doing some locum sessions in Dewsbury Dr Siobhan Waldron - she has gone back into hospital to do obstetrics and gynaecology to complete the hospital posts on her GP training scheme. We are expecting Dr Susanne Samara to return from maternity leave and complete 12 days training in early August and expecting Dr Sarah Timperly back from maternity leave in October or November to finish her training. And finally we welcome four new GP trainees in August; Dr Wendy Wong, Dr Matthew Roday, Dr Khawja Naser and Dr Kiran Ali. We wish all the doctors who have left the practice the very best for the future and give a very warm welcome to our new GP trainees.

NHS England has been trying to use the information contained in patients medical records to improve the delivery of healthcare and for medical research in a programme called Care.data. But it has faced problems with the security of the data, what it is going to be used for and how patients can consent to how that data is used. On 6th July a report was published by the Care Quality Commission looking into data security across the NHS. The report was critical of about how NHS England has approached getting consent to access information contained in patients medical records and following publication of this report NHS England has announced that the Care.data programme has been closed. As part of our new patients registration process we have always asked patients if they are happy to share their medical information with the Care.data programme but since the programme has now come to an end we can removed that from our sharing consent form and perhaps get it onto one side of A4 now!

QRISK is the computer programme that the practice uses to assess peoples risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It is based on your cholesterol level and takes into account your blood pressure, whether you smoke or not, gender and age. Our Clinical Computer software supplier had found an error in the software and switched it off. The error has now been corrected and QRISK is back and working. The error did highlight some patients who have been given incorrect advice based on the QRISK score that was worked out for them. We are in the process of contacting patients who have been given incorrect advice. We have run reports and identified 47 patients whose QRISK score was reported as normal who should have been given advice about starting statins to lower their cholesterol. We have identified 89 patients who should be on statins regardless of what their QRISK score was because of conditions in their medical history. There were 18 patients whose QRISK score was above the threshold fo...

The practice is committed to protecting the privacy and dignity of patients at all times. Some examinations and treatments, particularly those that involve intimate examinations (by that we mean examination of breasts, genitalia or rectum) can make patients feel vulnerable and distressed. In such circumstances practice staff will offer you a chaperone. A chaperone is a member of staff who has been trained specially for this role. They are usually one or our nurses or healthcare support workers but other practice staff have also been trained. The chaperones role is to support you during the examination and to ensure that is carried out in a sensitive and respectful way that maintains and protects your privacy and dignity. You will be offered a chaperone for any intimate examination but you can also request a chaperone for any consultation. You also have the right to refuse the offer of a chaperone. We have produced a leaflet about how we use chaperones in the surgery. Currently ...

The surgery is closed on May Bank Holiday, Monday 30th May, 2016. We are open for pre-booked appointments on Saturday 28th May, 8.00 am - 11.00 am, as usual but are closed on Monday 30th May. We reopen, as normal on Tuesday, 31st May at 8.00 am. We have our usual pre-booked evening appointments on Tuesday 31st May from 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm. If you need urgent GP assistance or advice over the weekend then dial 111. Have a good weekend and I am hoping it does not rain!

In February the practice was inspected by the Care Quality Commission and their final report is now published. The practice has been rated overall as good and you can read the full report by c licking here . The CQC assess the practice over five domains – safe, effective, caring, responsive and well lead and look at six population groups - older people, people with long term conditions, families, children and young people, working age people, people in vulnerable circumstances and those experiencing poor mental health. We were rated outstanding in two domains for people with long term conditions (effective and responsive) and good for all the other domains/population groups. The CQC inspectors reported that during their inspection they saw three areas of outstanding practice and below is a direct quote from their report: 'The practice had a very effective and caring approach to palliative care. We saw evidence that they worked closely with patients, families and other...

We have extended our 'Sit and Wait' surgery sessions to every morning. If you ring for an appointment between 9.00 am and 10.30 am we will offer you a choice of appointments. If you feel you need to be seen on the day we will ask you it if is something the doctor can deal with over the telephone. But if it is something you need to see a doctor in a consultation for, you will be asked to come and 'Sit and Wait' in the surgery and you will be seen in that 'Sit and Wait' surgery session. When you check in at reception the computer gives you a number and we call people in turn, As an alternative to ringing for an appointment, if you want to be seen in the 'Sit and Wait' surgery just come down to reception between 9.00 am and 10.30 am and register at reception and you will be seen in turn. Routine appointments are still available to book up to six weeks in advance. If your condition requires immediate attention for example chest pain, breathlessness...

Hayfever is a common condition also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis and affects around 1 in 5 people in the UK. It often runs in families and is more likely to affect people who suffer from asthma and eczema. It is an allergic condition where the body’s immune system overreacts to substances that are usually harmless, for example pollen from grasses, flowers, weeds or trees. The pollen causes the release of a chemical called histamine from cells in the nose, eyes and airways, which cause inflammation. Some people suffer symptoms all year round; they can be allergic to indoor allergens such as house dust mites, pets and indoor moulds. This is called perennial allergic rhinitis. Symptoms include: Sneezing; Itchy, blocked or runny nose ; Red, itchy, puffy or watery eyes Itchy throat; Headaches and sinus pain; Fatigue Managing your hayfever The severity of symptoms can vary, some people need medication to manage their symptoms and others can manage their condition by avoiding...

I was at a meeting last week when we were discussing the performance of the stroke unit at Pinderfields. About 15% of people who have had a stroke have one due to a clot and these can be potentially cured by drugs that will dissolve the clot - 'clot busters'. But they only work if patients present quickly after they have had symptoms of a stroke. Patients needs to start the drugs as soon as possible and at least within 4 1/2 hours. Nationally the average time patients take from the first symptoms of a stroke appearing to arrival at a stroke unit is 2 hours 45 minutes. In Wakefield this time increases to 5 hours 5 mins. The increased length of time it takes people to arrive at the stroke unit reduces the number of people who will be able to benefit from the 'clot busters'. The symptoms of a stroke are: F - face weakness A - arm weakness S - speech slurred T - time - ACT FAST. Click here www.nhs.uk/actfast/Pages/stroke.aspx  for the NHS Acting FAST website and ...

The surgery is only closed on the statuary bank holidays (Good Friday and Easter Monday) - we are otherwise open as normal. If you need a doctor when we are closed ring 111 and your call we be answered by the 111 team. Our opening hours over the Easter Weekend are: Thursday 24th March - open as normal. Surgery closes at 6.30 pm Good Friday - 25th March - Closed Easter Saturday - 26th March - Closed Easter Sunday - 27th March - Closed Easter Monday - 28th March - Closed Tuesday - 29th March - Surgery opens as normal at 8.00 am Local pharmacies can give you some advice and help. They are all open on Easter Saturday as normal and some of them are open over the bank holiday as well: LLoyds, 6-8 High Street, Normanton, 893915 - Open on Good Friday and Easter Monday, 10 am to 4 pm. Exel Chemist, 56 High Street, Normanton, 896777 - Open on Good Friday 9 am - 6 pm, Easter Saturday 7 am - 1- pm, Easter Sunday 11 am - 4pm and Easter Monday 9 am to 6 pm. I wish you all a Happy...

If you want help stopping smoking then the following services are available to help: Health Trainers - they see people in the surgery to support you whilst you are stopping. They will advise about using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and Champix to help you stop. The practice prescribes NRT and Champix in conjunction with our Health Trainers. To get an appointment fill a form in at reception and they will be in touch with you. For more information about them click here  http://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/our-services/directory/wakefield-health-trainers /. You can also self refer by ringing their office on 01977 665717 Local Pharmacies - all the pharmacies in Normanton participate in a local scheme funded by Wakefield Public Health to help people stop smoking. They will advise about using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and Champix to help you stop. The practice prescribes NRT and Champix in conjunction with our local pharmacists Yorkshire Smokefree - this is a stop...

This months 'be clear on cancer' campaign is about blood in your pee. Blood in your pee is an important symptom of bladder or kidney cancer and if you pick it up early its much easier to treat and treatment is much more likely to result in a permanent cure. Of course if could be caused by other conditions like a urine infection or bladder symptoms, but don't diagnose yourself. Make an appointment to see your GP. More details of the campaign can be found here www.nhs.uk/be-clear-on-cancer/beta/blood-in-pee . The message from this campaign is simple; if you notice blood in your pee, even if its just the once, tell your doctor!

Dr Siobhan Waldron has joined us today for a six months training post. She is in her first year of a three year GP training scheme and was working in the Emergency Department at Dewsbury Hospital. Doctors who wish to become GPs have to undertaken a three year training programme and have attachments in an approved training general practice. We are an approved GP training practice - Dr Brown, Dr Walsh, Dr Harding and Dr Deeley are all approve GP Trainers and Dr Waldron joins three other trainees attached to the practice - Dr Javed, Dr Tai and Dr Turek, not forgetting Dr Sumara and Dr Timperley who are both on maternity leave! We give Dr Waldron a warm welcome and hope she enjoys her time with us.

The practice sends a warm welcome to Jayne Thomas who has joined us today as a trainee Advanced Care Practitioner (tACP). When fully trained ACPs are able to see patients on their own, make diagnosis and treat them. Inorder to become trained tACPs attend a University course and have placements in general practice. In general practice they are supervised whilst they develop the skills to become an ACP. Jayne was a paramedic and the practice is very pleased to welcome her to join us.

The NHS has run several campaigns in the last 18 months about the early signs of cancer. If you missed them the messages were: If you notice blood in your pee, even if its 'just the once', tell your doctor Heartburn most days, for three weeks or more could be a sign of oesophageal or stomach cancer - t ell your doctor Feeling bloated, most days, for 3 weeks, could be a sign of ovarian cancer - tell your doctor. If you've had blood in your poo or looser poo for the last 3 weeks, tell your doctor. If you've been coughing for 3 weeks or more, tell your doctor 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer, if you have any concerns, tell your doctor. 1 in 3 women who get breast cancer are over 70, so don't assume you're past it. If you notice a lump or changes in your breast, tell your doctor There is more information on the NHS Be Clear On Cancer website - click here for the link. But if you have any of these symptoms or are concerned that you might have sy...

The Department of Health on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has been given permission to collect anonymised Electronic Fit Note Data from our clinical computer system. The DWP wants to obtain national data about sickness certification to inform government policy. The data collection will commence on Wednesday 27 January, 2016 and will be backdated to December 2014. Data will be collected to the end of August, 2018. The data that will be collected will be anonymous but you have the right to object to your data being used in this way. If you have already completed an opt out not to supply Care.data then your data will not be sent. If you do not wish your data to be used for this purpose then let us know and we will ensure that your data is not sent. To let us know c lick here to email Christine Sanderson, Practice Managing Partner.