Kings Medical Practice News www.kingmedicalpractice.co.uk

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.