Patient Group Newsletter

Spring 2022 - Issue 62

IN THIS ISSUE: Message from PPG Chairperson; Mental Health – HeadsUp; Mental Health – Young Devon; Mental Health – Talkworks; Ordering Repeat Medication; Top Tips For Taking Care Of Yourself And Others In The Heat; Covid-19 Services; Easter Opening 2022

The comments the PPG have received from many, in both the town and surrounding villages, is that the hard work of the Medical Centre is much appreciated. The strain under which they work is not always understood and it is a tribute to them that we continue to have face to face appointments wherever possible. Staff absences (due to ill health) are professionally addressed and the inevitable delays and reorganisation of appointments is handled as efficiently as possible.

The PPG will hold its annual AGM in May. As last year it will be a business only meeting but next year we plan to have a full meeting open to the public. Unlike several PPGs across the country, we have maintained our regular meeting schedule via Zoom throughout the pandemic. As you know the PPG members are normally elected for 3 years but during the pandemic elections have been on hold. So, next year all of us will need to stand for re-election but we would be delighted to have some new members. The Medical Centre regards patients views as very important to them and I can assure you they do listen and react.

If you are interested in learning more about the PPG and what being a member of the Committee entails, please do contact me. You can either send an email to: d-ccg.budleighppg@nhs.net or drop a note into the Surgery post box. I will respond as soon as I can.

Wishing you a very happy Easter holiday
Sue Lake, PPG Chairperson

Mental Health - Heads Up (4-11 Years)

Woodbury, Exmouth and Budleigh Primary Care Network (WEB PCN) have partnered with HeadsUp to provide mental health support to primary aged children, aged 4-11 years, in our local primary schools.

The programme aims to help young people avoid arriving at crisis point, to be more resilient and to seek assistance early.  It promotes healthy lifestyles and positive mental health and wellbeing.

HeadsUp offer free sessions to get young people confident in talking about mental health, empower and equip them to look after their mental health and education on the positive relationship between mental and physical health.  They provide:

• Evidence based 1:1 / small group interventions for students
• Group and class sessions
• Referral onward when further targeted or clinical support might be needed
• Liaison with external agencies where necessary

Visit the Heads Up website to find out more.

Mental Health - Young Devon (11-25 Years)

Young Devon is a young people’s charity in the South West of England providing support to those aged 11-25. Their mission is to make Devon a better place for all young people. Each year they work with over 2,000 young people, building quality relationships to help them thrive.

Please use the QR link to find out more about Young Devon.  You can self-refer by downloading and completing an enquiry form or phoning 08082 810155

Additionally, WEB PCN have partnered with Young Devon to provide counselling and wellbeing to our local population aged 11-18 at Exmouth Community College.

Wellbeing practitioners based in the college can offer face to face and virtual individual CBT sessions, wellbeing conversations and counselling support. An ECC student can speak to their Pastoral Support Assistant who will help them make a referral or they can complete the referral form via the Young Devon website.

It is important to note that you do not have to be a student at this college to benefit from this service and can self-refer or ask your doctor to refer on your behalf.

Mental Health - Talkworks (18 plus)

Talkworks is a free, confidential, NHS talking therapy service, for people (aged 18+) in Devon helping you to feel better and giving you the tools and techniques to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

Whether you’re dealing with an overwhelming life event, feeling like you’re stuck in a rut that you can’t get out of, having sleepless nights or living with a longterm health condition that leaves you struggling to cope, Talkworks are here to help.

Please be assured that accessing TALKWORKS is simple and easy. They have short waiting times for you to be seen for your first appointment, and a range of approaches and talking therapies for you to try, to see what works best for you.  

Please visit the Talkworks website for more information.

Ordering Repeat Medication

When you have only one weeks’ supply of medication left you should re-order your repeat medication.

There are a number of ways to get your request to the surgery – you can:

• order online via SystmOnline or the NHS App
• drop your form into the letter box to the right-hand side of the entrance of the medical centre
• take your form to one of the local chemists
• send your re-order form by post (enclosing a stamped addressed envelope if you would like it returned to you or addressed to a chemist)

If you are on a stable list of medications where there has been no change for 6-months, then you can ask the surgery to organise Electronic Repeat Dispensing (ERD).  ERD automatically sends your repeat medications to your pharmacy at agreed intervals, removing the need to request on a monthly basis.

Please allow 2 working days for the practice to process your request and at least 1 working day in addition for the pharmacy to dispense the medication.

The practice does not take requests for medication over the phone except in emergencies or for housebound patients.

Top Tips for Taking Care of Yourself and Others in the Heat

Take care of yourself

• Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you are thirsty - talk to your doctor first if you are on water pills
• Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks
• Take a cool shower or bath
• Keep your curtains or blinds drawn and rooms ventilated to cool down the house
• Wear lightweight and loose clothing

Take care of those around you

• Check in on elders and vulnerable neighbours during warm weather 
• Never leave a person, child or a pet in a hot car
• Check regularly on how babies and toddlers, elderly, people taking mental health medications and people with heart disease or high blood pressure are doing

If you must be out in the heat

Avoid outdoor activity in the heat of the midday sun

• Rest often in shady areas
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat
• Use sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher 
• Consider taking bottles of water if walking in the heat or going on a long car journey

If you have a pet

• Provide plenty of shade and water
• Never leave them in a car

Looking to make a change and get healthy? 

Perhaps you are a smoker who would like to cut back or even give up for good? Would you like help to be moving more? Advice on drinking less? Or you might want to aim for a healthier weight but can’t find the time or motivation to get active. Whatever your goal, OneSmallStep can help.

OneSmallStep is the service set up and funded by Devon County Council to guide and support you through small steps to change.  By looking at the process in small steps, we believe it can be much more achievable!  

OneSmallStep offers support when and how you need it with information, advice and guidance available online, by telephone and through coaching so you can start making small changes to feel healthier now.

Visit the OneSmallStep website for more information.

COVID-19 Services

Please see our Coronavirus Helpdesk for the latest information on the coronavirus and vaccination advice.

CORONAVIRUS HELPDESK

Easter Bank Holidays 2022

Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre will be closed on:

• Friday 15th April (Good Friday)
• Monday 18th April (Easter Monday)

On all other days our opening hours of 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, will remain the same.

Please remember to order your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time for Easter.