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Your guide to local health services
Mon, 17 May 2010 16:47:50 +0100
Wakefield District PCT has published a local services new booklet: Your Health 2010 - Your guide to local health services. This is available in PDF format (4.3Mb) here
Medication Review
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:44:05 +0100
If you attend a clinic regularly, ie, diabetes, heart clinic, respiratory clinic and are due your medications review, this will be carried out at your appointment. If you have a reminder on your prescription you do not need to see the doctor if you are attending the clinic.
Carers
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:43:18 +0100
We are working in partnership with Carers Wakefield & District to improve our service for Carers. If you are a Carer please let the receptionist know when you are next at the surgery or collect a leaflet for further information.
Carers are ordinary people whose lives change because they are looking after relatives or friends who cannot manage at home without help. This may be due to a long term health condition, a physical, sensory or learning disability, a mental health problem or due to the effects of old age. Caring can have a major impact on your life.
Fit Note replaces Sick Note
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:24:05 +0100
From 6 April 2010, the fit note replaced the sick note (medical statement or doctor's note).
How is the fit note different?
The main change is that your GP can give you advice to help you return to work. This is because work can play an important part in helping people to recover from illness or injury.
With the fit note, your GP can choose one of two options to advise that:
- you are 'not fit for work', or
- you may be fit for work'
The fit note also includes more space for your GP to give general advice about the impact of your illness or injury and tick boxes for your GP to suggest, where appropriate, common ways in which your employer could support your return to work.
What does 'may be fit for work' mean?
Your GP will choose the 'may be fit for work' option if they think that returning to work - with support from your employer - will help you.
Your GP can give general advice on the fit note about how your illness or injury may affect your ability to work. You should discuss this advice with your employer to see if you can return to work. For example, your GP may suggest possible changes, such as:
- returning to work gradually, for example, by starting part-time
- working different hours temporarily
- doing different duties or tasks
- having other support to do your job, for example, if you have back pain, avoiding heavy lifting
Getting advice and support
You should talk openly and honestly with your GP about how your illness will affect you at work, so they can give you the right advice to help your recovery.
You should also be open with your employer about what you can and can't do. If you're not, your employer may not be able to provide the right support.
If your employer has an occupational health department, they may be able to give you help and advice about going back to work.
Returning to work
Your GP's first concern will be to help you get well as soon as possible.
Being signed off sick isn't always best for you, particularly if it means you lose pay or your health gets worse. It can be very frustrating if you know you can still do part of your job, even if there are some parts that you can't do.
If it's possible for you to return to work, you and your employer should agree:
- how you will return
- what support you will receive
- how long the support will last
Pneumonia Vaccine
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:23:07 +0100
If you are over 65 years or under 65 years and have respiratory or heart disease, or are diabetic you may be at risk of pneumonia. The practice is currently offering pneumonia vaccines to patients at risk.
If you have not had a pneumonia vaccine and think you may be at risk please check at the surgery.
Patient Feedback
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:22:57 +0100
We are always keen to hear from patients on the services we provide. You can do this through the suggestion box, writing to the Practice Manager or via the Practice web page
2010 Seasonal Influenza Campaign
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:21:19 +0100
The 2010 seasonal influenza campaign will commence late September/early October depending upon delivery dates of vaccines. Please put a reminder in your diary to contact surgery in September to book your appointment.
Hayfever
Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:20:18 +0100
Symptoms: blocked or itchy nose, sore, steaming and watery eyes, sneezing, sinus pain or tickly throat.
How You Can Try to Avoid Hay Fever
If you suffer from hay fever look out for the pollen count which is publicised in many newspapers and is often on TV weather forecasts.
Ask your pharmacist for advice, there are a range of over the counter medicines available to treat hay fever such as antihistamines, decongestants and eye drops.
