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PPG Newsletter Spring 2025
Welcome to our first Newsletter of this year.
We wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2025 and, as you know, the Practice does its best to ensure that you are provided with the care and support you need.
Thank you,
John Gallimore.
Chair, The Meads Patient Participation Group
Have you had all your vaccinations for this Winter yet?
It has come to the time of year when we need to be mindful of the dangers winter brings upon us. Danger from infections, danger from falls in inclement weather and the danger of not protecting ourselves from all these harms.
Current news items tell us daily that our GP surgeries are full and Emergency Departments are overflowing.
We need to avoid these places and the only way to do that is ensure we have done as much as we can to protect ourselves.
That means checking if we are eligible for any of the available vaccinations. Here are the main ones:
- Flu Vaccine: Recommended for everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions, and frontline health and social care workers.
- COVID-19 Vaccine: Available for the same groups as the flu vaccine, including those aged 65 and over, residents of care homes, and those with underlying health conditions.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine: For the first time, this vaccine is being offered to those aged 75 to 79 and pregnant women from 28 weeks.
- Flu Vaccine for Children: Starting when the new school year begins, to help stop the virus from spreading.
You can book your vaccinations through your GP surgery, local pharmacy, or by visiting pop-up clinics. It's important to get vaccinated early to ensure you're protected before the peak of the flu season.
Stop, Think and Choose
Over the Christmas period the NHS have been promoting their Stop, Think and Choose campaign. Winter is a busy time for the NHS and while it’s important to come forward with any health concerns, patients can help ease the pressure by choosing the right service.
The ICB Our website includes details on self-help, urgent treatment centres and pharmacy services.
Sheppey Frailty Unit
When the frailty unit opened at Sheppey Community Hospital it was suggested that a group of volunteers could be a useful addition to the team. This was received with come scepticism, but after starting a pilot programme, the unit now has a Volunteer Co-Ordinator, 14 regular volunteers and three therapy dogs who take their turn.
The volunteers have become a valuable asset to the development of the unit. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Zoe Goodman, volunteer co-ordinator Medway Hospital: 01795 879100
Care at The Meads Surgery: A Patient’s Experience
For over 15 years, I’ve been a patient at The Meads Surgery, previously at Saffron Way.
Throughout that time, I’ve always experienced high-quality care from every member of the team, from clinicians and nurses to the administration staff.
A recent experience was a true testament to just how exceptional their service continues to be.
At 8am one morning, I needed a same-day appointment and called the surgery. By 8:05am, I received an answerphone message and chose the convenient 'call back' option. To my surprise and delight, at 8:15am, a receptionist called me back. After a brief discussion about my symptoms, she efficiently scheduled me an appointment with a GP at 11:20am that same day.
I arrived at the surgery at 11:15am. Whilst I was there, I decided to request copies of my most recent scan results which was for an unrelated issue. Expecting to collect them on my way out, I was pleasantly surprised when the receptionist immediately printed them for me. It was a small gesture, but it demonstrated the surgery’s commitment to ensuring that patients receive prompt and attentive service, even when it comes to paperwork.
At exactly 11:21am, I was called in to see the Doctor who conducted a thorough examination. I left the surgery at 11:30am. The whole process felt incredibly reassuring, and I left not only with peace of mind but also with my scan results in hand.
From start to finish, my entire experience at The Meads Surgery took just 3.5 hours. The efficiency, friendliness, and professionalism of the team were outstanding. The level of care I received mirrored the consistently high standards I’ve encountered throughout my 15 years as a patient.
While the CQC might have labelled The Meads as 'needing improvement,' I can confidently say that the surgery needs anything but. From my perspective as a long-term patient, the service they provide is nothing short of 'outstanding,' and I believe many others would agree.
Wendy Pfeiffer
Knowing How to Use all those Apps
Are you familiar with either of these pieces of equipment? We are often being told to “sign on …”, “Go to …” “ …The NHS App”, “Patient Knows Best”.
All of these are designed to help you get the support and help you need to choose the right treatment at the right place in as little time as possible. But all they do for many of us is to frustrate, confuse and anger us, even those who feel they are competent in using technology.
Would you like some help?
The Patient Group is going to provide you with a training session to enable you to use these applications with confidence and knowledge. It will be free and is being offered by Kent County Council. Please look out in the surgery and on our website for details. The first session will be in an afternoon in the surgery and if successful, it may be repeated one evening for those of you who find afternoon attendance difficult.
Your Surgery News
We are currently contacting patients who have not recently had their Blood Pressure check to book in for an appointment. High blood pressure can lead to serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. There are usually no symptoms so the only way to know is to get your blood pressure checked.
Did you know – if you are unable to come into the practice we can accept blood pressure readings from a home monitor. Please contact the surgery to find out how to send these readings in.
You can also visit a pharmacy for a free blood pressure check if you are aged 40 or over.
Published: Jan 31, 2025