SEASONS greetings to all our Patients from the Doctors and Staff of The Nelson Medical Practice and best wishes for a happy and HEALTHY New Year in 2020.

During 2019 we reached a practice list of 30,000 patients and we strive continually to offer a caring, personal and professional service to each person.

Please see our December 2019 Newsletter

Bausch & Lomb UK limited (the makers of Emerade) has informed us of a risk of Emerade product failing to deliver a dose of adrenaline, from the syringe due to blockage of the needle.

This issue was first detected in June 2018 during routine stability testing of the syringe component of Emerade, with potential to affect 1.5 in every ten thousand pens, and therefore considered a rare event. However, recent information indicates that the potential occurrence of needle blockage in batches on the market is higher than first estimated and we are therefore bringing it to the attention of patients.

The potential for units on the market to have a blockage of the needle which could lead to Emerade failing to deliver a dose when activated is now estimated to be 0.23%, which would affect 2.3 in every thousand pens. However, if you follow the existing advice to carry two in-date pens with you at all times, the risk of not being able to deliver a dose of adrenaline before the emergency services arrive is substantially reduced (from 0.23% to 0.000529%).

It should be emphasised that two pens are already recommended to be carried at all times in case the patient does not improve after the first injection which may occur for a number of reasons.

We would advise you to:

• Check expiry date and replace the pen before it expires
• Use the autoinjector at first signs of anaphylaxis
• Call 999, ask for an ambulance and say anaphylaxis (pronounced as ‘anna -fill-axis’)
• Lie flat if possible with your legs up to keep your blood flowing
• Use second pen if still unwell after 5-15 minutes

Please click on the link below for further information:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b644e25ed915d377695c83d/AAI-PDF-v4.pdf

We are delighted to be able to announce that we have appointed Dr Subhro Mukherjee, Dr Laura Jarvie and Dr Yaso Walker as Associate Partners at the Nelson Medical Practice to take effect from 1st April 2019.

The role of the new Associate Partners will be to work alongside our Clinical Directors Dr Shweta Singh and Dr Peter Hughes  in the practice to ensure that we continuously improve the quality of our services and to safeguard high standards of care by creating an environment in which clinical excellence will flourish specific areas of responsibility.

Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen. The symptoms of hay fever are caused when a person has an allergic reaction to pollen. Common hay fever symptoms are:

• a runny, itchy and/or blocked nose
  
• sneezing
  
• itchy eyes
  

Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. Pollen contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.

How to treat hay fever

Many hay fever symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter medication at your local pharmacy.

• Steroid nasal sprays help to prevent or reduce inflammation in the lining of the nose and some can help to relieve watery eyes.
  Available from your local pharmacy.
  

• Antihistamines help to relieve a runny nose, sneezing, itching and watery eyes. Some types of antihistamines make you drowsy and are best taken before bed. Newer antihistamines are less likely to make you drowsy and are a common choice for children and people with milder or occasional symptoms of hay fever.
  Available from your local pharmacy. 

• Decongestant nasal sprays and tablets are used to unblock the nose. They should never be taken for more than a few days at a time.
  Available from your local pharmacy.
  

• Eye drops can be used to treat itchy or watery eyes.
  Available from your local pharmacy.

If none of the above treatments are effective for you, please book an appointment to discuss other treatments.

Useful Links

• NHS – Hay fever
  
• NHS – Find your local Pharmacy
  
• Met Office – Pollen forecast

Young Merton provides up-to-date information for young people in Merton about support, mental health, keeping healthy, events and activities, education, work and much more.

Visit the Young Merton website

If you would like your Summary Care Record to be enhanced with additional information (or the SCR of someone you are a carer for), then please print out and complete the below form, to be returned to The Nelson Medical Practice. Thank you.

• NHS Enriched Summary Care Record Form

View information about services offered at The Nelson Medical Practice.

• Nelson Medical Practice – Our Services

Our on-line access system has been updated by EMIS (Our clinical system provider) and significantly changed. We had no notice of these changes, which happened overnight last night. The changes only really impact our internal processes and should not impact patients currently registered with the service. However, if a patient wishes to change their level of access or wishes to register for the first time there are some implications. New registrations will only be able to book a single appointment using Patient Access and we will not be able to make changes to access levels for currently registered patients. We are hoping that this will only be for a short period, maybe a couple of weeks.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but these changes were totally outside of our control.

Vincent Poncia

NHS Merton CCG’s Expert Patient Programme (EPP) offers free courses for people who live with one or more long-term health conditions. It provides patients the tools, techniques and confidence to manage their condition better on a daily basis to improve their quality of life.

View more information including the upcoming course dates in the EPP Information Leaflet.

Who should have the flu jab?

The flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to ensure they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications.

You are eligible to receive a free flu jab if you:

• are 65 years of age or over (born on or before 31^st March 1953)
• are pregnant (regardless of the stage of pregnancy you’ve reached)
• have certain long-term medical conditions :
  • Chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema or Bronchitis
  • Chronic heart disease, such as Heart Failure
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Chronic Liver Disease, such as Hepatitis
  • Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease or Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Diabetes
  • problems with your spleen – for example, Sickle Cell Disease or if you have had your spleen removed
  • a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medication such as Chemotherapy
• are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
• Front-line health and social care workers are also eligible to receive the flu vaccine.  It is your employer’s responsibility to arrange and pay for this vaccine.

How to get the flu jab?

We have walk in clinics at the practice for those aged 18 and over who are considered to be “at risk” for which appointments will not be necessary :-

What if I don’t want the flu jab?

If you do not wish to receive the flu vaccination we would be grateful if you could let us know so that this may be detailed on your medical records.  This will also prevent us from sending you any reminders.