Newsletter: April 2023

Welcome to April's edition of Wateringbury’s Newsletter.

The Dispensary refurbishment has been completed a transformation with much more space and a bright and organized space to work.  Thank you to those patients who ordered their medications early so dispensary could be packed up 

Remember if you have suggestions of articles or information that you think would be of interests to other patients please let me know.

Nikki Howe
Assistant Practice Manager/Publisher Practice Newsletter         

Patient Wellbeing Space

There is a plot of green land to the side of Practice which we hope to use as a garden/wellbeing space to be used by patients to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

In the waiting area of Wateringbury surgery there is a notice board for patients to suggest how they would like the Wellbeing Space to be used and what could be planted or seen in the space. There have been some really good ideas so far. If you would like to make a suggestion please speak to a member of the Practice Team. 

The NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation (CPCS)

The NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) offers patients same day minor illness consultations with a community pharmacist. Working in conjunction with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British 
Medical Association (BMA) the service was developed to allow practice teams to refer low acuity patients for convenient, same-day consultations with clinical advice and, where indicated, the purchase of any over-the-counter medicine that may be needed The benefit of the service is that patients are triaged on the same day and given the clinical advice and support they need. 

To be referred into the service the Receptionist will ask a series of questions using a standard appropriate symptom checklist. If the symptoms are appropriate, the practice can refer for a same-day consultation with a community pharmacist. With the patient’s consent, the practice team can send an electronic message to the pharmacy the patient has chosen, to support safe follow up and audit.

Following the referral, the pharmacist will contact the patient the same day by phone and either carry out the consultation by telephone, or arrange for you to attend the pharmacy, if appropriate. 

The pharmacist will take the clinical history and ask about symptoms and any current medication. Following the consultation, the pharmacist will offer clinical advice and may sell the patient an over the counter product if appropriate and agree.

Pharmacists are trained to recognise ‘red flag’ symptoms suggestive of more serious illness and after initial triage, where symptoms do suggest something more serious, the pharmacist will help the patient to arrange an urgent GP appointment using the practice’s dedicated professional number or escalate to an urgent care setting such as the emergency department, if needed.

The pharmacist will make a record of the outcome of the consultation and send it to the patient’s GP by secure digital message.

Additional Staff Roles

Introducing: Anita Prior—Social Prescriber

The social prescribing service provided by Involve Kent, takes referrals from GPs and Colleagues, when a non-clinical need is identified. As a social prescriber we work with a holistic approach, to listen to Patient's needs age 18 upwards for 3 months . 
The Involve Kent service can link into various services within the organisation such as the carer's support team, actively involve, finding activities for the isolated and the Community Navigator supporting those that require carer and support in their homes. 

As a social prescribed we can refer to counselling services and support groups, to support patients mental health. The service is able to support with benefits and housing issues.

We provide links to food banks and debt services and energy advise services.

On going contact and support for patients as needed over a 3-month period identifying their needs. 

Published: Apr 9, 2023