The Castle Practice Newsletter (December 2003)

Winter Newsletter

New Staff

We would like to welcome the following new members of staff:

Janet Tasker - Practice Nurse
Nicky Leech - Ludgershall Receptionist
Geoff Maskell - Drugs and Alcohol Counsellor
Olive Wilkins - Ludgershall Receptionist

Telephone Triage

As most of you are now aware, the practice operates a triage system every morning. This means that any patient who rings in for emergency advice, or needs to be seen that day is first spoken to by a nurse or doctor who then decides, with the patient, whether the problem can be sorted out over the 'phone or needs to be seen by the doctor, or nurse, that day or on a routine appointment.

Since its inception, the system has proved to be popular both for staff and patients and ensures that each patient can be seen by the appropriate person at a mutually agreeable time. It has also created more routine appointments for each doctor.

The practice hopes to extend triage to the afternoons as well in the near future.

Missed Appointments

The practice continues to suffer from patients not attending their appointments. We will be publishing the number of missed appointments each quarter on this web site. This clearly shows how many valuable routine appointments are wasted. The practice has decided to write to those "persistent offenders" and if these people continue to fail to attend, then they will be asked to leave the practice. Please 'phone to cancel your appointment, in advance, if you cannot attend.

New Equipment

Thanks to very generous donations, the practice has recently purchased or acquired the following equipment:

A second Spirometer to assess lung function
An audiometer for testing hearing
A new emergency bag and portable Oxygen set for Tidworth
New surgical and sterilising equipment for Minor surgery

'Flu Vaccines

Once again, there has been a good uptake of the 'flu vaccine. Whilst everyone is welcome to have a 'flu vaccine (while stocks last!) we would remind the following to attend if they have not yet had one:

Everyone aged over 65
People with chronic diseases such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes
People with lowered immunity, such as those on immuno-suppresants and/or steroids

Saturday Surgery

Please remember that this is a surgery for emergency problems and has no pre-booked appointments.

Home Visits

Once again, please remember home visits are for those people who are too ill to attend the surgery and not for people who have no transport. If possible, please 'phone the surgery before 10:30am if you require a home visit. The Doctor may 'phone you before visiting.

Out-of-Hours

The Practice is closed from 6pm to 8:15am Monday to Friday and from 11am Saturday until Monday 8:15am over the weekend. If you require urgent attention when the surgery is closed, then please 'phone WILCODOC on 01980 626226 and a nurse or doctor will deal with your call. You may be asked to attend the out-of-hours centre at Amesbury, if you can travel, which will mean the doctor can see and treat you as quickly as possible.