January 2022 Newsletter

Care Naviagtion

As a lot of you may have already noticed, our website has recently had a revamp it will contain up-to-date Practice news, and all sorts of information regarding your care.

Did you know you can also use the website to order repeat prescriptions, update/change your contact details, or request a sick note?
Not only can you do this at a time that is convenient for you, but it can also help to reduce the waiting times on our phone lines.
Why not join us in going paperless, and use these fantastic online features!

Research

Dare2Think

This quarter's study is looking at stroke prevention. Some patients who have a heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation are at a greater risk from strokes. These patients are prescribed anticoagulation medication or "blood thinners".

This study is designed to see whether there are more patients who have atrial fibrillation that would benefit from being given anticoagulation medication than those who are currently prescribed it.

Patients with atrial fibrillation who are currently deemed "lower risk from strokes" will be contacted by the practice and invited to join the trial. This will help us to see whether prescribing anticoagulation for this cohort of patients may be beneficial in the future.

If you receive an invite and would like to discuss this trial in more detail, please contact Dr Grimshaw at the practice.

Ways to Keep your Spirits up this Winter

Especially for the over 60s

Winter can be a particularly tough time especially during Covid with time away from loved ones and uncertainty about the future.

Suggestions from Age UK to help you cope include:-

Stay connected - If not face2face then try a phone call or a video call

If you are lonely why not try a telephone friendship service please visit the Age UK Website or 24-hour Silver helpline 0800 470 8090

Keep moving and eating well - Just a little bit of activity will help you stay strong and maintain your mobility and reduce the risk of falls. Check out their website or ask your GP for directions to staying steady and Social Prescribing for activity.

Do something you enjoy every day - daily routine and good habits. Achievable task and regular time for bed and waking. What about an old hobby or a book or film?
Your Mind Matter - available for self help if feeling anxious, low or out of sorts. Reach out when things are tough

Age UK has lots more wonderful resources available on their website or Age UK Bristol 0117 929 7537

Meet our Team

Hi, my name is Jo and I’m the new Pharmacy Technician at Greenway Community Practice. I started here, at the beginning of November 2021.

My background includes, 13 years experience working in different areas of pharmacy in the community and the NHS. I have worked in community pharmacy, Frenchay and Southmead hospital, and in prisons across the Bristol area.

The Pharmacy technician role is new to the Practice but is very well established in Hospitals and Local Pharmacies. I am looking forward to complementing the current Pharmacists we have at the practice.

I will have a focus on medication management including medication reviews, monitoring high risk drugs, reviewing medication requests and advising on medication changes. I will also be able to give medication advice and deal with medication related queries.

Since starting with the practice I have also trained to be a vaccinator and have become involved with the Covid vaccination clinics. Looking forward to working with you all.

Patient Participation Group (PPG)

Who are the PPG?

We are a group of patients who are volunteers working with the GP practice to improve health care services for local people. We help the practice to improve its services by: Providing the viewpoints of patients on their experiences and concerns. Raising patients’ awareness of health matters. Enhance communications between the practice staff and patients.

Because of Covid safety measures we have not been able to meet in person but we have had a meeting's online and continue to support the practice in whatever way we can.

Small Community Grants: The Practice raises small amounts of money during the year to contribute to a small grants fund run by the PPG. To find out more about the Practice’s Community Fund look on the Practice’s website under the Have Your Say tab. It’s in the Patient Participation Group section.

Some of our members are involved in local campaign groups to Protect our NHS and give feedback to PPG members and practice staff representatives about local and national actions.

If you would like to know more about the PPG’s activities or are interested in joining us please complete our secure online form

We want to ensure that the group’s membership is as diverse as the patient group which the Practice serves. We therefore welcome members from all sections of the community.

Infection Control

As many of you will know the practice is used by other health care providers to give patients access to specialist and community services and clinics that they may otherwise have to go to Southmead Hospital for.

One of these services recently undertook an Infection Control Audit carried out by an independent Infection Prevention Specialist Nurse. The practice scored a fantastic overall 95% which was the highest of all the audits in the practices that they use. As well as auditing the actual clinical practice and procedure that the service undertake at the practice, they also audited the practice on toilets, cleaning, sharps, waste, condition of equipment, facilities and general areas.

We are delighted with this report and wanted to share this with you. Cleanliness is of paramount importance to the practice to support infection prevention and control and ensures staff and patient confidence whilst at the practice which has been crucial during the Covid Pandemic.

Published: Jan 17, 2022