- Welcome
- Pharmacy First
- Protection against Measles
- Keeping active during colder months
- Childhood Obesity
- Improvements to the Gillan House Website
- The NHS App
- NHS Talking Therapies
- Diabetes UK – Enfield Group
Welcome to the February 2024 edition of Gillan House Surgery’s Newsletter. In this edition we cover a wide range of topics including a very new NHS initiative called Pharmacy First, a repeat message about the importance of vaccinations for measles and, for those with online access, some encouragement to make better use of our website and the NHS App.
Pharmacy First
This new scheme was introduced by the NHS on 31 January 2024 to enable community pharmacists to treat certain health conditions without the need for patients to visit a GP. The scheme is intended to give patients quick and accessible care and to ease pressure on GP services. The health conditions are: Sinusitis, Sore throat, Earache, Infected insect bites, Impetigo, Shingles and Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Once the scheme is fully up and running patients with these conditions will be able to seek help in pharmacies without the need for an appointment. Qualified pharmacists will see patients in the privacy of a consultation room and will give free advice. If medication is prescribed it will be free of charge to those patients who do not normally pay prescription charges. Currently our local Pharmacist – Walkers – is not able to offer a full service but hopes to do so in the very near future.
Protection against Measles
Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures. After a 30-fold increase in measles’ cases in Europe in 2023 there is evidence that we may also see a significant increase in the number of measles’ cases in the UK. This is
partly due to the reduced levels of vaccination. The MMR vaccine is
safe and if any side effects occur then most of them are mild. There is
no evidence linking the MMR vaccine with autism. Measles can be
caught at any age and if you or your child has not received two doses of the MMR vaccination then please speak to Gillan House Reception.
Keeping active during colder months
The weather can be cold and miserable at this time of year and the days are shorter so exercising can seem challenging. However exercise is good for your body and mind, and during colder months it can lift spirits, boost energy and prevent unwanted weight through being more sedentary. To help you exercise out of doors remember
(i) to stay dry because the quickest way to lose body heat is to get wet (ii) to protect extremities such as fingers, ears, nose, and toes and
(iii) to protect your skin by drinking water and applying cream or lotion. At least 20 minutes brisk outdoor walking each day is recommended and walking with a friend can be a motivating factor. However, despite the benefits of fresh air there are some weather conditions that should be avoided, such as snow or ice, and if you have a chronic health condition that may be aggravated or affected by cold weather then consult a GP first.
Childhood Obesity
A lack of exercise in children can cause complications in later life such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. Children can become overweight when they get more energy from food and drink than they use through activity. Making changes to their diet and activity levels can help them reach a healthy weight. Professional advice to parents is that they should find and encourage an activity their children enjoy, such as sports, playground activities or walking to school; give them a healthy, balanced diet that includes fruit and vegetables; and help them get enough sleep by following a regular bedtime routine and remove digital screens from their bedroom at night. Children should not be given adult-sized portions of food nor drinks high in sugar or fat. Parents who are patients at Gillan House and have concerns about an overweight child are encouraged to seek advice from a GP without delay.
Improvements to the Gillan House Website
A small but significant change has been made to the front page of the Gillan House website which makes it easier to contact the Surgery on-line. Whether seeking non-urgent medical advice or requesting some administrative help there is now a single point of contact – just click on “Contact us online”. There are many fewer questions to complete than previously and the response time from the Surgery is within 2 working days, sometimes more quickly. Patients are particularly asked to consider making more use of the website when seeking administrative help. This can often be quicker and more convenient than making a telephone call to the Surgery and waiting for a response. The website
also offers additional services at the Woodberry Practice in Winchmore Hill such as making appointments to see a GP or having a blood test.
The NHS App
In addition to making use of the Gillan House website patients with online access are also encouraged to use the NHS App. This provides an easy way to view your future medical appointments, request a repeat prescription, and to view your GP health record and test results. There is also the opportunity to browse extensive NHS health and medicines information.
This is a confidential and free service for anyone who is experiencing problems with their mood, feeling stressed, unhappy and unsatisfied with how their life is going. The service can be accessed locally through a new website set up by NHS Barnet and Enfield Talking Therapies: https://www.barnetandenfieldtalkingtherapies.nhs.uk
Diabetes UK – Enfield Group
This Group offers people living with diabetes the opportunity to get support, advice and information. Meetings are held either in-person or via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month starting at 7.30pm. In-person meetings are held at Chase Farm Hospital, The Ridgeway, Enfield, EN2 8JL in Room 4 on the first floor of the main building. For further information the Group can be contacted at [email protected].