Practice News - Introduction and Stop Press

This section has selected items of news from the practice and the Health Centre - many if not all of the items may also appear in our occasional newsletter available from reception when in production. You can comment to the practice by clicking HERE, we'll be pleased to hear from you.

Major Computer Change – Details
Patient Group - Latest
Focus on - Carers
Practice Closed - Dates and Times

MAJOR COMPUTER CHANGE – MONDAY 19 JULY TO FRIDAY 30 JULY

As outlined in our home page Stop Press, our conversion from the clinical computer system that we have used for over 15 years to the “Egton Medical Information System” or “EMIS” will take place between the dates above. The following is a blow by blow account of the changes we will put in place temporarily from now until Monday 2 August.

IN THE RUN UP TO WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 19 JULY:
  1. A double set of repeat prescriptions for routine medications on your list will be issued in response to telephone and on-line requests from Monday 14 June until Friday 9 July inclusive. Prescriptions sent to local chemists with whom you have an arrangement will also be sent in duplicate, and you should ensure you collect or are given the second prescription from us or the pharmacy in order to be ready to return to the chemist at the appropriate time for the second issue.
  2. The double issuing of “special request” prescriptions from 14 June to 9 July will be entirely at the doctor’s discretion.
  3. The “Prescribing” section of our website for on line repeat prescription requests will be suspended from 1200 (midday) Thursday 15 July until 0900 Monday 26 July. On line requests submitted 14 June to 9 July will be doubled as above.
  4. The “Contact Us” section of the website will remain available to log changes of address and telephone numbers, and to cancel existing appointments.
MONDAY 19 JULY TO FRIDAY 23 JULY INCLUSIVE (“MIGRATION WEEK”):
  1.  Please avoid all unnecessary telephone calls to the surgery.
  2. Urgent acute medical cases will be seen according to need by contacting the surgery in the normal way.
  3. Telephone requests for routine repeat prescriptions will not be taken from Monday 19 to Friday 30 July.
  4. Test results will not be given out from Monday 19 to Tuesday 27 July inclusive. You will be contacted if it is clinically appropriate.
  5. It will not be possible to pre-book a GP appointment.
  6. Nurses and Health Care Assistants will only take blood for tests at the instruction of GPs or if deemed essential by a clinician.
  7. All other Health Centre business that will already be booked will be as normal.
MONDAY 26 JULY TO FRIDAY 30 JULY INCLUSIVE (“GO LIVE WEEK”):
  1. Telephone requests for routine repeat prescriptions will not be taken up to and including Friday 30 July.
  2. On-line routine repeat prescribing requests can be made from Monday 26 July.
  3. Test results will not be given out up to and including Tuesday 27 July. You will be contacted if is clinically appropriate.
OUR “DIARY” THEREFORE READS AS FOLLOWS:
  1.  MONDAY 14 JUNE. All routine repeat script requests doubled. Keep your second script to take back to the chemist.
  2. MONDAY 12 JULY. Normal single issue prescription resumes.
  3. THURSDAY 15 JULY 1200. On line prescribing request service suspended.
  4. MONDAY 19 JULY. “Migration week” restrictions in force. See above.
  5. MONDAY 26 JULY 0900. On line prescribing request service resumes. Other restrictions still in force “Go Live week” – see above.
  6. WEDNESDAY 28 JULY. Test results available by phoning the surgery.
  7. MONDAY 2 AUGUST. Normal service.

PATIENT GROUP - LATEST

PATIENT GROUP

The Patient Group main objectives are to:

The patient group as at January 2010 are:

At their last meeting on 6 May, the group discussed the latest Scottish GP access survey, the swine ‘flu vaccination programme, and the major computer changeover to the new clinical system in July.

...if there’s anything you want the group to discuss or investigate please let the Practice Manager know by clicking HERE. Also...

DO YOU HAVE AN HOUR TO SPARE AT ABOUT MIDDAY ABOUT EVERY 4 TO 6 MONTHS?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN A SMALL GROUP OF PATIENTS WHO MEET HERE TO HELP GUIDE OUR ORGANISATION?

DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR SERVICE?

WHY NOT TEST DRIVE THE GROUP MEETING IN MAY? CALL BOB ON 01294 219060

WE NEED MORE INPUT TO THE PATIENT GROUP FROM EVERYONE BUT ESPECIALLY FROM YOUNG PEOPLE — ASK TO SPEAK TO BOB

Contact Bob the Practice Manager by clicking HERE.

FOCUS ON - CARERS

North Ayrshire Carers Centre provides information, support and advice to unpaid carers. Carers are people who care for a family member, friend or neighbour, who needs help and cannot cope on their own because of an illness, drug or alcohol misuse, disability or the effects of age. You may not recognise yourself as a carer but without your devotion, your relative or friend may have difficulty living in the community. If you are feeling isolated or stressed, find it difficult accessing information and advice, please contact us for help. We can offer:

Our contact details are as follows:

North Ayrshire Carers Centre
172-176 High Street
IRVINE
KA12 8AN
Tel: 01294 311333
Fax: 01294 311492
Email: CLICK HERE

Opening times are Monday – Friday, 0900 (9.00 am) – 1630 (4.30 pm)

WAYS TO WALK

Monday’s walking group from the Health Centre, assisted by the “Ways to Walk” scheme, is still growing fast and assisting all those recommended for gentle exercise to participate in an organised activity. You can still apply to join at the desk (it’s free!) or if in doubt ask your GP. The members are enthusiastic and sociable and it’s a great health boost and local learning experience about the Bourtreehill area. Pedometers from “Paths to Health” are also keeping track of the walkers, other patients and staff!

PRACTICE CLOSED DATES AND TIMES

We will be closed in 2010 for training from 1230 (12.30 pm) in the afternoons of:

Tues 22 June, Weds 25 August, Thurs 11 November, and in 2011 (so far) Tues 8 February and Weds 9 March.

Please note especially that not all our training days will fall on a Tuesday.

The practice also expects to be closed on the following public holidays:

Early Race Weekend Friday 17 September, Race Weekend Monday 20 September*, Christmas Public Holidays Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December, and (2011) Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 January.

* On this date limited NHS services are expected to run in the Health Centre, but the practice will be closed.

Check your medicines and ensure you have enough for all closed periods!