Summer newsletter 2022

Welcome to our summer newsletter. Hopefully, with the better weather just around the corner and an ease in COVID-19 restrictions, we may feel like we are returning to a new model of normality. We would like to thank everyone for their patience during the last 2 years of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We appreciate that things have been very different. We will continue to provide the best care in accordance with government guidelines.

COVID-19 updates

Social distancing and the wearing of face coverings have now been lifted in the practice and most other environments. If a patient or staff member chooses to continue to wear a mask while in surgery, we will support them in their choice. Some patients with respiratory conditions who are unwell may still be required to wear a face covering to prevent the spread of infection in accordance with infection control guidance. The reception staff will still ask if you have any COVID symptoms when attending the practice.

Services at Clifton Court Medical Centre

As you are aware there was a suspension in some services at the surgery during the pandemic. This was due to government restrictions, but we are happy to announce that we are moving forward and will continue to provide services for minor surgery, joint injections, and ear syringing. More face-to-face appointments can be offered too with external services that use the practice like Mental health services and Citizen's advice. We also have a social prescribing service in the surgery too. Many of our patients contact the surgery when their need is not strictly medical. For example, they may be lonely or isolated or they may need help in organising appointments or may need adaptions to their home to enable them to be independent. Please ask at reception for more details.

Staff news

We have recently employed two new part-time receptionists at the practice. Jill has been in post for a few months and is settled in well, and Shayma will be starting with us very soon. We are also looking to recruit a practice nurse to join our team too.

Rhian, a member of our reception team has taken over the role of carer lead and she will liaise with patients and external services to make sure our register of carers is kept up to date with all relevant information and support. If you are a carer or would like any further information, please get in touch.

Practice pharmacist

Konrad Winiarek has been with the practice as a clinical pharmacist going onto 3 years now. A lot of patients may already know him and have spoken with him. Along with the rest of the team, Konrad works to ensure that everyone receives high-quality and safe care. His biggest role within the practice is ensuring the patients receive the most appropriate and safe medication. This is done in a number of ways:

Clinical Medicine Reviews: These are undertaken to ensure that the ideal medication is being provided, but also involves assessing patient's medical and drug history to ensure any new medication does not cause an interaction with other medications being taken. On the occasion when a medication is not acceptable or is no longer available, he will work with both the patient and the GP to find an alternative option.

Discharges and clinic letters: These are received from the hospital and outpatient appointments. This correspondence is first checked to confirm the recommendations are safe for the patient to take and then prescribed for the patient to be able to collect and commence with their treatment. A similar process is undertaken for all repeat prescription requests. These are evaluated against each case to ensure the medications are still safe to take and the most suitable for the symptoms.

We hope you continue enjoying our newsletters and find something of interest to read in them. We always welcome recommendations about what subjects you would like to be covered in further issues, please let us know.

Published on 14 July 2022