Meadowside Medical Practice – Tel:  01524 32622

Newsletter Spring 2003

 

We extend good wishes to all our friends and neighbours and pray for health and peace for the whole world.

 

Meadowside staff aim to provide a stable and optimistic approach whatever is happening in our practice area or in the world.  We work as a small team for the good of individuals and the community and try to provide the highest standard of care we can achieve.

 

BABY NEWS

Sister Cath Jackson’s little baby Anna was born on 18th December 2002.  She is doing very well and it is a joyous time for the family.  Whilst Cath is on maternity leave, SISTER SUSAN GARRETT has stepped in with a smile to provide nursing duties with Sister Liz Walsh.

 

Congratulations to DR MARK DENVER & HIS WIFE SARA on the birth of their first child, a little girl called Rebecca Alice on 26th March 2003.  We are sure you will all join us in congratulating them!

 

GOODBYES

Best wishes to Sheila Speak who left Meadowside on February 26th.  Sheila has been with us for 17 years as a dedicated, faithful team member and receptionist.  We know you will join us in wishing her a wonderful future.

 

PREVIOUS STAFF

DR KATE MAINWARING was our house officer from August to December.  She is now on the surgical wards at the Infirmary.  We thank her for her enthusiasm, her cheerful smile and hard work during the 4 months and know she will become and excellent GP of the future.

 

SARAH LATHAM was our receptionist, she left the practice in January.  She is planning to go and work in Ibiza this summer, so that will be a total change from working at Meadowside & we wish her all the best!

 

NEW STAFF

We welcome new staff members:

 

DR CARLA PORTER is our House Officer; she started at the practice in December 2002.  She writes:

“Prior to starting at Meadowside in December 2002, I worked at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary for four months in a General Medicine Post along with Diabetes & Endocrinology and Elderly Medicine. 

I graduated from Manchester University in 2002 after completing training posts at Hope Hospital in Salford and Blackburn & Burnley Royal Infirmaries.  I completed a pre-clinical course at St Andrew’s University where I graduated with a BSc in Medical Sciences in 1999.  I am thoroughly enjoying my time at the practice and hope to complete my training to become a GP.  During my surgery I will be undertaking some video consultations. 

In April I will move back to the RLI to complete my PRHO training in the Surgical Department.

Outside of medicine, I like to attempt to keep fit and I especially enjoy swimming and tennis – when the weather allows!”

 

SISTER HEATHER BARNES is our new Nurse Practitioner who has joined the practice from 3rd February 2003.  She will work at the practice on Mondays.  She is able to consult, diagnose, advise, organise prescriptions and refer.  She is a highly experienced member of the team and will take emergency and routine appointments alongside the doctors and nurses. She writes:

“Nurse Practitioners are experienced nurses who have undergone additional training in assessment and diagnosis of patient problems.  I have worked in Primary Care since 1990 and I also work at St Martins College two and a half days per week.  I moved to live in Lancaster approximately 2 years ago, originating from the Fylde Coast.  Nurse Practitioners are a new “breed” of nurses and can function very differently (that’s my excuse!) so if anyone has any questions about my role, feel free to express them!”

 

DR NATALIE PALMER is our new GP Registrar.  She will be working at the practice from February 2003 – August 2003.  She writes:

“I trained in Liverpool and qualified in 1999.  I originally came from Surrey, however I have spent the last two and a half years in Nottingham, which is where I completed the rest of my GP training.  Outside work, I am due to get married in July to my fiancé, who is a Dermatology Registrar in Liverpool.”

 

TRACEY MARSDEN has joined the practice as a receptionist.  She will be working from 1pm-6pm each weekday.  She writes:

“I’m in my thirties (not exactly saying where!), married and have two boys.  I live in Lancaster and have been here for just over 10 years.  I am originally from Selby, which is just south of York.  Before working at Meadowside I was at a local firm of accountants and before that at Dallas Road School.  When I get the time, I like to read, surf the net and fair-weather garden.”

 

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

Thank you to everyone who donated those wonderful prizes and who bought tickets for our raffle.  It was hugely successful and we raised £126.00 for our equipment fund.  Thank you all again.

 

MEDICATION REVIEWS

The review date is on your prescription.  It is a guide to advise people of the need for review.  Please make a routine appointment with the nurse or doctor.   This is not an acute problem and we will not stop your prescriptions if you are a little overdue for review.  If you have recently been seen, let us know so we can alter the message on your prescription.

 

CHANGES TO THE PRACTICE

We will shortly be having the all corridors, stairwells and landings throughout the building redecorated.  Please be patient with us during the work.  This will obviously cause disruption to the practice, but we hope to keep it to a minimum.

We are also considering changing our waiting room/reception area to make it easier for patients and staff.  We would value any ideas to make it more patient friendly!

 

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS & HEALTH

It is traditional to make a resolution at the start of a year.  Four health issues are always top of the list:  stopping smoking, weight loss, reduction in alcohol consumption and increasing exercise.  With help from our nursing team we can advise you and possibly help you achieve that target!  Bring a list of your goals, book an appointment and then we will help you as much as possible to commit yourself to a healthier lifestyle!

 

A note from our Health Visitor, Carol Newton:

“Now is the time to change & I can help you!  As well as being part of the practice Health Visitor Team, I am also a trained Smoking Cessation Supervisor.  My weekly clinic is on Monday afternoons; please ask at reception to make an appointment.  However if you are unable to make this time, please telephone the Smoking Cessation Service on 01524 845145.”

 

NATIONAL NO SMOKING DAY IS ON WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH – WHY NOT GIVE UP ON THIS DAY?

 

MATERNITY CARE

At Meadowside we enjoy providing maternity care.  It is wonderful to be involved with families when a new baby is expected and then born.  There is a trend nowadays towards midwife-led care.  At this practice we like to keep up to date with expectant parents, so please feel free to make an appointment to see your GP, regularly too.  The midwife clinic is here every Wednesday at lunchtime.

 

PRIVATE PRESCRIPTIONS

Please note that, in line with BMA (British Medical Guidelines) we do charge for private prescriptions for holiday vaccinations/anti-malarial drugs and other non-essential medications.  The charge is currently £9.00.

 

EQUIPMENT FUND

A note from Dr Denver:

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the equipment fund (and to those who pledged their sponsor money for my 3 peaks walk in the summer).  We have purchased many items of life-saving equipment and will continue to do so.  Thanks once again for everyone’s help.”

 

CHARITIES & MILK BOTTLE TOPS OR STAMPS

Does anyone know where we can get our milk bottle tops (& other silver foil) recycled please?  Some of us used to donate but our charity is no longer available.

 

If you have any USED STAMPS we have a link for charity for these.  We need, however, the stamp PLUS half an inch of paper all round.  Please hand them in at reception.  Many thanks.