NHS Direct
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Tel: 0845 4647
NHS Direct started in 1998, and provides confidential healthcare advice 24 hours a day. Nurses answer the calls, using their skills and knowledge as well as a comprehensive computer system to advise on the best course of action for a variety of ailments.
Whatever the problem, the NHS Direct nurse you speak to will listen to the symptoms you describe and advise you what to do for the best. They can also advise you about local healthcare services including out of hours pharmacies and self help organisations. This information can also be found on their website as above.
FASTING BLOOD TESTS
Sometimes your doctor may ask you to book an appointment for a ‘fasting’ blood test, this means that for 14 hour prior to your test you should not eat or drink anything except for water.
It is important, however, that you do drink enough water, otherwise it is very difficult for the nurse/phlebotomist to take your blood and this can result in the test having to be repeated.
Simple steps to coping with stress
The time leading up to the festive season can be stressful for many people for a variety of reasons; here are a few simple steps that may help you cope:
•Organise your time by making a list of what is most and least urgent, and do things in that order; don’t take on more than you can handle.
•Take regular gentle rhythmic exercise such as swimming, walking or jogging as this helps release the tension caused by stress.
•Try to avoid harmful ways of coping with the stress such as drinking, smoking or compulsive eating- they may give temporary relief but they can lead to increased stress and poor health.
•Learn to relax.
Nov/Dec 2007
July/August 2007
Cervical smears
Cervical screening is routinely offered to all women aged between 24 and 64 but it is available to any woman if clinically indicated.According to government statistics, cervical screening saves over 1000 lives in the UK every year but unfortunately approximately 1500 women still die each year from cervical cancer and most of these women have never had a cervical smear test.
Cervical screening is not a test for diagnosing cancer. It is a test to detect early changes in the cervix (neck of the womb) that may lead to cancer developing. Early detection and treatment can prevent cancer developing in most cases and we recommend that all women take advantage of this service.
APatient Information Leaflet is available from the Health Centre if you would like further information.
Referral Management Centre
This service has been set up by the Maidstone Weald Primary Care Trust to provide a central point of contact for patients to enquire about their referrals, and also to help the PCT to understand and improve local health services.
Referrals:
If you are referred to another health professional by your GP, the letter of referral is sent to the RMC who record some of your details and forward the letter on to the health professional – this is usually done within 24 hours. The RMC - not your GP – will be the first point of contact for any patient enquiring about their referral and/or appointment.
Patient transport:
The RMC will also be able to advise patients of their eligibility for transport; and if eligible, they will arrange the booking on behalf of the patient.The RMC requires at least 48 hours notice to organise transport; they also deal with transport queries.In order to provide patients with the best possible care, patient information may be shared with other health professionals and other NHS organisations.
The Referral Management Centre
Open 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Telephone: 01622 791472
Fax: 01622 885918
Patient Information Leaflets
You can access over 600 leaflets on health and disease from the Patient UK website: www.patient.co.uk
Most GPs in the UK use these same leaflets to print out for patients and carers during consultations.
Managing your medicines Safely
Here are some tips on what to consider before taking medication either prescribed for you or bought over the counter:
- Follow all instructions carefully and ensure that they are safe to use with any other medication you are using including lotions and creams.
- Make sure that you take the correct dosage – too much can be harmful.
- Some food and drinks react badly with medicine, so remember to listen carefully to the advice given by your doctor or pharmacist.
- Keep medicines in their original container to avoid taking the wrong medicine.
- Remember that alcohol should be avoided when taking some medicines.
- Never take someone else's medicine or give yours to another person.
- Don't take medicines in the dark as you may be taking the wrong ones.
- Don't stop taking your medicine or change the dose without consulting your doctor or pharmacist first.
- If you think someone has accidentally taken an overdose then take them straight to hospital, and if possible take the bottle so that the doctors know what have to treat.
- Accidental overdosing can occur when a cold remedy containing paracetamol is taken at the same time as a painkiller with paracetamol in it; this is very dangerous so check the label first.