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If you are taking a medication that requires regular monitoring, and have been sent a reminder from the practice that you are overdue some tests, please see the information below.
What kind of monitoring tests might I need to have?
Blood test - Some medication can have side effects which can only be identified with a blood test
Blood pressure check - Some medication can affect your blood pressure, so it's important for this to be checked regularly
Weight - For some medication, an up to date recording of your weight may be important to ensure you are being prescribed the correct dose.
Alcohol consumption - Some medication does not interact well with alcohol, so it's important to be honest with your GP about how much alcohol you consume on a weekly basis
What if I have already had these tests done at hospital by the consultant who originally prescribed my medication?
It may be that you have had these tests via the hospital, but that we have not received a copy of the results. If this is the case, please could you contact reception so that they can inform the Data Quality Team, who can obtain the result. Also, for future tests, please ask for the result to be copied to your GP.
I already came to the practice recently for a blood test - can I just ignore the reminder that I've received?
As a practice we strive to be as efficient as possible and we would always do our best to ensure that all the necessary tests that a patient needs are done in the same appointment. However, we are only human and sometimes a test may be accidentally missed off. If you have received a reminder from us after you've already been for a blood test, please do not assume this is a mistake, as it may be that you still have a specific test outstanding and we may need to ask you to come back for another blood test.
It may also be the case that you have had all the necessary blood tests, but we still need your blood pressure, or an up to date weight, or to record your weekly alcohol consumption. Please read your letter / text message carefully to see which tests are outstanding.
Other things to consider
If you monitoring time has changed, or your drug has been stopped, then please also inform us.
If we are unable to receive results for these tests, then your GP may need to reconsider prescribing this drug for you as we cannot guarantee its safety.
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The information on this page only applies to patients who have been sent a link to this page by their GP Practice.
Your recent blood test has shown that you have a slightly raised blood sugar. The level suggests that you have Prediabetes. This means that you are at an increased risk of developing diabetes in the future. It is therefore important to manage this condition by lifestyle changes, to delay or prevent the onset of diabetes.
At the surgery we will monitor your condition on an annual basis so please make a note to book an appointment for a review with one of our Healthcare Assistants in a year’s time. In the meantime, if you get any of the symptoms of diabetes described in the leaflet below, you should make an appointment to see one of our GPs.
Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (pre-diabetes)
Many people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, or pre-diabetes.
People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but the risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes.
If you have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, you may be eligible for the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. The programme helps people make lasting lifestyle changes and has been shown to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are also recommended to have a blood test every year to monitor their blood sugar levels.
It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it's likely to get worse if left untreated and can cause long-term health problems.
When to see a GP
Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:
- feeling very thirsty
- peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- feeling very tired
- weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- blurred vision
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
Weight loss is common in people with type 1 diabetes when it first develops and before it's treated, but it's less common in people with type 2 diabetes.
Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general, or there are no symptoms at all.
For more information, you can visit the following websites:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/
Understanding Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
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Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.
There are 2 main types of diabetes:
- type 1 diabetes – a lifelong condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
- type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin properly
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, over 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.
High blood sugar that develops during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after giving birth.
For more information, you can visit the following websites:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/
Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (pre-diabetes)
Many people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is known as non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, or pre-diabetes.
People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but the risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes.
If you have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, you may be eligible for the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. The programme helps people make lasting lifestyle changes and has been shown to help prevent type 2 diabetes.
People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are also recommended to have a blood test every year to monitor their blood sugar levels.
It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it's likely to get worse if left untreated and can cause long-term health problems.
When to see a GP
Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:
- feeling very thirsty
- peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- feeling very tired
- weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- blurred vision
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
Weight loss is common in people with type 1 diabetes when it first develops and before it's treated, but it's less common in people with type 2 diabetes.
Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general, or there are no symptoms at all.
For more information, you can visit the following websites:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/
Understanding Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
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- The GPs find it really helpful if you can provide as much information as possible when completing the form. In the box that asks “How long have these symptoms or concerns been going on? Have they got better or worse?” please be as specific as possible, as to whether this is a new problem, or an ongoing one, and if it’s suddenly getting worse. It’s also useful to let the GP know if you have been trying anything to help the problem, such as taking any over the counter medication. The box that asks, “How would you like us to help?” is really useful to let the GP know if you are expecting a face to face appointment, a telephone call, or maybe just a text message with some information. Including any specific days or times that you are unavailable really helps as well, in case the GP needs to book the appointment for you rather than sending you a self-book link.
- If you have received a text message, or a letter, from one of our GPs asking you to make an appointment (for example to discuss test results or review your medication) you can contact reception to book this appointment. In these instances, you do not need to be triaged because the GP has already asked you to make an appointment
- Nurse appointments, HCA appointments, and blood tests can still be booked in the normal way, by speaking to reception. Blood test appointments can also still be booked via SystmOnline
- If any patient is unable to go online to complete the form for themselves, they can still speak to reception who will complete the form on your behalf. Parents and carers can also complete the form on behalf of a child or someone they care for
- In addition to medical requests, AccuRx Patient Triage will also allow you to submit admin requests for things such as sick notes, test results, and referral queries
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Dr Ellis Rickwood
MB, ChB, MRCGP, DRCOG
Dr Mark Salisbury
MB, ChB, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFSRH
Dr Deborah Lawrence
MBBS, BSc, DFFP, DFSRH, DRCOG, MRCGP, PGCME
Dr Gillian Kitchen
MB, ChB MRCGP DRCOG DFFP
Dr Nick Bennett
MBBS MRCS(Ed) MRCGP
ALL MEMBERS OF THE SURGERY PRIMARY CARE TEAM ARE DEDICATED TO A QUALITY POLICY TO ACHIEVE HEALTH SERVICES WHICH MEET THE PATIENTS’ REQUIREMENTS.
Practice Leaflet:
All new patients will be directed to our website to view our practice leaflet. A copy of this leaflet can be printed for any patient who cannot access our website.
Surgery Premises:
Our surgery building will be welcoming, easy for patients to find their way around, and appropriate to the needs of users, including those with accessibility needs.
Patients' rights to General Medical Services:
Patients have the rights to:
- be registered with a General Practitioner
- change doctor if desired
- be offered a health check on joining the practice
- receive urgent care at any time from the practice
- receive appropriate drugs and medicines
- be referred for specialist or second opinion if they and the GP agree
- have the right to view their medical records, subject to the Acts and associated procedure, and to know that those working for the NHS are under legal obligation to keep the contents confidential
Changes to Procedures:
When changes are introduced to practice procedures that affect patients, we will endeavour to ensure that these are clearly explained, by means of individual leaflets, waiting room noticeboards, and sharing information on our website and social media, giving as much notice as practicable.
Referrals:
- Urgent referrals to other health and social care agencies will be made within one working day of the patient consultation. Where requested, our GPs will refer you to a private health provider.
- We will normally process non-urgent referrals within five working days of the patient consultation or the doctor's decision to refer.
Test Results:
When a doctor or nurse arranges for a test to be taken the patient will be informed how to obtain the result.
Transfer of Medical Records:
The Practice will endeavour to dispatch any medical record required by the Health Authority within seven working days and same day if the request is urgent.
Privacy and Confidentiality:
We will work with honesty, openness, and transparency.
We will ensure that your private information is kept confidential in line with GMC guidance, and we will always treat you with respect and courtesy.
Appointments:
With a Doctor:
The practice will always provide you with timely access to an appropriate clinical assessment, including same day access to clinical advice when this is required, and active signposting to other services when these are beneficial for your care. We will also provide appointments with a clinician that are bookable in advance, as well as evening and weekend appointments through shared local hub appointments.
For medically urgent requests, we will offer an appointment on the same day.
With a Practice Nurse:
Routine nurse appointments can be booked up to 6 weeks in advance. Availability will depend on the type of appointment needed, as some procedures require longer appointments and can only be carried out by certain nurses.
If there is a delay in the appointment wait (when you arrive) of more than 20 minutes we will let you know.
We are happy to update you on any delay if you feel that you have been waiting too long.
Home Visits:
We are unable to guarantee a specific doctor will visit you as this depends on availability and other factors. The decision to home visit will be at the discretion of the doctor.
Waiting Times:
- We endeavour to start all surgeries on time.
- We expect patients to be seen within twenty minutes of their appointment time, and in the event of a delay we will offer an explanation.
- When a doctor is called away on an emergency, we will inform the patients and give them an opportunity to book an alternative appointment, or if preferred, to be seen by another doctor.
With these rights come responsibilities and for the patients this means:
Courtesy to the staff at all times - remember they are working under doctors' orders. We operate a zero-tolerance policy where verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated and will be dealt with appropriately.
- Responding in a positive way to questions asked by the reception staff.
- To attend appointments on time or give the practice adequate notice that they wish to cancel. Someone else could use your appointment!
- An appointment is for one person only - where another member of the family needs to be seen or discussed, another appointment must be made.
- Patients should make every effort when consulting the surgery to make best use of nursing and medical time - home visits should be medically justifiable and not requested for social convenience.
- When patients are asked to give 48 hours’ notice for repeat prescriptions, please give us this time as it is to allow for accurate prescribing.
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