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Introduction | Welcome to our Newsletter!Here you will find: |
| All public services including the NHS are facing a cut in funding. While the NHS has had a large increase in its funding over the last decade the demands of new treatments, drugs, operations etc and the happy fact that many people are living to a great age means every penny must be made to count if services are to continue and grow. In 1984, there were around 660,000 people in the UK aged 85 and over. Since then the numbers have more than doubled reaching 1.4 million in 2009. By 2034 the number of people aged 85 and over is projected to be 2.5 times larger than in 2009, reaching 3.5 million and accounting for 5 per cent of the total population. The ratio of women to men of those aged 65 and over is falling. In 1984 there were 156 women aged 65 and over for every 100 men of the same age, compared to the current sex ratio of 129 women for every 100 men. By 2034 it is projected that the 65 and over sex ratio will have fallen still further to 118 women for every 100 men. Over the last 28 years the number of centenarians (people aged 100 years or more) in the UK has more than quadrupled from 2,600 in 1981 to 11,600 in 2009. UK National Statistics Hub (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/) How can patients help? Medication Wastage Please only order the drugs you need and do not stockpile medication. If you have stopped taking a drug please let us know so we can remove it from your repeat medication list- don’t worry we will not be cross with you and we would prefer to know. WASTED medication is costing NHS North East Essex £5 million a year, local health chiefs have revealed. In north east Essex this money could pay for: 2,000 more hip and knee replacements 1,400 more essential heart operations 330 more treatment courses for breast cancer 300 more community nurses 5,000 more treatment courses for Alzheimer’s. Medicine Waste North East Essex NHS (http://www.northeastessexpct.nhs.uk/Health%20Services/medicine-waste_2.htm) Keep or cancel appointments We understand that crises happen and that appointments may have to be missed but please try your best to cancel any healthcare appointments you have – for appointments at the surgery you can cancel by phone or through the cancel button on the home page of the website. Each week scores of appointments with doctors, nurses, health care assistants and counsellors are wasted. The more notice you can give the better as usually we can fit another patient in but even short notice will allow us to get on with other work rather than hanging around waiting for someone who fails to turn up. This is especially true if you have a longer appointment – for example the 40 minutes needed for a spirometry (Lung Function) testing appointment or the 30 minutes needed for a diabetic check. In 2004 Missed Appointments in Primary Care (GP Surgeries) were estimated to cost the NHS over £162million a year. Missed Appointments Cost NHS £162 million pounds a year - 2004 (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?newsid=12446) Walk In Centre The Walk In Centre is able to deal with minor injuries and illnesses and using it means Accident and Emergency is better able to deal with major problems. It is open from Monday to Sunday: 7.00am – 10.00pm 365 days of the year Among the problems it can help with are the following Minor illness Minor throat/chest infections Minor stomach complaints Urine infections Earache and ear infection - Please note that the Centre does not offer ear irrigation (removal of wax) Skin complaints, including rashes, minor allergic reactions and insect bites/stings Minor Injury Minor wounds, bruising, swelling - Please note that the Centre does not offer wound suturing Minor head injury with no loss of consciousness or vomitting Muscle, bone and joint injuries e.g. sprains, strains and soft tissue injury - Please note that the Centre does not offer x-ray facilities Dental advice - Please note that the Centre gives advice only and suggested pain relief Eye problems e.g. infection, removal of foreign objects Emergency Contraception and Advice Smoking Cessation These are just examples of the type of minor injuries and illnesses that can be assisted with at the Centre, if you are unsure, please give us a call on 01206 314015. Using the Walk In Centre instead of Accident and Emergency also saves the NHS money. Colchester Walk In Centre (http://www.northcolchesterhealthcarecentre.co.uk/site/Harmoni/north-colchester-healthcare-centre/walk-in-centre) Parsons Heath Medical Practice For patients registered at Parsons Heath we are here to help and we will always try and usually succeed in seeing patients with urgent problems on the day they call. One doctor and either a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant is available each day (apart from during staff illness) to see patients with urgent problems. We would ask that patients with chronic problems or who wish to see a particular doctor make routine appointments as the on the day appointments are for urgent problems. Private Medical Insurance Some people have private health insurance through their employers or purchased individually. If you do have private insurance and are able to have your treatment funded privately if you need a referral please let us know as obviously this also helps save money for the NHS. We understand the vast majority of patients do not have this insurance cover. |
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