Newsletter Winter 2023
Welcome
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. This is our latest update following our Autumn newsletter released in September. We hope you find this issue informative and valuable. If you have any questions about anything you read, please speak to a member of our team.
More information regarding the surgery can be found at: www.swanmedicalgroup.co.uk
In This Issue:
- Dr Fiona Jacklin
- Welcoming our new GP
- Flu & COVID Campaign
- Winter Warmer Campaign
- Learning Disabilities Accreditation
- Community Drop In
- Christmas Opening Hours
- Winter Pressures on Primary Care
Dr Fiona Jacklin Welcoming our New GP
We would like to inform our patients that Dr Fiona Jacklin has made the difficult decision to step down from being a Partner at Swan Medical Group from the end of March 2024. After 23 years at Swan, Dr Jacklin has decided to reduce her work in order to spend more time with her family. Fiona is planning to take some time off from April 2024, however she is hoping to return to working at SMG at some point in the Autumn next year in a different role within the practice.
We are very sad to see Fiona step down as a Partner, but support and understand her decision. We are pleased that we will be able to retain Fiona’s wealth of experience within SMG and to continue working with her after her break next year.
Message from Dr Jacklin:
‘It has been a real privilege to be able to work as part of the SMG team for the last 23 years. I have truly valued being able to look after a personal list of wonderful patients and help support them through the challenges that life sometimes presents. The practice has changed tremendously over the years and I have been very fortunate to be part of such an innovative and supportive team. With three teenage daughters and an energetic black Labrador to keep me busy, I have decided to step down from being a Partner to be able to spend more time with my family. ‘
Welcoming our New GP
We are pleased to announce that we have successfully recruited a new GP, Dr Oliver Ruscombe-King, who starts with SMG on 8th January 2024. Dr Ruscombe-King will be working 4 days per week, based at the Swan Surgery site in Petersfield, working Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs and he will be taking over the patient list of Dr Jacklin. We look forward to welcoming Dr Ruscombe-King to the SMG team in January!
Flu & COVID Campaign
We are so proud to say that our fantastic team administered over 8,500 flu vaccinations and over 9000 COVID vaccinations to eligible patients. This was mainly over a 6 week period and was achieved by the end of October as per the Government recommendations. We are now in the final stages of the campaign, a huge thank you to everyone involved.
Learning Disabilities Accreditation
Amy George the Learning Disabilities Strategic Health Facilitator attended Swan Medical Group last month, to award their certificate of achievement for being a 2023 Learning Disability friendly GP practice. The certificate was awarded to Charlie Murray, our Learning Disability Care Co-Ordinator, for showing a dedication to supporting the needs of local people with a learning disability, by striving towards and exceeding a set criterion, as outlined by NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. In the coming weeks, you will be seeing these certificates up across all our surgeries.
Winter Warmer Collection
A huge thank you to everyone who donated winter warmers for our free shop collection. We collected over 120 items, including 20 coats, which were delivered to the free shop ready for their event that took place on the weekend of 21st October.
A huge thank you too, to our Admin team member , Sam Reid who’s Auntie Jan knitted more than a dozen hats especially for the event. Please picture below is just a selection of your lovely donations!
Community Drop-in Sessions
Do you need some help or advice? Pop down for a hot drink, slice of cake and a chat with our two Social Prescribers. Starting on 30th November session will run every Thursday 09:30-12:30 at St Peters Church in Petersfield. 24 The Square, Petersfield GU32 3HS. Please note there will be no session on 28th December.
We can help support such things as:
- Mental Health
- Counselling and therapy options
- Diet & exercise
- Carer strain
- Dementia
- Food and Warmth and much MUCH more!
Christmas Opening Hours
Please see below for our opening hours over the festive period:
Fri 22nd December: 08:00—18:30
Christmas Day & Boxing Day: Closed
Wednesday 27th—Friday 29th: 08:00—18:30
New Years Day: Closed
Tuesday 2nd January: 08:00—18:30
Referrals
Have you seen the referral information on our website? You will find information on how the system works, Hospital contact information and a link to Hospital waiting times, please see the following link https://www.swanmedicalgroup.co.uk/medical-services/referrals/
A message to our patients
Dear Patients,
As Winter sets in and demand for our services rises, we want to update you on Swan Medical Group’s evolution to ensure high-quality healthcare for you. General practices nationwide are facing significant strain due to a combination of declining GP numbers, rising demand, and recruitment challenges. Now with a record-high of nearly 62.93 million patients in England registered with GP practices, the strain on GPs has increased by 19% since 2015. Nationally, the average number of patients each full-time equivalent GP is responsible for now stands at 2,299.
To address this, the NHS is implementing changes to improve patient access and reduce staff pressure, aiming for a ‘Modern General Practice.’ Swan Medical Group is aligning with this approach by expanding its team to include various health professionals such as nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics, physiotherapists, and clinical pharmacists.
Continuity of care remains a priority at Swan Medical Group, with a named GP for every patient. To manage growing demand, we’ve developed a diverse team of Allied Health Professionals alongside traditional family doctors. Our services are evolving to a ‘Total Triage’ model, ensuring patients receive the right care promptly.
We’ve consolidated access points into three routes: online, by phone, and in person. Whether you contact us online through E-Consult, via phone, or in person, our team will triage appropriately for your care needs.
As part of this evolution, we encourage you to register for the NHS App, providing convenient access to appointments, repeat prescriptions, test results, and a symptom checker. Currently, 46% of our patients over the age of 13 are registered to use it. We continue to process 100 new registrations per week – if you haven’t got access then please speak with one of our team who will be happy to help.
For urgent medical help, use 111 to be directed to the right place. Consider self-care for minor conditions, and consult your local pharmacist if you need advice. Taking control of your health, being proactive with annual reviews, and managing prescriptions responsibly contributes to better well-being and improved health outcomes.
We ask for your patience and kindness, as staff are here to help despite increasing incidents of abusive behaviour. At Swan Medical Group we prioritise the well-being of our staff and may take action against abusive patients.
We will continue to keep our patients informed with our ongoing work to evolve towards a ‘Modern General Practice’. We’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best regards,
Swan Medical Group
GP Working Days
The Swan Surgery
Dr C. Bush Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Dr L. Carter Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
Dr G. Cunliffe Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
Dr. W Driver Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
Dr F. Jacklin Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Dr T. James-Cattell Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Dr R. Kershaw Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
Dr F. Mitford Tuesday, Thursday
Dr S. Longstaff Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
Dr. B. Lewis-Jones Monday & Wednesday
Dr M St. John Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
Liphook Village Surgery
Dr S. Boulter Monday & Wednesday
Dr S. Buckley Monday & Tuesday
Dr A. Holden Thursday & Friday
Dr E. McEvoy Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Dr E. Sylvester Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
Dr A. Sood Tuesday & Thursday
Dr. C. McCreadie Tuesday & Thursday
Liphook Station Road Surgery
Dr N. Higham Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
Dr M. Papadakos Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
Dr K. Parker Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
Liss Surgery
(These GPs also have sessions at our Liphook Station Road site)
Dr. S. Holden Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
Dr. A. Lalonde Monday
D I. Moore Friday AM
Dr T. Price Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Dr. S. Taylor Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday