Orchid House Surgery

WELLBEING EVENT 📅
Drop in from 10-1pm at The Spire in Poole on 19 September
Along with an opportunity to speak with local organisations involved in health care, there will be:
- Free blood pressure readings
- Food sensory experience with The Friendly Food Club
- Healthy lifestyle advice from LiveWell Dorset
- Hydration information
- Vaccination advice and guidance to get you ready for winter.

For more information: https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/healthevent2024/

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 a specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health 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.

NASAL FLU 🦠🌡
We are calling all parents/guardians with children aged 2-3 that are eligible to have the nasal flu spray given at the surgery. If you think your child is eligible to have it at the surgery, please give us a call on 01202879000

The Flu Fighters are being called in to help protect your child this winter!

If your child is 2 or 3, they can have their free flu vaccination from now - it's a quick and painless nasal spray. Book in at your general practice surgery.

Learn more at http://staywelldorset.nhs.uk/flufighters

In Dorset, many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure, which rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

The only way to find out if your blood pressure (also called hypertension) is high is to have your blood pressure checked. The good news is that high blood pressure can be prevented and treated. That’s why it’s really important to get yours tested!

Once you have checked your blood pressure, you can check out what the results might mean for you by using the NHS blood pressure checker: www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/check-your-blood-pressure-reading

💻 For more information visit: www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/pressure/

The triennial theme for World Su***de Prevention Day for 2024-2026 is "Changing the Narrative on Su***de" with the call to action "Start the Conversation".
This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of support. Visit www.iasp.info/ for more information,

If you are finding life difficult, the Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

⭐️MONTHLY UPDATES⭐️
Here is the August roundup which has the appointment booking figures for last month and the latest surgery updates.

RSV Vaccination:
People aged 75-79 can get a free vaccination to protect themselves from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common lung infection that can lead to serious illnesses like pneumonia.
Read more about RSV vaccination here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/

Get free, safe and anonymous support by visiting www.kooth.com. Kooth's team of mental health professionals are dedicated to supporting young people. They provide free 1:1 support either via live chat or messaging. Follow the link to the website to find out more. 💻🧠

Support is available, please reach out if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse. 📞

It can be difficult to know who to contact when you find out that you’re pregnant. If you haven’t already, the first thing to do is to refer yourself to maternity services by completing the self-referral form on their website. You will then be contacted to arrange booking yourappointment, which will happen when you’re around 8-12 weeks pregnant, or as soon as possible if you believe that your pregnancy is further along.
Follow the link to go directly to the website: www.maternitymattersdorset.nhs.uk/pregnant/

📱📞💻
Scammers often call pretending to be from organisations you know and trust. If you’re not sure, please call the official phone number of the organisation to check before providing any information.

If you think you have been a victim of a scam:
Report it to action fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk

If you would like to learn more about how to protect yourself and others from scams you can access the free friends against scams training: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk

Don’t forget we will be closed over the bank holiday coming up: Monday 26th August. Please remember to put in your prescription requests if you think you may run out of medication soon. If you need medical help or advice while we are closed please call 111 or 999 in the event of a medical emergency.

When did you last have your blood pressure checked? 💓

High blood pressure (also called hypertension) can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. But lifestyle changes and blood pressure medicines can help you stay healthy. Visit your local pharmacy and check your numbers today.

There are various factors that can impact your blood pressure visit the NHS website to find out more: www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure

When you are unwell it can be difficult to know which service to use. 📞🚑🏥🩺

Save this post for future reference so that you can make sure you use the right service for the right care at the right time.

RSV is a major respiratory virus, common over the winter period, typically November to February. While it is mild for many, it is responsible for around 20,000 babies being admitted to hospital, in the UK annually, with a condition that causes inflammation in the lung, called bronchiolitis.

The UK is the first country in the world to offer a national vaccination programme that uses the same vaccine to protect both infants and older adults from RSV.

Pregnant women at week 28 or later and everyone aged 75 to 79 or turning 75 years old on or after the 1 September will be offered a vaccine to protect themselves or their babies against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

If you would like to learn more please follow the link: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/17/what-is-rsv-and-is-there-a-vaccine/

NHS and Care Volunteer Responders is a flexible volunteering programme supporting the NHS and healthcare teams across England.

Members of the public can request support from volunteers, either for themselves or someone they know (with that person’s permission).

Please visit the website for more information or to access the online referral form:
www.nhscarevolunteerresponders.org💻

Digital Champions are a group of friendly volunteers who are good at explaining computers, without using jargon. They offer digital support for a wide range of issues, no problem is too small. 📱💻🖥

They can help you to:
- Set up and use devices including mobile phones, tablets and computers
- Get online and show you how to do home shopping
- Access digital NHS services
- Set up Skype or Zoom to keep in contact with family or friends

Or you can speak to the Digital Champions over the phone on the Dorset Digital Hotline. 01305 221048.

They run Digital Champion sessions in libraries and other community buildings. You can book a session via the Dorset council website:
www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/volunteer-digital-champions

Acting FAST can save lives. Familiarise yourself with the symptoms of a stroke.

Face - has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
Arms - can they raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech - is their speech slurred?
Time - to call 999

The whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy boosts your antibodies to help protect your baby from the day they are born. Please call the surgery to book your appointment on 01202897000 📞

☀☀☀
We all want to make the most of the sun (when its out!) but remember to stay hydrated and reduce physical activity during the hottest parts of the day. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

Read more on the NHS website about the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke: www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/ 📲

ℹ RSV vaccination programme starting this Sept ℹ
From 1 Sept, vaccination to protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) will be offered to:
🤰 Pregnant women (over 28 weeks) to help protect newborn babies
🚶‍♂️ Adults aged 75+
Find out more: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/17/what-is-rsv-and-is-there-a-vaccine/

Today is Samaritans Awareness Day:

Every 10 seconds a Samaritans volunteer answers a call for help. There’s no typical person who calls Samaritans’ helpline and there’s no typical problem that people talk about. No issue is too big or too small. Their extraordinary listening volunteers offer a safe and non-judgemental space for those who need to talk through whatever it is they are facing. There are available 24/7 on 116 123 📞

TICK AWARENESS 🌿🌾

Carry out a after outdoor activities – look and feel for attached ticks on
you, your family and pets

Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential.
The sooner a person receives treatment for a stroke, the less damage is likely to happen.

If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Have you downloaded the NHS app yet? 📲
You can view messages about your care with just a few taps. You can also order repeat prescriptions, view test results and read hospital letters. Download the app via your devices app store.

If you do not already have online access, please come to the surgery to complete the consent forms and we can supply you with log in details. 📋

The way women and families contact maternity services has updated. There is now one number for urgent queries, medical queries and admin related questions. 📞

MEASLES is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. It is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. You’re infectious from when you first have symptoms (around 4 days before the rash appears) until 4 days after you get the rash.

Having the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent it. It also protects you from mumps and rubella. The MMR vaccine is offered to all children in the UK. 2 doses can give lifelong protection against measles, mumps, and rubella. Please contact the surgery if you think you or your child could have measles.

See the NHS website for more information: www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/

Instances of domestic violence or abuse can increase around major football matches. It’s important to remember you do not have to wait for an emergency situation to reach out.

Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help — visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

SUPPORT GROUP
If you have suffered from a miscarriage and feel that you would benefit from additional support, information and the opportunity to share your experience, try joining the monthly support group at the Avonway Community Centre. Partners and family members are welcome to attend also.