Newsletter (Soft Blue design)
Author: Rebecca Furnival

21st June 2024
Volume 1, Issue 1

Summer 2024

Practice News
Over the past several months, you may have noticed we have had some staff changes. Back in September we bid farewell to senior partner Dr Donnellan who has now retired. We wish him well and hope he enjoys his retirement.
We have welcomed 3 new salaried GP’s who you may have already have had appointments with. We hope they are settling in well to them Woodside team. Please welcome Dr Wilfred, Dr Peeta-Imoudu and Dr Kanu.
We have also welcomed our Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Elaine Benson, who you may have already seen in clinic.
This month we bid farewell to our practice nurse Rebecca and wish her well in her new role.
We would also like to welcome our new practice manager, Samantha Evans and hope she is settling well into her new role as pm of Woodside Medical Practice.
We have recently had a new addition to our administration team as well, Sam, she has joined us this month and hope she settles in well with the team here at Woodside.

Inside this issue
Travel Vaccinations 2
Cervical Smears 2
Sun Protection 3
Hayfever 3
Physiotherapy 4
NHS health checks 4
Asthma Clinics 4

Travel Vaccinations

Are you going away this summer?
Do you plan on taking to the skies to fly to another country?
Do you know if you require any vaccines or what vaccinations are required for where you’re going?
If you are unsure you can use the Boots travel vaccination quick check tool online. You can also check the government website. If you do not have access to a computer or a smart phone, and are unsure what vaccinations you may need for your travels, pop into the practice and fill in a ‘Travel Vaccination Form’ one of our practices nurses will then check what vaccines may be required, along with what vaccines you may already have. They will then contact you to book in for your vaccinations if you so need them.
Please allow a minimum of 6 weeks for this to be completed. Most countries will require you to have had your vaccinations 2 weeks prior to your departure.

It is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer!

Immunisations
It is important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child missed a vaccine, contact us to arrange a catch up.
Vaccines for children begin as soon as they turn 8 weeks old. You do not need to worry about keeping track of when and what vaccines your child may need, as our admin team will keep track of this for you and send you an appointment when your baby is due for their next vaccinations. You do not need to know what vaccines are required as our practices nurses are well trained in children’s immunisations.
Please remember to bring your children’s red book to each immunisation appointment so this can be recorded within the book.

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Smears

Cervical screening, which used to be called smear test, is a test the check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. It is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64.
It is important to book in for your cervical smear as soon as you receive your letter from the screening service. Don’t put it off or you may forget! It is important to attend this routine smear test to ensure that if there are any abnormal changes, these can be treated before they have can turn into cancer. It is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer.
Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called “high risk” types of HPV.
When you’ll be invited for cervical screening
You will be sent an invitation letter in the post when you are due for your cervical screening test. The letter will tell you where you can go for screening and how to book.
Most cervical screening is done in a GP surgery by a female nurse or doctor.
Call your GP surgery to book an appointment with them. You might be able to book the appointment online via patient access.

Age	When you’re invited
Under 25	Up to 6 months before you turn 25
25 to 49	Every 3 years
50 to 64	Every 5 years
65 or older	Only if a recent test was abnormal

Sun Protection

Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it’s cloudy. There’s no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects. Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.
Sun Safety Tips
Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm form March to October. Make sure you: Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm, Never burn, Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses, Take extra care with children, Use at least factor 30 sunscreen.
A day at the beach without proper eye protection can cayse a temporary but painful burn to the surface of the eye, similar to sunburn. Reflected sunlight from snow, sand, concrete and water, and artificial light from sunbeds, is particularly dangerous. Avoid looking directly at the sun, as this can cause permanent eye damage.
Who should take extra care in the sun?
You should take extra care in the sun if you: have pale, white or light brown skin, have freckles or red or fair hair, tend to burn rather than tan, have many moles, have skin problems relating to a medical condition, are only exposed to intense sun occasionally (for example, while on holiday), are in a hot country where the sun in particularly intense, have a family history of skin cancer.
People who spend a lot of time in the sun, whether it’s for work or play, are at increased risk of skin cancer if they do not take the right precautions.

Hayfever
Hayfever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. You cannot cure it, but there are things you can do to help your symptoms, or medicines you can take to help.
Symptoms include:
Sneezing and coughing
A runny or blocked nose
Itchy, red or watery eyes
Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
Loss of smell
Pain around the sides of your head and forehead
Headache
Feeling tired.
Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
Hayfever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 or 2 weeks.
How to treat hayfever yourself
Do:
Put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen
Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes
Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

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DNA appointments
Each month appointments go missed. This could be for a number of reasons, but if you don’t cancel within an appropriate timeframe then they cannot be given to someone who needs it.
In April we had 142 appointments that went to a DNA (did not attend) without a reason or an unanswered phone call.
In May there was 123 missed appointments, again without a reason.
All together over a period of 2 months 265 appointments were missed.
Please remember that if you are unable to attend an appointment for whatever reason, you inform the practice so these appointments can be given to someone else who needs it.
We understand that life can get in the way and things may pop up that need to be taken care of, however if you don’t inform the practice this goes on your record.

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First Contact MSK Practitioner

Alternative to GP appointments you can now book in with our musculoskeletal specialist for new muscle, joint or back problems.
We have recently taken on a new member of the clinical team who works for the south east Telford primary care network (PCN). Nikolaos provides a musculoskeletal first point of contact. He can help with issues such as; all soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries. He can assist with arthritis of any joint. Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone for example tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome and ankle sprains. He can help with spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain. Spinal-related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms, eg pins and needles or numbness.
If you feel you have any symptoms that can be checked over with our musculoskeletal specialist, please contact the practice to book. Nikolaos usual days of work are a Tuesday and Thursday. These can be subject to change. So please contact one of our receptionists for more information of when and how to book with him.

NHS health checks

The NHS health check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as; heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke. During the check-up you’ll discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions. If you’re aged over 65, you’ll also be told about symptoms of dementia to look out for.
The check is for people who are aged 40-74 who do not have any pre-existing conditions such as; chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, heart failure, stroke etc.
If you are aged between 40-74 and do not have a pre-existing condition you should be invited to an NHS health check by your GP or local council every 5 years.
If you think you are eligible and have not been invited, contact your GP surgery.

Asthma reviews

There is currently no cure for asthma, but treatment can help control the symptoms, so that you are able to live a normal, active life. It is important to attend regular reviews with your general practice to ensure that your asthma is treated correctly.
Here at Woodside we don’t expect you to remember when you are due for a review so when you are we will send you a text message to let you know that your review date is coming so that you can book in with one of our practice nurses.
If you feel that your current medication isn't helping to control your symptoms, you don’t have to wait until you are due for a review. You can call the practice to book in with the practice nurse and she will be happy to review this for you.
To book you can visit us in person and book via reception, you can call us and speak to one of our receptionists that would be happy to help on 01952 586691 or if you have patient access you can book online.

Access Maternity Services
Maternity care should now be booked DIRECTLY with the Midwifery service—you no longer need to go via your GP.
There is one central number wherever you live.
Call:
01743 261085
Or Text:
07797 800 285
Leave your name and number and they will make you an appointment with the appropriate midwife team.
*This ia a first point of contact service at the start of your pregnancy. This is not an emergency service. Texts charged at the standard network rate*

Mental Health Contacts
Please see below some of the services available :
IAPT Self-referral Please call 01952457415.
Crisis Team Text Service 24/7 Text 'SHOUT' to 85258
Samaritans 116123
Online Live chat service Kooth.com
Urgent Help 24/7 08081964501

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Repeat Prescriptions
The easiest, safest and quickest way to order your repeat prescription is online via patient access. There is no need to make a phone call or visit us; instead computer, smartphone or tablet users can request repeat prescriptions anywhere – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also check what medication you should be taking and when.
If you are unable to request your medication online then you can pop into the practice, fill in a repeat prescription request and put it in the prescription box in the foyer. You can also request your prescriptions through your chosen pharmacy.
If you are not already registered for Patient Access or the NHS App, please let a member of the Practice team know you would like to use this service.
Please allow 3 full clear working days before collecting your prescription during normal working hours. The table below will show you when you can pick up your prescription based on the day you request it.

Woodside Medical Practice
Park Lane
Woodside
Telford
TF7 5NR
Phone: 01952 586691
E-mail: patients.woodside@nhs.net

Opening Hours
Monday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Wednesday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Thursday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Friday 8.30am – 6.00pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday CLOSED
Telephone lines open Monday—Friday from 8am—6pm .

We are closed on Bank Holidays
Monday 26th August 2024