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Crich Medical Practice

Bulling Lane, Crich, Matlock, DE4 5DX

TEL: 01773 852966/852035; FAX: 01773 853919

  • Dr Malcolm Ward
  • Dr Carolin Shearer
  • Dr Robert Smallman
  • Dr Bryan Morland
  • Dr Sarah Savage

Newsletter spring 2008

Do you have Diabetes?

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the most common causes of blindness in the UK. Retinopathy means damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, the tissues in the back of the eye that deal with light. Damage to these vessels causes blood leakage (haemorrhage) which may be small and confined to the retina or may extend forward into the jelly that fills the main cavity of the eye (vitreous gel). This can seriously affect your vision. It is important to have regular routine eye examinations because if any new blood vessel formations are detected early, they can be treated effectively. The National Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy offers regular (yearly) eye tests designed to detect retinopathy in everyone with diabetes over the age of 11. The test involves testing your vision, examining the back of your retina and taking photographs of your retina to use in comparison to previous examinations. The Surgery will send off your details, with your permission, to the local Screening Programme then the Service will send you an invitation for you to attend. Please remember that if we do not get your consent to release your details, you will NOT be included in the Programme. The nearest venue is Parkside Surgery at Alfreton (new Health Centre).

New Year Resolutions!!

If you are very overweight you are more likely to have a heart attack, especially if your weight is around your middle. The good news is that by losing weight, you can cut your risk of heart disease considerably. It also reduces the risk of developing other problems such as diabetes and arthritis.

Remember your Doctors and Nurses are also here to help you with advice and support if you want to stop smoking. The Government is running a high-profile campaign until the end of March 2008 called “Getting Off Cigarettes”. There is a helpline 0800 917 6699, you can text “Support” to 63818 and go on-line to www.nhs.uk/gosmokefree. There are also local Stop Smoking Services who offer group and one-to-one support, just ask your Doctor or Practice Nurse.

Newsletter autumn 2007

Quite a few of you will have by now met our new Doctor, Dr. Sarah Savage who replaced Dr. Alex Knight at the beginning of July.

Also some of you may already know that the Amber Valley PCT no longer exists and we are now covered by the Derbyshire County PCT which has its main headquarters in Chesterfield. Amber Valley HQ still exists at Babington Hospital in the role of a branch of the larger PCT. You can have a look at the new Derbyshire PCT website on www.derbyshirecountypct.nhs.uk.

Out of Hours

If you need a doctor out of hours, when you ring the surgery number you will be put through to Derbyshire Healthcare. They will advise you on what to do and if you are able, you will be asked to attend the nearest open medical facility, which could be Clay Cross, Whitworth Hospital or some in the South e.g. Ilkeston or Ripley Hospitals. A doctor will still visit if you are too unwell to leave your home. On the subject of visits, can we ask you please to ring before 10.30 a.m. for a weekday visit if possible if you require a doctor to come and see you. This enables the doctors to plan their working day and visiting schedule. If you request an urgent visit, we cannot guarantee a particular doctor will come out to you and the duty doctor may ring you before deciding a home visit is necessary. If you have a child with fever (or adult) they will come to no harm being brought to surgery. For every visit, four patients can be seen in surgery time.

Test Results

Can we ask patients please to ring in an afternoon, after 2 p.m. if possible, to ask for test results. This avoids the telephone being kept busy in the mornings when people are trying to ring for appointments, visits etc.

Flu Jabs

Yes it’s that time again! We will be sending out letters starting at the end of August to all our patients who fulfil the eligibility criteria set out by the Department of Health. Please wait until you receive a letter before ringing the surgery for an appointment. Thank you.

News

Zoe, one of our administration staff, delivered a healthy baby boy – Callum at the end of April. Congratulations to you! See you back in October Zoe!

I would like to thank everyone who has been so kind and generous with their warm wishes, appreciative messages and encouraging advice regarding my future plans on hearing I was leaving Crich Medical Practice! I have felt very touched by this, and I was also surprised to receive a collection put together from many patients. I will be sure to use it for something that will prove a lasting reminder of my time working in Crich. I have also had excellent support from all the staff and partners who work at the practice, and will always be grateful for this. I sincerely believe they constitute one of the most conscientious and caring practices in the country, and have considered myself fortunate to have been a part of it. I certainly wish our new doctor, Dr Savage, a similarly happy and fulfilling role at Crich!

I hope to see many of you around the locality in the future, but now as a friend and neighbour! My best wishes to all.

Alex Knight