THE WHITE HOUSE SURGERY

Newsletter Spring 2008

Flood Update
As you all well know, the surgery is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment following the July 2007 floods, when we had more than three feet of water in the building. The process has taken longer than expected, mainly due to the time it has taken to dry the building out. This took considerably longer than we ever imagined.

We have split the work into two phases. The first phase involves the Waiting Room, Reception and Dispensary. These rooms have now been plastered and we are awaiting the drying process to take place before installing fittings and painting. We can then return Reception into the building and remove the Portakabin from the car park. We are hoping this will be finished by early March.

Phase two involves all the consulting rooms and public areas. Currently these are having first fixings, prior to being plastered. We will then once again have to wait for the drying process to take place before continuing with fittings, decorating etc. It is envisaged that this phase will be completed by the middle of May.

Once again, we would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone for being so understanding during what has been an extremely difficult and stressful time.

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Vaccinations
We have encountered a few problems since working out of two different sites, with the giving of childhood immunisations and travel vaccines. It is our policy to have two clinicians present in the building when giving injections in the event of a rare occurrence of a severe reaction i.e. anaphalaxis. We are aware that we have had to reschedule patients at the last minute due to a change in duties or venues. For this we need to apologise but it is beyond our control. We would like to thank you for your understanding.

The administering of vaccines is not always as simple as it may seem. It involves pre-vaccine advice on possible side effects, contra-indications and the checking of patient’s clinical records to ensure the vaccines have not already been given. Following the giving of the vaccine, the patient is advised to remain in the building for ten minutes. Documentation of the vaccine is then undertaken. This involves updating the immunisation screen on the computer (inputting brand, batch number and site given), writing a consultation, printing a prescription, completing Child Health Record Books, Travel Immunisation Booklets, completing Child Health Data Sheet for Gloucestershire Child Health Services Department, and finally ensuring stock is ordered and updated.

Some appointments may involve the giving of multiple injections – this can be a lengthy process.

Your understanding regarding this matter is much appreciated. It is never ‘just a quick injection’!
Colette Nock, Practice Nurse
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Why does it take so long from request for prescription to collection of dispensed medication?
There have been several queries as to why we request 48 hours to dispense medication for our patients. I thought it would be helpful to our patients if I explained the dispensing process.

When a prescription is requested there are various stages we have to go through before the medication is available for collection. These stages are needed to ensure medication is correctly dispensed to our patients:

1. Prescription request entered on computer and printed out.
2. One prescription is then dispensed at a time. This is to minimise errors.
3. Dispenser prepares medication as stated on prescription, non stock items are highlighted and recorded for ordering purposes.
4. Items then dispensed, using computer, and labels printed off. Every item requires a label.
5. After morning/afternoon surgery, Doctor signs prescriptions and checks medication has been correctly dispensed.
6. Prescriptions with non stock items put to one side until items have been ordered and received.
7. Medication then bagged to await collection.
8. Stock ordered twice a day, every single stock item checked and entered on computer.
9. Owing items then processed as above.

Around 200 items are processed in this way every day. Our aim is to provide patients with an efficient service whilst maintaining high quality standards. Our 48 hour rule helps us to achieve this target.
Alison Burdock, Senior Dispenser
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Nebulisers
We would like to remind patients that nebulisers are for acute attacks of asthma, i.e. 7-10 days, and thus for short term loan only and must be returned promptly to the surgery when finished with. If symptoms are persisting please make an appointment to see the Practice Nurse/Doctor for further advice.

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Flu Clinics
We had a good turn out for the flu clinics back in October/November 2007, vaccinating over 77% of the target population. The Saturday morning sessions seemed to suit a large number of patients, so it is our intention to do the same this year. We obviously had to use the Day Hospital due to lack of facilities at the Moreton surgery. The feedback we received from this was extremely positive and we are hoping we will be able to use these facilities again this year.

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Smoking Cessation
In addition to the sessions offered to patients within normal surgery hours, Drop-in Information Sessions will also be held at Moreton Hospital Day Unit on Wednesday 6th February from 15.00 – 17.30 and Wednesday 12th March from 15.00 – 18.00, for patients thinking about giving up smoking and wanting to know more about what support is available. The sessions will be run by Practice Nurse Jane Carless and are open to all local people. (Participants need not be White House Surgery patients) For further information please ring the surgery and ask to speak to Jane Carless.

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Patient Surveys and Participation
Although we are in a complete state of disruption, we are trying to maintain - and indeed as part of the Government’s targets we have to maintain - some sort of normality in our day to day work. You will, therefore, still be asked to participate in patient surveys and will be asked for your views on the services we offer.

Our Patient Links Group did have an inaugural meeting on 6th July – ideas that came out of the meeting were:
What can you do to help?
• Distributing Surgery Newsletter (to be produced two or three times a year)
• Writing articles for Newsletter or providing information to be included
• Helping with Flu Clinics: Members of Patient Links Group could assist with general co-ordination to ensure smooth running of clinic, and promote Patient Links Group.
• Generally spreading the word about the patient Links Group to encourage more patients to become involved.
• Organising fund raising events to buy equipment for surgery.
• Act as link for advice and support on specific issues.
• Try to get young parents involved by distributing information leaflets at Toddler Groups, Baby Clinic, Library and via Health Visitor.

We would like to continue to develop this group. If you are interested in any of these items, please contact Jane Griffiths, Practice Manager.

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Staff News
Leavers - Vicky Mustoe left us at the end of November 2007. Many of you will have known Vicky when she was our ‘Saturday Morning Girl’, then she became one of our Phlebotomists along with working in Dispensary and Reception. She really was a fantastic member of staff and she will be missed by everyone. You may see Vicky doing an occasional session for us from time to time.

Dr Hodges our GP Registrar, left in August 2007 having completed his twelve months attachment with the surgery. At the present time we do not have another GP Registrar in post.

Starters - Our new Phlebotomist is Suzie Hardiman. She comes to us from Cheltenham General Hospital and she also worked at two GP surgeries in Cheltenham. During the year you will also notice Suzie doing additional reception work at the surgery.

Other Staff News - We wish Ellie Hamilton, our Health Care Assistant, well and a speedy recovery following her foot operation. We are hoping she will be back at the surgery in the Spring.

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Who’s Who?

General Practitioners:
 Dr Paul Lutter (Partner)
 Dr Chris Morton (Partner)
 Dr Louise Davis
(Salaried GP)



Practice Nurses:
 Sister Colette Nock
 Sister Jane Carless

Healthcare Assistant:
 Ellie Hamilton

Phlebotomists:
 Ellie Hamilton
 Suzie Hardiman

Practice Manager:
 Jane Griffiths

Systems Administrator:
 Kathy Cooper

Medical Secretary:
 Jean Aird

Dispensers:
 Alison Burdock
 Jill Collins
 Judith Manley
 Lorna Rackstraw
 Jo Smith

Receptionists:
 Jill Collins
 Mary Hutchings
 Judith Manley
 Lorna Rackstraw
 Jo Smith





Contact details

THE WHITE HOUSE SURGERY
High Street, Moreton-In-Marsh, Glos GL56 OAT

Tel: 01608 650317 (General Enquiries &
Emergencies Out of Hours)
01608 650988 (Appointments only)
Fax: 01608 650071
E.mail: secretary@GP-L84072.nhs.uk

We’re on the Web! – www.whitehousesurgery.co.uk


BLOCKLEY BRANCH SURGERY
Greenway Road, Blockley, Moreton-In-Marsh, Glos GL56 9BJ

Tel: 01386 700289 (Part Time Opening only)
Please note there is a steep slope, making access difficult.


OUT OF HOURS
If you are unwell or require advice out of surgery hours,
you have the following options:

Contact NHS Direct: Tel: 0845 464748
Contact the Out of Hours Service: Tel: 0845 220220
Visit your local Chemist

District Nurses: - Tel: 01608 651521
 Kate Allison
 Christine Jones
 Diana Kane
 Greg Pare
 Shirley Wilson
 Caroline Winfield

Midwife – Tel: 08454 222222 - Ask for St. Paul’s Wing.
 Mary Schoen

Health Visitors – Tel: 01608 650456

Primary Care Mental Health Team Triage Nurse:
(Contact through Surgery – 01608 650317)
 Jim Welch