MERRYWOOD NEWS Issue 32 December 2014 Despite the high patient satisfaction and the hard work and commitment that all our staff put into helping people in an area of high health need, in January 2015 our funding is CUT by 6%. Due to this cut, as well as it taking longer to see a doctor or nurse we will now no longer be able to provide counselling at our practice. We are sad to say goodbye to our counsellor Sally Walters. Here’s what she had to say about her time at the practice. Memorable moments. Obviously there are many with patients but I can't disclose those details. One day a student working on a placement at the surgery rang me at home saying that, due to an incident, there were lots of armed police outside the surgery and staff had been told not to leave. He said rather shocked, 'you didn't tell me I would have this sort of experience'! I'll miss a lot including chats with the cleaners, both serious and hilarious at the end of a day's work. Fireworks and Christmas lights are the best in Knowle! My first year at Knowle I worked late on firework night and I was actually scared - it was like World War Two. I had never seen anything like it. The last light of Concorde seen from the health park. What a view we had! Things I have admired. I have observed unique strength in people with a devout ability to care through old age and long term illness. I also have witnessed terrific loyalty to support others in tragedy and injustice. I recognise there are significant struggle in the area, however, the community has certain strengths when people pull together. Thoughts about Counselling and moving forward. I will not forget my time in Knowle West. To those especially who I have had the privilege to meet through the special space that counselling has provided, together with the placement counsellors who have worked with me, we send warm wishes for your on going journey of life. We've noticed how patients have increasingly trusted the service and I hope effects of this will be lasting and also enable you to receive help again should you need to. I think we are all the same in our human need wherever we come from. We all need a feeling that someone genuinely cares. A trusted professional relationship can help in difficult times where strategies are offered for paralysing symptoms, together with help to find insights during intense difficulties. I hold the belief that with help situations can improve and in the time of healing we have opportunity to develop ourselves. What now? I am not retiring yet! I am continuing to work from home and in another surgery. Life though is a lot of fun with friends, family and grandchildren. Anything else you want to say? I leave you with some brief tips to consider for good mental health. Physical - look after your body. If you at able, walk, exercise, swim and you will feel better. Emotional - remind yourself you are a beautiful and worthy person whatever has happened to tell you otherwise. Don't forget those things that mean a lot to you. Talk to those you trust. Listen to others. (These things can be shared gifts to each other.) Be kind to yourself! Accept help if you need it. Spiritual - seek this for yourself. Remember the gift of life. (Granted that's difficult when we are suffering!) Find the courage to seek meaning to your life. Think about how you we are with others. Thank you for sharing parts of your lives with me. Christmas Opening Times 2014 nd Monday 22 December – Normal Tuesday 23rd December – Normal Wednesday 24th December – Normal *emergencies only from 5pm Christmas period prescription requests Prescription requests will be 2 working days as normal, but it is important you get your prescription request in nice and early so you have enough for the holidays. Thursday 25th December – CLOSED Friday 26th December – CLOSED Monday 29th December – Normal Tuesday 30th December – Normal Wednesday 31st December – Normal *emergencies only from 5pm Thursday 1st January – CLOSED Friday 2nd January – Normal Flu Jabs Have you had your flu jab done and are ready to battle through the winter? If not, don’t wait; book an appointment with a treatment room nurse today! Funding Cuts Petition We presented our petition against the funding cuts to the CCG on the 25th November. They will pass it on to NHS England who will decide what to do with it. Thank you to the patients who have signed the petition and those who came along to the present it. Coming & Going We are happy to welcome back our receptionist Steph who has now returned from maternity leave. We also welcome our new bank receptionist, Eva, who is helping us out covering annual leave. And we now have Dr. Ogden who is on board to help out over the winter. Sadly, we have two nurses leaving us this December. Lyn is retiring and Gill is starting her own business. We wish them well. Friends & Family Test The friends and family test has started this December. The friends and family test is a survey which asks patients whether they would recommend the NHS service they have received to their friends and family who need similar treatment or care. Put us to the test and take a moment to fill out one of our survey postcards. We’d appreciate your feedback! Care Quality Commission We’ve got our CQC rating – We are Band 6, which means we are of lowest risk for an inspection! Well done to all of our staff. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!