Click on the headings below for full article
Seasonal Flu – who should have it and why
New Contraception & Sexual Health Drop In Service
Patient Cheques
From Thursday 30th June 2011, we will no longer be able to accept cheques as a method of payment for those services and prescriptions that carry a charge. The number of cheques we receive has fallen to a level at which it is no longer cost efficient for us to process them. Payment can be made at both surgeries using cash, debit or credit card.
If you currently pay by cheque and would like to discuss the other methods mentioned above, we will be happy to assist.
New Telephone Number
At Hanham Health we are constantly reviewing our services to patients and making changes where necessary to improve them.
Our telephone system has been a constant focus of ours and we have made some alterations to our current set up. Part of the changes is a new telephone number and we can announce that our telephone number for both surgeries has changed to
0117 9352 318.
Our emergency line and fax numbers remain as they were.
Seasonal Flu – who should have it and why
WHAT IS SEASONAL FLU?
Seasonal flu occurs every year, usually in the winter. It’s a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The most likely viruses that will cause flu each year are identified in advance and vaccines are then produced that closely match them.
The H1N1 virus that caused the ‘swine flu’ pandemic last year will still be around this winter, so this year’s seasonal flu vaccine will include a vaccine to protect against this virus.
ISN’T FLU JUST A HEAVY COLD?
No. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN I’VE GOT FLU?
Flu symptoms hit you suddenly and severely. They usually include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles, and you can often get a cough and sore throat at the same time.
Because flu is caused by viruses and not bacteria, antibiotics won’t treat it.
WHAT HARM CAN SEASONAL FLU DO?
People sometimes think a bad cold is flu, but having flu is often much worse than a cold – you may need to stay in bed for a few days if you have flu.
Some people are more susceptible to the effects of seasonal flu. For them it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse. In the worst cases, seasonal flu can result in a stay in hospital, or even death.
AM I AT GREATER RISK FROM THE EFFECTS OF SEASONAL FLU?
Even if you feel healthy, you should definitely consider having the free seasonal flu vaccination if you have:
• a heart problem
• a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis or emphysema
• a kidney disease
• lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
• a liver disease
• had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• diabetes
• a neurological condition, for example multiple sclerosis (MS) or cerebral palsy
• a problem with your spleen, for example sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed.
WHO ELSE SHOULD CONSIDER HAVING A SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION?
You should have the seasonal flu vaccination if you:
• are aged 65 years or over
• live in a residential or nursing home
• are the main carer of an older or disabled person, or
• are pregnant
I AM PREGNANT. DO I NEED A FLU VACCINATION THIS YEAR?
Yes. Pregnant women are being offered the flu vaccination this year. This is because the H1N1 virus (‘swine flu’) will still be circulating this winter and pregnant women who catch this strain are at an increased risk of severe disease and flu-related hospital admissions. However, if you have already had the swine flu vaccination you do not need the seasonal flu vaccination. If you are pregnant and in any of the clinical risk groups you should still have your seasonal flu vaccination as usual. There are no known problems from giving the swine flu or seasonal flu vaccine to women who are pregnant.
Talk to your GP or midwife if you are unsure about what vaccination you should have.
I HAD BOTH THE SEASONAL AND THE SWINE FLU VACCINATIONS LAST YEAR. DO I NEED ANY FURTHER FLU JABS FOR THIS YEAR?
Yes. The viruses that cause flu change every year. This means some of the flu strains that will be circulating this winter will be different from last winter’s. So the vaccine you need to protect you from these different strains will have to be different as well.
WHAT ABOUT MY CHILDREN? DO THEY NEED THE VACCINATION?
If you have a child who has one of the conditions listed above, or who has previously been admitted to hospital with a serious chest or respiratory condition, they should have a seasonal flu vaccination. These children are more likely to become ill if they catch seasonal flu, and it could make their existing condition worse. Talk to your GP or practice nurse about your child having the seasonal flu vaccination.
CAN THE FLU VACCINE BE GIVEN TO MY CHILD AT THE SAME TIME AS OTHER VACCINES?
Yes. The seasonal flu vaccine can be given at the same time as all routine childhood vaccines. The vaccination can go ahead if your child has a minor illness such as a cold but may be delayed if your child has an illness that causes a fever.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO SHOULDN’T HAVE THE VACCINATION?
Almost everybody can have the vaccine, but you should not be vaccinated if you have had a serious allergy to the vaccine in the past, or if you have a serious allergy to hens’ eggs.
If you have a fever, the vaccination may be delayed.
Not all of the seasonal flu vaccines available are suitable for children. Please make sure that you discuss this with your GP beforehand.
WHY IS A SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION MY BEST PROTECTION AGAINST FLU?
The vaccination will help your body to fight flu viruses. Your body starts making antibodies against the viruses about a week to ten days after the injection. These antibodies help to protect you for a whole year against similar seasonal flu viruses that you may come into contact with.
WILL I GET ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
There are some fairly common but mild side effects. Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and your arm may feel a bit sore where you were injected. Any other reactions are very rare.
WILL THE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE PROTECT ME COMPLETELY?
Most people who have the seasonal flu vaccination will not get seasonal flu. However, like any vaccine, it does not give 100% protection. Out of every 100 people who have the vaccine up to 80 may be protected. The rest may have some protection that will reduce the severity of their symptoms.
HOW LONG WILL I BE PROTECTED FOR?
The vaccine should provide protection throughout the forthcoming flu season.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?
If you belong to one of the groups mentioned (and you are not allergic to hens’ eggs or to the vaccine), it’s important that you have your seasonal flu vaccination. The vaccines are normally available from the beginning of October, but this depends on the manufacturing process.
It is best to have the seasonal flu vaccination in the autumn before any outbreaks of seasonal flu. Remember that you need it every year, so don’t assume that you don’t need another vaccination because you had one last year.
For more information about how to protect yourself and your family this winter visit nhs.uk/winterhealth
New Contraception & Sexual Health Drop In Service
Every Tuesday 5:30pm - 6:10pm
Hanham Health are pleased to announce the launch of our new drop in service for all patients needing:
Contraceptive Advice
Repeat Pill Prescriptions
Depot Contraception
Advice / Testing for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Free Condoms for under 20's
This is a completely confidential service and no appointment is needed
(Please arrive before 6:10pm to ensure we can see you that evening)
Practice Merger
As patients of Hanham Surgery, you are all probably aware that we never stand still for long, and we want you to be the first to hear our latest news. Having been in discussion with Oldland Surgery for many months, we are delighted to announce that the two practices are merging on 15th May 2009.
Although the new organisation will be known as “Hanham Health” we will be working from both sites and will keep the names “Hanham Surgery” and “Oldland Surgery”. To begin with you will see little change but soon the two surgeries will have electronic and telephone links in order to improve access. Until then each surgery will continue to look after their patients in the normal way.
We are delighted to welcome the two doctors at Oldland Surgery, Dr Jonathan Hayes and Dr Jayne Ayers, as our partners. They bring with them a wealth of experience in General Practice as well as their own areas of expertise, which will be of benefit to Hanham patients and increase the range of clinical skills in the practice.
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This merger gives us the opportunity to develop and improve the service we offer to our patients. We are looking to improve access, the range of services available and to provide more appointments at convenient times for patients. We also have plans to expand the car park. We will keep you informed of developments.
To find out more visit our website: www.hanhamhealth.co.uk , where you can also:
• Order repeat prescriptions
• Make appointments
• Get information on how to get the best out of the surgery
• See photos of the team and a description of the services they offer
• Contact us by e mail
Finally we hope that this merger will not only allow us to take advantage of new developments within Primary Care but also to safeguard traditional General Practice on both sites for many years to come.
Yours sincerely
Bernard Whiteside
On behalf of the Partners
Patient Survey
We have recently received the results of the patient surveys completed in quarters one and two of the 2009 / 2010 year.
We would like to thank all of you that took part and will be displaying the results very soon. Your feedback through surveys such as this is vital in helping us develop our services and ensure that we are giving our patients what they want! In previous years we have always scored very highly with the majority of scores being substantially higher than the national average and hope that this will continue.
Throughout the survery, patients are given the opportunity to make comments and suggestions. Here are some of our favourites from previous surveys:
"The practice and its staff are very good. There is always a friendly atmosphere. Well done"
"The practice makes one feel comfortable"
"The practice is 100%"
"It's excellent"
"It's an exceptionally good practice"
"First Class"
"The practitioner was brilliant and does a fantastic job!"
"Brilliant. 10 out of 10"
