Christmas and New Year opening times and arrangements
 

Thursday December 24th Christmas Eve	8.30 -5.00
Friday December 25th Christmas Day	CLOSED
Saturday December 26th	CLOSED
Sunday December 27th	CLOSED
Monday December 28th Boxing Day	CLOSED
Tuesday December 29th	8.30-1 and 2-6.30
Wednesday December 30th	8.30-6.30
Thursday December 31st New Years Eve	8.30-5.00
Friday January 1st New Year’s Day	CLOSED
Saturday January 2nd	CLOSED
Sunday January 3rd	CLOSED
Monday Jan 4th onwards	normal opening hours

When we are closed emergencies will be dealt with by the Nottingham Emergency Medical Service, as usual. They are contacted via the surgery emergency number 965 2294. NHS direct can give advice and direct you to relevant services 0845 4647.

The flu line can be used if you have flu-like symptoms: they will assess and give access to Tamiflu where needed 0800 1513513. Although if you think you are seriously ill with flu or have additional medical problems then you should contact NEMS.

Please remember to order your repeat prescriptions in good time to avoid a last minute scramble or running out of medication over the holiday.

We wish you all a merry Christmas from all at the surgery.

Seasonal Flu Vaccinations

Bookings are now being made for seasonal flu immunisation clinics. Read more HERE

Swine Flu Immunisation: COMING SOON, WATCH THIS SPACE

If you think you have swine flu:
DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY to reduce the risk of spreading it to others.

The National Pandemic Flu Service is now available at the website www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu and should be used first to help identify if you have symptoms of swine flu and to provide authorisation to access antiviral treatment. The website will be available 24 hours a day.

Two telephone lines are also available, and will be open from 8am – midnight. People should call 0800 1 513 513 for information and 0800 1 513 100 for treatment. A textphone number is available on 0800 1 513 200. Only people with symptoms of swine flu should use the National Pandemic Flu Service.

Most affected people have a straight forward flu-like illness and recover on their own. Basic hygiene measures can reduce the risk of transmitting and catching flu.

CATCH IT: germs spread easily. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.

BIN IT: germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible.

KILL IT: Hands can transfer germs to every surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can.

Staff Changes

We are pleased to welcome Dr Yvonne Burke and Wendy Magyar, health care assistant to the team.

New Services Available

Warfarin monitoring.
Implanon contraceptive fitting.

Services for Teenagers at the Surgery

The national strategy for sexual health published recently states:
'We want our population to be in good sexual health and well educated in how to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies. And to have services that meet their needs in a non-judgemental and supportive way.'

The practice is improving our services for teenagers in line with this national plan.

Nurse Jo Toomey will see teenagers for health checks and offer information on sexual health issues. In particular we are offering Chlamydia screening and treatment for 16-25 year olds. Chlamydia is common, often causes no symptoms and can cause long term damage so it is important to try and seek out and destroy this bug. We also participate in the C-card condom distribution scheme. This is a national scheme, where once a teenager has registered; they can obtain free condoms from any of the participation NHS organisations. As well as condoms we offer contraceptive services to all ages (not just teenagers, although condoms are only free to youngsters).

Of course, all of the doctors are happy to see teenagers in ordinary appointments but are aware that often teenagers are wary of seeing a GP who they think of as being their parents’ doctor. All consultations are completely confidential, which again is a common teenager concern. We would always encourage younger teenagers to involve their parents in their contraception and sexual health decisions but they have a legal right to confidentiality, as do all patients.

All our staff, including our receptionists, are also bound by confidentiality rules and teenagers should be assured that they only need to ask for the service they need to make sure they are given the correct type of appointment.

Travelling into town for contraceptive and sexual health services can be a problem for Calverton residents so we want to ensure that our teenagers have access to good services near to home. Please let us know if there are ways we could be improving these services.

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