December 2014 - Merrywood Practice

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!