Latest News from West Moors Village Surgery

a person holding a smartphone, the NHS logo and the words Online access to GP health records.  Over 12 million patients withonline accounts now have full access to their new GP health record entries.  Over 2,700 practices now offer this access to their patients by default.
28th Oct

Online access to GP Health Records 

Since November 2022 all patients in our network who are over 16 have been 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. If you do not want your record to be available online, please speak with the Reception or Patient Services team at your surgery. For more, please visit the Crane Valley PCN information web page here>>

COVID-19 Autumn Booster Eligibility
11th Sep

Autumn COVID Booster Vaccination Update

The Crane Valley Primary Care Network has begun to invite patients to book their Autumn COVID-19 Booster vaccinations. If you’re eligible for a booster vaccine, please come forward as soon as you’re invited. 

Patients will be offered the same booking procedure as previous seasons, in that patients with a mobile phone registered with their practice will be sent an SMS text message with details of how to book an appointment online. If you do not have a mobile phone registered with us, you will be contacted by phone. 

Please don't contact us to ask when you will be offered your Autumn COVID-19 booster invite.   Crane Valley PCN are managing the bookings centrally and appointment slots are being offered in line with vaccine supplies allocated to our network.  Invitations are being offered on a phased basis over the coming weeks.  

For more information on the local Autumn COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Programme please visit the PCN Community Vaccination Information page by following this link>>
vials of coronavirus vaccine
1st Sep

Autumn COVID booster vaccination arrangements

Following the recent decision by the DHSC to bring forward the COVID Booster vaccination programme, the Crane Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) programme plans are for housebound patients and residents in older adult care homes to be offered flu and COVID vaccinations from mid-September, which aligns with expected flu vaccination supplies.  The PCN Care Co-ordinators will contact residential care homes to offer appointments to those patients, while the GP practices in our network will contact their housebound patients directly.  

All other eligible groups will be offered appointments at drive-through COVID vaccination clinics to be held at the PCN Vaccination Centre on weekday evenings from week commencing Monday 11th September. 

The same booking procedure will apply as previous seasons, in that patients with a mobile phone registered with their practice will be sent an SMS text message with details of how to request an appointment using an online booking form.

The PCN is currently mobilising the necessary staff to support these clinic arrangements, and their website will be updated when these are finalised and appointments are available to request.  

Keep an eye on the Community Vaccination information page for the latest details>>

An image of a hospital in 1948, two nurses in uniform and a modern day operating theatre scene with surgeons performing an operation
5th Jul

The NHS at 75

5 July 2023 marks 75 years of the National Health Service. Treating 1.3 million people a day in England, the NHS touches all our lives.  West Moors Village Surgery, along with the other GP Practices in our network are proud to be a small part supporting the people in our local community to obtain, regain and maintain a healthy quality of life. 

Read more about the NHS and how its met the health and wellbeing needs of successive generations>>

a young woman in the background laughing with an older man stood in the foreground.  the help and care logo and the words Dementia Coordinator Service
3rd Jul

Dementia Coordinator Service

Many people living with Dementia feel that having support along their journey will maximise independent living and prevent a crisis.

The Dementia Coordinator Service, delivered by Help and Care, is committed to supporting people to live well with Dementia.

The service is available to everyone across Dorset, age 18 and over, including support for immediate carers and loved ones.

Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, the Memory Assessment Service will make a referral to a Dementia Coordinator at Dorset Healthcare.   However, Help and Care will accept self-referrals and referrals from GPs and other stakeholders as long as a diagnosis of Dementia is confirmed.

Help and Care work in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Dorset and Age UK, as an integral part of the Dementia Services Pathway for Dorset.

For more information, download and view this Help and Care leaflet or visit their website by following this link>> www.helpandcare.org.uk/services/dementia-coordinator-service

a cartoon image of a mother and baby, the NHS 75 logo and the words, since the measles vaccine was introduced in 1968 20 million infections have been avoided and 4,500 lives have been saved.
26th Apr

This week is World Immunisation Week

World Immunisation week is the perfect reminder of the importance of vaccination against serious illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). 

Make sure your child is up to date on their vaccinations.  Visit our Children's Health web page for info about the routine vaccinations we offer.

We will contact you when your child is due for a vaccination.  But if you believe your child may have missed a vaccination, please get in touch to let us know.

Minuteful Kidney Test, an example of a Test Kit and mobile phone app and the words, Digital home kidney health testing service This practice is working with Healthy.io to improve screening for kidney disease for people living with diabetes and high blood pressure.
12th Apr

Digital Home Kidney Health Testing Service

Coming soon for our diabetic patients and others who need to test their kidney function: At-home testing for early signs of kidney damage.

We are introducing the Minuteful Kidney service which allows people to carry out a urine test at home with a smart phone and a simple urine test kit, which will be sent to their home address. The test results go straight on their medical records via the mobile app, saving them and their GP time.

Patients who meet the criteria for the new service will receive an invitation from us via SMS text, offering them the service. The Minuteful Kidney service is securely provided by NHS Dorset partner, Healthy.io. People will have the opportunity to opt-in or out of this service. However, we encourage our patients to take up the offer because it enables a quicker follow-up on abnormal results and saves time for clinicians so they can spend more time on treatment.

For more information, visit the Minuteful Kidney web page on the Crane Valley Primary Care Network website by following this link>>

a male armed forces member walking hand in hand with a civilian female, the togetherall logo and the words mental health support for the UK Armed Forces and family members .  Safe, anonymouse, online community for mental health support
24th Mar

NHS England partnership: Free access to Togetherall for Veteran Patients

Our veteran patients have free access to Togetherall - Togetherall is a safe anonymous online community where members can share what’s on their mind, take comfort reading the thoughts of others or browse the many resources available. 

Togetherall provides: 

  • A supportive online community – moderated by professionals at all times (BACP members or equivalent)
  • An anonymous space, free from stigma or judgement.
  • A safe place to talk at any time of the day or night.
  • A library of self-help materials, including structured online courses on topics such as managing depression, improving sleep and a ‘managing PTSD’ course, which has been specifically designed to support the Armed Forces.

The Togetherall service is free for veterans and can be accessed immediately through a computer or mobile device at www.togetherall.com

the NHS and UK Heath Security Agency logos and the words top up your immunity this spring
23rd Mar

SPRING COVID VACCINATION BOOSTERS – Update

Crane Valley Primary Care Network staff have been working hard to finalise this Spring’s Booster Vaccination Programme arrangements. Our local programme will commence in early April, delivering up to 5,000 boosters in our area.

the nhs logo and the words finding bowel cancel early makes it easier to treat.  The nhs bowel screening kit detects signs of cancer before you notice anything is wrong
2nd Mar

FINDING BOWEL CANCER EARLY MAKES IT EASIER TO TREAT

If you’re sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit, put it by the loo. Don’t put it off.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. However, the number of people dying has fallen in recent decades, with earlier diagnosis being the key.  Detecting bowel cancer at the earliest stage makes you up to 9 times more likely to be successfully treated.
 
Everyone aged 60-74 who lives in England is automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years. The programme is expanding to include those aged 50-59. This is happening gradually over the 4 years from 2021-2025 so you may be sent a kit before you are 60.
a person using a laptop computer
29th Jan

Patient Feedback Request

We've set up a short survey to seek input from our patients on the upgrade and redesign of the Practice website. We are keen to improve our online presence, and seek input from our patients.  Let us know your views about our current website by taking a quick survey. The results will help us as we develop the new website to meet the needs of our patients and provide quick and easy access to the information needed to manage their health and well-being.

The link to complete the survey is>>
 
Thank you
Coronavirus
5th Jan

Medical settings are a higher risk environment and will need to be subject to more control measures than other public facilities.

We are acting very cautiously and are maintaining:

  • Social distancing

  • Face coverings
  • PPE for healthcare staff

The delta variant is more transmissible and patients may come to the surgery when they are contagious.

It is our duty to do all we can to keep both our patients and our staff safe whilst we deliver our care to you.

 

Thank you.

picture of a virus
5th Jan

Information for patients about Group A Strep and Scarlet Fever

There are currently high rates of Group A strep and scarlet fever in the UK. Scarlet fever, which is caused by the bacteria Group A streptococcus, is usually a mild illness but it is highly infectious. It is much more common in children than in adults; it is important that children with scarlet fever are seen by their GP so that they can be started on antibiotics. This is not only to reduce the chance of their infection becoming more severe but also to stop them spreading the infection to others, especially people at higher risk of severe infections such as the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

The rash of scarlet fever often begins with small spots on the body that then spread to the neck, arms and legs over the next 1-2 days. It is often ‘sand-paper’ like to touch but is not itchy.

Your child may also have a:

  • Sore throat/tonsillitis
  • Fever (temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above)
  • Painful, swollen glands in the neck
  • A red tongue (strawberry tongue)
 
 
There is also information about Group A Strep on the UK Health Security Agency website here>>