Newsletter (Soft Blue design)
Author: Rebecca Furnival

1st September 2024
Volume 1, Issue 2

Autumn 2024

Welcome to the Autumn Newsletter!
Whilst we know it is sad to bid farewell to the summer season, Autumn is upon us and what a glorious time of year it is. The leaves change from green to an array of vibrant colours, just as your cheeks get a little rosy from the cold weather. Its time to say goodbye to the summer wardrobe and bring out your cosy comfy sweaters and jumpers.
Practice News
Since our previous issue we have bid farewell to more than just the summer. Our HCA Annette has left us, we are wishing her well in her new position, she will be missed.
Dr Wilfred has also left the practice as of the end of August, Whilst it was brief that Dr Wilfred was with us, he made a difference to patients and staff. He will be greatly missed.
We would like to Welcome 4 new members to the WMP team, Nicola to the administration team and Dr Hameed who joined us on the 5.8.24, Dr Yusuf who will be starting on the 2nd September and Dr Prash, who will be joining us in October, to our clinical team. Please make them feel welcome and I hope they settle in well with their new positions.

Inside this issue
Flu Vaccinations 2
Child immunisations 2
Stoptober 3
RSV Vaccine 3
Prep for Winter 3
Home Visits 4
COPD Clinics 4

Flu Vaccinations

It is important during the winter months to get your vaccinations. This year again we will be holding flu and covid booster vaccinations for those who are eligible. Right now we are in the process of preparing for the clinics.
If you are eligible for a flu vaccination, we will be in touch with you via text, call or letter.
Housebound patients will be contacted and a day will be organised for one of our nurses to come out to give the flu vaccine.
We are looking to start our flu clinics towards the end of September/beginning of October.
If you are interested and eligible for the flu vaccine, you will receive correspondence from us in due course.
If you are eligible, but not interested in having the vaccine, please let us know so we can remove you from the list.
With regards to the covid vaccines, these will be given within the same appointment to anyone who is eligible and would like the vaccine.

Vaccines are important as they offer protection for your baby from serious diseases, most of which can kill!

Macmillan Coffee Morning
Join us in raising money with our coffee morning for Macmillan.
We will be holding a bake sale in the foyer throughout the day on Friday 27th September. Every donation is appreciated and welcome.
Please come along and enjoy some cakes made/brought by the team here at Woodside Medical Practice. Every penny will be donated to Macmillan to support the amazing work they do.
Coffee Morning: 10:30am—15:30pm. Friday 27th September.

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Importance of Child immunisations

Immunisation’s are a way of protecting your child against serious diseases. Once they have been immunised, their bodies are better able to fight these diseases if they come into contact with them.
It is important that your baby has their immunisations at the right age—the first ones are offered at 8 weeks old. They will be offered further doses of these immunisations when they’re 12 weeks and 16 weeks old.
Other immunisations are offered at:
Between 12 and 13 months of age
From 2 years of age
From age 3 years 4 months
In primary school
In their teenage years
Diseases can be particularly serious in young babies. It’s important to make sure babies are protected as early as possible to prevent them from catching these diseases.
Most immunisations have to be given more than once to prepare your child’s immunity. For example , 3 doses of DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB vaccine are needed to provide protection in babies. Booster doses are then offered later in life to provide longer-term protection.
Whilst in the UK, parents can decide whether or not to have their child immunised. Vaccination is recommended because it gives your baby protection against serious diseases, most of which can kill.

RSV Vaccinations
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes hundreds of thousands of infections across the UK each winter in the young and the old
RSV accounts for approximately 33,500 hospitalisations annually in children aged under 5 years old, is a leading cause of infant mortality globally, and results in 20 to 30 deaths per year in the UK.
RSV vaccines have now been developed which have been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy.
vaccinating a woman in pregnancy enables her to produce RSV antibodies which pass across the placenta to provide the baby with passive protection during the first six months of infancy.
a study of RSV vaccination of pregnant women indicated that infants had a 70% reduced risk of severe lower respiratory tract disease caused by the RSV virus.
all pregnant women should be offered one RSV vaccine in every pregnancy, from week 28. This is ideally given in week 28 or soon after, to ensure sufficient time to generate enough antibodies to protect the infant.

Stoptober

Since the campaign was first launched by the Department of Health and Social Care, in 2012. Stoptober has helped over 2.5 million people make a quit smoking attempt. It is an annual stop smoking campaign, based on evidence that if a smoker makes it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit. The aim this year is to rally the remaining smokers in England to give quitting a go this October and to support them to quit successfully.
Whilst smoking rates have declined in recent years, over 5 million people in England still smoke and smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable ill health and death. Latest data shows that using willpower alone remains the most common approach to quitting smoking, despite being proven to be the least effective.
What happens when you quit?
The sooner you quit the sooner you’ll notice changes to your body and health. Look at what happens when you quit for good.
After 20 minutes—check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal
After 8 hours—Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half.
After 48 hours—All carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste
After 72 hours—If you notice that breathing feels easier, it’s because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.
After 2-12 weeks— Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.
After 3-9 months— Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%
After 1 year— Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared to a smoker’s
After 10 years— More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
Want to make a change to your health and quit smoking start this Stoptober!
NEVER GIVE UP GIVING UP!

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Prepping for Winter

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 June we had 134 appointments that went to a DNA (did not attend) without a reason or an unanswered phone call.
In July there was 114 missed appointments, again without a reason.
All together over a period of 2 months 248 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.

As autumn gets into full swing and we get closer to the dreaded winter months, there are many things we can do to prepare for the colder weather. Here are some health tips to help you prepare.
Stay active - Whilst we would all prefer to stay wrapped up warm in our pjs and blankets, it is important to keep moving, whether that be raking the leaves in the garden or a walk to the shop.
Eat well - boost your immune system by drinking plenty of water, washing your hands regularly and eating nutritious foods. Taking vitamin supplements can also help boost your immune system. Listen to your body and give it what it needs, try not to beat yourself up for eating that slice of cake. Something to eat is better than nothing.
Get your winter vaccinations - If you are eligible, make sure you get your flu and covid booster vaccines to help protect you.
Make sure your home is warm - Try and heat your home to a steady and comfortable temperature throughout the day in the rooms you use the most.
Wrap up well - Wearing plenty of layers is the best way to keep warm in the colder months. If you are heading out, make sure you take some extra layers - even if you don’t need them immediately.
Stay stocked up - It is a good idea to make sure your home is prepared—winter weather can be unpredictable and can stop you from getting out and about. Think about stocking up on cold and sore throat remedies as well as food, in case it is harder to leave the house.
Take care when out and about - It is important to be careful when out and about. In the autumn, fallen leaves and rain can make the ground very slippery. And in the winter, ice and snow can seriously increase your risk of falls.
It is important to take care of yourself all year round, but during the autumn/winter it can be a little more difficult. Hopefully these tips can help.

Home Visits

Requests for home visits should be made between 8am and 10:30am on weekdays by calling the practice on 01952 586691.
Visits should only be requested for patients who are bed bound or medically unfit to leave home. The doctor may call the patient initially in order to assess if they can assist over the phone or arrange for a clinician to visit.
They will decide if the visit is necessary, in which case a doctor may attend.

COPD reviews

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
It includes; emphysema—damage to the air sacs in the lungs and chronic bronchitis—long-term inflammation of the airways.
COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it.
It is important to attend regular reviews to ensure that your treatment is correct for your symptoms. These will be annually however, if the nurse feels they need to see you more regularly please ensure that you attend.

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Mental Health Support
Please see below some of the services available :
IAPT Self-referral Please call 01952 457415.
Crisis Team Text Service 24/7 Text 'SHOUT' to 85258
Samaritans 116123
Online Live chat service Kooth.com
Urgent Help 24/7
0808 196 4501

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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 for staff training
Thursday 26th September 2024 1pm-6pm