Meadowside Medical Practice

Tel: 01524 32622

Summer 2003 Newsletter

BABY NEWS

Congratulations to Dr Mark Denver and his wife Sara on the birth of their first child, a little girl called Rebecca Alice on 26^th March 2003. We are sure you will all join us in congratulating them!

NEW STAFF

DR KATE HOUGH is our current Pre-registration House Officer. She started at the practice at the beginning of April 2003. She writes:

“I joined Meadowside in early April after spending 8 months in the Royal Lancaster Infirmary on my medical and surgical rotations. I am looking forward to sending 4 months here before I leave in August. Before qualifying, I trained at Manchester Medical School. Outside medicine, I enjoy cookery, reading and swimming. Next I hope to work in A & E, though I may return to general practice in the future.”

Dr Hough is going to work in the Hinchingbrooke Hospital in the Accident and Emergency Department starting in August 2003.

JENNIFER LAWRENSON is our new Office Junior who started at the practice on 31^st March 2003. She writes:

“I’m 17 years old and live in a small village called Wray. I went to Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in Kirkby Lonsdale where I obtained 10 GCSEs. This is my first fulltime job since leaving school and I am really enjoying it. I passed my driving test just last week (16^th April 2003) on my first attempt! Outside of work I like keeping fit, especially going swimming.”

LINDA HOLDER is our new Receptionist, who is replacing SHEILA SPEAK. She also started at the practice on 31^st March 2003. She writes:

“I’ve just moved over with my husband from the other side of the Pennines to Carnforth. I’m working part time as a receptionist here and I also do some bank work at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Before coming to Meadowside I worked as a qualified nurse at Calderdale Royal Hospital on the stroke/neurology ward. When I have time I like to go walking and eat out!”

GOODBYES

Thank you to DR CARLA PORTER who was our pre-registration house officer from December 2002-March 2003 for all her hard work and dedication at the practice during her 4 months here. She has been a most reliable colleague and friend.

CONGRATULATIONS

To DR CARLA PORTER, DR KATIE MAINWARING & DR MARIA (JANET) CABRAL, who have all been appointed to work in Lancaster for the General Practice Scheme. This means they will gain experience in hospital and general practice over the new three years to be general practitioners.

EASTER RAFFLE

THANK YOU to everyone who donated excellent prizes and who bought tickets for our Easter Raffle. It was successful and we raised £86.20 for our equipment fund. Thank you all again for your support!

CHANGES TO THE PRACTICE

We have just had all the corridors, stairwells and landings throughout the building redecorated in a new colour scheme! We hope you like the new colours! 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!

PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS

Please remember to ring AFTER 1PM to order your prescriptions, our receptionists will not take any requests before 1pm unless urgent for that day. Thank you.

HAY FEVER

It is now the hay fever season. Hay fever is pollen allergy which causes runny nose and itchy eyes. It is difficult to avoid the tiny pollen coming from trees and grasses. People who are very allergic find it better to keep the house windows closed so that pollen does not get in to the home. It helps to take anti-histamines such as Cetirizine, Loratadine or Acrivastine which you can buy from a pharmacy. Beclomethasone Nasal Spray can help. You do not need an appointment for a prescription if you have had treatments before, please just ask the receptionists. You may need to talk to a doctor if you haven’t had any antihistamine medications prescribed before.