Newsletters

Nursing Newsletter Devaney Medical Centre Spring 2020

Flu vaccinations are still available until end of March 2020.  If you have not yet booked your appointment please see reception.

All over 65 and people in at risk groups such as diabetes and COPD are able to have the vaccination for free, if you are uncertain if you qualify for the free vaccination please ask at reception and they can help you.

All children who were aged 2 or 3 before September 2019 are also able to book an appointment for the nasal flu vaccination.

NHS advice on healthy eating

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Visit www.nhs.uk

Search “eat well” and find the links to further information, the web site even has a 12 week plan that you can download to monitor your progress.

If however you would prefer to be seen for support with eating healthier and weight loss then book a nurse appointment to discuss.

NHS advice on exercise

Adults should do some type of physical activity every day. Any type of activity is good for you. The more you do the better.

Adults should:

• aim to be physically active every day. Any activity is better than none, and more is better still!
• do strengthening activities that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms) on at least 2 days a week
• do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week
• reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity.

Again visit www.nhs.net

Search “exercise” and all of this information is available with links for further information.

NHS stopping smoking

The local stop smoking service is run by A Better Life, visit www.ablhealth.co.uk/wirral

To find out more about the innovative service they provide on the Wirral to encourage people to quit smoking – and how you can start to make a positive change to your life today.

Alternatively you can call:

0151 541 5656

Or email:

wiccg.ablwirral@nhs.net

Health Reviews

Patients with long term conditions such as Diabetes, Asthma and high blood pressure – if you have not had a review in the last 12 months please ensure you book in to see the nurse.  Your health conditions should be reviewed every 12 months to ensure you are getting the best care that we can offer and to check for worsening or improvements of conditions.  Having a review is also essential for safe prescribing of your medications.  Please book at appointment by visiting our reception team.

Nursing Team

Our nursing team at Devaney medical centre includes the Practitioner Sr Sharon Riverol . Her duties include “on the day” appointments for acute illness as well as a limited number of appointments for chronic disease management.  Sr Riverol is unable to see patient under the age of 16 for on the day illness, pregnant women and cannot complete sick notes.  Otherwise  Practitioner Sr Riverol can see most conditions and is able to prescribe medications, if unsure reception can guide you on making an appointment.

Nurse Tara Oswick is a well experienced Practice Nurse and is the nurse lead for respiratory conditions and is also able to complete all other chronic disease reviews, contraception reviews, travel health, immunisations- baby and adult, dressings and much more.

HCA Sarah Jane Dodd, our HCA is a an experienced Health Care Assistant (HCA) . Sarah-Jane is able to complete many reviews such as Asthma, COPD and diabetes which are then checked by the nursing team. Sarah-Jane is able to complete dressings and health checks and some adult immunisations and injections such as b12.

When booking an appointment at the practice the reception staff (per the GP Partners instructions) will ask what the appointment is for. This is in order to book you in with the most appropriate clinician and to avoid you having to rebook, as everyone at Devaney medical centre has a wide range of skills and experiences. It is important that you are booked with the most appropriate clinician for your needs.

3^rd sector services

We offer a free service called Ask Us Wirral this is an information service covering all manner of queries and is run on a similar basis to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. You can book into a session which is held here at the Practice for your convenience. Please ask to be booked in by Reception.

There are several support services which are able to be accessed without coming into the surgery, for support from Age UK, for support for bereavement and may other issues you may be having.  At Devaney Medical Centre our web site is able to connect you to Health Watch Wirral where a list of these services is available for you to view.  You can search for Devaney Medical Centre and find our home page, click on to “Where can I get Help?” and it takes you to several links such as Health Watch Wirral where a list of services provided locally is attached.  If you do not have computer access please call in to practice or contact us by phone and a member of reception can look for you and direct you to the appropriate service.

Your Details

Please remember to contact the Practice should you move house or change phone number, this way we are able to keep your details up to date and contact you in an emergency. Please ensure we have your email address too. We are introducing a system where we will text you. Please do be aware of this if you share a mobile number.

Feedback

There are two ways of providing feedback on your experience with Devaney Medical Centre. Firstly you can visit NHS choices at  www.nhs.uk and search for Devaney Medical Centre and add your comments.

You can comment within the practice on our Friends and Family feedback forms you can complete the form while in the waiting room and post in the box by the second reception window.

Useful websites

www.patient.co.uk

www.asthma.org.uk

www.blf.org.uk/copd

www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

www.diabetes.co.uk

www.bhf.org.uk