Practice News – December 2023

Merry Christmas from all the staff here at Highfield Surgery

• Dr Shah and Dr Siddi joined the surgery as GP Partners in October 2023.  This will mean no changes to their clinics but that they will join the rest of the partners in running the practice.

• We will be closed on the following dates over the festive period: Monday 25th December, Tuesday 26th December and Monday 1st of January 2024 for New Years Day.

• Please ensure you order your prescriptions by the latest Tuesday 19th of December so you have enough over the Christmas period.

• We will be trialling a new pilot called Dermosight, this scheme allows patients who have a skin lesion to have it photographed in the surgery and the photograph sent to a clinician who will diagnose and send the results back to the practice.  This scheme is to run for three months initially.

• Falls prevention

  A lot of slips, trips and falls actually happen around the home so making a few simple changes can make your home a much safer space.

  One change could include removing any loose rugs or mats that you may have at the top or bottom of your stairs as these can be a trip hazard. Another home adaptation would be installing a night light near your bed so if you get up in the night you can see where you’re going. A motion-activated light which would only come on as needed wouldn’t disturb your sleep and would be helpful, especially in bathrooms and by the stairs.

  Having a look around your home and spotting potential hazards would also help, so keep an eye out for anything that could cause you to trip, like cables and clutter, and make sure you remove it. I also like to advise people to avoid any clear glass furniture as it can be harder to see.”

  Having a relative, friend or neighbour to ring if a fall occurs means help can be accessed quickly so it’s recommended to always have a personal alarm or mobile phone close by.

  If someone has a fall, the NHS advice is to remain as calm as possible – trying not to move too suddenly and taking a few minutes to check for any pain or injuries.

  A few other things people can do to reduce the risk of a fall:

  • Taking part in exercise as muscle strength and balance reduce as people get older.
  • Regular sight and hearing check-ups as this can impact balance and cause a fall or trip.
  • Ensuring shoes and slippers fit properly and have grips on them.
  • Avoid walking around the house in socks, tights or even bare foot.
  • Make sure your eye tests and hearing check-ups are up to date and your glasses fit properly.
  • Some medicines can cause drowsiness or dizziness. If this is the case for you then ask your pharmacist for a review of your medication, as there may be suitable alternatives that do not have these unwanted side effects.

• Discharge from hospital

  If your loved one is set to be discharged from hospital, here are some things to consider:

  • Is there enough food at their home for when they return?
  • Do they have their house keys with them?
  • Have they got transport to get home (speak to the hospital if they need help)?
  • Have they got all the medication they need to recover at home?
  • Do they have suitable clothing to leave hospital in?