Kings Medical Centre

As part of the practice we have two Children and Young People’s Mental Health Practitioners.

Clare and Heidi are both Clinical Nurse Specialists offering appointments to young people aged 0-18 and their families.

What they can offer:
🔵 Brief Psychosocial Assessment and Screening
🟢 Brief Intervention/Psychoeducation
🟡 Support with onward referral
🔵 Signposting
🟢 Multiagency Liaison
🟡 Advice and Consultation

Unfortunately they are unable to expedite ADHD/ASD assessments BUT they can support and advise whilst awaiting these assessments.

For a referral into the service please contact reception and the staff can take the relevant details.

KMC

As we are finally seeing some sunshine it might be best checking those tubes of sunscreen.

It’s important to wear SPF daily even if the weather is overcast as the suns rays can still be dangerous.

The longer the bottle is open, the less effective it is at protecting you. If you’re using sunscreen from last summer, check that it hasn’t expired.

Warmer weather is enjoyable for many, but it can also mean an increased risk of getting insect bites and stings.

It’s handy to have bite and sting relief medicines available in our medicines cupboard for use when needed. Advice on which to buy can be sought from the local pharmacy or information is available on the NHS website.

KMC

Here in the surgery we have access to a First Contact Practitioner (FCP) if you call the surgery will any joint/muscle pain and injuries you may be directed to see them.

Our FCPs are based within Hirsel Medical Centre which is 5 Trinity Mews and Westbourne Medical Centre at 7 Trinity Mews.

Marie and Vicky are healthcare professional who works for our Primary Care Network (PCN) for a number of surgeries in the area.

This means you do not need to see the GP if you have a musculoskeletal (MSK) problem, the FCP will undertake a specialist assessment and provide appropriate advice and establish a management plan that is appropriate for you.

They can access records held within the surgery and liaise with our staff including the GPs to refer onward if they feels necessary.

Contact reception to book an appointment!

KMC

𝕌𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕋𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 ℂ𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and Hartlepool and Stockton Health (H&SH) GP federation will operate 4 UTCs across the region.

Service provision covers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year including bank holidays and public holidays.

These will be located at:

🔴James Cook University Hospital (24 hours a day)
🟣University Hospital of Hartlepool (24 hours a day)
🟢University Hospital of North Tees (24 hours a day)
🟡Redcar Primary Care Hospital (8am – midnight)


These centres, which will share expertise – including GPs, nurse practitioners and health support workers - and offer an aligned service across each centre, will treat many minor illnesses and injuries, including:

Strains and sprains
Suspected broken limbs
Minor head injuries
Cuts and grazes
Bites and stings, minor scalds and burns
Ear and throat infections
Skin infections and rashes
Eye problems
Coughs and colds
Feverish illness
Abdominal pain
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Urinary tract infections

For anyone unsure which service to use, NHS 111 will be on hand to offer advice and support.

KMC

Whether you're partying at the Pip 🥳 or having a ball in a bar - Safehaven is here for you this Saturday night...

This safe space in the bus station is open between 10pm - 4.30am and anyone who is feeling vulnerable, unwell, or just needs a breather on a night out can visit.

Safehaven is staffed by medical professionals who can help with minor injuries.

📱 Save Safehaven's number in your phone 01642 727 333 - you never know when you may need it.

Click the share button to spread the word about Safehaven.

Find out more ⬇
https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/crime-and-safety/safehaven/

Did you know?

If you arrive at hospital in an ambulance it doesn't mean you'll receive priority over patients who arrive by car or taxi. What it does mean is you’ll take an ambulance off the road unnecessarily!

If you don't require the life-saving clinicians and equipment on our ambulances on your way to hospital, please make your own way, do not call 999 unless it’s a life threatening medical emergency!

From NHS Blood Donation:

nhs.uk urgently needs O type blood. There are over 12000 appointments available over the next 2 weeks that we need your help to fill.

If you are an O type donor call 0300 123 23 23 to make an appointment or visit https://www.blood.co.uk/

We have had a number of enquiries lately regarding the right to choose pathway in relation to Autism and ADHD referrals.

We thought we would share some information to help explain the process and what you need to do in order for us to refer on this pathway.

Patient/family to choose where they would like to go for the assessment. We are finding that due to the demand of this service at the moment most places/organisations are around the same waiting times however the following two links we have found are the slightly shorter waiting times at the moment.

Clinical Partners - https://www.clinical-partners.co.uk/nhs-services/right-to-choose

OR

Problem Shared - https://www.problemshared.net/right-to-choose

On the website of the company you have chosen there will be forms as below,

🟧 For ADHD they need to fill in the ASRS Form
🟥 For Autism they need to fill in the AQ10 Form

Completed forms then need either emailing to us at the surgery or bringing to reception.

Our secretary will then attach this form to the referral from the GP and send it off.

We understand it’s a difficult time waiting for assessments especially with current wait times however once forms have been sent waiting times are out of our control. We do have some support available for children and families awaiting Autism and ADHD assessments via the young person mental health team. If you feel you would benefit from this please ask reception and we can refer over.

KMC

Each day we have allotted times for renewal of fit notes these must be done on a face to face basis.

To book these appointments you need to contact the surgery at 8am daily. There are no exceptions for booking these they must be done in person or by telephone on the day. We can backdate so don’t worry if we cannot do the exact date as we are unable to forward date when it comes to fit notes.

Over the last few days we have encountered a few instances where patients are not happy with the procedure. We understand it can be frustrating not been able to get an appointment however this is not the fault of our reception team.

As with any system it has to have strict procedures in place and exceptions to this cannot be made as this then impacts on the full system. Please do not abuse our staff if you cannot get what you want. All our calls are recorded and listened back to, letters will be sent to patients we feel showed unacceptable behaviour towards our staff and in reoccurring cases removals will be processed from our practice list.

KMC

ᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀᴄᴛ ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ ᴄᴏʀʀᴇᴄᴛ?

Please ensure we have up to date contact details for each member of your family.

We try and communicate as best we can and you may start to receive more and more updates via text, this might include updates on prescription requests, appointments reminders, messages from the GP about test results and it’s helpful if we can contact you in a timely manner.

KMC

WEBSITE UPDATE

The new Website is almost complete and ready to go live with a last few tweeks our end to go before we launch it.

The aim of the new website is for us to be more accessible with our online profile allowing the process of ordering prescriptions, econsults and accessing self referral information all in one place as well as links to our social media platform where we share groups and important announcements.

Following the launch of the website it will mean we stop accepting prescription request via the email address. More information on this will be shared as soon as the site goes live. So for now you can continue to use either

🔴 In surgery ordering (paper/box)
🟠 SystmOne online (log in required)
🟡 NHS App
🟢 email address directly to surgery.

Request can take upto 3 working days once we receive them. However we do try and reduce this time where possible.

KMC

🟥NHS England have advised for the majority of patients eligible for a Flu Vaccination, it CANNOT be given until the 3rd October🟥

💉In September last year we ordered our this seasons flu vaccines to be given and expect a delivery around August/September however due to the new guidance these will only be given to pregnant ladies and children between the ages of 2 and 3 (nasal drops) 💉

🗓 Like last year the schedule for the flu clinics will be a mixture of weekday and possibly 1 or 2 weekend clinics to get them done for you ASAP - please keep an eye on text messages and our FB page for updates.

‼️PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE PRACTICE WE WILL UPDATE YOU WHEN APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO BOOK‼️

KMC

Let’s talk about POO!

In the surgery tomorrow we have the team from the bowel screening department.

They will be available in the waiting room for all questions and advice regarding the bowel screening test.

I can’t stress how important it is to complete these if you do get one in the post, it could save your life! By 2025 anyone over the age of 50 will be sent these screening tests every 2 years.

KMC

Whilst the surgery is closed and you feel you need medical attention or advice.

NHS 111 is available on the phone or online, staff are available to offer advice for medical, dental and mental health including emergency prescriptions if needed.

Please use them first before thinking A&E!

Alternatively we have urgent care centres located at North Tees, James Cook which are open 24/7 and Redcar is now open until midnight should you feel that you cannot wait until the surgery reopens and need medical attention. Waits in these treatment centres are dependent on how many people attend so to avoid long wait times it’s always best to contact 111 in the first instance.

KMC

Did you know?

Poverty impacts women's health: it is believed that approximately 10% of women can't afford essential period products.

If you’re in the surgery and need help please take an orange card from reception our staff can help! We have a range of products available.

KMC

First aid advice for dealing with TICKS

Ticks thrive in grassy and woodland areas, so pack some insect repellent, a tick removal device (or fine-tipped tweezers) and go enjoy the great outdoors 🌼🌳🌲🌺

Find out more useful info in our blog post: https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/03/21/what-is-lyme-disease-and-why-do-we-need-to-be-tick-aware/

By 2025 everyone aged 50-74 will be sent a bowel screening kit every 2 years that could detect cancer before you have any symptoms. Don’t put it off, do your test. It could save your life.

If a GP arranged for a test and you don’t receive it please contact us and we can arrange for this to be resent. It is important to complete these of requested especially if you have an ongoing referral awaiting from the results.

KMC

Lavan Dementia Care Services

What do we offer❓

💜Specialist Dementia Care Day Service

💜At Home Services (cleaning, domestic and social)

💜Independent Specialist Dementia Nurse Service (carer support, training, education and care consultancy)

For an informal and confidential chat, telephone us on 01642 506641 / 07392110453 or drop us an email at [email protected]

Cervical screening checks for certain types of the HPV virus that can cause cell changes to your cervix. Cell changes are easily treated and this prevents cervical cancer.

Don't ignore your cervical screening invite. I will be sending out recall reminders to everyone who has recently missed appointments this week! Please book in when you get the link.

We are also a Screen Stars Practice. Remember to ask for you card when you come to your appointment this allows you to have some discounts in local salons, restaurants and shops.

KMC

It’s going to be okay, even if that’s hard to believe right now. ❤️

Attending one of our groups on a Monday night could be the first step in your journey towards feeling better. 👌

197 clubs. Face-to-face and online. Free and open to any man over the age of 18. Andys Man Club Middlesbrough

Email [email protected] or head over to our website for more details.

👌

REMINDER!

Contact local pharmacy for help with the following conditions.

Most of our local pharmacies offer this service however we are aware Pharmacy Express at Lealholm Crescent, Ormesby is currently not up and running but they are hoping to be soon!

As well as the below 7 conditions. Pharmacists are also able to offer hypertension monitoring, period delay and contraception along with treatments for thrush, scabies (over 2), hayfever/allergies and headline. A full list of treatments can be found by contacting reception.

Advice and guidance should be sought from the pharmacist first before contacting us for an appointment.

KMC

Buddy Up Interview Cranstoun: The Buddy Up App Interview.

Gambling can harm your health and relationships and leave you in serious debt.

Answer some quick questions to see if gambling might be causing problems for you, and remember, help and support is available if you need it.

➡️ nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/

A very real and strong reality for some of us

Harbour Support Services

Although there may be many celebrations at the moment, the Euros may not be a happy time for everyone.

If you need any help or support please contact us on 03000 20 25 25 or via live chat on our website www.myharbour.org.uk.

If you are in immediate danger please dial 999 and ask for the police.

🌙Need an evening or weekend appointment?

By using the enhanced access service you can be seen up to 8pm on weeknights or 5pm on Saturdays.

Contact reception to book

KMC

Another phone update!

The new phones have been somewhat challenging to get to grips with. The run and training yesterday was done whilst we were closed so we have had a bit of an awakening this morning when 8am hit!

Mostly it was ok it’s more getting to grips with the callback feature that is now an option when calling in to us. We will only call back once we don’t have the capacity to continue to try again and again if you do not answer, unfortunately we will leave a message to say we have called and then it’s your responsibility to contact us again should you need too.

Monday will bring staff who weren’t in this morning so again bare with us till we have all got to grips with how this works.

But on the whole a big thanks to everyone who called in and patiently waited for us whilst we were still learning.

KMC

Within the surgery we are lucky to have Paul our Cancer Care Co-Ordinator based with us. Paul works as part of the Greater Middlesbrough PCN supporting patients from our practices in their cancer journey.

Part of Paul’s role is one of supporting patients and their families throughout their cancer journey and he works across all sites of the PCN.

A great resource we have found for information and support is the Cancer Care Map this is a great tool to find the psychological and emotional support, health and wellbeing services and practical help you need in your area.

We have albums of support groups and pages in our photos and try and keep these as up to date as we can. Please reach out if you find any new groups that you have found helpful as I like to use our platform to share there.

KMC

We are logged on and ready for 8am!

The new system certainly looks good in training so let’s put it to the test! Please bare with us though as it’s very different at our end to how our phones worked before!

The options remain the same as before separating, appointments, prescriptions, general enquiries, cancellation line and secretarial line. Please use the correct option when calling to help us assist you.

KMC