Dear Patients,
For the last 12 months we have been fully clinically staffed and we hope that you have noticed an improvement in the service that we offer you (although we acknowledge that it can always be improved). We will always respond to urgent problems on the same day and now respond to the vast majority of non-urgent enquiries within 24 hours. Average waiting times for GP routine appointments are under 1 week and all urgent matters are seen the same day. We are committed to continually improving our services.
Over recent weeks we have seen demand for our services rise dramatically. With social distancing restrictions, ongoing delays in hospital treatments and inevitable pressures from winter illness it is essential that we all use the NHS appropriately and responsibly. Please take time to think about your other options before contacting the surgery or other NHS services. Many conditions and queries can be managed by our community pharmacy colleagues or self-managed (www.nhs.uk).
When we are overwhelmed by inappropriate requests it can impact on the service we offer to our most unwell and vulnerable patients (e.g. those with cancer, unwell children or with severe mental health problems).
Of course, if you are worried that you are seriously unwell we still want to hear from you urgently.
Many thanks for your ongoing support for the NHS and for each other.
Best wishes
Dr Stewart Smith
St Austell Healthcare PCN Clinical Director
For the last 12 months we have been fully clinically staffed and we hope that you have noticed an improvement in the service that we offer you (although we acknowledge that it can always be improved). We will always respond to urgent problems on the same day and now respond to the vast majority of non-urgent enquiries within 24 hours. Average waiting times for GP routine appointments are under 1 week and all urgent matters are seen the same day. We are committed to continually improving our services.
Over recent weeks we have seen demand for our services rise dramatically. With social distancing restrictions, ongoing delays in hospital treatments and inevitable pressures from winter illness it is essential that we all use the NHS appropriately and responsibly. Please take time to think about your other options before contacting the surgery or other NHS services. Many conditions and queries can be managed by our community pharmacy colleagues or self-managed (www.nhs.uk).
When we are overwhelmed by inappropriate requests it can impact on the service we offer to our most unwell and vulnerable patients (e.g. those with cancer, unwell children or with severe mental health problems).
Of course, if you are worried that you are seriously unwell we still want to hear from you urgently.
Many thanks for your ongoing support for the NHS and for each other.
Best wishes
Dr Stewart Smith
St Austell Healthcare PCN Clinical Director
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Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visit St Austell Healthcare
The Prince of Wales thanked NHS general practice and primary care staff for their heroic efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, during a visit to St Austell Healthcare.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the county’s largest GP practice on day two of a three-day visit to Cornwall, and acknowledged the commitment of St Austell Healthcare in their sensitive support of local people in and around the town during the pandemic.
The Prince of Wales thanked NHS general practice and primary care staff for their heroic efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic, during a visit to St Austell Healthcare.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the county’s largest GP practice on day two of a three-day visit to Cornwall, and acknowledged the commitment of St Austell Healthcare in their sensitive support of local people in and around the town during the pandemic.
St Austell Healthcare is focusing on local health and social care organisations working together to meet the health needs of local patients, and the royal visitors heard about the work staff had done during Covid-19.
During their visit yesterday (Tuesday 21 July), the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall spent time talking to a number of clinicians working within the practice, the social prescribing team, voluntary sector and care home and community nursing representatives.
Social prescribing is a big focus for the practice and patients are linked with community services to help boost their wellbeing.
Speaking to staff at St Austell Healthcare, Prince Charles said: “What we are witnessing is a whole community working together to help each other, it’s a shining example of what is possible and what we should continue to strive to do."
He acknowledged that the team had created all sorts of virtual systems of communication that are linking the most vulnerable with a vast range of sources of help from the health service and volunteers.
A full tour of the surgery’s services and meetings with social prescribing partners at St Austell Healthcare was not possible due to social distancing measures in place. However, a small number of the team were able to provide Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall with a number of examples of how social prescribing has an effective role in wider primary care within the St Austell community.
During their visit yesterday (Tuesday 21 July), the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall spent time talking to a number of clinicians working within the practice, the social prescribing team, voluntary sector and care home and community nursing representatives.
Social prescribing is a big focus for the practice and patients are linked with community services to help boost their wellbeing.
Speaking to staff at St Austell Healthcare, Prince Charles said: “What we are witnessing is a whole community working together to help each other, it’s a shining example of what is possible and what we should continue to strive to do."
He acknowledged that the team had created all sorts of virtual systems of communication that are linking the most vulnerable with a vast range of sources of help from the health service and volunteers.
A full tour of the surgery’s services and meetings with social prescribing partners at St Austell Healthcare was not possible due to social distancing measures in place. However, a small number of the team were able to provide Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall with a number of examples of how social prescribing has an effective role in wider primary care within the St Austell community.
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Dr Stewart Smith, GP partner at St Austell Healthcare, said: “It has been wonderful to have the recognition of all the progress we have made in St Austell over the last five years. It was also great to showcase integrated working with representatives from home re-enablement services, district nurses, the care home sector and voluntary sector.
“This was a celebration of not only St Austell Primary Care Network (PCN) but of the progress made in working together in Cornwall during Covid-19. From boardroom to front-line services we have seen everyone working together like never before, whilst the battle against Covid-19 goes on, health, social care and wellbeing have sound footings due to the new found collaborative spirit in the county.”
Hayley Burgoyne, head of social prescribing, added: “It was an honour to meet The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Charles was interested to hear about our PCN and the social prescribing service we offer. He took a particular interest in our engagement with the community and voluntary sector and mobilising volunteers.”
Dr Michael Dixon, NHS England’s clinical champion for social prescribing and chair of the Institute for Social Prescribing with the South West Academic Science Network, accompanied the royal visitors. He said: “It is a tremendous credit to the work of St Austell Healthcare and social prescribing link workers across the South West that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have chosen to honour their work today.
“GPs across the country have increasingly recognised the value of social prescribing to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients. Their collective and practical dedication has been a lifeline for many communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“This was a celebration of not only St Austell Primary Care Network (PCN) but of the progress made in working together in Cornwall during Covid-19. From boardroom to front-line services we have seen everyone working together like never before, whilst the battle against Covid-19 goes on, health, social care and wellbeing have sound footings due to the new found collaborative spirit in the county.”
Hayley Burgoyne, head of social prescribing, added: “It was an honour to meet The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Charles was interested to hear about our PCN and the social prescribing service we offer. He took a particular interest in our engagement with the community and voluntary sector and mobilising volunteers.”
Dr Michael Dixon, NHS England’s clinical champion for social prescribing and chair of the Institute for Social Prescribing with the South West Academic Science Network, accompanied the royal visitors. He said: “It is a tremendous credit to the work of St Austell Healthcare and social prescribing link workers across the South West that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have chosen to honour their work today.
“GPs across the country have increasingly recognised the value of social prescribing to improve the health and wellbeing of their patients. Their collective and practical dedication has been a lifeline for many communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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A very inspirational lady from St Austell has shared her story in the hope of encouraging others to attend their smear test appointments. Read Leanne's story on the Cornwall Live website. Smear tests at St Austell Healthcare can be booked online, or please give our reception a call on 01726 75555. If you have any concerns, please do get in touch, via telephone or eConsult. |
Managing your health at home
To maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of the coronavirus, you are advised to stay at home as much as possible. While you are at home it's still easy to get NHS help and support using your smartphone, tablet or computer. The Health at Home webpage has information letting you know how to: ● contact your GP
● order repeat prescriptions
● manage long-term conditions
● maintain your mental and physical wellbeing
If you need an NHS service, try to do it online first. If you cannot get what you need this way try asking a friend or family member to help you, or speak to your GP surgery on the phone.
Find out more at: nhs.uk/health-at-home
To maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of the coronavirus, you are advised to stay at home as much as possible. While you are at home it's still easy to get NHS help and support using your smartphone, tablet or computer. The Health at Home webpage has information letting you know how to: ● contact your GP
● order repeat prescriptions
● manage long-term conditions
● maintain your mental and physical wellbeing
If you need an NHS service, try to do it online first. If you cannot get what you need this way try asking a friend or family member to help you, or speak to your GP surgery on the phone.
Find out more at: nhs.uk/health-at-home
Young person's drop in clinic
Mondays 3pm—5.30pm
Call 01726 75555, email youngpeople.sahc@nhs.net, or text 07802884657.
This clinic is for young people aged 13-25 (we won’t turn you away if slightly older).
Please don’t drop in: telephone or face to face appointments will be arranged.
Please wear a face covering if attending a face to face appointment.
The nurses can give you confidential advice on all aspects of contraception including:
Call 01726 75555, email youngpeople.sahc@nhs.net, or text 07802884657.
This clinic is for young people aged 13-25 (we won’t turn you away if slightly older).
Please don’t drop in: telephone or face to face appointments will be arranged.
Please wear a face covering if attending a face to face appointment.
The nurses can give you confidential advice on all aspects of contraception including:
- Offering implants (in and out)
- Pill checks / start ups
- Contraceptive patches
- Emergency contraception
- Referral for TOP (Termination of Pregnancy)
- Contraception injections
- Clamydia screening for males and females
- C Card
- And signposting to other services
Mental Health Practitioner Richard leads a mindfulness session. This is a great way to relax and relieve stress.
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Some examples of gentle mobility and flexibility exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home.
Information about the new Help at Hand app, which highlights the local services on offer to help people cope during the pandemic.
Information about the new Help at Hand app, which highlights the local services on offer to help people cope during the pandemic.
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MSK Self-Management Resources
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website provides a range of online resources to help you to manage your bone, joint or muscle pain. Visit www.csp.org.uk/conditions/managing-pain-home |
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Cymaz Music are launching a Singing for Health programme in Cornwall in partnership with St Austell Healthcare, the NHS and Merlin MS Centre (funded by The Lottery and the Postcode Lottery). The first element of this to launch will be a Singing and Mindfulness programme to promote positive mental health and well-being. Weekly online sessions will be available to those living in the St Austell area and online resources will be available to all. If you are interested or would like to know more please contact Cymaz Music by email: emily@cymazmusic.org.uk. |
ICON - Babies cry, you can cope
This website has useful advice for parents on how to cope with babies crying: http://iconcope.org/
Social Prescribing Case Studies
Primary Care Home of the Year Award
The National Association of Primary care has awarded St Austell Healthcare the title of Primary Care Home of the Year, and has highly commended Bridget Sampson in the category of Primary Care Manager of the Year.
The primary care home programme now covers 10 million patients in England, and is about delivering personalised and local care to patients. Since our merger under a crisis situation in 2015 St Austell Healthcare have tried to innovate, collaborate, and move to a population health approach.
Dr Smith, GP partner, said: “It’s fantastic to receive this recognition after five years of hard work in what has been quite a challenging journey but most of all its affirmation for our 110 staff for all of their dedication and commitment.
The progress we have made comes from working closely with colleagues across different organisations not just the NHS but the voluntary sector and our excellent Patient Participation Group.”
Specific pilot projects have led to new teams with a positive impact on our patients: social prescribing, pharmacists, integration nurse, visiting service, research, acute care teams, mental health workers, and a musculoskeletal team.
Close working with the district nurses and community matrons has had a significant impact the quality of care for housebound patients. We have worked with our colleagues in A&E on a new community sepsis pathway and reducing pressures on A&E. Sub-contracting of secondary care services is enabling care closer to home for services such as Ophthalmology and Haematology.
Dr McClure, GP partner, said: “The award hopefully gives us a foundation to make further improvements. We’re optimistic for the future and there is a lot more we can do to improve primary care and ensure people in St Austell receive care closer to home.”
The award recognises innovation and collaborative working, aimed at strengthening primary care. More information on our staff teams is available here.
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Safe Place
We are proud to support the safe places scheme, which helps people with learning disabilities / autism if they feel scared or at risk while they are out and about in the community and need support right away. For more information please visit https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/safeplaces.
We are proud to support the safe places scheme, which helps people with learning disabilities / autism if they feel scared or at risk while they are out and about in the community and need support right away. For more information please visit https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/safeplaces.
BBC Radio 4
St Austell Healthcare were featured on the BBC Radio 4 The World Tonight show on Tuesday. If you would like to listen, the link is below (select the recording for the 30th of July, the article is about 30 minutes into the programme).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qtl3/episodes/player
St Austell Healthcare were featured on the BBC Radio 4 The World Tonight show on Tuesday. If you would like to listen, the link is below (select the recording for the 30th of July, the article is about 30 minutes into the programme).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qtl3/episodes/player
The World Tonight Show
Horticulture Week Custodian Award
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Congratulations to the Social Prescribing programme working in partnership with the Eden Project. The Custodian Award recognises the work for the community, with activities including walking groups for patients with diabetes, COPD or cardiac conditions and therapeutic horticulture programmes for people with anxiety and depression. There is a Walk and Talk Lunch Club for those over 65 years old to help to prevent loneliness and isolation.
Read more about the Custodian Award here. If you are interested in, please ask reception to ask you to the social prescribing list. Our social prescribers will talk to each patient individually to make sure that they link you to the most suitable activities or groups. |
A recent Panorama programme looked at the increasing demand for GP appointments, and the national shortage of GPs. The programme included a focus on patients and GP practices in Plymouth. This programme can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.
NHS App
St Austell Healthcare is now connected to the NHS App.
The app allows patients to:
You can register and verify your identity so that you can:
St Austell Healthcare is now connected to the NHS App.
The app allows patients to:
- Check your symptoms using the health A-Z on the NHS website
- Find out what to do when you need help urgently using NHS 111 online
You can register and verify your identity so that you can:
- Book and manage appointments
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Securely view your GP medical record
- Register as an organ donor
- Choose whether the NHS uses your data for research and planning
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NAPC welcomes investment boost for primary care and networks
The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) has today (31 January 2019) welcomed a new five-year deal for general practice of almost £1bn with another £1.8bn to support the development of primary care networks – including primary care homes.
The ramping up of investment for primary care – which was first unveiled by the Prime Minister at the end of last year – will enable primary care homes and primary care networks in the first year to employ at least one social prescribing link worker and one clinical pharmacist with over 20,000 additional people by 2023/24 including physiotherapists, physician associates and paramedics.
Dr Minesh Patel, NAPC chair, said: “The five-year deal and this ramping up of investment for primary care marks a milestone for primary care.
“We now have 220 primary care homes across England spearheading the transformation of integrated primary care across England. These established primary care networks, serving 9 million patients, 16% of the population will now have the means to surge ahead with real momentum – to redesign their services and expand their teams based on their local population health needs.
“Within current resources, primary care homes are already making a real difference to patients – increasing patient satisfaction and reducing pressure on the wider health system, the new money will mean they can go so much further. We look forward to sharing their learning over the coming weeks and months.”
Developed by the NAPC, the primary care home model was launched three years ago and is a leading example of a primary care network – the cornerstone of the NHS Long Term Plan.
There are many examples of elements of the Long Term Plan underway across primary care homes – including a proactive population health management approach, a key characteristic of the primary care home model.
The new contract and funding will provide momentum for primary care homes, enabling existing sites to strengthen their approach and assist new emerging sites to build strong foundations to provide more personalised, multi-disciplinary integrated care closer to home.
St Austell Healthcare was one of the first primary care home sites. Initial funding as a rapid test site enabled it to work with other organisations to deliver more services including social prescribing, a visiting service for the housebound and ophthalmology.
Responding to today’s announcement, its managing partner Bridget Sampson said: “We are delighted with the new contract for primary care networks and funding. This will really help us to strengthen and expand our primary care home and work in a more integrated way with health, social care, community partners and local businesses.
“The funding will enable us to develop and meet the unique opportunities and challenges facing everyone in the St Austell area, delivering more services closer to home. This includes having dedicated mental health clinicians working as part of the practice team, delivering more outpatients clinics locally, for example for cancer care, haematology, ophthalmology as well as working collaboratively with community partners.”
Dr James Morrow, GP and Granta Primary Care Home Lead said: “This announcement of substantial real funding is welcome. Primary care already delivers fantastic value for money.
“This new resource will enable and empower primary care networks including primary care homes to better serve our populations, both as provider and integrator of care. It is vital that the funding reaches the front line. At Granta PCH, we are ready, willing and able to forge ahead with this new funding.”
Fleetwood Primary Care Home Lead Dr Mark Spencer said: “I really welcome today’s GP contract agreement announcement. There is much to be positive about regarding primary care network development and their pivotal role within integrated primary care that will benefit both residents and staff.
“The significant investment in expanding the workforce will not only give patients a wider choice of health care professionals to better meet their needs but will also significantly reduce the pressure on GP practices.
“For Fleetwood PCH this will mean an additional 15 clinicians over the next four years as well as funding for primary care home development and leadership.”
The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) has today (31 January 2019) welcomed a new five-year deal for general practice of almost £1bn with another £1.8bn to support the development of primary care networks – including primary care homes.
The ramping up of investment for primary care – which was first unveiled by the Prime Minister at the end of last year – will enable primary care homes and primary care networks in the first year to employ at least one social prescribing link worker and one clinical pharmacist with over 20,000 additional people by 2023/24 including physiotherapists, physician associates and paramedics.
Dr Minesh Patel, NAPC chair, said: “The five-year deal and this ramping up of investment for primary care marks a milestone for primary care.
“We now have 220 primary care homes across England spearheading the transformation of integrated primary care across England. These established primary care networks, serving 9 million patients, 16% of the population will now have the means to surge ahead with real momentum – to redesign their services and expand their teams based on their local population health needs.
“Within current resources, primary care homes are already making a real difference to patients – increasing patient satisfaction and reducing pressure on the wider health system, the new money will mean they can go so much further. We look forward to sharing their learning over the coming weeks and months.”
Developed by the NAPC, the primary care home model was launched three years ago and is a leading example of a primary care network – the cornerstone of the NHS Long Term Plan.
There are many examples of elements of the Long Term Plan underway across primary care homes – including a proactive population health management approach, a key characteristic of the primary care home model.
The new contract and funding will provide momentum for primary care homes, enabling existing sites to strengthen their approach and assist new emerging sites to build strong foundations to provide more personalised, multi-disciplinary integrated care closer to home.
St Austell Healthcare was one of the first primary care home sites. Initial funding as a rapid test site enabled it to work with other organisations to deliver more services including social prescribing, a visiting service for the housebound and ophthalmology.
Responding to today’s announcement, its managing partner Bridget Sampson said: “We are delighted with the new contract for primary care networks and funding. This will really help us to strengthen and expand our primary care home and work in a more integrated way with health, social care, community partners and local businesses.
“The funding will enable us to develop and meet the unique opportunities and challenges facing everyone in the St Austell area, delivering more services closer to home. This includes having dedicated mental health clinicians working as part of the practice team, delivering more outpatients clinics locally, for example for cancer care, haematology, ophthalmology as well as working collaboratively with community partners.”
Dr James Morrow, GP and Granta Primary Care Home Lead said: “This announcement of substantial real funding is welcome. Primary care already delivers fantastic value for money.
“This new resource will enable and empower primary care networks including primary care homes to better serve our populations, both as provider and integrator of care. It is vital that the funding reaches the front line. At Granta PCH, we are ready, willing and able to forge ahead with this new funding.”
Fleetwood Primary Care Home Lead Dr Mark Spencer said: “I really welcome today’s GP contract agreement announcement. There is much to be positive about regarding primary care network development and their pivotal role within integrated primary care that will benefit both residents and staff.
“The significant investment in expanding the workforce will not only give patients a wider choice of health care professionals to better meet their needs but will also significantly reduce the pressure on GP practices.
“For Fleetwood PCH this will mean an additional 15 clinicians over the next four years as well as funding for primary care home development and leadership.”
BBC coverage of Social Prescribing
BBC’s Holding Back the Years programme features the Social Prescribing project:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bqhyn7
Watch from 15:20 minutes. Visit the Social Prescribing page on our website to learn more about the project.
BBC’s Holding Back the Years programme features the Social Prescribing project:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bqhyn7
Watch from 15:20 minutes. Visit the Social Prescribing page on our website to learn more about the project.
St Austell Community Hospital direct contact numbers
Audiology – 01872 253747 – patients should contact this number to make any appointments. At St Austell Community Hospital they do not provide a walk in service. However, Audiology at Treliske do have a walk in service; Monday –Friday where patients can been seen with any hearing aid problems, without having an appointment. St Austell Community Hospital can provide a limited selection of batteries & tubing at reception.
Podiatry – 01872 221 435 – patients need to contact this central booking line but patients should be made aware that this line is not permanently manned due to staffing shortages. They also have an email address – podiatry.enquiries@nhs.net.
Family planning – 01872 255044 – patients should contact this central booking number to arrange appointments for both Treliske and SACH.
Emergency dentist – 0333 405 0290 – patients should call this for emergency dental issues only. They do not provide a walk it service; it is by appointment only.
Audiology – 01872 253747 – patients should contact this number to make any appointments. At St Austell Community Hospital they do not provide a walk in service. However, Audiology at Treliske do have a walk in service; Monday –Friday where patients can been seen with any hearing aid problems, without having an appointment. St Austell Community Hospital can provide a limited selection of batteries & tubing at reception.
Podiatry – 01872 221 435 – patients need to contact this central booking line but patients should be made aware that this line is not permanently manned due to staffing shortages. They also have an email address – podiatry.enquiries@nhs.net.
Family planning – 01872 255044 – patients should contact this central booking number to arrange appointments for both Treliske and SACH.
Emergency dentist – 0333 405 0290 – patients should call this for emergency dental issues only. They do not provide a walk it service; it is by appointment only.
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The NNT website provides quick summaries of evidence-based medicine. It has been developed by physicians and provides:
- A rating system to evaluate therapies based on their patient-important benefits and harms
- A system to evaluate diagnostics by patient sign, symptom, lab test or study.
Diabetes Education sessions
The Diabetes Education sessions are held once a month on a Wednesday evening at Wheal Northey. Patients can ask reception to be put on the waiting list for diabetic education, and will then be sent out a letter when a session becomes available.
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Diabetic Education - patient feedback
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"I attended the diabetic information session on Tuesday 7th February at Wheal Northey. I just wanted to say thank you so much to the diabetic team. Not only did I find it extremely helpful and informative, but also inspiring. The team were empathic, kind and down to earth - could not have been better..."
"Having attended tonight's diabetes awareness group at Wheal Northey, run by Esther Gray. I wanted to provide my feedback from the experience. When I first arrived I was a bit sceptical about what to expect. Everything that I tend to enjoy eating, seemed to be on "The List" of bad foods. I arrived with this in my mind. I was pleasantly surprised about how informative tonights session was about the condition. I was given some very useful print outs about good and bad foods in regards to diabetes. Esther was very helpful in answering the questions that I asked about food choices. I came away from the group in good knowledge that I can make better choices, but at the same time still be able to enjoy most of the foods that I like. I came away feeling that I can control the condition and not let it control me.
Thank you Esther. A very professional, passionate lady who clearly knows her subject. Great Group." |
"I am writing to give my thanks to yourself and indeed all the Diabetic Team. I must however raise you Esther to the top of the woodpile and my reasons are as follows. Your delivery at the Diabetic meeting on 7th February at Wheal Northey was pitched just right for me. I felt your friendliness and your control and authority. You had a concise and measured voice and a touch of humour.
The information which you and Hayley Burgoyne gave was good and relevant to my needs and levelled to the point that I could take on board and digest. All the delivery and information motivated me to an inspirational frame of mind. This has never been achieved by any other Diabetic nurse over the many years I have been treated for Diabetes. In recognition of your caring work I will reward you and myself with a better improvement in my health. I wish you and the team further success in your tasks. Thank you from a lighter and less mmol/I patient." |
Fitness referral scheme changing lives in St Austell
"A GP Referral scheme to help St Austell residents with a range of medical problems is being hailed a “huge success”, with many seeing a dramatic improvement in their conditions." Read more about the referral scheme...
PSA testing and prostate cancer
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Requests for advice on the use of Cannabis Oil (CBD)
We are getting a number of enquiries from patients regarding the use of CBD oil which is now available as a health supplement over the counter. Unfortunately we are unable to support the use of this product as we feel that there is a lack of robust evidence of both effectiveness and safety.
As CBD oil is a classed as a health supplement, the product is not subject to the same stringent requirements for monitoring, effectiveness and safety that would be the case for licensed medicines. There is also a lack of robust evidence of safety, especially with long term use, and very little data available on the safety of CPD oil when used in conjunction with other medicines.
There is a lot of research going on at present into the potential benefits of CBD oil but we feel at present that we do not have sufficient data on whether the product is safe and/or effective for our patients, especially if used in place of or alongside routinely prescribed medicines.
As CBD oil is a classed as a health supplement, the product is not subject to the same stringent requirements for monitoring, effectiveness and safety that would be the case for licensed medicines. There is also a lack of robust evidence of safety, especially with long term use, and very little data available on the safety of CPD oil when used in conjunction with other medicines.
There is a lot of research going on at present into the potential benefits of CBD oil but we feel at present that we do not have sufficient data on whether the product is safe and/or effective for our patients, especially if used in place of or alongside routinely prescribed medicines.
How the NHS works and how it is changing
Patient Participation Group funds bladder scanner
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St Austell Healthcare’s Patient Participation Group (PPG) raised more than £6,500 to purchase a bladder scanner. The scanner will allow some urinary conditions to be diagnosed and treated at Carlyon Road Health Hub, and is making a difference to patients requiring a scan and preventing hospital admissions.
The PPG held raffles, made and sold cards and also received donations and support from St Austell Brewery, the Freemasons of Cornwall and Cuddra WI, and Cornwall and town councillors for St Austell. Richard Pears, Cornwall councillor for Mount Charles commented: This was a fantastic effort by the PPG group, which has resulted in the provision of a much needed new medical resource for our community." Read more from NHS Kernow news...
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Sandra Francis (PPG Chair) presents the scanner to Dr Alistair James.
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Winners of Primary Care Innovation Award
On Friday 7th October 2017 Dr Stewart Smith, Paul Hughes and Bridget Sampson attended an event in Exeter to celebrate the achievements in primary care across South West England and share examples of how primary care is responding to the many challenges being faced. We received the award for creating a sustainable solution which averted service failure and £5,000 towards practice development. |
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St Austell Healthcare is a fantastic example of how a crisis situation was turned around due to a practice handing back its contract and as a result a sustainable model of primary care has been developed. There are multiple examples of innovative ways of working including different skill mix, a new model for acute care and flexible working to encourage recruitment of salaried GPs. This significant change has been done in consultation with the public and in a relatively short space of time (2 years). The new model has had national recognition for its innovative approaches." |
Patience of a Saint Award
Mr Scott Bennett of Duchy Health Charity, Nurse Jayne Cavendish & Dr Clare Taylor
St Austell Healthcare was presented with the ‘Patience of a Saint Award’ at the Cosgarne Hall New Year Honours Ceremony.
Cosgarne Hall is a hostel for homeless people in St Austell currently supporting over 40 residents. The Hall is very often the last place of refuge for homeless people in the locality who have issues with drug and/or alcohol dependency. The hostel has a surprising high number of female residents, many of which are extremely vulnerable with a history of domestic violence and abuse.
It was therefore a big honour to be given the Award at the ceremony. Our staff were praised for their positive attitude and patience dealing with Cosgarne residents, especially during their first early days when some residents take a little time to ‘settle down’ to a more structured life at the hostel.
Many of the residents at Cosgarne have chaotic drug and alcohol use issues, mental as well as physical health problems, often as a result of sleeping rough.
At the Awards ceremony it was wonderful to hear of the real personal success stories at Cosgarne, the range of activities and projects that go on there, as well as local people supporting the charity in so many ways.
St Austell Healthcare has always supported Cosgarne and we all feel very proud for being recognised as going the extra mile for their residents.
If anyone wants to see our Award, it is now proudly displayed at the Park surgery!
Cosgarne Hall is a hostel for homeless people in St Austell currently supporting over 40 residents. The Hall is very often the last place of refuge for homeless people in the locality who have issues with drug and/or alcohol dependency. The hostel has a surprising high number of female residents, many of which are extremely vulnerable with a history of domestic violence and abuse.
It was therefore a big honour to be given the Award at the ceremony. Our staff were praised for their positive attitude and patience dealing with Cosgarne residents, especially during their first early days when some residents take a little time to ‘settle down’ to a more structured life at the hostel.
Many of the residents at Cosgarne have chaotic drug and alcohol use issues, mental as well as physical health problems, often as a result of sleeping rough.
At the Awards ceremony it was wonderful to hear of the real personal success stories at Cosgarne, the range of activities and projects that go on there, as well as local people supporting the charity in so many ways.
St Austell Healthcare has always supported Cosgarne and we all feel very proud for being recognised as going the extra mile for their residents.
If anyone wants to see our Award, it is now proudly displayed at the Park surgery!
Improving healthcare podcast
Dr Stewart Smith provides a podcast on Improving healthcare: step by step.
The podcast details how the three GP practices in St Austell merged and took on a failing practice. It also explains how this changed the way General Practice services are provided in St Austell, with the creation of the Acute Care Hub.
The podcast details how the three GP practices in St Austell merged and took on a failing practice. It also explains how this changed the way General Practice services are provided in St Austell, with the creation of the Acute Care Hub.
Opthamology based at St Austell Healthcare
Some glaucoma and macular eye clinics are based at St Austell Healthcare, providing a local venue for Royal Cornwall Hospital patients.
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