News

NOTICE TO PATIENTS WITH CHILDREN UNDER 5 WISHING TO ATTEND BABY CLINIC
There has been a gradual reduction in the number of young children attending the Harvey House baby clinic following the withdrawal of our health visitor.
We have therefore decided that as from 28th June 2010 we will run a dedicated baby and child development clinic at Jersey Farm Surgery only. All invitations for immunisations will be issued for Jersey Farm and there will be an opportunity to seek advice from a health visitor who will be able to weigh young children.
For those parents who wish their young children to be given immunisations at Harvey House, please telephone 01727 831810 to make an appointment with the nurse at one of their morning or afternoon clinics. Please mention to the receptionist the reason for the appointment. 
For your information there are 12 local child health clinics held each week where a health visitor will be available for weighing and advice. A list of the clinics is displayed on the window by the front door at Harvey House.

SUMMARY CARE RECORD
During the month of February 2010 all Hertfordshire residents should have received a Patient Information Pack regarding the Summary Care Record. If you have any queries or would like further information please ring the helpline on 0845 603 8510. Alternatively you may access the Summary Care Website on http://www.nhscarerecords.nhs.uk/summary that includes an opting out form that can be downloaded.

MEDICAL RESEARCH
Please see the page on 'Medical Research' that briefly explains our participation in this.

EXTENDED HOURS
We are currently offering routine bookable appointments at Harvey House on Saturday mornings from 9am to midday, and Tuesday evenings from 6.30 to 8pm. We regret that patients can only be seen with a pre-booked appointment.
Please note there is no telephone service available.

Emergencies will be treated by Herts Urgent Care (HUC) - tel 03000 333333 (for full details see 'Services for Patients').

NEW GP REGISTRARS
Dr's  Abiy Mebrate and Rachel Spendlove joined us in August 2010 for  attachments of 12 and 4 months respectively as part of their GP training.

CHLAMYDIA SCREENING

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection, which does not always produce symptoms.  If can lead to fertility problems and pelvic pain in women, and is important to identify and treat.  A simple urine test is now available to screen for chlamydia infection for men and women, and does not require an examination.  Please book an appointment with a nurse.  More information is available at: http://www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/index.htm

2006 GUIDANCE ON BLOOD PRESSURE (Including information on beta-blockers)
On 28/6/06 new UK Guidenace was published on blood pressure. This has been widely reported in the media as the new guideance indicates that beta-blockers are no longer to be a routine treatment for blood pressure. Please read here to get more information with regard to beta-blockers and the new guidance.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
High blood pressure (BP) itself is not an illness. However, BP - or poorly treated BP - is an important risk factor for heart problems and strokes. All people on blood pressure tablets should have their blood pressure monitored at least twice a year. If you have diagnosed high blood pressure - or have had a raised BP reading in the past - but have not had a BP check within the last 15 months - please contact the surgery to have a BP check
More information on Blood Pressure can be found at this site.

ON REPEAT MEDICATION?
If you are on a regular repeat prescription, there are now a variety of ways to collect your prescription. We hope that there will be a system to suit everyone! Please refer to our separate page on Prescriptions for information on the five methods we make available. 

TELEPHONES?
We all get very irritated by unsolicited telephone calls from companies (usually at dinner time or when putting the kids to bed!). BT and NTL offer the facility to block calls from 'number withheld' numbers. HOWEVER - if you use this form of block on your phone line PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THE SURGERY IS UNABLE TO CONTACT YOU AS OUR PHONE SYSTEM CANNOT GIVE OUT CALLER ID NUMBERS! If you use this form of call-blocking, PLEASE let the surgery know so we can place a flag on your records. If possible, please also give us a different means of contacting you as well (eg work or mobile number).

DIABETES
We are pleased to offer a diabetic clinic at the surgery. This runs weekly on a Monday afternoon at Harvey House Surgery. Patients with diabetes will be invited to the clinic during the course of a year. The clinic is run by Drs Parfitt and Walton, together with Practice Nurses Gill Crisp and Jill Fletcher. The dietician is also available for those with diabetes needing further advice.

PHYSIOTHERAPY, FEET and MINDS!

Sessions are provided from our surgery for private physiotherapy, private chiropody/podiatry, and private clinical psychology sessions. If you would like to make enquiries or book an appointment please contact:
Physiotherapist (private)....
Mrs Tamsin Mann (BUPA accredited) (telephone 07974 653437).
Chiropodist/Podiatrist (private)....
Mrs Chloë Clark (nee Finch) (telephone 07817 551386)
Clinical Psychologist (private)....
Ms Patti Rios (BUPA accredited) (telephone 07799 608910).