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Expanding the Practice Team
Did you know that, in addition to your GP, there are other health professionals in general practice who can help you get the right care? Additional staff have been recruited into healthcare roles at general practices including pharmacists, paramedics and physiotherapists. This means that at Bottisham Medical Practice we now have an expanded team of health professionals to help you get the right care when you need it, in addition to seeing your GP or practice nurse.
If you need to see a GP, you will always be offered an appointment, however having a range of health professionals at your general practice means you can receive the most appropriate care for your condition as quickly as possible. Here at Bottisham Medical Practice the team now includes the following roles:-
First Contact Physiotherapists provide patients with expert diagnosis and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions and can prevent the need for referral to hospital.
Clinical Pharmacists provide expert advice around medicines. If you are experiencing side effects from your medicines, your clinical pharmacist will work with you to find a solution. If you are taking several different medicines, the clinical pharmacist can help make sure they are working well together. Clinical Pharmacists can manage chronic diseases and support patients with the medication for these conditions.
Social Prescribers specialise in referring people to services outside the NHS which offer the opportunity for health, wellbeing, and practical and emotional support. In a general practice setting a social prescriber can take the time to talk about what matters to you and support you to find suitable activities that are a better alternative to medication. They connect people to community groups and services for practical and emotional support.
Paramedics can provide advice, help assess and triage calls from patients, make home visits for urgent assessment and manage minor illness.
Visit www.nhs.uk/GPservices to find out more.
MEASLES - IMPORTANT PATIENT INFORMATION
Measles cases are rising. Whilst the increase in measles cases has been seen mostly in the West Midlands so far, we know that the infection can spread quickly. That's why it’s important to know the symptoms of measles, what to do when you or your child might have measles, and how you can get protected against measles with a Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination course. You can find out more about measles here.
Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Measles can be prevented with the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination – a vaccine that’s available for free on the NHS. The MMR vaccine can prevent you from getting measles. All children in the UK are offered two doses of the MMR vaccination by the NHS as standard. But you can also have your MMR vaccines at an older age if you haven’t had them in the past.
If you haven’t had your MMR vaccinations or are unsure, please contact our Reception team for a vaccination appointment. Alternatively, there are also a number of walk-in vaccination clinics running locally, no appointment needed. You can find out more about measles and local walk in vaccination clinics on your local NHS website.
Out-Of-Hours Dental Service
If you are unable to access your own dentist in an emergency, please call 111.
Dental Access Centres (for patients not registered with a dentist)
- Huntingdon: 0300 555 6667 option 1
- Cambridge: 0300 555 6667 option 1
- Peterborough: 0300 555 6667 option
Free Service supporting People living with Type 2 Diabetes (Healthy Living)
Healthy Living is a free, online NHS programme that supports people to live well with type 2 diabetes.
It includes information and advice about:
- type 2 diabetes
- eating well
- becoming more active
- how to look after your body and mind
- other NHS services and support
- living with diabetes, including driving, working and travelling
You can use the Healthy Living programme whenever suits you, and for as long as you need - there is no limit to access so you can learn at your own pace. It can also be used alongside any other diabetes programmes or education you may be taking part in.
Hospital Waiting Times
The Covid19 pandemic has added to the strain on all NHS services. As a result of this, waiting list times for outpatient and specialist appointments and procedures have increased for everybody.
We appreciate that this can cause worry and uncertainty about when you will eventually receive an appointment. The practice has no direct access to the hospital appointment lists.
If you have been referred by your GP/are waiting for :
- An outpatient appointment
- An appointment for hospital tests (eg scans)
- A date for an operation or other treatment
- A follow-up from your hospital team
You can now use the new NHS My Planned Care platform that is available online and will provide direct access to the latest average wait time for appointments and operations for local hospitals, as well as helpful advice and support for patients whilst they wait.
NHS My Planned Care is updated weekly, is easy-to-use and has ‘open access’ which enables carers, friends, relatives to also access information on someone else’s behalf.
Alternatively, patients who have already been in correspondence with hospitals regarding their planned care can also contact the relevant department or service. Details of which can be found on previous letters patients will have received or by contacting the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Only call the practice if your condition has genuinely deteriorated, when you will be reviewed by one of the clinical team and appropriate action can be taken in regard to your care.