Newsletter - winter 201

Welcome to the Winter issue of the newsletter. In this issue: Travel advice, Contraception News, Advice for Colds & Influenza Severe Weather
Chronic Disease Clinics
The weather for this winter is unfortunately forecast to be similar to the weather that we experienced last For chronic (or long-term) conditions, it is important that year. If the weather does turn extreme this winter your medications and symptoms are reviewed on a regular there are a few points that we ask patients to basis. If you are on one (or more) of our registers we will invite you to attend one of our review clinics with our Nurses. If you feel that your condition has changed since • If you are unable to attend the Surgery due to the weather, please call us and let us know so that we your last review, please contact us to arrange an However, if you do not wish to attend a review clinic this • In the event of severe weather we would advise patients not to take any unnecessary risks in trying year, please let us know and we will remove you from our In addition to annual reviews, all patients who have a
• Remember, if you are unable to attend the Surgery, it may not be possible for a GP to reach chronic respiratory or heart condition are eligible to
receive an influenza vaccination. If you have not had
yours yet, we are running an open clinic on Thursday
• Although we will of course try to offer our full range 1st December from 8am to 5:30pm when patients can
of clinics and appointments, there may be times come in to be vaccinated. If you are unable to make it
that we are unable to do so. If we have to cancel clinics we will contact affected patients. If you are on this day, please contact the Surgery to arrange an
unsure whether to attend or not, please call us to alternative time.
Contraception News
Tay Court Surgery is now able to offer contraceptive implants and coils as part of our family planning service. Please ask at Reception for further information and to book an initial appointment with our Nurse. Repeat prescriptions can be ordered by handing in your request to our reception. We can also accept requests by post (please include a stamped SAE) or via email to taycourtprescriptions.tayside@nhs.net but do make sure that you include your name, address and date of birth in addition to which medications you require. Please remember that the Surgery will be closed for two 4 day periods over the Christmas/
New Year period. If your medications are due to run out during this period, please ensure
that you order them early.
Keeping your Records up-to-date
We are committed to ensuring that all our patient records are kept up-to-date with correct contact details. If you have recently moved address or changed telephone number, please let us know by filling in a form at Reception or emailing us so that we can update our records. Similarly, if you are planning on moving out of the UK please let us know in order that we can remove you from our patient list. Although they share many symptoms, the common cold and influenza are different in their causes and in potential severity. For colds, symptoms are often limited to a runny nose, blocked nose, sore throat, sneezing and coughing. If it is a bad cold symptoms can also include a mild fever, earache, tiredness and headaches. Symptoms develop over 1-2 days and will gradually improve after a Upcoming Closures - 2011/12
few days (although they can last up to 2 weeks). The best treatment for colds is to ensure that you keep warm and drink plenty of (non-alcoholic) fluids to prevent dehydration. If symptoms are unpleasant the Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen can be Symptoms of influenza are similar to those of a common cold but tend to be more severe. 'Flu symptoms tend to develop much more quickly than with a cold. In addition to cold-like symptoms, 'flu symptoms may also include sudden fever (temperature of 38-40ºC), muscle aches & pains, sweating, feeling exhausted, dry chesty cough and sneezing. In a healthy individual these symptoms should resolve themselves in about a week. Again, as with a cold, it is important to stay warm and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids. Contact Us
Over the counter medications such as Paracetamol and ibuprofen can Both influenza and colds are caused by viruses and will not
respond to anti-biotics.
In most situations it is not required to see a GP or Nurse. However, if your symptoms are severe and/or prolonged, or you suffer from a chronic respiratory or heart condition, you should phone the Surgery We would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new GP partner to the Surgery. Dr Davies joins us from another practice and will in addition to general medical issues he will be overseeing our Epilepsy clinics.

Source: http://www.taycourtsurgery.co.uk/Newsletter%20-%20Winter%202011.pdf