News

Do you or a family member live with Parkinson’s? Pop to the practice on Tuesday 7^th April (9:30am – 11:30am) to find out about the Friends of Parkies and how they can support you.

Following the ongoing meningitis outbreak and reports of the very sad deaths in Kent, we are aware that many patients may have queries about vaccinations against meningitis. This is the latest guidance that we have received:

• Many routine vaccinations protect against meningitis including MenB, DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB, PCV, MMRV and Men ACWY vaccines

Information can be found here: Meningitis – Vaccination – NHS

Patients are encouraged to ensure they are up to date with all routine immunisations

• Patients with incomplete immunisations can be offered vaccinations in line with the UKHSA guidance here:  Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status

The Kent outbreak is linked to MenB meningococcal disease. The Men B vaccine is offered at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year of age. Babies can be offered missed vaccinations up to 2 years of age. Practices should not offer Men B vaccination routinely or on request to those over 2 years of age. The exception is for some children and adults with asplenia, splenic dysfunction or complement disorders.

The Men ACWY vaccine is given to children in school in School Year 9 (13 or 14 years of age). Those who missed immunisation can receive the vaccination up to 25 years of age from their GP Practice.

• Useful links:
  • Cases of invasive meningococcal disease notified in Kent – GOV.UK
  • Meningitis – NHS

Following the closure of the POD (Prescription Ordering Service) the easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is using the NHS App or by emailing the surgery at dispensary.pfmc@nhs.net.

However if you cannot order online then we are pleased to announce a new automated telephone prescription ordering service: 01691 881322. You will need to contact the surgery to get signed up for this service.

Alternatively you can put a paper request in the box by our dispensary. Requests can be dropped off in person or by a family member or friend.

This practice is delighted to be signed up to the Green Impact for Health Toolkit and is actively taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint.  The climate emergency is also a health emergency, and health care in the UK contributes 4-5% of the UK’s carbon emissions. We need to enhance the health of today’s population without compromising the health of future generations, and this means operating within the sustainable boundaries of the planet. Fortunately, most of the solutions for the planet also make our health better – for example eating a mainly plant-based diet, engaging in active travel and exercise in nature, avoiding smoking, reducing pollution etc. These activities all enhance our health and reduce our need for medications, with further benefits to the NHS, your health and the carbon footprint of healthcare.

Take a look at the Greener Practice website to learn more about this.

We are receiving questions from patients enquiring how they may be able to be prescribed Mounjaro. General Practices in Shropshire are not yet prescribing Mounjaro or any other weight loss injections. This service is currently in development and, once available, eligible patients will be contacted directly. More information can be found on this link: Tirzepatide: A new treatment option for managing obesity – NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has today launched a new campaign — ‘Think Twice, Order Right’ — to help reduce the estimated £2.6 million worth of medicines wasted unnecessarily across the area every year. Almost 40% of this waste could be avoided – and everyone can play a part in changing that.

The campaign urges people to check what medicines they already have at home before ordering their repeat prescriptions, and to only request what they genuinely need. Ordering unnecessary medicines can contribute to shortages, create avoidable risks at home, and harm the environment.

The campaign asks people to:

• Check first: Before ordering medicines check the amount you have and whether it is in date. Only reorder medications when you have around 7 to 10 days left. Only request the medicines you need.
• Think safety: Unused medicines can negatively impact the environment if thrown away. Return any unused or expired medicines to local pharmacies for safe disposal.
• Double-check at the pharmacy: Before leaving the pharmacy premises (building), check your bag and hand back any unwanted medicines for reuse.

By ‘Thinking Twice and Ordering Right’, patients will be helping to protect NHS resources, keep medicines available for those who need them, and prevent unnecessary environmental harm.

If you are unsure what to do, speak to your Pharmacy Team.

Find out more about our medicines waste campaign, ‘Think Twice, Order Right’, at: www.ThinkTwiceOrderRight.co.uk 

The National Patient Survey results for 2024 have been released. This is an independent survey carried out annually by IPSO Mori on behalf of NHS England and is sent out to 2 million patients across the country. The Patient Survey is an important tool that allows practices to compare their experiences of their patients compared to other practices across England. However, the number of questionnaires sent out and returned represent a very small sample of patients. Of 315 questionnaires sent out, only 125 were returned. This is a 40% return and is a sample of only 1.33% of patients. Whilst acknowledging the reduction in the score for the overall experience of our practice compared with last year, the percentage of patients who reported a very good overall experience is the same as the local and national picture.

Without knowing who contributed to the survey it is difficult to be able to analyse the results in great details to be able to learn from individual experiences and make appropriate changes to our processes. Nevertheless, we are committed to listening to patients and taking their feedback seriously. Our Patient Group is currently being relaunched and we will be discussing the results with the Group at a forthcoming meeting.

Please find a link to our results below:

Patient Experience (gp-patient.co.uk)

 THE SHROPSHIRE CARERS SUPPORT TEAM

will be visiting Plas Ffynnon Medical Centre

for a drop-in information session

Thursday 20^th June

9am- 12pm