HGV Medicals

Did you know that you do not necessarily need to go to your own surgery for a HGV medical? At Reeth, we have started to offer discounts to companies who use our services, and HGV medicals are completed at competitive prices with flexible consultation times (normally one week turnaround). For more information, please contact Marie (marie.brookes@gp-b82622.nhs.uk)

Prostate Cancer Testing

I am aware that a lot of men enquire about PSA blood tests for prostate cancer. The jury is still out as to how effective this testing is for men without any symptoms or history of prostate cancer. A large trial in the USA showed no reduction in deaths from prostate cancer and there is ongoing research in Europe along similar lines.

The difficulties are that not all men with prostate cancer have high PSA levels. 66% of men with high PSA levels do not have prostate cancer (and may need further invasive tests to prove this) and there is uncertainty about whether treating all early prostate cancer will make a difference to life expectancy.

To save one life, we would have to test 1410 men, and treat 48 of them for prostate cancer (often not a pleasant experience on its own). As things stand, the national recommendation is that PSA should not be used as a screening test.

We will discuss this with you if you would like a PSA test as I am aware that a lot of people were having annual tests as a screen. The main aim is to prevent false reassurances and also prevent further harm to patients from unnecessary testing.

Travel Health

With the Winter drawing in, many folks will be looking at holiday plans for next year, possibly to far flung places. Travel Clinics are not provided on the NHS, but many surgeries offer a private clinic for travel vaccines. Patients are not limited to seeing their own GP for this service. At Reeth we offer a private clinic, where we can provide advice, vaccinations, antimalarials, mosquito nets etc. The medical planning for a trip, particularly multiple destinations may be complex, and we ask you for as much notice as possible, especially as a course of vaccinations may be several months. Some of the vaccines we will provide free of charge to our patients. For full details including fees, please ask reception. Bon voyage!

NHS cuts

A few patients have been asking about potential NHS cuts - as yet, there have been no proposals to reduce services in our area, but there is evidence of a drive to make existing services more accountable. The practice has seen a reduction in funding for our dispensary of almost £10k a year and many pharmaceutical companies are reviewing the prices of their drugs, putting us under increasing pressure. Patients have commented on charges for non NHS work such as HGV medicals, which previously were not charged for. This type of work is outside the scope of the NHS and therefore will attract a small fee, and this is increasingly used to support the ongoing work of the surgery in the light of the funding restrictions. Many smaller practices are having to consider merging, but I suspect that this will ultimately lead to a less localised service and more travelling/less home visits for patients.

Rate your Practice

The Department of Health have now introduced a 'rate your practice' facility on the NHS website (www.nhs.uk). We are keen for our patients/temporary patients to use this, as we are always keen to encourage feedback on our service to you. Hopefully we can use this to demonstrate to the wider NHS that big is not always better, and that our patients benefit from personalised care and good continuity. If you have a bad experience, we would also be keen to hear from you directly, as we are always open to suggestions/new ideas to improve what we do.

Carers

Thank you for all your positive comments about the recent article in the Reeth Gazette about carers (see our webpage on NHS choices for the full article - www.nhs.uk) We do value carers and do recognise that many of you are working behind the scenes, often in difficult circumstances. We think that our current register of carers grossly underestimates the true number of carers, so we urge you to get in touch and let us know who you are. This enables us to understand your needs and those of the individual you care for when you need our services. It also helps us to pass on information of schemes that may be of benefit to you.

Swine flu clinics

Had my swine flu jab today in addition to the 150 or so patients vaccinated at the clinic this afternoon. Apparently the satisfaction ratings after the vaccine were such that Kim is our preferred vaccinator! It must be those special needles... Our staff have contacted all of those who are eligible for the first wave of vaccination based on the Department of Health search of our records. If you think we have missed you, please contact the practice.

Carers

Are you a carer?

Carers are people who, without payment, provide help and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who cannot manage on their own due to physical or mental illness, disability, substance misuse or frailty brought on by old age. Caring roles can include administering medication, lifting and handling, personal or emotional care. Current estimates are that 10% of people are carers and often go overlooked. Did you know you may be entitled to an assessment of needs from Social Services and that you may be entitled to benefits or allowances?

We are trying to improve our support for carers - please let us know if you are a carer and pick up a carer's pack from the practice.

Macmillan Cancer Reseach Fundraising

Many thanks to all patients who contributed towards the recent fundraising during the 'flu clinic. The practice raised £433 for Macmillan Cancer Research and a cheque was presented to their team at the end of last week. Thank you to Janice for organising the cakes and drinks and to Christine who ran the tombola. I gather that the 'flu clinic is to make an entry on next year's social calendar!