OCTOBER 2024 UPDATES/AWARENESS

Please be aware that Dr Killy is on annual leave from Wednesday the 16th October 2024 until her return on 7th November 2024. In this time we will not be taking pre-bookable appointments for the GP. We encourage patients to continue to call reception as normal when they requiring appointments. You will receive care navigation from our trained reception staff who will assist on getting you the soonest appointment with the most appropriate clinician or service. We thank you for your patience.

As we reach the 10th month of the year, Stoptober has now commenced. This gives you the perfect opportunity to quit smoking. Stay smoke-free for 28 days, and you’re 5 times more likely to quit for good. We understand there may not be a good time to give up smoking, but realise you want to make a change. Not every method works the same for everybody and there are a range of medications, support and advice in combination that can help patients reach their goal to be smoke free.  Please visit the NHS website on stop smoking below. If you wish to be referred by the surgery, please give us a call. Alternatively you can self refer online Via Essex Wellbeing (Link also below)

NHS Stoptober  

Stop Smoking  Essex Wellbeing Service

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer does not discriminate. There are around 56,000 new cases of breast cancer in women every year (The most common cancer in females): that’s over 150 cases every day & in men, there were about 400 new breast cancer cases each year. It is important that we all remain breast aware. 

There are early detection screenings available in the form of mammograms (X-RAYS). This is offered to all women aged over 50. Regular breast screening is one of the best ways to spot cancer early, even when it is to small see or feel. It saves roughly 1,300 lives each year in the UK. This is vital for early detection and can make treatment more likely to be successful, less likely needing a mastectomy and more likely for the patient to be cured. Though screening is useful, this DOES NOT replace in anyway a patients concern.

If you feel any changes in your breast area, discharge, change in size or shape/colour, dimplings, rash or any swelling near your armpit area, DO NOT delay getting this checked out ASAP. Though this does not always indicate cancer, this will ensure this looked into urgently and if necessary a referral can be generated to a specialist. 

For further information please see Breast Cancer Now's website Breast Cancer Now

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024

RSV VACCINES 75-79

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a major but common cause of respiratory illness, particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly. The virus can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, requiring hospitalisation and intensive care in severe cases. The new vaccination programme is a proactive measure to mitigate these risks and enhance public health. We are proud to be supporting the NHS by offering the vaccine in September 2024 for those in the eligibility criteria 75-79.

The NHS will also be offering the vaccine to pregnant women. This can be offered to those who are 28 weeks pregnant or more at the time of the vaccination. This will be offered in the community by your Midwife. This will help protect your baby for the first few months after they're born and to offer some protection. Please speak to your midwife for further details.

FLU AND COVID VACCINATION PROGRAMME 

 We are pleased to say we are now able to offer Covid boosters and Influenza (Flu) Vaccines to patient's who meet the criteria*.

Please give the surgery a call or pop in today to book! We have two clinics available on Saturday the 05/10/2024 again on Saturday 12/10/2024. Please be aware due to demand we can not reserve vaccines, however more appointments will be added in due course.

*** Please click the links for full eligibility for each vaccine : Covid Eligibility &  Flu Eligibility  if you are unsure you meet the criteria, please speak to a member of our team.

MCCD (Death Certification Update Sept 2024)

We would like to express thanks to the relatives and NOKS (Next of Kin's) of patient's who have passed away and for your patience with the new ME (Medical Examiner) referral system that launched across Mid Essex back in April 2024. We appreciate that during the phasing in of this service, there has been difficulties and delays, however the system is now running at a much faster and efficient pace.

The Department of Health and Social Care have advised us that from the 9th September 2024, along with the already established ME system, a few changes are set to take place.

1) Death Certificates will look different. They are more detailed and have both the clinicians signature and then the medical examiners signature. 

2) In the past we would send the completed certificate to the registrar. This is no longer the case. We will fill in the details as agreed with the medical examiner and then forward back to them. The medical examiner will then countersign and send this on to the registrar. 

3) Cremation paperwork is no longer required. Both the GP and the medical examiner will NOT be providing this paperwork. We ask you direct queries to your funeral director of choice or the crematorium referees.

4) The patient's GP does not need to have seen the patient within 28 days in order to be able to sign the death certificate. Though it is preferred and favourable that the patient's doctor reviews and sees them regularly, if there is a reason this can not be done, this will not hold up the process. 

We as a service of course are expecting some issues as the service establishes and do anticipate it to cause delays to begin with. We will keep relatives and NOKS up to date as much as possible during the transition. 

June 2024

CARERS WEEK 10TH JUNE-16TH JUNE 

Though one week is not enough to raise awareness of our wonderful carer community, highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK is vital. We have just one week to bring to public attention just how important both unpaid carers and carers are to our community and how we really could not do without them.

We know that unpaid carers do not think of themselves as actual carers and so they do not identify as carers, causing them to miss out on accessing much-needed support. We as a practice strongly encourage patient's who identify as both formal carers and unpaid carers to register this information with the surgery (this form you can collect from reception) By completing a simple document we can look to open doors to support from our local Action For Family Carers Service. Having this knowledge also helps us tailor care specifically to both the carer and the person they care for. 

Are you a young carer? Essex Healthwatch are asking for feedback on how young carer's can be better supported and their experience with caring for a family member. If you wish to partake in this third party survey, please use the link attached https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/XX74HH/

Pride Month 

Every June, the LGBTQ+ population and their allies come together to celebrate and recognise the influence LGBTQ+ people have had around the world. We are aware LGBTQ+ communities experience a range of health inequalities throughout their lives. As a practice we continue to promote a safe space and support patients, as well as staff. We continue to educate and better our understanding in how we can support the LGBTQ+ community and are welcome to any feedback and suggestions. If you would like to chat to a member of staff please feel free to pop into the surgery or give a call.

May 2024 

COVID-19 SPRING BOOSTER UPDATE:

Who is eligible for a spring COVID-19 vaccine

You or your child may be offered a spring COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are 75 years or over (you need to be 75 years old by 30 June 2024)
• are 6 months to 74 years old and have a weakened immune system
• live in a care home for older adults

For further information/guidance on who is eligible please see : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/getting-a-covid-19-vaccine/

Think Pharmacy First: 

The NHS have launched a new campaign to help sign post patients to the most appropriate service for their health queries, easing the burden on the NHS system

Did you know your pharmacist has a range of skills and knowledge that will help treat your minor ailments? Pharmacies are now also able to prescribe treatment for the following conditions;

These conditions are:

• Sinusitis - 12 years and over
• Sore throat - 5 years and over
• Acute Otitis Media - 1 to 17 years
• Infected insect bites - 1 year and over
• Impetigo - 1 year and over
• Shingles - 18 years and over
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women - 16 to 64

APRIL 2024

MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICE APRIL 2024

The medical examiners office was introduced in April 2024 following a change in how practices conduct the death certification process. This has been implemented nationwide and is for all community services, including GP practices. 

What Happens now?

When we are notified of a death by relatives or carers, we gather information regarding the patient's death and other important information that is requested by the Medical Examiner Office.

Once we have this information we refer this to the Medical Examiner at Mid Essex Trust. The Medical Examiner will then review the patient's medical records. Any concerns or queries they have, they will let us know directly or contact the patient's NOK. This is to make sure that when completing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), the document accurately reflects the details of the cause of death and that we don't miss any important information. The medical examiner service will then discuss the cause of death with the next of kin - you will be asked if it is what you expected and if you need any explanation. We encourage relatives to ask any questions or concerns they have at this stage. Once they have agreed with the cause of death, we can issue the medical certificate (MCCD) and this will be emailed to Essex County Council Registrar. We will do our best to notify you as soon as possible, however sometimes due to delays caused by external factors (bank holidays, staff sickness etc) there may be a delay in this information being passed on and the certificate being issued. If you have decided upon cremation, we will also make sure any paperwork for the crematorium is prepared asap. Any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to call the surgery or we can provide you with the Medical Examiner Office's number for you to contact them also.

For more information please see: MSE Medical Examiners for further information. For additional information regarding registering the death, please also see Essex County Council website.