Health help Now - a new website/app has been launched to help people find the right treatment

A new digital tool to help people find local health services and advice has been launched in West Essex.  As part of the Evening and Weekend GP service, the Health help Now website and app gives detailed advice and guidance on the most common ailments and symptoms.  The tool also recommends the best place for treatment - showing which nearby services are open.

West Essex residents can access the site online: http://westessex.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk/ or search on your smartphone app store for Health help Now.

The app is broken down into different age groups - baby, child, teenager, adult and older adult - making it easier for people to find the right treatment for them.  Health help Now also offers advice on lots of health problems - such as what to do if you accidentally run out of medication.  It links to local services including pharmacies, the community and voluntary sector and social care.

Fraud - elderly and vulnerable community members beware

WARNING:
Police forces have become aware of a fraud circulating targeting elderly and vulnerable members of the community.Some older people have received telephone calls from a caller who purports to be from the GP surgery and is asking for an appointment to discuss the person's mobility needs.  During the appointment, the older person is persuaded to buy mobility aids which are either unnecessary or inappropriate and always expensive.
If you receive a call like this, please check with your GP surgery first before agreeing to a visit.

NHS free weight management programme

If you struggle to manage your weight, why not make a change and join a FREE weight management programme run by your local NHS?  See link below:

NHS free weight management programme

CQC Report

We are pleased to announce that we have now been assessed by the CQC and would like to share with you their findings.

CQC Report 15 October 2014.pdf

St Margaret's Radiology Service on Wednesday Evenings

From Wednesday 13 April 2015 the Wednesday evening session for GP plain film patient x rays will have new opening times and the service will now be open until 7pm. 

Toenail Cutting Service - The Limes Medical Centre - Epping

Looking after your toenails will help you to keep mobile. Keeping mobile can help you to avoid becoming isolated and housebound - it will also help you to reduce the likelihood of having a fall and to avoid the general discomfort which accompanies long toenails. As we grow older something as simple as cutting your own toenails can become much harder, or even impossible.

Essex Age UK are holding Toenail cuttting sessions at The Limes Medical Centre, Epping. To book an appointment with one of their trimmers who are trained by the NHS Podiatry Service please either call 01245 423 333 between 09.00 and 16.00 on weekdays or email them at toenails@ageukessex.org.uk.  There is a £15 charge for this service.

The sessions will be held on:

Help With Health Costs

Can you get help with the cost of:

• Prescriptions
• Dental treatment
• Sight tests
• Glasses or contact lenses
• Wigs or fabric supports from a hospital
• Travel for NHS treatments?

Please read the attached document for further information on getting help with health costs.

HC11

E-Sibling Project

Online Information & Peer Support for Siblings

Has your brother or sister been affected by psychosis?

Has your sibling's illness had an impact on your life?

Would you like more information and support to cope with your sibling's illness?

If so, the E Sibling Project could help you!

Please read the attached document for further information regarding the E Sibling Project and what it involves to take part.

E Sibling Project

West Essex, Safe and Well in Your Home

Independence at Home and Coming Home after a Hospital Stay

Please read the attached document for further information regarding this service:

West Essex, Safe and Well in Your Home Leaflet

Food for Thought - Garden Placements

Designed for those who would benefit from a supportive and therapeutic environment doing practical activities

Please see attached document for further information:

Food for Thought

In addition to our online repeat prescription request service we would now like to introduce you to the Electronic Prescription Service.

This will enable you to have your script sent electronically to a nominated pharmacy where you can then collect your medication.

A new way to get your medicines and appliances

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service. It gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from.

What does this mean for you?

• If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.
• You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.
• You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive.

Is this service right for you?

Yes, if you have a stable condition and you:

• Don't want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription.
• Collect your medicines from the same place most of the time or use a prescription collection service now.

It may not be if you:

• Don't get prescriptions very often.
• Pick up your medicines from different places.

How can you use EPS?

You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. You can choose:

• A pharmacy.
• A dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one).
• Your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible).

Ask any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or your GP practice to add your nomination for you. You don't need a computer to do this.

Can I change my nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription?

Yes you can. If you don't want your prescription to be sent electronically tell your GP. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice. Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.

Is EPS reliable, secure and confidential?

Yes. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now. Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser.

For more information about EPS, and to watch a short video explaining the service please visit www.cfh.nhs.uk/eps your pharmacy or your GP practice.

West Essex Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services

Revised January 2014 (Please note new Call Handler Provider - MSL and New Telephone Number)

Who is entitled to patient transport?

Any patient whose medical condition affects their mobility so much that they would not be able to access the healthcare they need without transport AND who have no alternative suitable means of transporting themselves to hospital.

This service can arrange transport for first appointments only. If transport is needed for hospital follow up appointments, this will be arranged by the hospital that you have attended.

Who do I contact if I think I might be eligible?

If you feel that you may be entitled to patient transport, please telephone the call handler on 020 7510 4634 (Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm) as soon as your appointment has been confirmed:

Please have the following information available:

• Appointment date and time
• Hospital clinic details
• NHS number
• Name, date of birth, home address and GP details

   

What happens next?

Please be aware that you will be asked a series of questions by the call handler during this phone call. These questions will assess your individual circumstances/mobility against the Essex Eligibility Criteria.

If this is approved your transport will be booked with the relevant hospital transport service. In some special cases a carer or helper may be able to travel with you.

Please telephone the call handler on 020 7510 4634 if your appointment details change, if you change your address or if you no longer require transport.

What if I am not eligible?

If you are not eligible for NHS patient transport, the Co-ordinator will give you details of other services that maybe able to assist you with making transport arrangements to and from your appointment.

You may be able to claim back some or all of your travel costs if you make your own way to your hospital/clinic appointment and you receive any of the following:

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

Child Tax Credit*

Working Tax Credit* with Child Tax Credit*

Working Tax Credit with a disability element [*subject to an income ceiling]

* Further information is available from publications section of the Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk or by contacting the General Office/Cashiers Office at the hospital/clinic you are visiting.

MMR Catch Up Programme

Measles is a highly infectious and unpleasant illness that can lead to serious complications, including blindness and even death.

The initial symptoms of measles include:

• cold like symptoms
• red eyes and sensitivity to light
• fever
• greyish white spots in the mouth and throat

After a few days a red-brown spotty rash will appear. This usually starts behind the ears, then spreads around the head and neck, to the legs and the rest of the body.

If you think you child may have measles contact your GP straight away.

For further information regarding the MMR Catch Up Programme please click on the link below:

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/04April/Pages/New-MMR-catch-up-campaign-one-million-children-targeted.aspx

West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (WECCG)

West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (WECCG) has the responsibility of commissioning healthcare for the population of West Essex.

The commissioning group is made up of 39 general practices within the 3 localities that make up West Essex; Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford who work together to ensure that the best possible healthcare is available and meets the needs of people in West Essex.

For further information regarding WECCG and for all the latest news and events please click on the link below:

http://www.westessexccg.nhs.uk/

Join our Patient Reference Group

The Peer Navigator Programme

ecdp understand that for some people living with a Long Term Health Condition, the things that appear simple, can actually be confusing and problematic. The Peer Navigator Programme uses 'peer-to-peer support' from specifically recruited 'Peer Navigators', to help you to resolve your problems. For further information regarding the Peer Navigator Programme please click on the link below.

The Peer Navigator Programme Information

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

For further information please click on the link below:

PALS Poster

Job Vacancies

For all current Job Vacancies please click on the right hand side link on this screen

Stop Smoking Support Available Here

Chlamydia Testing 15-24 year olds

If you are between the ages of 15-24 you are eligible for a free confidential chlamydia test. Please come into the surgery to get a kit which you can do yourself and send off. Even if you have had testing done before - it is best to be checked every year.