Been off Sick from Work? Less than 7 days?
You do not need a fit note from a GP if you have been away from work for less than 7 days. Download the form for statutory self certification here, complete and give to your employer. If you ask us for a note for less than a seven day period, this is a private service at a cost of £25.
Back Pain?
Self help advice can found in this leaflet and by watching this video
Need help with Social Care and Support?
This link is for people who have care and support needs, their carers, and people who are planning their future care needs
Money Advice
The Government has a very useful website about managing your money and giving information on benefits. You can visit the site by clicking here
Antibiotics
Why didn’t my doctor give me a prescription for antibiotics? Perhaps watching this video clip will explain
New law comes into force from March 2015 regarding driving and certain drugs.
For more information click here
65 or Over?
Age Uk have just published this very useful guide – access it here
Cold Weather Plan
There are many deaths each year caused by the cold especially amongst older people. Find out more about what the Department of Health are advising this winter to help you to stay safe by clicking this link
You can find out the current level of alert by visiting the Met Office website. We also have ‘Keep Warm ,Keep Well’ information leaflets available in the Practice
The Norovirus
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is the most common stomach bug in the UK, and has a peak season during the winter months (roughly around October/November to March/April). It causes vomiting and diarrhoea, with symptoms lasting around one to two days, though the severity and duration of symptoms can vary between individuals.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus, meaning that only a few viral particles are required to cause infection. It is passed on by virus particles picked up on the hands being transferred to the mouth (e.g. through touching contaminated surfaces or eating contaminated food). It can also be spread by inhaling small airborne particles of the virus (e.g. if someone nearby has profuse vomiting).
As it is so contagious, it’s frequently the cause of outbreaks in places where people are gathered together, such as schools, childcare centres, care homes and hospital wards.
It is a self-limiting virus, meaning that symptoms will clear up by themselves and no specific treatment is effective, or needed. However, as with any diarrhoea and vomiting bug, dehydration is the main risk, particularly for vulnerable people, such as the young or elderly. Therefore, regular fluids are very important.
Have you been thinking about eating healthier and loosing weight?
Start a Healthier Lifestyle and join the NHS 12-week guide to losing weight today click here for more information.
Diabetes?
We hold a regular diabetic clinic every Tuesday with our nurses supported by Dr B Crichton. There is a lot of information available to help you manage your condition. You might find a visit to the Diabetes UK website helpful for hints, tips and recipes.
Are you diabetic and observing Ramadan? There is some very useful information at this link to help you fast safely.
Whooping cough and Pregnant Women
Please click here for further information
Asthma?
Then don’t forget to fill in the asthma questionnaire on this website at least once a year. You might also find the following video clip useful as it demonstrates the correct way to use your inhalers
Inhaler Technique – Video
Blood Tests
Sent for blood tests and want to know more? – then try this link. For tests results visit our practice page for more information by clicking here.
Cholesterol
Do you know your number? Many pharmacies offer a cholesterol checking service, or we can send you for a blood test. In general, a cholesterol number of 5 or below is good, but if you have a long term condition such as a heart problem, your doctor might recommend a lower level. Find out more about cholesterol and what a good ‘number’ is by visiting NHS Choices here
Want help with weight and fitness?
There is a dietician led meeting every Thursday at St Mary’s Church Hall, Hobs Meadow from 1.30 to 3pm (At the top of Winchcombe Road, behind Tesco Express). A visit is free and you can be weighed and pick up useful advice. They also offer a subsidised exercise class for £1 for each of the first 6 sessions which goes to £2.50 for any more sessions you want to go to.
Our Practice nurses also offer a weight management and lifestyle programme – all for free on the NHS. Providing you meet the criteria, prescription medication can be given to help you lose those pounds. Why not give it a try and get in shape for the season speak to our reception team.
Do you know your BMI (Body Mass Index)?
Visit this handy on line calculator to find out more – you need to know your weight and height. You can always come into the surgery and use our self service machine.
Recognise STROKE symptoms – F.A.S.T.
Find out more by vitising the Stroke Association website
Heart Rhythm – do you know yours?
A cardiac arrhythmia is the medical term for an irregular heart beat or abnormal heart rhythm.
There are essentially two main things that can go wrong with the heart: the plumbing and the electrics. Many of us are keenly aware of the heart’s plumbing problems, yet we remain largely unaware of the electrical faults which cause an arrhythmia. Arrhythmias can occur in the upper chambers of the heart, (atria), or in the lower chambers of the heart, (ventricles). Arrhythmias may occur at any age. Some are barely perceptible, whereas others can be more dramatic and can even lead to sudden cardiac death.
Over the last two years, we have been offering all patients aged over 65 the opportunity to have their pulse checked during influenza vaccination clinic. As a result, several patients were found to have conditions that required treatment.
To find out more including how to check your own pulse, and even download an app for your mobile phone, visit the Arrhythmia Alliance website
Warts and Verrucas
We hold regular clinics offering treatment by liquid nitrogen (freezing). One of our doctors runs one clinic a month, with a nurse running a further session each month. The nurses cannot treat children under 5 or warts on the face or anyone whose wart has not been confirmed by a doctor, so please be careful about which clinic you book into. We do not hold the liquid nitrogen on the premises, so we cannot offer this service on demand. However, surprisingly, self treatment can be more effective that the freezing application we offer as this can take many visits to us before the wart or verruca waves goodbye. We have a very useful leaflet available from our reception counter which gives you alternative ways of treatment.
Member of the Gay Community
Are you a member of the Lesbian, Bi sexual or Gay community? Their website is here.
Repeat Prescriptions
We are often asked why we will only give one month’s worth of drugs on one prescription. Patients ask for two or three months to keep their prescription charges low. However, it is Solihull policy to only provide one month at each prescription. We have written a useful Repeat-medication lealfet which gives you more information.
Have a medical problem but don’t know what to do?
You can call 111 at any time for any reason – they can direct your call to the out of hours service when we are closed, arrange an ambulance if its an emergency or give general advice and reassurance. Calls to 111 are free from landlines and from mobiles
0121 742 5211 – Hobs Moat Medical Centre available from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 111 for any other time, or 999 if it is a life threatening emergency – simples!
Changes to the Vaccination schedule
From 1st July all new babies attending for their immunisations at two and three months will be offered a vaccination to protect them against the rotavirus. Please visit NHS Choices page for further information and guidance. You should note that babies only have a certain period of time when they can have this vaccination, so if you want your baby to be protected, please don’t delay.
In the autumn, a new vaccination to protect our more mature patients against shingles will be available. We shall be calling for patients aged either 70 or 79, again, further information can be found on the NHS Choices pages.
Are you a Carer?
There is help and support out there for people of all ages who care for a friend or relative. Please visit here for more information.
Save a Life
Save a Life – do you know CPR? – watch the new Vinnie Jones advert for what to do – click Save a Life Demo It is important that children are taught this life saving technique – check out mini Vinnie!
Self-care?
Try the following links
Mens Health
Cold and Flu advice
Get Well Soon without Antibiotics
How to get the most from your local Pharmacy
Help and Advice – Living with a long term condition
Procedures of low clinical value
We have already had patients turned down for certain procedures that have been determined by Solihull Primary Care Trust in line with other Trusts around the country that are not cost effective as they are mainly cosmetic in nature.
Private Referrals
If you have private medical insurance, or just decide to pay to see a consultant, please make sure that your appointment with the consultant is at least four days after you have seen your doctor and agreed the referral. Why is this? Well, the doctor will need to prepare a referral letter for you which then has to be typed by our secretaries and then sent to the hospital/consultant of your choice. Please remember that many insurance policies do not cover the cost of prescriptions and you may have to pay for your treatment. You can bring your private prescription to us but we cannot guarantee that your doctor will be able to prescribe this through the NHS as it could be something that we are restricted from prescribing. The person signing the prescription takes responsibility for providing you with the medication.
National Cervical Screening Programme
For answers to many of the questions we are often asked about the screening programme, including the eligible age range, please click here
National Bowel Screening Programme
If you are male or female and aged between 60 and 69, you will be sent a kit every two years to provide three samples to identify your risk of bowel cancer. A list of frequently asked questions and answers can be found here
Dental treatment
We have been asked on quite a few occasions for appointments by patients who have a dental rather than a medical problem. We cannot help you but it is easy to find an NHS dentist in Solihull and access emergency treatment. If you do not have a dentist, then why not click here and print off the information.
Change 4 Life
There is a wealth of information on how to improve your lifestyle, get or keep fit and encourage those children off the couch and into some fun activities. Have look at the link here
Blue Lights
When you are driving, do you wonder what you should do if an ambulance or police car is approaching? Well, a new short video called Blue Light Aware has been made available and has the support of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Driving Standards Agency and ROSPA to name but a few. To view the video, click below