Practice update 31 July 2020
Click here to read our update
Practice update 24 July 2020: Flu clinic information - PLEASE DO NOT CALL US YET
And please be assured there will be further clinic dates if you cannot make these, and for those aged 50 - 65; we are simply making sure our early dates are in peoples' diaries and prioritising our most vulnerable patients first.
Click here to read our update
Phio: new on-line assessment for 24/7 review of musculo-skeletal problems
For a comprehensive, first step assessment of any new joint or muscle problem, try Phio. It is linked to the physiotherapy and other musculo-skeletal services available locally via the NHS, and is available to all patients, without an appointment, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is a powerful tool that can help you check whether your problem needs urgent attention or directing to another healthcare professional or it can start you on the journey for appropriate treatment straight away. To access it, scan the QR code above or click the link ((please note the link is only support via google chrome) here.
Practice update 3 July 2020: some useful contacts and interesting opportunities
Click here to read our update
Practice update 19 June 2020: eConsult FAQs
Click here to read our update
Practice update 12 June 2020: ordering repeat prescriptions electronically
Click here to read our update
Free online course for patients with, or at high risk of, Type 2 diabetes, people who live with or care for people with diabetes or who have been advised to lose weight
See the leaflet attached here. Run as six sessions over 12 weeks by local nutrition expert Lou Walker, this course has been very well received, and attendees have achieved great results, when it has run in other areas. It is completely free, and Lou is running an online information session on Monday 6 July for people to find out more. Take a look at the leaflet here for more information and details of how to sign up.
CORONAVIRUS: Practice update 5 June 2020
Click here to read our update
Privacy Notice Update 04.06.2020: How we handle your photos sent via text to the practice and video consultations
Click here to go to the privacy notice page to find out what these changes are
CORONAVIRUS: A31 Group update 29 May 2020 : practices returning to independent working
Click here to read our update
CORONAVIRUS: Practice update 22 May 2020
Click here to read our update
Cervical screening recalls - possible scam
Public Health England has advised of reports of women receiving text messages advising that they are overdue for cervical screening. The message asks them to call a mobile number and to provide personal details. PLEASE NOTE: these messages are NOT from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. The routine screening programme is currently on hold, the exception being women who are under annual surveillance. 'Normal service' will be resumed as soon as circumstances allow.
CORONAVIRUS: Practice update 15 May 2020
Click here to read our update
eConsult: great for patients and great for the practice
Click here to read our simple guide
CORONAVIRUS: Practice update 8 May 2020
Click here to read our update
CORONAVIRUS: A31 Group update 1 May 2020
Click here to read our update
CORONAVIRUS: Practice Update 24 April 2020
Click here to read our update
CORONAVIRUS: Practice Update 17 April 2020
Click here to read our update
EASTER GREETINGS and practice update about 'GP BUSINESS AS USUAL', POORLY CHILDREN and STAYING SAFE
For patients who are self-isolating and who are concerned about getting their repeat medication, there are a number of volunteer groups who can assist, including Binsted, Bentley and Froyle Care Group (01420 23440); Alton Covid Mutual Aid Group (0800 06603697; staffed 9-5pm weekdays); e-mail; altonmutualaid@protonmail.com).
Click here for a summary of changes to how The Wilson Practice, along with the three other practices in the A31 Group, are planning to work together during this very challenging time.
A breakdown of key information for patients and what they should do if they require GP services is here.
We appreciate that this is extremely short notice. The speed with which the COVID-19 situation is changing means that the A31 practices have had to rapidly adapt their usual processes in order to preserve a safe and effective service. We are anticipating that demand for our services will increase significantly at a time when we are likely to lose staff to sickness or self-isolation, meaning change is essential.
Please bear with all staff – from our practice and from the other practices – as this new way of working settles in.
We are grateful for your patience and please remember to follow the Government’s advice with regard to social distancing and self-isolation.
With all good wishes: Dr Andrew Fellows, Dr Alison Rickard, Dr Sally Louden, Dr Oliver Kemp and Dr Sarah Wagstaffe, the partners at The Wilson Practice
Rescue medicines: important message for patients with COPD or asthma
Prescriptions for rescue packs (steroid and antibiotics) to have at home in case you experience worsening respiratory symptoms are available for COPD patients - but they are inappropriate for asthma patients, because if asthma symptoms become bad enough to require steroids it is ESSENTIAL you are assessed by a clinician.
If you are an asthma patient with worsening symptoms, contact the surgery via E-consult or by phone; or contact 111 out of hours.
More information from Asthma UK at: www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19
If you are a COPD patient who has had rescue medications before, you can order via repeat prescription. If you have not had a rescue pack before, contact the surgery (as above) and you will be given advice as well as a prescription.
Important message for parents/carers bringing babies to immunisation clinics
To minimise the risk of infection, in line with NHS guidance, we are limiting the number of people bringing a baby for immunisations to a maximum of two adults - and no other children. Whilst children are at less risk from coronavirus, they are significant silent carriers of many viruses - and we must ensure our building is safe for more vulnerable patients.
If you cannot get care or cover for other children when your baby is booked for their vaccinations - please rebook as it is likely that anyone attending a baby immunisation appointment with other children or more than two adults will not be seen.We are grateful for your assistance in keeping our whole community safe at this very difficult time
Asthma inhalers
Please note: we will continue to issue prescriptions for these for regular inhaler users, but if patients who have not attended asthma clinic in the past two years start to develop symptoms, we are asking them to contact the practice - by phone or e-Consult - to arrange a discussion with one of our specialist nurses.
Travel insurance letters
Many practices are receiving requests from insurers and travel companies for GP letters in order for people to cancel holidays due to Covid-19. Information from the Royal College of GPs, states:"Insurers and travel companies should be basing their decisions to offer refunds on advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Public Health England, not letters from GPs. It is not a good use of GPs' time to be writing letters for patients who are not ill but have plans to travel - and GPs will always base their decisions on official advice."The Government has recently also made statements regarding self-isolation and this too is a matter between insurance and travel companies and the individuals concerned.
More Coronavirus precautions to protect everyone
NHS guidance and advice: www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19
With the increasing spread of coronavirus, we need to reduce unnecessary visits to the surgery. Please consider carefully if your problem is urgent or if it can wait and if you have respiratory symptoms, please do not come to the surgery: you may be putting other patients and the staff here at risk. Check your symptoms via the website above
1. We are are cancelling routine appointments and clinics and consulting, where possible, by telephone. If you require GP advice, please use e-Consult (above) in the first instance. If as a result of a phone consultation or an e-Consult a clinician advises that you need to be seen, they - or reception - will liaise with you directly to organise this.
Our Duty Doctor and Nurse team is still working but please be reminded of the most up-to-date guidance around coronavirus and self-isolation.
2. For patients who generally collect their repeat prescription from the practice, this will no longer be possible. We will instead send those prescriptions direct to a pharmacy. This includes controlled drugs. Please indicate your chosen pharmacy on your prescription request.
These new arrangements are in response to the evolving situation and based on guidance from Public Health England and with the support of our local commissioners.
With our patients' support we hope to deliver the safest possible service during this turbulent period. We remain committed to the health and well-being of our population and thank everyone for their support.
Repeat medication requests and Coronavirus
We are asking patients who are on repeat medication not to request additional quantities because they are concerned about Coronavirus limiting their ability to get future supplies. The government is doing all it can to protect supply chains and advises that stockpiling may lead to artificial shortages. Thank you for your consideration.
Help yourself healthy: self care
The NHS is a marvellous resource, but as we all know it is stretched. The NHS has backed a practical Self care initiative to help give us all confidence to take control of those minor health issues that crop up from time to time. There are some really useful fact sheets - on everything from heartburn and low back pain, through acne and constipation to eczema and sprains and strains. See for yourself at www.selfcareforum.org/fact-sheets/
Connect to Support Hampshire: health, including mental health and dementia, learning and physical disabilities and older people's health information and advice for all
Connect to Support Hampshire is a source of information and advice, as well as a directory of services available for adults in Hampshire.
This website can be used to assist in sign-posting patients to services, key resources and websites that can help with many areas of life including:
- Coping in later life
- Mental Health
- Health and Well-being (including Well-being Centres)
- Dementia
- Learning and physical disabilities
Important message for 24 year old women - and all women over 24... “A smear test lasts 5 minutes – the impact of cervical cancer lasts a lifetime”
If you are 24 you will be receiving your first-ever invitation for a smear test in the next few months. It’s a late-ish ‘coming of age’ event – and one you should not ignore.
You’ll be invited for a smear every five years – but as the poster says – it’s five minutes from your life – and it could save your life – so don’t miss your first one.
For more information – including a really helpful and reassuring video about what to expect at a smear test – check out www.jostrust.org.uk
Measles is on the increase in England - are you protected?
Practice Run Up to Christmas for Mind
The Wilson Practice is celebrating success in its first-ever entry in a public team challenge, having joined the ‘Run Things: Run Up to Christmas’ which raises money for the mental health and well-being charity, Mind. ‘TeamTWP’ (eight people, including nursing staff, management and GPs), committed to Run Thing's top milestone of collectively running 250 kilometres (155 miles) between 1 December and Christmas Day. And they did it! With days to spare, despite some illness, sprains and a fractured metatarsal reducing the mileage capacity of some of the team.
Dr Louden clocked up the most miles, whilst senior nurse and nurse manager Sister Claire Muir got the prize for dedication to the cause by running the 5k Christmas Day parkrun at Hogmoor Inclosure, Bordon. Overall, the team ran more than 300km (190 miles) which is great achievement – especially when the evenings were dark and often very wet.
“Being part of a team with a goal was a great motivator, especially when it was raining!" said practice business director Rosie Lewis. "The partners were very supportive and kindly sponsored our entry fees,” she continued. “We are lucky to have Amy Holder, a Mind mental health well-being worker, working from Alton Health Centre on a Thursday supporting patients from across the A31 Group of Practices, so it felt like a very direct way of giving something back.”
Run Things was set up by two friends on the south coast who wanted to encourage people to get out and run and to raise awareness and funds for Mind, a charity close to both their hearts. It runs a number of challenges throughout the year and a virtual run club. This year over 4,000 people around the world took part in Run Up To Christmas.
You can support Mind and recognise The Wilson Practice team’s achievement through the Run Things justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/team/RU2C2019. Please mention TeamTWP in your comment
Dr Louden reaches the top of Kilimanjaro - and returns safely to the practice
Great news for Winchester Hospice - Dr Louden made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro - with generous sponsorship (£3,500 at the last count from so many kind people!) and the good wishes of the practice and patients spurring her on. In an amazing adventure that saw one team member helicoptered off the dormant volcano and another fall victim to altitude sickness, Sally was one of 15 intrepid women who made the summit - despite fresh snow on the final part of the ascent making conditions treacherous. "It is the hardest thing I have ever done!", she proclaimed of the five-and-a-half days up, day-and-a half down route that was part trek, part scramble and part climb. Back to work in the practice just three days later, Dr Louden is beaming, but understandably a little weary, complimenting the team work amongst the group and the help of their guides for making it possible.
Over-use of prescription medicine: a GP view
Following the recent media coverage highlighting concerns over this issue, Dr Sally Louden has written a helpful fact sheet. Download it here or pick up a copy in Reception.
Are you recently divorced, or still feeling the effects after some time? Divorce Recovery Workshops might be worth checking out
DRW is a national charity aiming ti help people 'grow through', rather then 'go through' this traumatic life event. New workshops starting in Basingstoke in October - see their poster here
Fresh Start - NEW Confidential group to help people get free from life-controlling habits
If you, or someone you know or love, needs help to break free from an addiction such as smoking, gambling, drinking or the internet/screen use, this new initiative from Christians Against Poverty, could help.
Led by a trained Fresh Start Coach and working in confidence with other people facing similar challenges, the course is tailored to help people discover freedom once more.
The group starts on Monday 30 September. It runs from 7:30 - 9pm.(or 7pm for a free meal first) at Alton Maltings Centre.
For more information contact Mark Rumsby on 07769 030913 or check out capfreshstart.org
HRT and breast cancer: read Dr Louden's reassuring Fact Sheet
HRT and breast cancer Fact Sheet Aug19
Exercise = fitness = health
Sounds simple – and in essence it is – but there is more to it than that…
Former senior partner and founder of Cardiac Rehab (and Alton Runners!) Dr Hugh Bethell has spent a lifetime exploring and promoting this basic concept.
And he is still learning.
He has created a blog to share ideas and evidence – to encourage us all to help ourselves to better health – and, if you wish, to enter into debate on the issues.
With sections on exercise and diabetes, dementia and hypertension already – the blog is in easy to understand, bite-sized chunks – and has amusing illustrations to help make the point. Click here to go straight to Hugh’s blog: https://exercisefitnessandhealth.info/blog
OLDER DRIVERS - how to keep driving safely for longer
For useful drop-in sessions coming up locally check out the Older Drivers Forum website www.olderdriversforum.com
GP and nurse appointments before 8am as well as until 8pm weekdays and on Saturday and Sunday mornings
Patients across 'the A31 Group' all have access to appointments with nurse/healthcare assistants (HCAs) and GPs at one of the local surgeries until 8pm every weekday, between 8am and 10am on Saturdays, and (new from 1 July) on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings between 7am and 8am. There is also the opportunity to arrange a telephone consultation in some of those morning, evening and weekend slots and the option of seeing a GP at Basingstoke Hospital (RG24 9NA) on a Sunday morning). These sessions (apart from the Sunday ones) are staffed by doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and receptionists from the A31 Group of Practices.
PLEASE NOTE 1: regardless of venue these appointments are booked via a patient's own surgery and are for PRE-BOOKED APPOINTMENTS only. The telephones at all practices are are handled by NHS 111 outside of core hours
Are you dehydrated?
Click here Preventing dehydration to find out why it matters and what you can do to avoid the problem
Wilson Practice patients are very switched on!
Latest NHS statistics show that our patients are way out in front when it comes to using IT to get the best from the practice. Around half our patients can book appointments and order repeat medication using Patient Access, and almost one patient in six has registered to access their clinical record safely and securely on-line.
Managing partner Dr Andrew Fellows says: "We're delighted that our patients are using technology to help them access our services, and that our staff have been able to help so many people do this. Patients can log on whenever it suits them and with access to records, you can check test results and remind yourself of what was agreed in a consultation. It frees up our reception and admin colleagues to help people with more complex queries, and those who do not have internet access."
To register for this service, simply go to The Wilson Practice website and click Online Services from the menu on the right to download a form. You will need to attend the practice with photo ID and proof of address to complete the process.
Thank you for your feedback
We are grateful to all patients who responded to our recent survey on access and services to help us with planning these developments. In addition to the changes above, we are looking at how we can broaden the range of services on offer from our surgeries and we are developing a fact sheet to address the most common questions and observations raised through the survey.
Weight management: top tips and links
Click here for the NHS 12-week weight loss plan, developed in association with the British Dietetic Association
Apps and links to exhibitors at the WP-PPG APril 2019 Healthy Weight Event
Patient feedback
We welcome patient feedback on the care and treatment we provide, and suggestions for changes or improvements you would like the practice to consider. You can complete a very simple paper survey in the surgery, or you can do it on-line by clicking 'Would you recommend?' (below) or at www.leavemyfeedback.com/4674. You can also leave feedback on the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk). Your views are important to us. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Access to your medical record on-line
Why might this be useful? You can check results of blood tests, refer back to recent consultations, confirm your medications or immunisation dates and refresh your memory before attending an outpatient appointment, for example; and of course, you can ensure we have your latest contact details. Click here for an application form. You will need to come to the surgery in person with the completed form plus photo ID and proof of address to register for this service.