This Newsletter is produced by the Northgate Medical Practice Patients Participation Group (PPG).  The PPG is made up of patients whose role is to act as a communication link between the professionals at the practice and the patients, to channel the views and concerns of patients back to the team, and to offer practical help if needed.
 

Fundraising  

The PPG together with members of the Practice staff organised a cake sale to support the Macmillan coffee morning fundraiser event. Some delicious cakes were made and consumed.     

Diabetes Support Group

The PPG is proposing to set up a Diabetes Support Group.  The purpose of the group will be to meet regularly, to offer support and information about the condition and to keep members up to date with advances in treatment.  If you are interested in such a group, please contact us on the PPG email alison.clarke72@nhs.net

Health Campaigns for 2024

At various times of the year the PPG tries to supplement the work of the Practice by highlighting health issues and the various services that are available to help maintain good health and identify any concerns.

During January members of the PPG in conjunction with Macmillan visited a key location in Canterbury to raise awareness of cervical and prostate cancer and the need for screening.  Information will also be available in Reception. On February 1^st there will be a “Time to Talk” session for those with mental health issues, in the Reception area from 10 am to 12. We are also planning a meeting for Carers to in March. A regular Walking and Talking Group will offer an opportunity to take some gentle exercise and meet and talk with others. If you would like more information, contact us at alison.clarke72@nhs.net

Ophthalmology Clinic – Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

We are excited to announce that Northgate Medical Practice is starting a Wet AMD service with effect from 2 March 2024. This will run on a Saturday by a well-established team with a passion for good eye care and excellence in this speciality. This service is open to any resident of Canterbury, or surrounding areas, and will allow them to opt to be seen in a convenient central location (the only provider in Canterbury) for the monitoring and continued care of their eye condition Wet AMD.

Patients will be able to ask for a referral into the Wet AMD service at Northgate Medical Practice from now and even if they are currently being seen by a different provider they can opt to have their monitoring and treatment continued in Canterbury should this service be more local or convenient for patients.

Getting Your Test Results

You can now see test results online if you log in to the NHS App. Only the recent ones are shown. You can of course ring the Practice for your result(s) but be sure to ring after 2 pm and press option 1. 

Prescriptions: a reminder

PRESCRIPTIONS CAN ONLY BE ISSUED BY A DOCTOR, A CLINICAL PHARMACIST OR A CLINICAL PRACTITIONER.

ONE-OFF PRESCRIPTIONS

You may be given a prescription after seeing a GP, the clinical pharmacist or an advanced nurse practitioner.  You can get your medication at the pharmacy next to the surgery or at your preferred pharmacy. You can ask for your prescription to be sent electronically to a specific pharmacy of your choice for collection.

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS

IF YOU NEED A REPEAT PRESCRIPTION YOU CAN DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Leave a hand-written note at reception (with your name and date of birth)
• Complete a (green) prescription request form, which can be obtained from the receptionist
• Complete the form from your previous prescription and leave at reception
• Request a printed copy of your medication from reception
• Email the surgery on fax.nmp@nhs.net - with your full name and date of birth to - kmicb.northgatemedicalpractice@nhs.net
• Use the NHS or Patient Access apps
• Use the link on our website: www.northgatemedicalpractice.com

WHEN ORDERING A REPEAT PRESCIPTION YOU SHOULD DO SO IN GOOD TIME TO ALLOW  AT LEAST THREE WORKING DAYS BEFORE IT IS READY FOR COLLECTION

DID YOU KNOW

An average of 500 requests for prescriptions are dealt with every day, and each has to be checked and signed off by a GP – that’s 50 to 80 per GP!

Staff Changes

Maternity Leave:    Healthcare Assistant – Lauren

New Staff: 

• Care Navigator – Mo
• Care Navigator - Corinne

COVID Spring Booster Vaccinations

Northgate Medical Practice will once again be holding clinics for the COVID19 Spring Booster at the Sea Cadets, Vauxhall Road, Canterbury CT1 1ZN for all over 75's in April, and the date to be confirmed along with other eligible cohorts.  These clinics will be held Monday to Friday.  Further details to follow.

In the meantime Northgate Medical Practice are the East Kent site for COVID vaccinations during February and March for all ages 6 months and up newly immunosuppressed patients, contact the surgery for an appointment.

MMR Vaccinations

As there is an alert out for the large rise in Measles cases nationally , Northgate Medical Practice are holding clinics for its patients aged 4 years to 25 years who are due a second MMR vaccine or have not yet had a first MMR vaccine.  Please contact the surgery to book into a dedicated MMR clinic on Friday 23 February 9-2pm.

Flu Vaccinations

Walk-in Flu vaccinations for all patients over 65 years of age and 18 years of age and up clinical risk and all health care and social care workers at the following clinics at Northgate Medical Practice.

• Saturday 17 February 8.30-12.30 pm

• Friday 23 February 9.00 - 2pm

• Saturday 2 March 8.30-12.30pm

• Friday 15 March 9.00 - 1.pm

Shingles

All patients ages 50 and above who are immunosuppressed are eligible for a shingles vaccine. First and second dose clinics for this are held at Northgate on the following dates:

• Saturday 17 February 8.30 - 12.30pm

• Friday 15 March 9am-1pm                                                           

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Please ask at reception to book into any of these clinics.