News
Dorset General Practice Alliance asks local people to share views on self care needs
The Dorset General Practice Alliance have launched a survey asking people in the county how confident they feel about managing their own health, when to self-treat illnesses and the type of information people find useful.
The Alliance, which represents all general practice surgeries in the county, will use this information to help surgeries better understand the support patients need for feeling well and knowing what to do with minor illnesses.
The survey goes live today, Monday 18 November 2024, which is also the start of National Self Care Week, an awareness week organised by the Self Care Forum. This year, the week focuses on promoting ‘Mind and Body’ self care for ‘communities, families and generations’.
Ian Gall, Patient and Public Lead at the Alliance said, “We want people to know what to do when they feel unwell. This might be managing symptoms of a minor illness at home, coping with a long-term health condition or generally wanting to feel healthier in everyday life.
“This survey will help general practice surgeries get a sense of what their population needs in the way of support and help them focus their efforts on the right things.
“We would be grateful if local people could complete our short, confidential survey. It should only take about five minutes. All answers are anonymous, and you could help to make a positive difference to healthcare services.”
People will have until 18 January 2025 to give their views to the Alliance.
Follow this link to share your thoughts on self care in Dorset>>
World Menopause Day - 18th October 2024
October 18th is World Menopause Day, which is held annually to raise awareness of menopause and to support options to improve health and well-being for women in midlife and beyond. The theme for World Menopause Day 2024 is "Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)".
The UK based International Menopause Society has created an information leaflet on “The 5 Ws of Menopause Hormone Therapy” – a practical guide to learn more about MHT (traditionally called Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT). Download a copy of the guide here>>
Follow this link for more information and advice about menopause on our Women's Health page>>
FREE Digital Help available at Verwood Library
Winter Flu Vaccination Programme 2024
UK Health Security Agency Statement on mpox
People in our community may have seen reports in the media about the World Health Organization (WHO) identifying mpox as an international public health concern.
A statement from the UK Health Security Agency has advised that the risk to the UK population is currently considered low. Nevertheless, be assured that NHS plans are underway to prepare for any cases we might see in the UK. This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission.
Information and advice on mpox is available on the NHS website here>>
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccinations
The UK will become the first country in the world to roll out a national vaccination programme against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), protecting infants & older people from becoming seriously ill. RSV accounts for 39,000 hospitalisations each year.
A message from Dr Scott Crowther
It is with great sadness that I inform you I will be leaving Verwood Surgery on August 1st 2024, to return mainly to Urgent Care Services.
It has been a pleasure and privilege to have been a GP in Verwood, meeting and working with such wonderful people.
My list will be transferred to a newly appointed GP when appointed.
I wish all my patients and colleagues in Verwood the very best for your future and a long, healthy life.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Scott Crowther, MD, MRCGP
Whooping cough vaccinations are available for pregnant women
Whooping cough cases have been rising in England. We recommend getting the whooping cough vaccine to help protect you and your baby. It's safe and effective and will provide important protection for your newborn in its first months.
Please contact us to let us know if you have any questions or if you'd like to schedule an appointment.
Verwood Surgery Staff News
Prescribing over the counter medicines - #HelpYourNHS
This will release thousands of hours of clinical time to enable us, as a GP Practice to focus on caring for people with more complex needs, increasing patient access.
Find out more about this by downloading and viewing the patient information leaflet here>>
Or visit the NHS Dorset website: https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/health/medicines/helpyournhs/
GPs are on your side - a message from the British Medical Association
NHS Health Checks - information for patients aged 40 to 74
You may be eligible for a community NHS Health Check with LiveWell Dorset. Check your eligibility and find a location near you by following this link>>
The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination campaign has started
Seasonal COVID Booster Vaccinations are being offered to our patients aged 75 years old or over, those who live in a care home for older adults or are aged 12 or over and have a weakened immune system.
Patients will be contacted if their NHS record suggests they may be eligible for a seasonal spring COVID-19 vaccine to be offered an appointment at drive-through clinics at the Community Vaccination Centre in Verwood. These clinics are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings commencing the 22nd of April through to early June.
Patients with a mobile phone registered with us will be sent an SMS text message with details of how to book an appointment online. You will be contacted on your landline if you do not have a mobile telephone number registered.
Please wait to be contacted by the NHS if you're eligible.
For more information on this season’s eligibility criteria, please visit the PCN Community Vaccination page here>>
Introducing the new Verwood Surgery website!
We’re delighted to announce the launch of our brand new website.
This digital platform has been developed with our patients in mind, and we have tried to make it user-friendly and accessible for everyone, whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started with online platforms. We have aimed to provide our patients with clear and concise access to services and information they require in an easy and convenient format.
Find our more on the Access to our Services web page by following this link>>
Make sure your child is up to date with their MMR vaccinations
May we remind parents to get their children vaccinated from measles, mumps and rubella, diseases which can cause serious illness. It's important to catch up on any missed vaccines.
Making a Repeat Prescription Request? Please Only Order What You Need!
Did you know that approximately 1.6 million medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Dorset every year? We are asking our patients for help to reduce this.
We want people to have the right medicine and care while reducing the amount of medicine waste. If you have enough medicine at home, there’s no need to order more every time. You will still be able to request your medicine again in the future.
The good news is that you can help make a tremendous difference by only ordering what you need.
Thank you to the many people who are already doing this.
Access to our Services
We know it is getting very hard to access GP services across the UK. We are working beyond capacity, but we can improve how you can access our services to get the care you need.
From December, we are implementing improvements to our appointment system. This change is a result of your valuable feedback. It aligns with national guidance on enhancing appointment availability, ensuring that you receive the care you need when you need it safely and efficiently.
Online Access to GP Health Records
From November 2023 all patients in our network who are over 16 will be able to view notes and health records. This includes notes from GP surgery appointments, test results, medications and letters we receive from hospitals. These can be viewed online via the NHS App, NHS website, SystmOnline or the Airmid app. For more details, please visit the Crane Valley PCN information page here>>
If you do not want your record to be available online, please speak with the Reception or Patient Services team at your surgery.
We are an Armed Forces veteran-friendly accredited GP Practice
This means that as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician who has specialist knowledge of military-related health conditions and veteran-specific services. this is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment.
If you are ex-forces, please let your GP know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.
Find out more on our Armed Services Veteran Friendly page by following this link>>
