Newsletter March 2024

 

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Pharmacy First Service

As of 31st January, Westbank Practice proudly offers the Pharmacy First service. This innovative program allows you to access expert advice and treatment for common ailments directly through your local pharmacy, without the need for a doctor’s appointment.

Pharmacy First is designed to enhance accessibility and streamline health services, offering a hassle-free approach to managing minor illnesses. 

By going to the pharmacy and getting treated you will be saving yourself time and money, free up GP appointments for people with urgent needs and help the NHS save money on unnecessary prescription costs. 

Most pharmacies can help you with seven common conditions without needing a GP appointment

Speak to your pharmacist if you suspect you have:

  • Sinusitis - (adults and children aged 12 years and over)
  • Sore throat - (adults and children aged 5 years and over)
  • Earache - (children aged 1 year to 77 years)
  • Infected insect bite - (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
  • Impetigo - (adults and children aged 1 year and over)
  • Shingles - (adults aged 18 years and over)
  • Urinary tract infection - (women aged 16 to 64 years)

Visit your Pharmacy First!

 

Breast Screening Appointments 

breast screening

1 in 2 Women declined their first breast screening invite

It only takes a few minutes to perform and can help detect breast cancer at an earlier stage.

The practice has been notified that a lot of breast screening appointments have not been attended. Whilst we encourage every woman of screening age to attend, we understand that not everyone feels comfortable with this.

If you have any questions or concerns around screening, please contact the local screening service directly by telephone on 01392 262600 who should be able to answer your queries. If you do not wish to be screened, please let the screening service know so that the appointment can be given to someone else.

Please take the time to look after yourself – taking a few minutes out to attend your appointment may detect an earlier cancer and make it more treatable. 

 

Did you know? 

We have two Paramedics who work for the practice and you may be offered an appointment with them when contacting the practice. They use their enhanced clinical assessment and treatment skills, to provide first point of contact for patients presenting with minor illness or injury for example new issues of abdominal pains, headaches, chest infections, UTI and muscle pains. They also visit some of our patients who are housebound. 

 

Message from our Patient Participation Group

Are you free on the 16th April 2024 from 7pm?

Come along to the Westbank Practice Patient Participation Group Annual General Meeting.

Find out how you can help shape the future of the practice with your ideas and opinions.

Refreshments and delicious cake will be included!

At the Westbank Healthy Living Centre, Farm House Rise, Exminster, EX6 8AT

patient group

About the PPG

The group has continued to meet monthly until recently, but has now decided on meeting 9 times a year to reduce pressure of time on everyone. We have also started to look at the different ways in which patients can make best use of the group without having to attend every meeting.

The Annual General Meeting (as displayed in the poster) will include presentations from a Doctor on facing the challenges of increased demand and waiting lists, a Nurse on Neurodiversity, Westbank HLC and the practice admin team on their vital role within the practice. 

Finally, just a reminder that the PPG’s role is to provide a link between patients and the Practice, a sort of conduit for information, concerns and thanks. The word ‘participation’ is key, so if you can, please do. 

 

What can you do about Hayfever? 

The severity of Hayfever symptoms can vary and some people need medication to manage their symptoms. If treatment is needed a wide range of medications can be purchased from the pharmacy and supermarkets without seeing a doctor. These medicines are considerably cheaper than medicines on prescription. 

How can I avoid triggers?

  • Keep house and car windows closed, especially when the pollen count is high (early morning between 7am to 9am and evenings between 5pm and 7pm).
  • Avoid large grassy areas, woodland, cutting the grass, pollutants and car fumes.
  • Wear wrap-around sunglasses.
  • When you get in from outside wash your hands, face, hair, rinse your eyes and change your clothes.
  • If possible stay indoors when the pollen count is high.
  • Use petroleum jelly inside your nose to block inhalation of pollen.
  • Keep your house clean and wear a mask and glasses when doing house work.
  • Don't dry washing outside to avoid pollen sticking to your clothes.
  • You could buy a pollen filter for the air vents in the car.