Practice Newsletter - Autumn 2002

Autumn news profile: Dr Raj Patel

Age: More than a year before the big five '0'
 
Place of birth: Gujarat, India
 
Family: married to wife Ranna for 24 years, one son Miraj (age 18)  and has been living in Bourne for 20+ years (almost a local). Parents have been living in Leicester since 1957.
 
Education: Came to England in 1961 and attended Abbey Junior School for 2 years, then sent to India for his education, following the advice of the headmaster, 'this boy has no future in this country' - I wonder how many other times Mr .... got it wrong!!
Returned to England in 1967 and within 5 years went from speaking little English to attending the Welsh National School of Medicine for five years to qualify in 1977.
 
Career history: Joined the 3 year post graduate, general practice vocational training scheme in Peterborough in 1978. First came to Bourne in 1980 as a trainee with Dr McGregor but joined this practice in 1981. Has since studied for and has special interests in dermatology, sexually transmitted diseases and minor surgery.

AND DID YOU KNOW.. HIS FAVOURITE..

Holiday destinations: India, Caribbean, Far East, USA - where ever there's sun and culture (USA culture? Ummmmmm?)

Sports: cricket and rugby (strictly for armchair viewing only)

Food: anything as long as its spicy or typically British!!

Drink: malted barley - preferably if distilled as whisky not as in horlicks!

Film: anything starring Clint Eastwood - apologies to the younger patients who may not know him, Clint was THE actor of the time!

AND ..Most hated task: washing the car - most people must have noticed.

AND.Most annoying habit: that's for others!!! Constant channel flicker if family sit down to watch TV - one sure way to ensure you can watch what you want, and everyone else will disappear and leave you in peace!!

Flu Jabs

These clinics will begin on 8^th October. Please book your appointment. It is especially important for the following categories of patients to receive the flu injection.

• People aged 65 and over

• If you suffer from one or more of the following, chronic chest conditions including asthma, diabetes, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease.

Congratulations to the following staff:

• Sister Birch is a fully qualified Triage Nurse and will be starting a triage surgery in the near future.
• Mrs Marie Bell has qualified as a Phlebotomist and will be working the  Orchard Room taking bloods.
• Two staff members successfully completed the "Race for Life" run raising money for the breast cancer charity - well done!

• Nurse Stephanie Turner will be joining the Practice team on 30^th September.

Message from Sister French for our diabetic patients

As many patients with Diabetes are aware, the NHS will shortly be publishing new standards of diabetic care - The Diabetic National Service Framework. In the Spring of 2002 the doctors here at the Practice decided that we would work towards these standards ahead of the publication. We requested a nurse adviser to look at all of our diabetic patient records and help us set up a new program of care. Some patients have already been contacted and requested to attend for a special clinic with Sister French for their assessment. Don't worry if you have not heard from us yet, you will receive your letter during the coming months. Our usual diabetic service is running alongside this new clinic. When all of our patients have been reviewed and everyone has attained the new standards it will be possible to revert to our normal open access service with Sr. French. If you are concerned about any diabetic issues please make an appointment with Sr. French.

Keep it or cancel it!

During August 99 patients made an appointment to see a doctor or nurse and failed to keep the appointment. This meant that 99 patients had to wait longer to see a doctor. Please think of others-  if you cannot keep or no longer need your appointment please cancel it! Patients who fail to keep appointments may be asked to leave the Practice.

Target training

The surgery will be closed for the Lincolnshire Target training from 12.30 pm on the following dates:-

• 17^th October, 2002

• 14^th November, 2002

• 12^th December, 2002

This is to allow the doctors and staff protected time for training and teaching and keeps your doctors and their team up to date with current medical practice. Emergency cover is as above.

Rudeness to staff

Our staff have now been instructed  to  log all incidents of rudeness and verbal abuse and this log is reviewed regularly by the doctors and management. Regrettably a minority of patients are abusive to our staff and this will not be tolerated by the Surgery. Persistent offenders will be required  to register elsewhere.