Welcome to the latest of our weekly newsletters. We regard it as a priority that all patients at our Adlington, Buckshaw, Croston, Eaves Lane Chorley and Lostock Hall surgeries are kept fully informed of news and developments relevant to them. We hope these updates continue to prove useful.
The ‘Act Fast’ stroke Awareness Campaign
We are backing the NHS in England’s latest ‘Act Fast’ campaign to increase awareness of the signs of a stroke and encourage people to dial 999 at the first sign.
A stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK, there are around 38,000 stroke-related deaths every year and it’s a leading cause of disability.
The campaign encourages people to ‘Act Fast’ at any sign of a stroke as every minute is vital, to give patients quicker access to specialist treatment that could save their life and reduce the long-term effects of a stroke such as a disability.
The campaign explains that the first sign of a stroke, like struggling to smile, not being able to raise your arm or slurring when you speak, might not seem serious.
Stroke symptoms can be less dramatic, painful or obvious than might be expected.
But even if doesn’t seem like much, at the first sign of a stroke call 999.
Please see our social media channels for more details or the posters in our surgeries.
NHS Pharmacy First Service
The NHS Pharmacy First Service is fully operational and now deals with a wide range of common complaints including UTIs, shingles, impetigo, infected insect bites and acute sinusitis, sore throats and otitis media (earache).
If you have such a complaint, call our surgery and we will make the referral.
You will then be contacted by your local pharmacy who will arrange for you to visit, where you will receive advice, information and if required antibiotics as well as other over the counter medication if this is suitable.
The system is intended to free up GP and other Clinician appointments as patients can be dealt with quickly and easily by pharmacies instead of making surgery appointments.
Save Money on Prescriptions
A reminder that you can save money on prescription payments using a Prescription Prepayment Certificate, which is worthwhile if you pay for more than three items in three months, or 11 items in 12 months.
It covers all NHS prescriptions for a set pre-paid price, which can also be spread over 10 direct debit payments. Visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc or contact our reception staff.
You could also be entitled to help with costs or even free prescriptions through the low income scheme, which is specifically aimed at those with long term conditions and those living in deprived areas. To check your eligibility, click on this link www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check or contact our reception team if you’ve no internet access.
Homeless and Ukraine Appeals
We are still continuing to accept toiletries, sanitary products, baby items, pet food, non-perishable food items, shoes, clean duvets, blankets, towels, coats or sleeping bags for the Ukraine and the Chorley Homeless Group appeals, and you can drop them off at any of our surgeries during opening hours.
Please mark your bags if you’ve a preference for which appeal you wish them to go to.