Practice News

30th Nov

New Update Regarding Masks

Unfortunately due to the rising cases in Coronavirus cases and to keep both patients and staff safe it will now be

necessary to wear a mask when visiting the Practice.  Please make sure to bring a mask with you as we have a limited supply.

 

If you do forget to bring a mask, please ask at reception, and our Patient Co-ordinators will supply you with one.

 

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

15th Jun 2022

UPDATE RE: FACE COVERINGS.

It is no longer mandatory to wear a face -covering when attending the surgery.

However if you have a new persistent cough, Covid-19 or other respiratory symptoms, please be considerate to our staff and patients by wearing a mask or visor.

If you have forgotten to bring a mask, please ask at reception, and our Patient Co-ordinators will supply you with one.

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

 

 

12th Apr 2022

Healthy.io

Healthy.io

ACR home testing for people with diabetes now available across all GP practices in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

A smartphone app and home test kit enabling people to complete their annual albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) urinary test from home using their mobile phone camera, is now available across all GP practices in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The partnership with health technology company Healthy.io, enables practices to engage with previously hard-to-reach patients and address any backlog in chronic disease management for people living with diabetes.

Latest NDA data suggests that nearly 40,000 people living with diabetes in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland do not do their annual ACR test. This means many cases of chronic kidney disease are not being detected until they’re at an advanced stage, sometimes when a person is suffering from end stage renal disease and needs a transplant or dialysis.

 

Privacy Notice

ACR project for patients with diabetes

The data is being processed for the purpose of delivery of a programme, sponsored by NHS Digital, to monitor urine for indications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is recommended to be undertaken annually for patients at risk of chronic kidney disease e.g., patients living with diabetes. The programme enables patients to test their kidney function from home. We will share your contact details with Healthy.io to enable them to contact you and confirm that you wish them to send you a test kit.  This will help identify patients at risk of kidney disease and help us agree any early interventions that can be put in place for the benefit of your care. Healthy.io will only use your data for the purposes of delivering their service to you. If you do not wish to receive a home test kit from Healthy.io we will continue to manage your care within the Practice. Healthy.io are required to hold data we send them in line with retention periods outlined in the Records Management code of Practice for Health and Social Care. Further information about this is available at http://bit.ly/uACRtest.

14th Mar 2022

News

As you may know from the national news media, the Government has announced a rapid expansion of the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme, with boosters to be offered to all eligible adults.  General Practice has a significant role to play in delivering these vital vaccinations and in line with NHS guidance our practice is temporarily focusing on rolling out this programme as a priority.

This means that routine services will be unavailable for a short period of time. Practices will continue to provide urgent care for patients, for example reviewing potentially serious underlying problems such as known or suspected cancer.

As a consequence of this national directive, practices will have to work differently and you might notice the following:

  • Delays in calls being answered
  • Routine care being delayed, such as long term condition clinics or medication reviews
  • Reception teams asking a lot of questions to help them get you to the best person first time. That person may not always be a GP
  • Delays in any paperwork requests, such as identification forms or sick/fit notes being completed
  • That you are signposted to self-help and pharmacy options for self-limiting     
    conditions that don’t require a GP or nurse input.

Our practice hopes to be able to resume normal service as soon as possible. We are following national guidance from NHS England and NHS Improvement, and local guidance from the Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups, who are supportive of our response to managing complaints. All complaints/letters/enquiries will be reviewed, and response provided at the first opportunity in line with clinical prioritisation.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding, particularly when dealing with our practice team who are continuing to work hard to support the vital vaccine booster programme roll out.

 

NHS

 

INFLUENZA CLINICS

Please note our flu clinics are now on the system.  Scroll down to view the eligible groups.

 Weekend clinic dates: -

65yrs and over:     18th & 19th Sept and 25th & 26th Sept

All ages:                  30th & 31st Oct and 6th & 7th Nov

We will also be offering opportunistic flu vaccines during our week-day clinics.

Those eligible for NHS influenza vaccination in 2021 to 2022 are as follows: -

  • all children aged 2 to 15 (but not 16 years or older) on 31 August 2021
  • those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
  • pregnant women
  • those aged 50 years and over
  • those in long-stay residential care homes
  • carers
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline health and social care staff employed by:
    • a registered residential care or nursing home
    • registered domiciliary care provider
    • a voluntary managed hospice provider
    • Direct Payment (personal budgets) and/or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants.

All frontline health and social care workers are expected to have influenza vaccination to protect those they care for. A separate communication will follow about staff vaccination.

The influenza chapter in ‘Immunisation against infectious disease’ (Green Book), which is updated periodically, gives detailed descriptions of the groups outlined above and guidance for healthcare workers on administering the influenza vaccine.   

For more information, please click on the link below: -

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flu-immunisation-programme-plan/national-flu-immunisation-programme-2021-to-2022-letter

 

 

*********************************

CRUK

SKYDIVE FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK

 

In memory of my late husband Rog Wells, I have signed up for a Skydive in aid of Cancer Research UK.

 

Please read our story in the following link and thank you in anticipation for any donations: -

 

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/in-memory-of-rog-wells-my-rock

 

Warm regards

 

Mrs Liz Wells

Practice Manager

 

 

PATIENT SURVEY RESULTS

Please see attached the results of the latest patient survey.

https://gp-patient.co.uk/report?practicecode=C82034

 

 

ANTI-ABUSE CAMPAIGN:  PLEASE SUPPORT OUR TEAM

 

Sadly, recent research has shown that violence and aggression has greatly increased towards General Practice Staff, who are only trying to do their jobs, with the limited resources available to them. Please think twice before you blame our front of house teams for not providing you with appointments or services exactly when you want them. Remember that your actions can impact on others. Please watch this powerful video which highlights some of the attitudes which our Practice Staff experience on a daily basis. Thank you for watching. https://youtu.be/3ru4QhVZ2a8

 

 

 

 

 

PROTECTING OTHERS AGAINST COVID-19

Please note our clinical team will not be able to see any patient with potential COVID symptoms in the surgery.   We are getting increasing numbers of patients, including parents with young children, presenting with coughs.  

In order to protect other patients and our team, it is imperative, if you have any of the Covid symptoms, that you or your child have undertaken a PCR Covid test to rule out Covid, prior to presenting at the surgery.  You must not attend unless you have received a negative result; we may ask to see it.  A lateral flow test is not reliable enough.

 

Open letter to patients in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

 

 

Dear Patients

 

General practice is in crisis. Although often an overused word, this is currently an accurate description.

 

We write to raise very important issues and to ask you to work with us, your general practices, to help you and all your family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues to be able to appropriately access healthcare.

 

General practice remains the bedrock of the NHS as an effective, cost efficient health service. Ninety per cent of healthcare starts and finishes in general practice.

 

Prior to the pandemic general practice had significantly declined due to decades of underinvestment by consecutive governments. This meant that when the pandemic started there was less resilience than there should have been.

 

During the pandemic general practices rapidly changed how we delivered services to keep patients, their family and carers, and our staff safe, whilst continuing to provide a service without ever pausing.

 

During the past year practices have seen a significant increase in workload. Recent figures show that in March 2021[1] general practices in England provided over 28.5million appointments. This was 5 million more appointments than in February 2021, and 2.3 million more appointments than pre-pandemic times in March 2019. In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland the number of GP appointments since before the pandemic had increased by 54 thousand (10%) appointments per month[2].

 

This is at a time when there has been an ongoing significant decrease in the number of GPs and practices. The number of GP partners in England has fallen by 22 %[3].

 

The number of practices also continues to fall. 98 practices closed last year, meaning 263 thousand patients had to find a new practice. In the past 8 years 778 (10%) practices have closed, with 2.5million patients having to find a new practice.[4] This has been mainly due to financial instability and inability to recruit new GPs to replace those retiring.

 

On top of trying to cope with this increase in demand and reduction in resources, general practice has been the core of the highly successful Covid Vaccination Programme, delivering the majority of doses.

 

During the pandemic general practices have been falsely accused of not pulling their weight, and being ‘closed for business.’ As you can see the truth is far from this. But constant negative comments have resulted in more patients complaining about their practices and our colleagues and staff being demoralised.

 

When hospitals had to close whole departments, general practices were left to support those patients with complex chronic conditions. The huge backlog means that general practice will remain busy for the foreseeable future. As hospital departments restart their outpatient clinics these are often done remotely, and they frequently expect general practice to pick up their work (for example arranging blood tests and scans, prescribing medication, arranging follow up, issuing sick notes) in addition to our own workload. This further reduces general practices’ ability to help our patients.

 

The government is forcing through changes to general practice which we do not believe is in the interest of our practices or the majority of patients. One of these is the requirement for practices to implement digital/online services. This makes it much easier for younger IT savvy people to place ever increasing demands for advice and help about minor, self-limiting, conditions often as soon as they have started. This means that practices will have less and less time to provide services to those patients who do not have access to, or cannot use, IT but are more likely to be suffering from significant illness. The outcome will be an increase in health inequalities.

 

The ever-increasing workload, false negative comments, and underinvestment is having a significant effect on our colleagues with 20% more GPs presenting to mental health services during the pandemic compared with the year before.[5] The BMA report that over a third of GPs are considering early retirement in the next 12 months and 22% are planning to leave the NHS[6].

 

So what are we asking you, our patients, to do?

 

Be respectful and kind. Please respect that general practitioners and our staff are working harder than ever to provide healthcare. Being abusive and rude will not get you seen quicker or improve your outcome.

 

Be self-sufficient. If you or your child have a minor rash, signs of a cold, or other minor symptoms, do not think GP first. Try home remedies, look for advice from www.nhs.uk, or ask for help from a pharmacist. Only seek an appointment if you have serious symptoms, or advised to by a pharmacist.

 

Be prepared. Keep simple remedies including paracetamol or ibuprofen at home. Order your repeat medications well in advance. Think about signing up to the NHS App or other App provided through your practice.

 

Be thoughtful. Practices are receiving a massive increase in complaints. Each complaint takes staff away from patient care to respond to. Before complaining, think whether it is appropriate. Is it due to an error or mistake which practices should know about to change or improve their services, or is it relating to the significant reduction in the current capacity to provide services by practices or hospitals and therefore no change is possible?

 

Be Covid aware. If you develop a new cough, high temperature or loss of taste or smell, it could be Covid. Do not contact your GP unless you have done a Covid test first. Do not attend at the surgery, as this could cause an outbreak, infect vulnerable patients or staff, and lead to the practice having to close all their services for a deep clean.

 

Be patient. All health services have been significantly affected by the pandemic with huge backlogs. Your GP cannot change this. Do not expect your GP to get an appointment or investigation brought forward unless there has been a significant change in your condition. You can only be moved up the list by making another patient wait longer.

 

Be cancer aware. We are concerned that the number of patients presenting with symptoms of possible cancer or other significant illnesses has reduced during the pandemic. If you or someone you know have worrying symptoms, then please do not delay but make an appointment as soon as possible. See https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/symptoms/

 

We send our sincere sympathies to everyone who has been affected by the pandemic. GPs and our staff have also been affected. Too many of our colleagues, family members, friends and patients who we have known for many years, have died or otherwise suffered.

 

We hope that this letter has helped to explain the pressures that general practice is under, why we cannot provide the level of service that you would like to receive and practices would like to provide. Please consider how you can help to protect services and ensure they are targeted towards patients with the greatest need.

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

General Practitioners and Staff in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

 

[1] https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/appointments-in-general-practice/march-2021

[2] The number of appointments in LLR was 597,181, compared with 543,404 in March 2019.

[3] https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/general-and-personal-medical-services/31-march-2021 Fall of GP Partners from 21,688 in 2015 to 17,003 in 2021

[4] https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/almost-800-gp-practices-have-shut-over-the-past-eight-years/

[5] https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/workload/gerada-22-more-gps-presenting-to-burnout-service-than-pre-covid

[6] https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/what-the-bma-is-doing/covid-19-bma-actions-and-policy/covid-19-analysing-the-impact-of-coronavirus-on-doctors)

 

 

 

NHS APP

From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from: 

  • the NHS App which you can download from app stores 

  • the NHS website (from 17 May 2021)

It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified so you can use these services.

If you cannot access these online services, and you have had 2 vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take 7 working days for the letter to arrive.

This Practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.

When you're planning your travel, check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is time to get  proof of your vaccination status before you leave.

 

 

 

HELP US TO HELP YOU 

Due to the increase in GP telephone consultations, it is imperative that we are able to contact our patients. 

If you are unavailable to take a call between certain hours, please let us know and we will do our best to avoid calling during these times.

Recently there has been an increase in calls not being answered, meaning our GPs have to ring back, sometimes multiple times. 

This has the knock-on effect of the GP having to work as late as 7pm-8pm, sometimes missing their lunch and working a 12 hour day.  

If you have requested a ring-back, please help your hardworking GPs, by ensuring you have your phone to hand, in order to take their call. They can then get through the remainder of their patient list and are able to leave work at a more civilised time.

 

 

NEW GPs

Dr Anika Karia and Dr Muhammad Patel are joining our Practice in April.  We would like to welcome them to our team and look forward to working with them.

COVID VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

If you are 50 years and over and haven't yet received your 1st dose of the Covid vaccine, please telephone us as soon as possible on 01509 410800.  We have clinics at the surgery on Saturday 27th March waiting to be filled.

 

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS (9.3.21)

 

To date  27,956 patients had been vaccinated in our locality across all Practices. 

 

The following number of patients at Quorn Medical Centre, in each cohort, has received the Covid-19 vaccinations, either at the Practice, at Charnwood Borough Council or at a Mass Vaccination Centre as the result of an invitation via telephone or letter: -

 

Cohort 1: Residential Care Home Patients

1st Dose   44    

2nd Dose 0

 

Cohort 2: 80 years+ and Health & Social Care Workers

1st Dose   504  

2nd Dose 13

 

Cohort 3: 75 - 79 years

1st Dose   388

2nd Dose   0

 

Cohort 4: 70 - 74 years

1st Dose     654

2nd Dose   3

 

Cohort 5: 65 - 69 years

1st Dose    386

2nd Dose   59

 

Cohort 6: 16 - 64 with Underlying Health Conditions

1st Dose    284

2nd Dose   12

 

Cohort 7: 60 - 64 years or Underlying Health Conditions

(This group must make an appointment with one of the Mass Vaccination Centres, as per the letter, as we are unable to vaccinate them at the surgery)

1st Dose    295

2nd Dose   2

 

Cohort 8: 55 - 59 years

(This group must make an appointment with one of the Mass Vaccination Centres, as per the letter, as we are unable to vaccinate them at the surgery)

1st Dose    101

2nd Dose   9

 

Cohort 9: 50 - 54 years

1st Dose    76

2nd Dose   4

 

We are currently calling the remainder of cohorts 1 – 4 and cohort 6.

 

Please do not call the surgery regarding the Covid-19 vaccination.

 

You will be contacted by the Practice directly, by phone call or you may receive a letter from the NHS, when vaccines are available for your age and/or risk group.

 

We hope to be holding a full weekend of clinics to administer the Covid vaccine appointments very soon. We are just waiting for confirmation of vaccine supplies.

 

Please continue to follow our Facebook page and website for updates. Please click on the link below for more information.

 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

 

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Mrs Liz Wells

Practice Manager

Quorn Medical Centre

 

 

Please click on the following link to keep up to date with the latest developments across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland relating to Covid-19, the vaccination programme and other health related news which may be of interest.

COVID-19 Information

 

SUCCESSFUL COVID VACCINATION CLINIC

206 patients were vaccinated by our Practice today.  A big thank you to our lovely patients, who braved the winter chill; we had 100% attendance.    Thank you also to our 4 marshals (members of our Patient Participation Group) for giving up their day and to our fabulous team members who manned reception, vaccinated patients and input the data onto the Pinnacle system.   

Here we are below, having had a lovely lunch provided by Od'thorpes Coffee Shop in Quorn.  A big thank you to them for giving us a 10% discount as a thank you to us as NHS workers.  Their gesture was incredibly kind.

Mrs Liz Wells, Practice Manager

Sat

 

HELP THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

Principle Trial Poster

Join a COVID-19 clinical trial

The PRINCIPLE trial aims to find treatments that reduce hospital admission and improve symptoms for people with COVID-19. You could be eligible to join if

  • You have had these symptoms for fewer than 15 days:
    • a continuous new or worsening cough
    • a high temperature
  • You are aged 50 to 64 with a pre-existing illness
  • You are aged 65 and above
  • For more information please visit www.principletrial.org 

 


 

INVITATIONS FOR A COVID VACCINE - SCAM WARNING 

Beware fake Covid vaccination invites, NHS warns
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55811161

Please note Quorn Medical Centre will only invite you for a Covid vaccine by telephone or letter.  We will never invite you via email and the NHS will never ask for your bank details.

It has been drawn to my attention by a patient that she received an email starting with Dear, followed by her email address, no name and it requested her to click on a link, which then asks for bank details.  She didn't feel comfortable clicking on the link and contacted me immediately.

Thankfully she looked into this on the internet and found exactly the same email online, same date (12th Jan) and at exactly the same time, with a warning it was a scam.

Please take care and be vigilant at all times.

Warm regards

Mrs Liz Wells
Practice Manager
Quorn Medical Centre

 

 

COVID VACCINATION - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO VOLUNTEER


The LLR COVID 19 Vaccination Program is gathering momentum and by 15th January all LLR’s PCNs will be involved.

A number of PCNs and Practices are being approached by retired clinicians and members of the public wanting to be involved. If you wish to express an interest, please contact the Workforce Bureau, who will make contact with you.  There email address is WorkforceBureau.CovidVaccine@leicspart.nhs.uk

Thank you for your support.

Mrs Liz Wells
Practice Manager

 

Well done to Team QMC for helping out at the Covid-19 Vaccination Centre at Southfields, in Loughborough on  9th January 2021. 1,081 patients from the Charnwood area were vaccinated this week. Our practice staff have been working hard to contact as many of our patients who are over 80 years of age as possible, during this past week, to arrange their vaccination appointments. Please do not worry if you haven't heard from us yet. We will contact you as soon as it is your turn to be offered an appointment. Please be patient and refrain from contacting the surgery to ask for a vaccination, as this may prevent patients who are very unwell from getting through to us on the phone. Thank you for your co-operation🙂

 

Staff Volunteers

 

The Germ Defence projecthas been endorsed as a national Urgent Public Health Research (UPHR) study by Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England.   

 

With COVID-19 infections still high, it is vital that we try to reduce the spread of infections in people’s homes over Christmas. The Germ Defence website gives practical advice on how patients can do this and now also has a new section about making plans for Christmas.   

 

Half of general practices in England are being asked to promote Germ Defence to their patients now and the other half after Christmas.  Our Practice has been randomised to promote Germ Defence .  If you are aged 16 and over, please click on the link below:

 

www.germdefence.org/index.html?src=C82034 

 

(If this link does not open when you click on it, please copy and paste it into your web browser.)

 

 

Flu Clinics for 50-64 Year Olds

 

Further to the recent Government announcement, please note we have set up clinics for 12th and 17th December to vaccinate our patients aged 50-64.  Please ring the surgery to make your appointment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wall Mounted Non-Contact Thermometer

 

Please note we now have a wall mounted non-contact thermometer in our surgery porch.  All adults are required to check their temperature before given access to the waiting area. 

 

Please ensure you wear your mask when using it, for the safety of others.

 

Thank you to all of our patients.  Your support is invaluable.

 

Thermometer

 

 

Influenza Vaccine for 50-64 year olds & Coronavirus Vaccine

 

Please do not contact us to enquire just yet. Please keep checking our Practice website & Facebook page for updates.

 

We welcome the news from the Government today extending the eligibility for flu vaccinations.

 

We are awaiting additional information on the supply of these vaccinations from the NHS, but would like to make it clear, that we understand that there is no shortage of vaccinations.

 

We also understand that coronavirus vaccinations will be offered locally, but not at individual Practices. We are awaiting further details of when these will be offered and how patients will be able to book their appointment.

 

As such, please can we ask our patients to delay contacting the Practice until we have these details?

 

We will let you know via our Facebook page, Website or text message when we are ready to take bookings for the 50-64 influenza vaccinations.

 

We hope to have these details by the 7th December but will keep you updated.

 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding in this challenging time.

 

Take care and stay safe.

 

The Team @ Quorn Medical Centre

 

 

MASK MANAGEMENT/DRY EYES/MISTY GLASSES

 

Please see link below.

 

https://www.college-optometrists.org/the-college/media-hub/news-listing/mask-management-dry-eyes-and-misty-glasses.html

 

 

 

WHY ARE OUR INTERNAL DOORS LOCKED?

 

Our internal doors remain locked to enable us to manage the footfall and patient/staff safety. 

 

If you have a face to face appointment, please ring the door-bell to the right of the external doors, and then make your way to the internal doors. You will be greeted at the door, where the Patient Co-ordinator will ascertain the time of your appointment and who it is with.  You will also be asked if you have any Covid-19 symptoms. You will then be given access and advised that a mask must be worn.

 

We keep our external doors open and we have a post box within the porch area.  Letters and prescriptions can be placed in there. 

 

We can also be contacted by telephone and for patients with internet access, we have a ‘contact details’ option on our website which goes to our Practice NHS email account and an ‘online services’ link to provide any updates.  Below are 2 direct links for this purpose.

 

Feedback:                  

https://www.mysurgerywebsite.co.uk/contact_dlg1.aspx?p=C82034  

Changes of details:   https://www.mysurgerywebsite.co.uk/secure/cod.aspx?p=C82034

 

In addition to the above, you can also email the Practice via GP Connect from the link on our website.

 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we like many other surgeries we have to work in a different way.  This is to limit face to face contact where possible and help stop the spread of coronavirus.

 

Thank you for your continued support. Stay safe.

 

 

INFLUENZA

 

The flu virus typically peaks during the winter months, the best way to help protect yourself and others from catching and spreading flu is to have the flu jab every year.

 

Flu strains can change from year to year, which means last year’s jab may not protect you from this year’s strains. The vaccine usually provides protection for the duration of that year's flu season.

 

Getting vaccinated is important each year but this year more than ever people are urged to have the vaccine in order to protect themselves, and the NHS, this winter.

 

Children aged 2 and 3 years old, plus all primary school aged children and school year 7 in secondary school, will be offered the nasal spray vaccination. The adult flu vaccine is offered free to those in groups at particular risk of infection and complications from flu (for more details see the list at the end of this page).

 

The groups being offered the adult flu vaccine are:

  • Pregnant women
  • Those aged 65 or over
  • Those aged under 65 with long-term conditions (see list below)
  • Carers
  • Shielded patients and those in the same household aged 18 or over
  • Pending supply, 50 - 64 year olds will be invited no earlier than November

 

Due to the pandemic, flu vaccination clinics may be held in a slightly different way this year. Clinic logistics are still being finalised and updated information will posted on our webpages when confirmed.

 

Flu vaccines will be released in batches, according to both availability and also the need to prioritise those most at risk. This means flu clinics will be staggered in the months ahead.

 

For those who are eligible, GP surgeries across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are gearing up to provide special clinics to offer patients their annual flu jab.

 

GPs are asking their patients to book a place in forthcoming flu clinics as soon as they are advertised. Alternatively, you can visit your nearest participating pharmacy. If you are housebound, please speak to your GP practice.

 

Those who do not fall within the eligible categories for a free NHS vaccination will be able to buy a flu vaccine from their local participating pharmacy.

 

This year eligibility for the flu vaccination has been extended to those aged 50 to 64 years. Please note that people in the 50 to 64 year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50 to 64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from flu, you will be invited earlier.

 

The flu vaccination offers an important health protection. Flu can lead to existing health conditions getting worse or the development of an illness such as bronchitis or pneumonia, or it could even be fatal. A vaccination helps protect the health of a pregnant mother and her child.

 

You can see the full list of those eligible for a flu vaccination below.

 

Most GP practices and pharmacies will begin inviting those patients most at risk for a flu vaccination from September onwards, and it is anticipated those newly eligible, aged 50 – 64 years, will be invited for vaccination during November or December.

 

Scroll down to view our clinic dates.

 

To help us to make sure we are reaching all groups in our local communities, we are asking patients to check that their GP practice has recorded their ethnicity status in their records.

 

 

Symptoms

Common symptoms of flu include a high temperature, fatigue, headache, general aches and pains and a dry, chesty cough. If you are generally fit and healthy you can usually manage the symptoms at home yourself without seeing a doctor. The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help lower a high temperature and relieve aches. A pharmacist will be able to provide advice on medication.

 

People suffering with a cold or flu should avoid going into hospital, GP practice or other health setting to reduce the chance of vulnerable people catching the virus. The flu virus can be very dangerous for the elderly and the infirm particularly if they are already sick. This is a message that applies to people coming into hospital seeking treatment and to people coming to visit relatives.

 

Help to stop spreading colds and flu.

Colds and flu are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people. Germs from coughs and sneezes survive on hands and surfaces for up to 24 hours. You are infectious until all symptoms are gone which usually takes a week or two.

 

You can help prevent colds and flu spreading by using tissues to ‘catch it, kill it, bin it’. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water destroys bugs that you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people, such as light switches and door handles. It is also important to keep household items clean, including cleaning such items as cups, glasses and towels, especially if someone in your house is ill.

 

People with worsening symptoms or respiratory problems are advised not to visit a GP surgery or a hospital but to call their GP first or call NHS111 for further advice.

 

 

Who is eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine?

In 2020/21, flu vaccinations will be offered under the NHS flu vaccination programme to the following groups:

  • chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
  • chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
  • chronic liver disease
  • chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease,
  • learning disability
  • diabetes
  • splenic dysfunction or asplenia
  • a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
  • morbidly obese (defined as BMI of 40 and above)
  • all children aged two to eleven (but not twelve years or older) on 31 August 2020
  • people aged 65 years or over (including those becoming age 65 years by 31 March 2021)
  • those aged from six months to less than 65 years of age, in a clinical risk group such as those with:
  • all pregnant women (including those women who become pregnant during the flu season)
  • household contacts of those on the NHS Shielded Patient List, or of immunocompromised individuals, specifically individuals who expect to share living accommodation with a shielded patient on most days over the winter and therefore for whom continuing close contact is unavoidable
  • people living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where rapid spread is likely to follow introduction of infection and cause high morbidity and mortality. This does not include, for instance, prisons, young offender institutions, university halls of residence, or boarding schools (except where children are of primary school age or secondary school Year 7).
  • those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
  • health and social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered domiciliary care provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza.
  • health and care staff, employed by a voluntary managed hospice provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza.
  • health and social care workers employed through Direct Payments (personal budgets) and/or Personal Health Budgets, such as Personal Assistants, to deliver domiciliary care to patients and service users. 2. Additionally, in 2020/21, flu vaccinations might be offered under the NHS flu vaccination programme to the following groups:
  • individuals between 50-64 years, following prioritisation of other eligible groups and subject to vaccine supply.

Click on the following video link: -

https://www.westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/flu-safe

allow for social distancing, to ensure safety for yourself and our staff. Please remember to bring your face covering, and DO NOT ATTEND if you or someone in your household has a temperature, a new continuous cough, loss of sense of smell or taste, or you feel generally unwell. Thank You.

 

*********************************

 

logo

Diagnosing cancer early could save your life.  Please click on the video link below for more information: -

https://publications.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/publication-files/Final%20TVC%20-%20smaller%20file%20size.mp4

Together we will beat cancer.

Mrs Liz Wells
Practice Manager

******************************************************************

 

 

Face Coverings

From July 24th 2020 everyone is required to wear a face covering when entering a shop or business. We also require you to wear one when you attend the surgery for appointments to protect our staff and other patients from Covid 19.


This is in addition to wearing one on Public Transport which has been mandatory for some time now.

If you feel you are unable to wear a mask for auditory/sensory/breathing reasons, please visit www.keepsafe.org.uk/mask and download an exemption card for you to show if asked why you are not wearing one.

Please note, it is NOT the responsibility or the role of the Surgery to issue anyone with an exemption letter or certificate. Please visit the website above for more information.

 

Please follow the link for useful information for asthma patients

 

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/tr...at-should-people-with-asthma-do-now/#Facemask

 

 

and the following links for Bus and Train Travel

 

Travelling without a face covering 

 

The following bus and train companies have face covering exemption cards, which you can print out and take with you on your journeys:

 

Arriva exemption card
First Bus/First Group exemption card
Nexus journey assistance card
Stagecoach face covering journey assistance card 
Transport for London exemption card

 

If you need to travel with any other transport provider, we recommend contacting them well in advance of your journey and discussing your options with them. 

 
 
 
 
PRINCIPLE STUDY
 
Our Practice have worked on studies with the Clinical Research Network team since 2010. This is the latest project we are involved with.
 

Join a COVID-19 clinical trial

 

The PRINCIPLE trial aims to find treatments that reduce hospital admission and improve symptoms for people with COVID-19. You could be eligible to join if

  • You have had these symptoms for fewer than 15 days:
    • a continuous new or worsening cough
    • a high temperature
  • You are aged 50 to 64 with a pre-existing illness
  • You are aged 65 and above
  • Find out more by clicking on the following link: - 

 PRINCIPLE PATIENT RECRUITMENT POSTER 

 

 
 

INFLUENZA INVITATIONS VIA TEXT MESSAGE

 

 

We are now using a free text messaging service from Sanofi Pasteur for 'flu vaccination invitations' for any patient eligible for a flu vaccine i.e. patients with a chronic condition, carers etc.

The text message is as follows: -

Hello, this is Quorn Medical Centre. We've identified that a member of your household may be eligible to receive a free flu vaccination. Vaccination can help protect against serious health problems that can result from flu. Please call us on 01509 410800 to book an appointment. Our flu reminder service is funded by Sanofi Pasteur. To stop, reply OPTOUT

If you have already made your appointment, you can ignore this message.  If you have received this message, but do not believe you are eligible for a free flu vaccination, get in touch and we can check this for you.

Please ensure we hold your current mobile phone number and that you do not share this number with other members of your family, as this may result in you receiving a text message meant for them.  We will however never include any patient identifiable data.

If you were a carer but are no longer, we need to record this on your medical record.  This will ensure you do not receive any unnecessary texts from us, unless you are eligible in your own right.

 

 

LIVING WITH DEMENTIA - SUPPORTIVE GROUPS

Click HERE to view a list of supportive groups for people facing dementia and for their families and carers.

 

 

 

PRESCRIPTIONS REQUESTS

Avoid queuing at the desk to drop your repeat prescription requests in to us. You can now use the box in the porch to post your repeat prescription slips. If you prefer, you can register for online access to request your prescriptions, book appointments and view your GP records. If you would like to register for this service: please attend the surgery and provide us with photographic ID such as a passport. driving licence or bus pass, along with a recent utility bill or bank statement. Thank you

RX Box

 

   

 

NHS CHOICES

Please click on the following NHS Choices link to read/make comments about our Practice.

http://www.nhs.uk/Services/GP/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=42950

Top Ten Surgeries in Leicestershire

 

We are very proud that we have been voted number 1, thanks to our patients.  Please click on the link below to read the full report.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/health/top-10-gp-surgeries-leicestershire-3270781

 

 

 

 

Immunisation – Baby Clinic

 

If you and your child/children are unable to attend for the Tuesday Immunisation Clinic, can we please ask you to contact the surgery to cancel your appointment? We have had an increasing number of non-attendees.

 

Your Summary Care Record (SCR)

 

A Summary Care Record (SCR) is an electronic record of important health information held by your GP Practice. This can be shared with other health professionals or services such as Urgent Care Centres or Accident and Emergency departments throughout the country who are responsible for your care.

 

Having access to your SCR will help to ensure that you receive the best possible care in the safest and most appropriate manner, reducing the risk of prescribing errors, and delays in administering the correct treatment.

 

The SCR consists of information such as your name, address, date of birth, and your NHS number, as well as details of any medication you are currently taking, and any allergies or adverse reactions to medicines which you have experienced in the past.

 

You can choose to include additional information on your SCR, such as long term conditions, recent operations or vaccines received, next of kin details, specific communication or care needs, as well as your end of life wishes.

An enhanced SCR is particularly beneficial for patients with complex health needs, and very frail patients.

 

The information provided within an SCR could be invaluable to the healthcare professional treating you, as you may be confused or be too unwell to remember specific details at that time; having vital information about your health can help clinicians to make better and safer decisions about how to treat you.

 

Authorised healthcare staff can only view your SCR with your permission. The information shared will only be used for the benefit of your care within the NHS.

 

If you would like to receive further information regarding your Summary Care Record, add additional information to your SCR, or if you do not wish for your SCR to be shared with other health professionals who are caring for you, please contact the surgery to advise us.

 

Shingles

 

If you are aged between 70 and 79 years of age, you may be eligible for a shingles vaccination. Please ask at reception for more details.

 

Pneumonia Vaccinations

 

If you are aged 65 and over or you have a chronic condition, you may be eligible for a pneumococcal vaccination. Please ask at reception for more details.

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO REPEAT PRESCRIPTION ORDERING

From 30th June 2019

 

rx  rx

 

 

Calling all Young Carers aged 16-24

Join the NHS England Young Carer Health Champion programme in July 2019!

 

BETTER CARE TOGETHER

Please view the links below: -

http://www.bettercareleicester.nhs.uk/

https://www.westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk/latest-news/336-drop-in-to-discuss-nhs-improvement-plans

 

Patient Partner Involvement

University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) NHS Trust


What are Patient Partners? 


Individuals who have been patients or carers of patients at any of the UHL hospitals of Leicestershire and Rutland such as the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester General Hospital or Loughborough Hospital.

They have volunteered to put forward the patients’ points of view about treatment with the intention of improving the quality of care, treatment and respect for patients from the medical, nursing and administrative staff of the hospitals.

For more information CLICK HERE

New Quorn group to help tackle loneliness in older people  


Please watch/share!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZCbgq2fQbM

 

National charity Contact the Elderly is launching a new tea party group for isolated older guests in Quorn, and is looking for more guests before the group can launch. The group is for guests aged 75 and over, who live alone and struggle to get out or have become a bit isolated for other reasons. Guests are collected by the same volunteer driver each month and taken to Sunday afternoon tea in a volunteer host’s home, giving people who would otherwise have been on their own the chance to have a cup of tea and a lovely chat with friends. The group is still looking for older guests so if you, or anyone you know, could benefit (or if you would like to volunteer) please see here www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk or contact chloe.brown@contact-the-elderly.org.uk for more details and help brighten someone’s day!


Booking Appointments Online


If you require more than a 10 minute appointment, e.g. if you have more than  one problem, and 2 consecutive 10 minute appointments are not available online, please contact reception.

 

Extended Access appointments

We are increasing the number of appointments available for you to see a GP in the early mornings, evenings or at weekends across West Leicestershire.

 

Depending on your individual circumstances and symptoms, we may offer you an ‘extended access’ appointment. Please note however, that these appointments will not be in your usual GP practice and may not be with one of your usual GPs or nurses.

 

Depending on the reason for your appointment, and if you are in agreement, it may be suitable for you to see an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, instead of a GP.

 

The clinician you see will be able to access relevant sections of your medical notes and will communicate what has happened during your appointment back to your usual GP practice.

 

These appointments will be available at the following locations:

 

Loughborough Urgent Care Centre at Loughborough Community Hospital

Coalville Community Hospital

Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital

 

If you would like to know more please speak to a member of practice staff.

LOCAL HISTORY CAFE

Monthly heritage and wellbeing get togethers for the over 50s, at risk of or experiencing loneliness/social isolation.

Local History Cafe Press Release

Charnwood LHC Poster

Online Access

Did you know that you can register for online access? This service gives you more control and is really easy to use. So far we have 1689 patient registered for this service..

It enables you to make appointments, book prescriptions and to view a summary of your medical record. Please ask one of our Patient Co-ordinators for more information.

Text Reminder Service

We are currently experiencing problems with our Text Reminder Service. This is being looked into by our Clinical Software Provider and we hope that this will be resolved soon. In the meantime please make a note of the date and time of your appointments to ensure attendance.

PRESCRIBING UPDATE

Please CLICK HERE to read the update.

Bowel Screening

Patients between the ages of 55 - 59 are now being invited to attend for Extended Scope Bowel Screening. This is in addition to the existing test for 60 - 74 year olds, where patients send 3 x stool samples, after receiving a kit through the post.

The appointments are likely to be at Loughborough Hospital & will be sent out via NHS England.

The screening service will arrange any treatment or referrals needed

If any patients wish to opt in, please call 0800 7076060.

We will update this page if/when we receive further information about this service.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY AM I ASKED THE REASON WHEN I REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT?

The Receptionists are advised by the GPs’ to ask for a brief description of the reason when you request an appointment.

They are highly trained to direct you to the most appropriate healthcare professional for the required length of time, in order for you to receive the best possible care. This also helps the clinician to prepare any special equipment or information needed prior to your consultation, preventing unnecessary delays to other patients.

All staff at Quorn Medical Centre are bound by confidentiality. We are committed to working together to ensure that your experience of us is a positive one.

WHY DO SURGERIES RUN LATE?

Each GP appointment is 10 minutes long. However some patients attend with very complex or multiple problems, some of which are deemed too serious to be postponed to another day. Additionally if a patient needs admitting to hospital, this can also cause delays, as the GP liaises with the hospital, which usually involves waiting for several telephone calls, whilst monitoring the condition of the patient.

Our Nursing team also experience delays in their clinics for many reasons; Sometimes GP’s ask for blood tests or ECG’s to be performed urgently, a patient could faint during a procedure, or the nurse may need to seek advice from a GP immediately, regarding a patient’s health or test result. Children or distressed patients may be seen earlier to avoid further distress.

A white board is displayed behind the reception desk, advising patients of approximate waiting times. This is updated regularly by the reception staff.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP.

*If you have more than one problem or if you think you will need longer than a 10 minute appointment, please ask for a double appointment.

*Give yourself plenty of time when making appointments, to allow extra time in case of unexpected delays.  

*Please be patient & considerate to staff & other patients, one day it may be you that needs that extra time. 

WHY DOES IT TAKE UP TO 3 WORKING DAYS FOR A GP TO SIGN MY PRESCRIPTION?

The surgery receives hundreds of prescription requests every week. These include individual request slips, batches from chemists & care homes, online prescription requests, postal requests & new medication from hospital discharge letters. Most repeat prescription requests are straightforward & can be processed fairly quickly. However, if a medication review is overdue, the GP will need to check the patient’s medical record to identify any tests or action needed to complete the review. Additionally any medication changes & new medication from hospital, have to be monitored closely & may take a bit longer for us to implement.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP.

*Please allow us at least 3 working days to process your repeat prescription. This is particularly important if you are going on holiday, or if the surgery will be closed due to a bank holiday.

*If you would like to register to order your repeat prescriptions online, please ask at reception.

* Please note we are unable to accept repeat prescription requests over the telephone for safety reasons.

WHY CAN’T YOU TELL ME MY 16 YEAR OLD’S/HUSBAND’S/WIFE’S/ELDERLY PARENT’S TEST RESULTS?

All staff working in the NHS have a legal duty to keep your medical records confidential in accordance with the data protection act 1998. Therefore, we are unable to disclose any medical information to a third party regarding a patient over the age of 16 without their prior permission. This may seem unfair to you as the person who arranges & drives them to all their appointments, But under no circumstances can we assume that consent to release medical information or test results has been given without written authorisation from the patient.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

*If you wish to nominate a third party to receive medical information or results on your behalf, please ask at reception for a ‘Consent to release medical information’ form.

* Consent can be given for limited information if preferred, & can be withdrawn at any time.

WEEKLY ROUND UP

If you would like to be kept informed about information regarding local community groups, events and opportunities then please send your email address to Milo.Poli@leics.gov.uk to be added to a mailing list or follow the Hastings matters Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hastings-Matters-page/1639216093029982

Milo Poli, Local Area Co-ordination

Area: Hastings Ward in Charnwood

Leicestershire County Council

Public Health

Charnwood Borough Council, Council office

Southfield road, Loughborough. LE11 2TX

When Should I Worry? A guide for coughs, colds, earache and sore throats

Click HERE to view the When Should I Worry booklet

Research

Quorn Medical Centre supports an NHS service for anybody over the age of 18 to help beat dementia. For more information please visit: www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk

Smoking Cessation

If you have tried to quit smoking before and you were not successful, then Quit Ready Leicestershire can work with you to find a more appropriate and more successful way of quitting.

Advisors from Quit Ready Leicestershire will contact you via telephone, text message, web chat or email, offer support on a weekly basis during the 12-week programme to ensure people have the best possible chance of staying smoke-free. The service runs from Mondays to Fridays (9am to 7pm) and on Saturdays (10am-2pm).

Please note if you use a Smoking Cessation Service you are 4 times more likely to succeed in quitting.

If you would like help in giving up smoking, contact Quit Ready Leicestershire online at www.quitready.co.uk or by phone 0345 646 66 66 or text ‘ready’ to 66777.

 

Shingles Vaccinations - Free of Charge

You may be eligible for free shingles vaccination this year. Please ask at reception.

For more information go to www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles or www.shinglesaware.co.uk

Self Care

At a local level, there are a number of resources available such as leaflets and posters on the self-care forum, link as follows:

http://www.selfcareforum.org/resources/self-care-leaflets/

The following link has further information on self-care:

http://www.england.nhs.uk/2015/09/09/self-care-week/

PATIENT RECORDS SHARING

Click on the links below for more information.

Your Information Your Choice

Fact Sheet

Your Information Your Choice

Fact Sheet

Additional information explaining record sharing is also available on the ‘Better Care Together web site at http://www.bettercareleicester.nhs.uk

How we use your health records

Your Guide to Cervical Screening

http://www.jostrust.org.uk/videos/your-guide-cervical-screening-smear-test

NAMED GP

From the 1st April 2015 NHS England introduced a contractual requirement of a named GP for all patients.

Please ask at reception if…
  • You do not know who your named GP is
  • You wish to change your named GP

These new arrangements do not prevent you making an appointment or seeing any doctor, of your choosing within the surgery, as you would normally do.


Snow & Ice on Paths and Public Spaces

During Winter periods, it's often drawn to our attention that there is ice and snow in the carpark. Please note the carpark and the pathways within it are leased by Charnwood Borough Council and not the responsibility of the surgery. If you would like Charnwood Borough Council to grit these areas, please contact them via the following telephone numbers: -


Main Council Switchboard

Call 01509 263151 on weekdays between 8.30am - 5.00pm (4.30pm on Fridays).

Call 01509 634567 at any other time.

Please do not provide samples in glass jars/bottles as we are unable to dispose of these. Thank you.

 


Private Fertility Bloods

Please note we no longer offer this service.

Book Appointments & Repeat Prescriptions on your Mobile
Patient Access is now available to download as an app to your Smartphone. This will enable you to book appointments and prescriptions, providing you have a connection to the internet; this is a 24 hour service. Please see the appointments field on the left, for a link to the download page.


Did you know Quorn Medical Centre is on Facebook??

'Like' our page to get useful information about the surgery and to find out about or Patient Participation Group (PPG)and how YOU can get involved and help us to help you.

Please note the 'comments and suggestion' field in the 'Contact Details' option should not be used to request prescriptions or to make complaints.


NHS Health Checks

If you are between the age of 40 -74 you will be invited for a free NHS Health Check to assess your risk of developing Heart, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes. However, please note, if you are already being treated for these conditions you will not be invited as you will already be under our care.


Loop System

If you experience any problems with our loop system, please inform reception.


Chicken Pox

When attending the surgery, if you have or suspect Chicken Pox, please report to reception in we need to isolate you from other patients.


Samples

Please note that specimen samples brought in by patients, that have not been requested by their GP, will not be sent off for testing. Please ensure that you write your name and date of birth on all sample bottles. Any sample pots without patient details written on them, will be disposed of without testing. Thank you for your co-operation.

Hearing Aid Batteries - These are available free of charge from reception.