Newsletter Winter 2024

Winter 2024 Newsletter

Welcome

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. This is our latest update following our Autumn newsletter released in October. 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:

• GP Changes
• New GPs Starting
• SMG Christmas Hours
• Current Pressures on NHS
• Winter Vaccinations
• Domestic Violence & Christmas
• Staying Warm This Winter
• DNA Appointments
• Pharmacy Christmas Hours

GP Changes at SMG

We would like to inform our patients of some upcoming GP retirements. Dr Andrew Holden and Dr Steve Buckley will be retiring at the end of March 2025 after each working for 30+ years at Swan Medical Group. Between them they have looked after thousands of our patients and generations of families around Petersfield, Liss and Liphook. We know there will be many patients, as well as all of our SMG team, who will be sad to see them go, but we wish them all the best for their very well-deserved retirement!

Sadly we also have Dr Aswila Sood who will be leaving us at the end of December as she is moving back to Kenya. We wish Aswila all the best for the future and know she will also be missed by Dr Aswila Sood her patients and our team. We will contact Dr Sood’s patients to inform them of their new registered GP from January onwards.

New GPs Starting

We are pleased to announce that we have successfully recruited a new GP, Dr Dorin Teodorescu, who starts with Swan Medical Group on 6th January 2025. Dr Teodorescu will be working 4 days per week, based at Liphook Village Surgery, working Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs and he will be taking over the patient list of Drs Buckley and Holden.

We also have another new GP starting in April 2025, Dr Faye Tate, and she will be working Tues, Thurs and Fridays at Liphook Village Surgery. We look forward to welcoming both Dr Teodorescu and Dr Tate to the SMG team in 2025!

SMG Christmas Opening Times

Please see below our opening hours over the Christmas & New Year period. If you require non-life-threatening medical attention during the times we are closed, please call 111. Remember to order any repeat medication in time before we are closed for the bank holidays.

Monday 23rd December: 8am-6.30pm
Tuesday 24th December: 8am-6.30pm
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: CLOSED
Friday 27th December: 8am-6.30pm
New Years Day: CLOSED

Current Pressures on NHS

At Swan Medical Group, we always aim to provide you with the best possible care and support. However, we want to make you aware that, like many healthcare providers across the country, we are currently facing significant pressures in delivering services within the NHS.

What’s Happening?

Primary care teams, including GPs, nurses, and support staff, are experiencing high levels of demand. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a sharp increase in patient needs, driven by an aging population, the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing levels of chronic health conditions. This, combined with staffing shortages, has placed added strain on our ability to meet all demands in a timely manner.

What Does This Mean for You?

You may notice longer waiting times for appointments, increased difficulty in getting through to the practice by phone, or delays in receiving non-urgent care. We are changing our phone messages to give you full visibility on our capacity throughout each day. We understand this can be frustrating, but we want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to continue offering high-quality care while managing these pressures.

How You Can Help:

Here are a few ways you can assist us in helping you and others:

1. Only contact us when necessary: If you feel your issue is urgent, please let us know so we can prioritize appropriately.

2. Consider self-care options: For minor ailments and common conditions, local pharmacies, or online health resources like NHS 111 can often provide quick advice.

3. Plan ahead: Routine appointments or non-urgent issues may require longer notice. Your appointment will be appropriately triaged by a trained clinician based on appointment demand and capacity as well as clinical urgency. This may mean a slightly longer wait for your appointment.

Be patient: We are working hard to get to everyone as quickly as we can. Your understanding and patience during these times are greatly appreciated.

We Are Here to Help:

Despite the current challenges, we remain committed to providing the best care possible and improving the services we offer. We deeply appreciate your ongoing trust and cooperation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Thank you for your understanding.

Winter Vaccinations: RSV

From 1 September 2024, those who turn 75 and those age 75 to 79 are eligible for a free vaccine to protect them from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs that often cause symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, sneezing a runny or blocked nose, it can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system. We are sending out text invitations to eligible patients, however if you are eligible, you can call us to book.

Domestic Abuse & Christmas

Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone & include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members. Over the Christmas period reports of abuse increase by 15%. You do not have to wait for an emergency to find help, it’s important to tell someone and remember you’re not alone.

Refuge: 0808 2000 247 day or night. Email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Men’s advice Line: 0808 8010 327 Mon-Fri 10-8pm. Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Galop (LGBT+)0800 999 5428 Mon-Fri 9-5pm. Email: help@galop.org.uk

Keeping Warm This Winter

Keeping warm in winter is important as we get older as cold weather and winter bugs can affect us more than they used to, but there are things you can do to stay warm and prepare yourself and your home for the winter period.

1. Keeping your home warm – Try to heat your home to a steady and comfortable temperature throughout the day in the rooms you use most, such as the living room and bedroom – usually around 18°C (64°F) is ideal. If there are rooms you don’t use, like a spare bedroom, turn off the radiators in that room and close the doors. This will help you save on energy costs while keeping warm in winter. Use hot water bottles, put rugs down, block out draughts.
2. Have your flu, covid & RSV vaccination.
3. Keep active where possible.
4. Eat well – Aim for at least 1 hot meal a day (warming foods like soups & stew) & as many hot drinks as you can!
5. Wrap up well – layers help trap heat.
6. Keep emergency numbers nearby.
7. Look out for others. Darker nights and cold weather can make it harder for people to get out and about and we can all end up feeling lonely or out of sorts. Calling for a chat, popping in for a cuppa or even sending a card in the post can really help let someone know you’re thinking about them.

Cancel If You Can

We’ve noticed an increase in patients not attending their booked appointments (DNAs). We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, but we kindly request your cooperation to minimise this issue & will demonstrate your commitment to your own health & well-being.

What to Do If You’re Unable to Attend? If you’re unable to attend your scheduled appointment, please contact us as soon as possible & we’ll rebook your appointment at a convenient time. We will then be able to offer your appointment to another patient.

Please see below our monthly figures of appointments left unattended and the amount of hours this results in:

April: 393 (approx. 66 hours)
May: 572 (approx 95 hours)
June: 348 (approx 58 hours)
July: 461 (approx 77 hours)
August: 366 (approx 61 hours)
September: 397 (approx 66 hours)
October: 330 (approx 55 hours)
November: 432(approx 72 hours)

Prostate Cancer

Support Organisation
Dorset Hampshire Sussex
A charity run by patients for patients
PCaSO Provides free and confidential
HELP—SUPPORT—INFORMATION
CONTACT FOR SUPPORT :
0800 035 5302
info@pcaso.org
www.pcaso.org

Pharmacy Christmas & New Year Opening Hours

Pharmacy	Christmas Day Wed 25.12.2024	Boxing Day Thu 26.12.2024	New Years Day Wed 01.01.2025
Swan Pharmacy, Petersfield	14:00-17:00	14:00-17:00	14:00-17:00
Boot High Street, Petersfield	Closed	10:00-16:00	Closed
Allied Pharmacy, Liphook	Closed	10:00-13:00	Closed
Grayshott Pharmacy	Closed	Closed	14:00-17:00
Day Lewis Pharmacy, Petersfield	Closed	Closed	Closed
Boots, Liss	Closed	Closed	Closed
Chase Pharmacy, Bordon	Closed	Closed	Closed
Bordon Pharmacy	Closed	Closed	Closed
Headley Pharmacy	Closed	Closed	Closed

Social Prescribing Community Drop In Sessions

Need some help or advice? Come to one of our drop-in sessions for a chat with our two Social Prescribers. We can help with mental health support, diet and exercise, food and warmth support, financial issues and much more.

**NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY**

TUESDAYS: 12:00 to 2:30, The Church Centre, Liphook GU30 7DJ
THURSDAYS: 9:30 to 12:30, St Peters Church, Petersfield, GU32 3HS

Did you know Mind are within Swan surgeries?

We offer face to face or telephone appointments to help you deal with your wellbeing such as anxiety, depression and isolation.

We offer a mental health assessment and up to 6 follow up sessions where we will teach you techniques to help deal with your daily life.

If you would like a referral please speak to your GP or a member of the nursing team, we will then contact you to arrange next steps.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

From everyone here at The Swan Medical Group, we would like to wish all our patients a very Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!