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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

We have been incredibly lucky this summer. Firstly, Dr Chris Jenner

suggested that he do a sponsored cycle ride to raise funds for the P.A, and despite the somewhat inclement weather he arrived at the Medical Centre on time. A small group of well wishers was there to cheer him, his son and a friend to the finish line.Secondly, a huge number of you sponsored him, and donations continue to trickle in. I will let you read Dr Jenner’s article on page 4 to find out how much he raised, but it was well in excess of the £3,000 he was hoping for. Being able to apply for Gift Aid also helped to

swell the coffers.Thank you to all who sponsored him and to all the other patients who help us in other ways.The Quiz Supper was nearly cancelled through lack of numbers, but I am pleased to say that we decided to go ahead and had our usual enjoyable evening. I hope to see some of you at The Christmas Coffee Morning which is being held on Saturday 24th November.Finally please read the consent form on page…..which, if completed and returned, will provide us with other useful ways of making contact regarding P.A. related matters.

Jane Billenness, Chairman

Please remember to come to the Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday 24th November details on page 3

GP PATIENT SURVEY RESULTSThe results of the annual GP Survey have been published recently and are available at: www.gp-patient.co.uk/PatientExperiences?practicecode=E84061. We have a printed copy of the results available at the front desk if you are unable to access them online.The GP Survey is an England-wide survey, providing practice-level data aboutpatients’ experiences of their GP practices. Of the 262 surveys sent out to EHMC patients, 118 completed surveys were returned, giving us a completion rate of 45%.The overall results are very positive for EHMC, although there are some areaswhere we feel we can improve, and we will reflect on these with staff. EHMC scored higher than the CCG average in each area, which the team is very proud of.We value our patients’ feedback and have a Friends and Family questionnaire at the front desk which you are invited to complete on each visit to the surgery.

Marie Jolly, Practice Manager

Patients’ Association ContactsChairman Miss Jane Billenness 020 8428 3739Vice Chairman Mr Tony Berry 020 8428 5112Treasurer Mrs Michelle Davis 020 8428 3957Secretary Mrs Kate Deed 020 3689 0381

Co-ordinators for ServicesBereavement Visiting Scheme MrsJacquiMartin 02088631386Carers’ Support Group Mrs Beryl Peacop 020 8428 6533Home Visiting (Vacancy)Shopping Mrs Pat Ball 020 8428 3251Social and Fund-Raising Mrs Tricia Baron 020 8428 2846 Tea Parties Mrs Tova Salomon 020 8428 4063Transport Mr David and Mrs Pat James 020 8428 1711

The ElliottEarEditor Miss Lesley Walmsley 020 8428 7954Advertising Manager Mrs Jacqui Manning 020 8421 0978Business Manager Mr Tony Berry 020 8428 5112Distribution Managers Messrs James & Ken Brown 020 8428 7669

Member at Large Mr Arthur Peacop 020 8428 6533 ElliottHallMedicalCentre,165-167UxbridgeRoad,HatchEnd,HA54EA 02084284019

The ElliottEarisdesignedbyLauraPhelanandprintedbyThePrintShop,PinnerGreen

2 3

EHMCPatients’ AssociationCome and enjoy our

Christmas Coffee MorningSaturday24thNovember10:30a.m-12:30p.m.

atHatchEndBaptistChurch(formerlyFreeChurch)

RowlandsAvenueHatchEnd

Cakes, Homemade produce,Books/DVDs, Unwanted gifts

Donationsforanystallorraffleprizesmostwelcome(nobric-a-bracplease)

tobedroppedatthesurgeryfrom19thNovember

Contacts:Tricia 020 8428 2846 or

Jane 020 8428 3739

IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONSMany of us enjoy the convenience of the smart phones in our pocket to make our liveseasier.WecannowutilisemoreofthisconvenienceatElliottHallMedicalCentre,enablingustobemuchmoreproactiveaboutsomecommunications!Wenowhavethefacilitytosendyouatextmessagequicklyandsecurelyenablingus to:• Sendremindersornotifications• Informyouoftestresults(e.g.normalxray)• Let you know we tried to call you• Sendyouadviceattheendofaconsultation

ThemessageswillappearascomingfromElliottHall.Youwon’tbeabletoreplytothemandshouldcontactthepracticeviatelephoneifyouneedtofollowuponanyof these messages. Pleasehelpustohelpyoubyensuringthatthemobilenumberweholdforyouisuptodate,andbyremindingthecliniciantogetyourconsentyouforthisserviceifyouhaven’talreadyconsented.Ifyoudon’twantustocontactyouinthisway,pleaselet us know.

Laura Knight, IT Lead

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THE BEREAVEMENT TEAM FRIENDSHIP GROUP

5

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Please can you help?

If you can help with any of our volunteer groups please call us on the numbers shown below

or contact Jane (Chairman) on 020 8428 3739

Aim: To arrange social events to raise funds to enablethePAtopayrunningcosts,includinginsuranceforvolunteersandacontributiontowardstheproductioncostsof The ElliottEar.Contact: Trisha Baron 020 8428 2846

SOCIAL AND FUND-RAISING

Aim:Tohelpthosewhoarefindingithardtocopewithbereavement. Contact: Jacqui Martin 020 8863 1386

BEREAVEMENT VISITING SERVICE

Aim:Toprovidehelpandinformationforcarersthroughmonthlymeetingsandindividualvisits.Needed:Companions(maleandfemale)tositwithalovedonewhileacarergoestoGroup.Contact: Beryl Peacop 020 8428 6533

CARERS’ SUPPORT GROUP

Aim:Toprovidevisitorsforhouseboundandisolatedpatients,andtogiverespitetocarers.

Needed:Co-ordinatorandVisitorsContact: Jane Billenness 020 8428 3739

HOME VISITING SERVICE & GAMES GROUPS

Aim: To deliver The ElliotEarNewslettertwiceyearlytoeverypatienthousehold.

Needed: DeliverersContact: James Brown 020 8428 7669

THE ELLIOTEAR

Aim:Toprovideshoppingfacilitiesforthehousebound.

Needed: ShoppersContact: Pat Ball 020 8428 3251

SHOPPING SERVICE

Aim: An opportunity for small groups to meetup for tea and a chat.

Needed: DriversContact: Tova Salomon 020 8428 4063

TEA PARTIES

Aim:ToprovidetransporttotheMedicalCentreand local hospitals (not Northwick Park)

Needed: DriversContact: David and Pat James 020 8428 1711

TRANSPORT SERVICE

CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORTS

The Bereavement Team runs a monthly get-together for patients who have been bereaved and have been referred to the Team for support. Currently we average about nine patients a month meeting up with others who have also lost someone close. The purpose of the group is to enjoy yourself while being able to talk openly and freely about feelings, emotions, loss and practical issues. In addition we have the occasional afternoon when we do practical activities; to date we have done painting with toilet rolls(!), tea bag folding, flower arranging and poetry, and regularly we enjoy cakes and other refreshments.

If you are finding it difficult to get over a bereavement and think that meeting with others in the same situation as you might help, ask your GP to refer you to the Bereavement Team. They are all trained visitors and will be pleased to welcome you.The Group meets once a month on a Thursday, 2.00 - 4.00 pm at the Hatch End Baptist Church. The church has kindly offered us use of their premises free of charge in recognition of the work being done by the team for the EHMC community.

Jacqui Martin

We are always in need of new deliverers. At the time of writing I have had three people let me know that, for various reasons, they need to stop delivering and

cannot deliver this edition. Obviously your area probably

already has a deliverer, thus those willing to go a little further, to fill the gaps, or travel to the edges of the surgery catchment areas, are doubly welcome.

James Brown, Delivery Co-ordinator020 8428 7669

THE ELLIOTTEAR

l ELIGIBILITY Patientsmustbeapprovedbyadoctorandbemobilefromhousetocar. Nowheelchairscanbeaccommodated.

l BOOKINGSVolunteersareavailableattheMedicalCentre(02084284019)totakebookingsonTuesday(Rita)andFriday(Marcia) 10.00 a.m. – 12 noon. Emergencyappointmentswillbedealt

withon02084281711byDavid&PatJames.Driversdonottakebookings.

l STATUTORY DONATION of £5 returnjourneytohospitals(excludingNorthwickPark)andlocalclinics,and£2returnjourneytoMedicalCentre.Moneytobegiventothedriver.

l ANYONE NEEDING ASSISTANCE AT THE HOSPITAL should take an escort

DETAILS OF THE OPERATION OF THE TRANSPORT SERVICE

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SPONSORED CYCLE RIDE Sunday 17th June 2018

During the January Patients’ Association committee meeting and discussion of finances it

became evident Association funds were looking a little gloomy. Over its 25 years a respectable balance had been maintained and here we were entering our Silver Jubilee with a relatively small one. Since its foundation in 1993 the Association has supported so many patients and helped in many different ways: supporting groups, paying for training, hiring event venues and funding many pieces of equipment for the Medical Centre allowing us to deliver service above and beyond that normally resourced from general practice. In addition, this very newsletter would not be possible without the sponsorship of our Patients’ Association. We are all indebted to this truly great institution, and it was this sense of pride that made me put my hand up and offer to help with a sponsored cycle ride! At the time it sounded eminently achievable. I cycled to work a couple of times a week, and then I thought of what would be a reasonable ride. I discussed it with my family and Will, my son, offered to join me on the ride. As he lives and works in Cambridge it seemed appropriate that we should ride from Cambridge to Hatch End. With rotas and commitments the date options were limited so why not choose 17th June! The route would be through villages and towns covering 68 miles. Following our article in The ElliottEar we received amazing support and sponsorship. Some gallant and charitable patients offered to join us on the ride

and we also had the offer of a support vehicle, which was amazingly generous. After much discussion we decided it might be safer and fairest if just Will and I undertook the ride on our own. We let all the keen offerers of help know and thereby avoided the potential of more problems

en route. I stepped up training and cycled to work every day (about 12 miles), and tried most weekends to get in a longer ride. More training would certainly have helped - and then before we knew it the ride was upon us.

The night before was the Patients’ Association Quiz evening, where I received wonderful encouragement, and on a feast of Fish and Chips “loaded up” for the following morning. I remember waking about 5.30 a.m., looking out of the window at the rain and thinking to myself “Fathers’ Day is supposed to be for rest and pampering, a few cards, lie-in and a lunch with the family…. but not today.” After making some final adjustments to the “kit” we battled through the rain on our drive to Cambridge. Then as we arrived at King’s College the sun came out and suddenly we found ourselves

A HUGE THANK YOU

7

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“Fathers’ Day is supposed to be for rest and pampering…

but not today.”

8 9

Carlton HouseResidential Care Home for the Elderly

A happy and caring home

• Passenger Lifts • Bath Hoist • Showers •

Visitors and inspection prior to admission welcome by appointmentThe Avenue, Hatch End, Middlesex HA5 4EP. Tel: 020 8428 4316

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of Harrow

Jemma Klein-Besser BSc (Hons) MChsChiropodist/Podiatrist

Member of the Health and Care Professions Council

Monday & Thursday afternoon Clinics at The Elliot Hall Medical CentreHome visits are available for immobile patients

For an appointment Tel: 0208 203 3078 Mobile number: 07818 438 552

You can have a look at our Website for more information on services provided at: www.jemsfootcare.co.uk

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mingling amongst the many largely oriental tourists visiting Cambridge on a Sunday morning as we took pictures at the start. Eventually we set off at 10 a.m., an hour later than planned, and made our way through the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire villages and countryside, a largely level route. We had no punctures and managed the journey in 6 hours with just one stop for lunch, a very welcome Cornish pasty and chocolate cake! As we came under the M25 a good friend, John, joined us to help raise spirits and pass round the jelly babies and Liquorice Allsorts!

We arrived at the Medical Centre surprisingly on time to an amazingly rowdy reception of patients, friends and family. I was presented with a very large gold medallion to wear and treated to a feast at a friend’s house. The biggest thank-you is to all those who supported and sponsored me. The letters and emails of support have been inspirational and, having aimed to raise £3,000, the current sponsorship raised has been an amazing £7,427. With this in the bank the Patients’ Association can be assured financially for some time to come, continuing to support us all.

Chris Jenner

What help can I get as a carer?• Timeofftoenableyoutohavetimetoyourselftodothethingsyouwanttodo• Carer’svoucherstoarrangeyourowntimeoff• Direct Payments to pay for someone to help you or for something to make your

life easier• Acarer’semergencycardtocarrywithyou:ifyouhadanemergencyoryouwereillanagreedemergencyplanwouldbeputintoactionrightaway

• Carer’strainingsuchasmovingandhandling

TheEHMCCarers’GroupmeetonthethirdThursdayofthemonth.SupportlocallyisalsoavailablefromHarrowCarerswhomweworkinpartnershipwith.Theycanbe

SUPPORTING CARERS AND CARER’S ALLOWANCEThepracticeiscurrentlyreviewinghowwecanbestsupportCarers.Formanyyearscarersatthepracticehavebeensupportedbythe“Carers’Group”runbyBerylPeacop,whichhasreachedouttocarersandinvitedmanytomeetwithothercarersonamonthlybasis.Somecarersprefer1:1supportwhilstothershavebenefittedfrommeetingupwithothercarers.Ourfamilyofcarershavebeenspecialtothepractice,andweareextremelygratefultoBerylandherpasthelpersforallthesupporttheyhavegivenandcontinuetooffer.IfyouwouldliketojoinourCarers’Grouppleaseaskyourusualdoctorornursetoreferyou.Weappreciatethatnotallcarersareabletoleavethepersontheycarefor,asmanywillrequireasitter.Unfortunatelyatpresentweareunabletooffersittersbutpleaseletusknowifyouwouldliketojointhegroupandwewilldoourbesttohelp.Ifyouwouldliketohelpbysittingwithapersonwhiletheircarerattendsthegrouppleaseletoneofusknow(detailsbelow)andwewilltryandpairapotentialsitterwithacarer.

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The Plaice to Eat

352 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, Middlesex. Telephone: 020 8428 0203

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Opening hoursMon-Fri 9.00am–6.30pmSat 9.00 am – 5.30 pmSun Closed

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Opening hoursMon-Fri 9.00am–6.15pmSat 9.00 am – 5.30 pm

Tel/Fax:02084284195

FREE PRESCRIPTION COLLECTION AND DELIVERY SERVICE

contactedbycalling02088685224oronlinewww.harrowcarers.org/

Carer’s assessmentForacarer’sassessmentcall02089012680.Thiswillgiveyouachancetotalkaboutthesupportyouneedandtheimpactthatbeingacarermaybehavingonyourlife.Itmayincludeareassuchasyourhealth,sociallife,abilitytoworkorjusthavingtimeforyourself.

Young CarersMoreinformationaboutsupportforyoungcarersinHarrowcanbefoundontheHarrowCouncilwebsite:www.harrow.gov.uk/homepage/245/young_and_adult_carers

Carer's AllowanceIfyouareacareryoumaybeentitledtoCarer'sAllowanceifyoucareforsomeonewhoisillordisabledintheirownhome.IfyouarepaidCarer'sAllowanceyourotherbenefitsmaydecreaseorincrease,andinsomecasesthebenefitsofthepersoncaredformaybeaffected.

Note: thisarticlegivesabriefsummaryofCarer'sAllowanceandisforguidanceonly.Itdoesnotcoverallsituations,norisitafullstatementofthelaw.Sourcesoffurther,moredetailedinformationaregivenattheend.

Who can get Carer's Allowance?NoteverycareriseligibleforCarer'sAllowance.Thisisbecausetherearecertainruleswhichapplytothecarer,andtothepersonbeingcaredfor.Therulesincludethe following.

Regarding the carerItdoesnotmatterifyou(thecarer)arerelatedtotheillordisabledperson,orwhetheryouliveinthesamehousehold.Forexample,youcouldcareforarelativewholiveswithyou.Oryoucouldcareforafriendorneighbourwholivesinadifferenthomefromyou.However:• Youmustbeagedover16.• Youmustbespendingatleast35hoursaweeklookingaftertheillordisabledperson.Youdonotneedtocareforthepersoneveryday-justfor35hoursormore per week.

• YoumusthavelivedinEngland,ScotlandorWalesfortwoofthelastthreeyears.• YounormallyliveinEngland,ScotlandorWales.• Youmustearnlessthan£110aweek(aftertaxes,carecostswhileyou'reatwork

and 50% of what you pay into your pension).• You'renotinfull-timeeducationorstudyingfor21hoursaweekormore.

Regarding the person you care forThepersonyouarecaringformustbereceivingoneofthefollowingbenefitswhicharepaidtothembecausetheyneedcare:

13

Martin Tunmore BSc DO(Hons) and Associates,

Registered Osteopaths

❑ Osteopathic care for all the family.

❑ Specialists in neck, back and joint pain.

Martin Tunmore has now retired from working at the Elliott Hall Medical Centre.

Hatch End patients are very welcome to see him for treatment at the Watford practice until the end of the year.

Please use the contact details below.

01923 221303

http://www.watfordosteopathicpractice.co.uk

The Watford Osteopathic Practice, 39 Rickmansworth Road,

Watford. WD187HS

ADVERTISEMENTS

A very BIG THANK YOU to all our Valued Advertisers without you the Patients

Association would not be able to meet the production costs of this Newsletter.

It must be pointed out that the accuracy of any statements cannot be warranted,

nor can any products or services advertised be guaranteed or endorsed.

If you contact one of the advertisers please let them know that you heard

about them through The ElliottEar.

• AttendanceAllowance.• Or the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)• Or the care component of DisabilityLivingAllowance(DLA),paidatthe• middle or higher rate.• Or ConstantAttendanceAllowancewith:

* IndustrialInjuriesDisablementBenefit(at,orabove,thenormalmaximumrate).• Or WarDisablementPension(atthebasicfulldayrateorabove).

Ifthepersonyoucareforisnotreceivingoneoftheabovebenefits,andyouarespendingalotoftimecaringforthem,thentheyarelikelytobeentitledtooneofthesebenefitsandtheyshouldclaim.ThiswillgivethemextramoneyandalsoenableyoutoclaimCarer’sAllowance.

But note:CertainbenefitsforthepersonyoucareforcanreduceifyougetCarer’sAllowance.

How much is Carer's Allowance?ThestandardrateofCarer'sAllowanceis£62.10aweek(April2015rate).Paymentisusuallymadedirectlyintoabankaccount,buildingsocietyaccount,PostOfficeaccountorNationalSavingsaccount.But note:

• Carer'sAllowanceisataxablebenefit.• Abenefitcaplimitsthetotalamountofbenefitthatmostpeoplecanbepaid.• Also,asmentioned,thepersoncaredformayhaveareductionincertainbenefitsifyoureceiveCarer'sAllowance.

• YouwillnormallygetaNationalInsurance(NI)contributionaddedtoyourNIrecordforeachweekyougetCarer'sAllowance.

How can I claim Carer's Allowance?Youneed,orsomeoneonyourbehalfneeds,tocompleteaclaimform. To get a claim form:

• ContacttheCarer'sAllowanceUnit(details below).• DownloadonefromGOV.UK(details below).

What if circumstances change?YoushouldtelltheCarer'sAllowanceUnitaboutanychangeofcircumstancesasitmayaffectwhatyouarepaid.

FURTHER HELP & INFORMATIONCarer's Allowance Unit PalatineHouse,LancasterRoad,Preston,Lancashire,PR11HBTel:03456084321Web:www.gov.uk/carers-allowance-unit

Carers UK 20GreatDoverStreet,London,SE14LXTel:(AdviceLine)08088087777,(Office)02073784999Web:www.carersuk.org

12

Please complete the following and tell us if you are a Carer:

YourName:________________________________DOB:__________________

Iamacarerfor________________________________________

Pleasestatetherelationshiptoyouforthepersonyoucarefor:

___________________________________________________________________

Please hand the completed slip into Reception so that your records can be updated.

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14 15

Citizens Advice Bureau Web:www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Harrow Carers www.harrowcarers.org/

FURTHER READING & REFERENCESwww.gov.uk/carers-allowance

Dr Chris Jenner, Beryl Peacop and Marie Jolly

It is with immense pride that Drs Jenner, Majus and Kelshiker can announce that Dr Carly Szasz and Sister Helen Jenner have agreed to join the partnership from October 2018. They are both excellent clinicians and truly supportive colleagues who share the same ethos of care for our patients that we hold dear at Elliott Hall Medical Centre.They have penned the following words.

TWO NEW PARTNERS AT THE PRACTICE

It doesn’t seem possible that it was 29 years ago, whilst I was on maternity leave from my job as Paediatric Ward Sister at NPH, that I was asked to help out at the practice. Chris was the new young GP at EHMC and we had Will, a toddler, and Kate a new baby. Will is a thriving doctor himself, now married with a baby on the way, and Kate is planning her 2019 wedding.The Practice Nurse role was comparatively new but the doctors (Elizabeth James, Alan Byers and

Chris) felt the role could continue to be developed, and asked me to join their small team alongside Anne, our experienced part- time nurse, initially helping give flu vaccinations.I very quickly learnt new skills in practice nursing and also helped manage some of the older patients (only a few hundred patients at the time), and with space at a premium I was allocated a portacabin on the drive as my office! The surgery later moved over the road to the current premises, and alongside the practice

A Message from Helen Jenner, our new Nurse Partner

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ADVERTISEMENTS

OPEN WEDNESDAYS A social coffee morning from 10.30am-12.30pm

Followed by Lunchtime Mass at 12.30pm

St Anselm’s Parish Church Westfield Park, Hatch End HA5 4JL

ALL SOULS DAY Friday 2nd November 2018 Requiem Mass at 7.30pm

All are welcome to be present to remember

loved ones who have died

PARISH HALL FOR HIRE

from £30 an hour, great for parties, separate kitchen Long term bookings available

Contact Shelley on 07824 505707

SUNDAY WORSHIP Said Mass – 8.00am & Eucharist – 10.00am

Sunday School runs during term time at 10.00am

CONTACT US

For all pastoral needs please contact the Vicar Fr. David Green – 020 8428 8701 / 07962 057767

Email – fr.david@live.co.uk

REMEMBRANCE DAY Sunday 11th November 2018

10.00am Mass of remembrance

We gather to remember the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day

and team expansion, the nurse team has continued to develop and grow.Practice Nursing was a new beginning for my career and I was further encouraged and given the opportunity to complete the lengthy and demanding Nurse Practitioner training, being one of the first NPs in Harrow working within that role.I have now been working as a Nurse Practitioner and Independent Prescriber for 20 years, supported more recently by Reena and Ashok, Chris and all the doctors and nurses within our team.Much of my work now is managing patients with urgent and acute problems, supporting those with chronic illness, and case managing some of the older patients, many of whom I have known for nearly

30 years. I help, support and manage the nursing team, and more recently have helped to mentor and train many medical and nursing students from London universities.I was really surprised and delighted when I was asked to join the team as a Partner from October, and look forward to continuing to work with a wonderful team of people and of course our lovely patients.EHMC is well recognised as a practice of excellence, and I hope I can continue to contribute as a Partner to help shape the service we provide and to look after the patients, maintaining the very high quality of work all our team deliver supporting local residents.

Helen Jenner

Having trained outside of London but grown up locally, it was a welcome relief to be returning to Harrow for my GP training in 2011. At that time we had to list our preferred GP practices for placement during our final year of training. Only knowing a limited amount of information about nearby surgeries, I did a lot of googling and spent some time driving around to view the practices for further research! I came to the conclusion that Elliott Hall was the place to be and listed it as my top choice. After two years of hospital rotations, I joined EHMC as a GP registrar in 2013 and was placed under the supervision of my mentor, Dr Majus, who turned out to be a wonderful source of knowledge and support.In 2014 I couldn’t have possibly imagined then, that four years after becoming an Associate, I would be in the fortunate position of being asked to become a

Partner. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and excited at the prospect.The experiences I’ve had at EHMC have shaped the way I practise as a GP, from playing a role in organising our first ever health fair in 2014, to becoming a trainer for future generations of doctors, and recently helping to introduce our new texting service to patients. I look back fondly at the last five years and forward to the future with the same sense of passion and enthusiasm as when I first walked through the doors here to be greeted by a welcoming reception team.EHMC really is a great place, committed to serving our patients to the very best of our abilities. I look forward to continuing to work with such a fantastic team of people and patients, and hope that my contribution as a Partner will continue to benefit the wider EHMC community.

Carly Szasz

A message from Dr Carly Szasz, our new Doctor Partner

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-WHAT’S AVAILABLE LOCALLYLastautumnElliottHallMedicalCentrearranged a morning when people –particularlyourolderpatients–couldsee some of the great array of help whichisavailablelocallyforpeoplewantingtousevariouswaystokeephealthy,mostoftheminafunwaytoo.Overthenextfewpagestherearedetailsofsomeoftheseresources,buttherearemanymoreandthesewillbegiveninlaterissuesofTheElliottEar.Theyrangeoversuchthingsasexercise(fromgentletomorestrenuous),walking,swimming,running,singingandgeneralstimulationofthemind.HatchEnd,withitsgoodtransportservices,iswell placed for us to access all sorts of thingswithintheborough.Below are more details of the Elliott Hall Surgery Walk(Sundaymornings),the local parkrun(Saturdaymornings),U3A (throughout the week) and HarrowCouncil’s offerings. Onagentlerlevelthereissinging–goodforbreathingandverysocial.There are some 15 choirs of various interestsinHarrow,withHatchEnditselfboastingtwoofthem–Tonic (Monday or Thursday evenings; contact Philip Barnett02084284487)andThe Hatch End Singers(Mondayafternoon;contactLesleyWalmsley02084287954).Orforthosewholikepainting,thereareseveral good art classes for all media andlevelsofprowess–detailscanbefoundatHarrowArtsCentreorinlocalnewsletters–andboththeHarrow Art Society and Pinner Art Society welcome local painters. Looking at something you havepaintedyourselfisquiteuplifting,evenifyoudon’twanttoshowittoanyoneelse!

So here are details of four local groups which might interest you.

1. UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE – U3AHarrowU3Aisopentoanyonewhoisretiredorinpart-timeemployment.Thereisanannualmembershipfee,whichentitlesyoutoattendclassesevery day of the week if you so choose. Over40classesareheldatHarrowArtsCentre,anddozensmoreinmembers’homesacrosstheborough.Whateveryouchoose,youwillbemadewelcome.Ifthereisasubjectyouareinterestedinbutthereisn’taclass,wearehappytohelpsetoneup.Manyofourmemberssay it has given them a new lease of life andareasontogetupinthemorning,tomeetnewfriendsand,mostimportant,tokeepbothbrainandbodyactive.Don’tlettheword“university”putyouoff.U3A’ssloganis“Live, Laugh,Learn”.Itisavoluntaryorganisationrunbymembersformembers.Noexams,just learning what you want to learn in arelaxedandinformalsetting.Subjectsincludeart,currentaffairs,history,languages,literature(playreading,creativewriting,bookclubs),psychology,music,science,exercise(taichi,keepfit,yoga).WealsohaveaTours&VisitscommitteewhoarrangeoutingsacrossLondon,daysout,concerts,andholidaysathomeandabroad.Thereareopportunitiestotakepartinsharedlearningprojects,whichtakeplace twice a year and are usually basedinmuseums,galleriesandsimilarinstitutions.Itisauniquechancetogobehindthescenes,helpwithresearchand discover unseen treasures.Iamhappytodiscussanyoftheabove,

KEEPING YOURSELF ACTIVE

2120

and you can reach me on email at:secretary.hu3a@yahoo.co.uk or you can phone me on 020 8428 4140.Pleaselookatourwebsite www.harrowu3a.co.uk and click on the Diarysectionforafulllistofclasses.

Lynne Dorff, Hon. Secretary

2. THE ELLIOTT HALL SURGERY WALKWHERE: We meet at the sundial by the entrance to Harrow Arts Centre every Sunday at 10:30, and walk for an hour in a circular route over pavement and fields and through Pinner Park Farm.WalkleadersRuthSimons,MargaretScottandPritiVyasarethreeofmanytrained volunteer walk leaders involved inthenationalWalking for Health scheme. They met at walk leader training organisedbyHarrowCounciljustoverayear ago.RuthandPritiarebothHatchEndresidents,andRuthisanEHMCpatientwithlong-termhealthconditionsincludingtype2diabetes.Margaretalsoenjoys Nordic Walking and she leads longer and more strenuous walks. She is also organising walking holidays withwalkersshemetthroughHarrowHealthWalks.AftertheirtrainingtheymetupwithHarrowCouncilPublicHealthandwithinaweekorganisedaweeklyElliottHallSurgery Walk on Sunday mornings. Since the walk started just over a year ago they haveledthewalkeverySunday(exceptonceinDecemberduetoheavysnow!).ManyEHMCpatients,localresidentsandtheirguestshavebenefittedfromthewalkandbecomeregularwalkers.Somejustattendoccasionally,otherslook forward to their regular walks on Sundays,andafterayearweareanevenstronger and healthier group. There isnofeeandnoobligation,newor

experiencedwalkerscanjustturnuponanySundayandwalkwithus(butsorry,wedon’tallowdogs!).InJulywecelebratedourfirstanniversarywithapicnicinbeautifulsunshineonthefieldsbehindHatchEndSwimming Pool.

Why Walk?Walkingisoneofthebestformsofexercise,everyonecanbenefitandyoucandoitanywhereandanytime.Allyouneediscomfortablewalkingshoes.Just 30 minutes of walking every day has manybenefits:itcanhelpyourheartandlungsworkbetter,loweryourbloodpressure,helpkeepyourweightdown,lightenyourmoodandkeepyourjoints,musclesandbonesstrong.Diabeticpatientscanbenefitasithelpsmaintainbloodsugarsatahealthylevel.Walkingforhealthisalsosociallybeneficialasyoumeetsomanylike-mindedpeoplewithin a group.HarrowHealthWalksareorganisedbyHarrowCouncil,with18walksthroughouttheborough,takingplaceeverydayoftheweekandallledbytrained leaders. All walks are conducted inarelaxedmannerandtheleadersencourage you to walk at your own pace. Everyone is welcome regardless of age andfitness.All our walks are free and provide residents with the opportunity to walk regularlyinarelaxedandfriendlyenvironmentandenjoybeautiful green spaces.Ifyou’dliketojointheElliotHallSurgeryWalk just turn up on any Sunday morning.Youwillbeaskedtocompleteabriefregistrationformandahealthandsafetyquestionnaire.Ifyou’dliketotalktoawalkleaderfirstyoucancontactusonRuth07702127925or Priti07783080999.

TofindoutmoreaboutWalkingforHealthseewww.walkingforhealth.org.ukTofindoutaboutalltheHarrowHealthWalkshavealookatourwebsiteswww.harrow.gov.uk/getactive andwww.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/harrow-health-walks

Ruth Simons

3. PARKRUNSome of you may already have heard of “parkrun”(alwaysspeltwithasmallp!).These are free organised weekly 5 km (3.1miles)eventsinlocalparks,whichtake place at 09:00 every Saturday morning. All ages and all standards are involved,andyoucanwalk,jogorrunatanypace,asyouplease.These are friendly event which started nearly14yearsagoatBushyPark,Teddington,withjust13runnersand5 volunteers. Since then parkrun has grownto552locationsintheUK,withatotalofover100,000runners/joggers/walkers each week. There are now also parkruns in 19 other countries.Eacheventisrunbyvolunteerswhorecordthetimesandlookafterthesafetyof the entrants. Many events evenhavetheirowndefibrillator,although thankfully these are rarely (if ever)needed!Afewweeksago,parkrun UK and the Royal College of General Practitioners announcedagroundbreakinginitiativewherebypatientscouldbeprescribedoutdoorphysicalactivity-itiswellknownthatregularphysicalexerciseisbeneficialforthemaintenanceofgoodhealth.Attendingaparkrunisagoodway to get involved and to develop a regularexercisehabit.Thevolunteersand fellow runners/joggers/walkers are friendlygroupsofpeople,andmyownexperienceisthatnewcomersarealwaysmade to feel welcome.

There are now seven weekly parkrun venueswithinaboutsixmilesofHatchEnd,withachoiceofterrain.ThenearestareatHarrowRecreationGround,whichisarelativelyflatcoursewithatarmacsurface,andSouthOxheyPlayingFields,whichisanall-grasscoursewithahill.OtherlocalvenuesincludeCanonsPark,NorthalaFields(Northolt),CassioburyPark(Watford),RickmansworthAquadromeandAldenhamCountryPark.Forfurtherinformationaboutparkrunvisittheirwebsitewww.parkrun.org.uk.Ifyouwishtohaveyourtimeandfinishingpositionrecorded,youcanregisteranddownloadabarcodeat thatwebsite.Myownexperienceofparkrundatesfromjustover4yearsago,whenthenearest parkrun was 12 miles away at BlackPark,Wexham.SincethenIhaverun in 90 parkruns and volunteered on27furtheroccasions.Ifindthatvolunteeringisparticularlysatisfyingsinceitenablesyoutogettoknowmorepeople at the events. I can reassure you thatageisnoproblem,sinceIamfastapproaching80myself!

Douglas Milsom

4. HARROW COUNCILHarrowCouncilisnowofferingExercise on Referral.ThisisaschemewherebyaGPornursereferspatientsover16foratailor-madeexerciseprogrammelasting12weeks.Patientswillbeassessedbeforestartingandoncompletionof

22 23

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thecourse,willalsomeetaqualifiedinstructoratWeeks4and8forfollow-upsessions,andcanalsomeettheirinstructor for weekly gym sessions. There is also provision for Aqua Therapy classes,women’sonlyclassesandlowimpact circuit classes.Toqualifyforthisserviceinactivepatientsneedtobeaged16andoverwiththefollowingconditions:obesity,diabetes,hypertension,hyperlipidaemia(thelatterthreecontrolled),depressionoranxiety,mildarthritis,asthmaandmildCOPD.There is a charge for all this: £20 per monthforthefirst3months,then£25permonthforconcessioneligiblepeopleor £30 for those without concession.TheGPreferralmembershipincludesunlimitedaccesstothegym,swimmingpool,sauna/steamroom,groupexerciseclassesandGPreferralclasses.To gain access to this service please talk to your doctor or nurse for referral.HarrowalsoprovidesActive Community Mondays,whichprovideolderadultstheopportunitytogetactiveandmeetnewpeopleinafun,safeenvironment,thefocusbeingonthesocialbenefitsratherthanthephysical,andencouragingthedevelopmentofanactivecommunity.SessionsareheldatHarrowLeisureCentre,10a.m.to2p.m.andarefreeformembers(£4fornon-members).

Atypicaldaywouldinclude:Tea/coffeeandsocialtime:10.30–11a.m.;Groupexercise11–11.45a.m.;Break11.45–12noon;12–12.45p.m.TaiChi/Zumba;Break12.45–1p.m.;Tea/coffeeandsocialtime1–2p.m.Formoreinformationcontactharrowinfo@everyoneactive.com or ring 020 8901 5980

***We shall try to add details in future issuesofTheElliottEarofmoregroupsand events which could help lead to an activelife,butifyouhaveanyideasofthingswhichhaveeitherhelpedyou,ormighthelpyou,doletmeknow.

Lesley Walmsleylesleymwalmsley@gmail.com

or 020 8428 7954

A USEFUL NEW WEBSITEThe myhealthlondonwebsitewasdevelopedbyNHSEnglandandtheMayor’sOfficeandisnowownedbyLondonCCGsasapublicfacingwebsiteforinformationabouthealth,careandwellbeing.Oneofitskeyrolesistoprovideresidents,professionalsandvisitorswithaccesstotheNHSDirectoryofServices(DOS)forLondon.Please visit www.myhealth.london.nhs.ukformoreinformation.

THE NATIONAL FLU IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME 2018/19Thisprovidesinformationaboutwhichpatientsandchildrenareeligibleforfreefluvaccinationinthefluimmunisationprogramme for 2018/19.Thefollowingareeligibleforfluvaccination:• allchildrenagedtwotonine(butnot

ten years or older) on 31 August 2018• allprimary-school-agedchildrenin

former primary school pilot areas• peopleagedfromsixmonthstoless

than 65 years of age with a serious• medicalconditionsuchas:• chronic(long-term)respiratory

A

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24 25

flujabinthepast.

PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINEThe pneumococcal vaccine protects againstseriousandpotentiallyfatalpneumococcalinfections.PneumococcalinfectionsarecausedbythebacteriumStreptococcuspneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia,septicaemia(akindofbloodpoisoning ) and meningitis.Atitsworst,itcancausepermanentbraindamage,orevenkill.WHO SHOULD HAVE THE PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE?Apneumococcalinfectioncanaffectanyone.However,somepeopleareathigherriskofseriousillnessandcanbegiventhepneumococcalvaccinationontheNHS.These include:

• babies• adults aged 65 or over• childrenandadultswithcertainlong-

termhealthconditions,suchasaseriousheartorkidneycondition

HOW OFTEN IS THE PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE GIVEN?Babiesreceivethepneumococcalvaccineasthreeseparateinjections,at8weeks,16 weeks and one year old.People over 65 only need a single pneumococcalvaccination,whichwillprotect for life. It is not given annually liketheflujab.Peoplewithalong-termhealthconditionmayneedjustasingleone-offpneumococcalvaccinationorfive-yearlyvaccination,dependingontheirunderlyinghealthproblem.

disease,suchassevereasthma,chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease(COPD)orbronchitisorchronic heart disease

• heart failure• chronickidneydiseaseatstagethree,

fourorfiveorchronicliverdisease• chronicneurologicaldisease,suchas

Parkinson’sdiseaseormotorneuronedisease

• learningdisability• diabetes• splenicdysfunctionorasplenia• a weakened immune system due

todisease(suchasHIV/AIDS)ortreatment (such as cancer treatment)

• morbidlyobese(definedasBMIof40andabove)

• pregnant ladies• those aged 65 years and over• thoseinlong-stayresidentialcare

homes• carers

Inaddition,vaccinationisrecommended for frontline health and social care workers

Childrenundertheageoffiveyearsold have the highest rate of hospital admissionsforfluofallagegroups.Improving uptake in these children and children with an underlying clinical risk factorwillprovideindividualprotectionas well as helping to protect the wider community.

WHERE TO GET THE FLU JABPLEASEbookyourNHSflujabbyappointment at:ElliottHallMedicalCentreStartingendSeptemberandtherewillbemanydatesavailable,pleasebookaconvenient appointment.We have ordered enough vaccine for all oureligiblepatientssopleasedomakesureyoubookanappointmentatthesurgery.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE FLU JAB?Fluvaccineisthebestprotectionwehaveagainstanunpredictablevirusthatcan cause unpleasant illness in children and severe illness and death among at-riskgroups,includingolderpeople,pregnant women and those with an underlyingmedicalhealthcondition.Studieshaveshownthattheflujabwillhelppreventyougettingtheflu.Itwon’tstopallfluvirusesandthelevelofprotectionmayvary,soit’snota100%guaranteethatyou’llbeflu-free,butifyoudogetfluaftervaccinationit’slikelytobemilderandshorter-livedthanitwouldotherwisehavebeen.Thereisalsoevidencetosuggestthattheflujabcanreduce your risk of having a stroke .Overtime,protectionfromtheinjectedfluvaccinegraduallydecreasesandflustrainsoftenchange,sonewfluvaccinesareproducedeachyear,whichiswhypeopleadvisedtohavetheflujabneeditevery year too.

FLU JAB SIDE EFFECTSSerioussideeffectsoftheinjectedfluvaccineareveryrare.Youmayhavea mild fever and aching muscles for a coupleofdaysafterhavingthejab,andyourarmmaybeabitsorewhereyouwere injected.

WHEN TO HAVE A FLU JABThebesttimetohaveafluvaccineisintheautumn,fromtheendofSeptembertoearlyNovember.PleaseletusknowifyouarehouseboundandwewilltrytoarrangeforsomeonetovisitbeforeendNovember.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO SHOULDN’T HAVE THE FLU JAB?Mostadultscanhavetheinjectedfluvaccine,butyoushouldavoiditifyouhave had a seriousallergicreaction to a

ARE YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS MISSING OUT?

Youradvertisementcouldbein The ElliotEar–publishedin

AprilandOctober.

Ifyou’dliketoadvertisepleasecall Jackie Manning 020 8421 0978

or email jacqui.manning@yahoo.co.uk

(Monday–Friday,9–5)

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THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PNEUMONIA VACCINEThe type of pneumococcal vaccine you are given depends on your age and health.The two types are:• pneumococcalconjugatevaccine(PCV)

– this is used to vaccinate children undertwoyearsoldaspartoftheNHSchildhoodvaccinationprogramme.

• pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) – this is given to people aged 65 andover,andtopeopleathighriskduetolong-termhealthconditions.

ChildrenatriskofpneumococcalinfectionscanhavethePPVvaccinefromtheageoftwoyearsonwards.It’sthought not to work in children under the age of two. HOW THE PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE WORKSBoth types of pneumococcal vaccine encourageyourbodytoproduceantibodiesagainstpneumococcalbacteria.Antibodiesareproteinsproducedbythebodytoneutraliseordestroydisease-carryingorganismsandtoxins.Theyprotectyoufrombecomingillifyouareinfectedwiththebacteria.Thechildhoodvaccine(PCV)protectsagainst 13 strains of the pneumococcalbacterium,whiletheadultvaccine(PPV) protects against 23 strains. The pneumococcalvaccineisthoughttobearound50-70%effectiveatpreventingpneumococcal disease.BoththePPVandthePCVareinactivatedor“killed”vaccinesanddonot contain any live organisms. They cannot cause the disease against which they protect.

WHO SHOULDN’T HAVE THE PNEUMO JAB?Occasionally,youoryourchildmayneed

todelayhavingthevaccinationoravoiditcompletelybecauseofthefollowing:Vaccine allergyTellyourGPifyouoryourchildhashadabadreactiontoanyvaccinationinthepast.Ifthere’sbeenaconfirmedsevereallergicreaction,calledananaphylacticreaction,tothepneumococcalvaccineoranyingredientinthevaccine,it’sbesttoavoidhavingit.However,ifitwasonlyamildreaction,suchasarash,itisgenerally safe to have the vaccine.Fever at the vaccination appointmentIf you or your child are mildly unwell at thetimeofthevaccination,it’ssafetohavethevaccine.However,ifyouoryourchildaremoreseriouslyill–forexample,withahightemperature–it’sbesttodelaythevaccinationuntilafterrecovery.Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccineLikemostvaccines,thechildhoodandadult versions of the pneumococcal vaccinecansometimescausemildsideeffects,including:• a mild fever• rednessatthesiteoftheinjection• hardness or swelling at the site of

theinjectionTherearenoserioussideeffectslistedfor either the childhood or adult version ofthevaccine,apartfromanextremelysmallriskofseriousallergicreaction.

Nurse Helen Jenner

Stop PressThere is a delay in the way we receive the fluvaccineforpatients65+thisyear.Ithasbeenstaggeredinto3deliveriesbetweenOctoberandNovember.Although there is this delay we ask thatyoustillmakeanappointmentatthe surgery as this is an opportunity to discuss your general health and to inform you when your annual review is/maybedue.

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STAFF NEWS l STAFF NEWSDR SAPNA PATELA&E/paediatricsHi! I am Sapna Patel and I am in my final year of GP training. I will be at Elliott Hall for one year, under the supervision of Dr Jenner.I studied medicine at King’s College University, and have now been a doctor for seven years. Prior to GP training I did some surgical training at the Royal London Hospital, and have also worked in A&E/paediatrics and psychiatry.In my spare time I enjoy doing voluntary work in my local community, and travelling.I am looking forward to meeting you all.

DR CHLOE DUKEObstetrics & gynaecologyI studied medicine at Oxford University, graduating in August 2017 with an intercalated BA in infectious diseases and immunology.

I completed my foundation year one training at Charing Cross Hospital and am now working at Elliott Hall for four months under the supervision of Dr Szasz as part of my foundation year two training.I am interested in pursuing a career in obstetrics & gynaecology or general practice.

DR SHALENI HETTIARATCHII graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2014, undertook my foundation years in the Queen’s Medical School (Nottingham) and Lincoln, and am currently in my second year of GP training under Northwick Park VTS Scheme. I hope to develop a special interest in paediatrics and am currently completing a Master’s at UCL. I will be at Elliott Hall Medical Centre for 6 months under the supervision of Dr Vaughan.

Congratulations from all the staff at EHMCDr Ali Dhankot, a former partner of EHMC, has recently had a son. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ali, Awra and Zahra.

Rupa Yagnik, who was our Practice Manager until June 2017, has recently given birth to a baby girl. Congratulations to Rupa, Hiren and Nitai Yagnik.

3130

Back in my day I made friends from around the globe, They taught me about their religions, their food,

I made them feel at home. The war was once in my country,

But now it seems so far away, People are fleeing from violence,

I can offer them a place to stay.

Back in my day, the doctor came to the house, Just like the medical students come to see me.

It makes me smile, They have so much to learn,

I’m so glad I can be part of their exciting journey.

When I think of the future I don’t know what’s in store, I treasure each day that passes more and more.

I have lived, I have loved, I have explored the corners of the world, I have eaten exotic foods and swam in the seas,

I’m a bit slower now, I sometimes forget things, But I am still me, and be patient with me please.

On Sundays at dinner I look at my children,

They have grown faster than the blossom in the spring. My granddaughter places her hand on my knee,

Her beauty is something perhaps she will never see, But she smiles and her eyes tell me she has something to say,

As she whispers, ‘go on, tell me about back in your day’

Over the past year EHMC has welcomed 12 second year medical students from King’s College London. We have had the privilege of acquainting with and learning from patients from the practice. We have written this poem with inspiration from the stories and experiences that they have kindly shared with us. This piece explores the transformation of the world through a patient’s life. We would like to thank the patients who have dedicated their time to help us gain insight into their personal journeys through the healthcare system and life.

Jessica Little, Kate Baird, Roshell Jeyaventhan, Lekha Viramuthu, Ramya Thanikasalam, Michelle Rabinovitch, Hassan Ubaide, Bethany Charlesworth, Nishant Mehta, Karan Singh Sagoo, James Frater, Riya

Shah

BACK IN MY DAY

Back in my day we didn’t have television.

Radio, board games, books, they were my entertainment. Back in my day - 2 eggs in a week? Christmas came early.

Air raid alarms, shattering bombs, brothers lost at war, Men came home shells of who they were before,

And still the poppies grew.

Back in my day I played the piano. Mr Tombs at school taught me Mozart in D major.

Another air raid, another bomb, a pile of rubble, silence. The ivory keys never sounded again.

The years flew by, I fell in love, had my heart broken

and loved another like I had never loved before. I danced to the waltz, listened to jazz in bars,

I bought a car, I saw my child walk for the first time, I learnt that the path you take is not always straight.

Back in my day, sometimes it is hard to remember,

What was the name of my childhood friend? I grew up in north London, or was it the west?

I get confused sometimes but I am trying my best.

Back in my day I took trips to the seaside, I love the fresh air, the funfair, the ice cream

It is not so easy for me to get around now, Sometimes the stairs can take a while,

Please be patient with me, it will make me smile.

There are a lot of things that I don’t understand, A tablet for this, a tablet for that?

Diagnosed with conditions my parents did not know about. To me my doctor is like a magician,

She pulls out solutions to my problems like a rabbit from a hat, Joint pain? No problem. Infection? She can fix that.

Back in my day I learnt so much,

Please don’t doubt I know what I am doing. Sometimes I forget that I made a cup of tea,

I don’t do it on purpose, its now just a part of me.

32

SURGERY OPENING HOURSTheReceptionTeamisavailableonthephone or face to face 08.00 – 18.30 Monday–Friday.Weofferanearly morning commuter clinic between07.00 and 08.00 Tuesday – Thursday and7.15am–8amonFridays,whereyoucanbookaroutineappointmenttoseeadoctor–thisisspecificallyforthosewhofindnormalopeninghoursachallenge.Therearealsopre-bookableappointmentsavailableatlocalwalk-in centres on Saturday and Sundays. Receptioncanmakeappointmentsforyou. Please see www.ehmc.co.uk for furtherinformation.If you are calling to make a routine appointment or for results,wesuggestyou avoid 8am – 9.30am and 2pm – 3pm asthephonestendtobeattheirbusiestduringthesetimes.Youwillbeofferedthefirstavailableappointment,butifyourproblemistoourgenttowaittillthen,youwillbefittedinbetweenpatientsonthedaywithwhicheverclinicianmaybeavailableatshortnotice.Pleasenotethatduetoyoubeingfittedinyoumayexperienceawaittobeseen.Ifwehavereachedcapacitythenyouwillbedirectedtoalocalwalk-incentretobeseen.Pleasecallearlyifyouneedtobeseenforanurgentmedicalproblem-thisallowsustoplanthedoctor’sworkingdaymoreeffectively.Routineappointmentscanbebookedupto4weeksinadvance,andtherearesurgeries running every morning and afternoon.Routineappointmentswithadoctorareavailabletobookon-line.To register for this service please speak toReceptionorgotoourwebsitewww.ehmc.co.uk.TheReceptionistwillnowaskwhyyouwishtoseeadoctoratElliott

HallMedicalCentre-thisistohelpthedoctorprepareforyourconsultation.Pleasecallinasearlyaspossibleifyouthink you need a home visit – it gives the doctor a chance to assess the urgency of therequest.Unlesstherequestisveryurgent,mostpeoplearevisitedbetweenmorningandafternoonsurgery,andtheworkloadissharedbetweenthedoctors.Homevisitsaremadeattheclinician’sdiscretionandareforhouseboundpatientsorforthosetooilltocomeorbebroughttotheMedicalCentre.Laterequestsmakeitdifficulttoplantheworkload and can mean the doctor has to visitwithoutasummaryofthepatient’smedical history – this is not ideal. Please trytorequestanyhomevisitby11.30a.m.ifpossible.ForthosewithmobilityproblemsthereisdisabledparkingatthefrontoftheMedicalCentreandwehavewheelchairsavailableforpatientuse.If you need to talk to a doctor urgently outside of these times please dial 111 andyouwillbeguidedtoreceivethemost appropriate care. If you feel the problemislifethreateningpleasedial999.Many people are now using the internet for booking appointments, requesting prescriptions and having access to their medical records. This uses a secure site or an app on your smartphone and is availableforourpatientswhoareovertheageof16years.Forpatientswhoareunder 16 years you can apply to have accessfororderingrepeatprescriptionsandbookingappointments.Ifyouwouldliketodoso,pleasefillinaformwhichisavailableattheReceptiondeskoronourwebsite.

Marie Jolly, Practice Manager