Eastgate Medical Group - Newsletter Winter 2011
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Car Park – York Place, Knaresborough
You may be aware that Harrogate Borough Council were proposing to levy a charge on the first hour of car parking at the York Place Car Park in Knaresborough. We worked with the local Councillor in raising objections to this proposal and wrote to the local MP and Harrogate Borough Council. We now understand that from the 1st of January 2012 the council will introduce a 10 minute waiting time, which means you can park for 10 minutes free before having to pay. We also understand that the payments will increase from this date. We have done everything within our power to object to this proposal but would politely advise patients that if the 10 minutes are exceeded it is liable to a £60 fine.
0844 telephone numbers
We are currently tied into a contract with our telephone provider and the cost to the practice to extract ourselves from this contract is £32K.
We are pleased to inform our patients that from the 13th of June 2011 we have installed some additional local phone numbers as an alternative to the 0844 number which will still stay in use until the end of our contract in 2013. However we must stress you may get an engaged tone when calling these local numbers and we will endeavour to answer all calls as promptly as possible.
However we must stress in case of emergency please ring 0844 477 3316
The additional numbers are:
Eastgate Surgery 01423 861176
The Health Centre 01423 887091
New Appointments
From the 1st October we have a new GP Partner: Dr Daniel Stringer. Dr Stringer has been working in the practice over the past two years, firstly as a GP Registrar and latterly as a Salaried GP
From the 1st of November we have a new Salaried GP, Dr Indrani Mitra, who has also been working in the practice over the past year.
Joining the practice on the 3rd August are three new GP registrars in training
Dr Caspar Wood who will be with the practice for six months
Dr Elizabeth Austen & Dr Claire Forrester who will be with the practice for twelve months.
We hope they will enjoy their time with the practice.
We also welcome Elaine Griffiths who has joined the practice as a secretary.
NHS Health Checks
We are about to start calling in patients aged 40-74 years for a NHS Health Check. This is primarily aimed at patients who have no history of cardiovascular disease and the check will enable us to determine if they may develop the disease. This will be carried out over a 5 year period so please do not be concerned if you are not called in immediately.
Text Messaging to Patients
We are able to send text message appointment reminders to patients who have a mobile phone – if you would like to be included in this system please sign a consent form in reception and inform us of any change to your mobile phone number.
Patient Participation Group
The PPG are here to work on behalf of the patients and be a patient ‘voice’. We work with the PPG to address issues they have raised on your behalf and if you would like to become part of the group please contact the Chair of the PPG, Phil Shorter via reception. The Group are in the process of putting together a patient questionnaire which will be distributed in November/December for patient’s views on the practice.
The PPG are also intending to organise informal talks and presentations by Health Care Professionals and Voluntary Organisations for patients and would welcome any ideas or suggestions you may have regarding this.
Children in Need
We recently raffled food hampers for Children in Need and raised £82 – thank you to all who bought tickets
Books
The PPG are asking for more donations of good quality paperback books to sell at the surgery. Please leave donations of books at reception. Monies raised from book sales has been spent on high back chairs for the waiting room, plant troughs, blood pressure monitors for patient loan and other equipment to aid patients. They have recently purchased a play table for children at the Health Centre.
Minor Injuries
Please can we remind patients that we treat the following in the surgery and it is not necessary to attend the A & E Department with these injuries:
Bruising
Minor Head Injury
Minor Trauma/sprain to limbs
Lacerations
Removal of superficial bodies/splinters
NHS Dentist
If you are having problems finding a NHS Dentist please ring this number where you can be allocated a dentist: 0300 303 8010
Useful Contact Numbers:
NHS Direct 0845 4647
Citizens Advice – Harrogate 01423 567150
Samaritans - 01423 525352
PALS (Patient Advisor Liaison Service) - 0800 068800
THE MAIN SURGERY TELEPHONE NUMBER IS
0844 477 3316
ALTERNATIVE LOCAL COST PHONE NUMBER FOR THE SURGERY
01423 861176
01423 887091
TELEPHONE LINES ARE OPEN 8:00A.M. – 6:00P.M.
IF YOU REQUIRE A DOCTOR OUT OF NORMAL SURGERY HOURS PLEASE RING 0845 056 8060
© Eastgate Medical Group 2007-2010