THE EXPANDING PRACTICE TEAM

By Dr Julie Taylor

The number of appointments offered across Kent have increased by 20% from pre-pandemic to postpandemic, and yet we know that patients are still struggling to get an appointment. The general practice team has changed significantly over the past 4-5 years and includes a number of additional roles. To ensure that patients are able to see the most appropriate person to help them, you may be directed to someone other than a GP when you contact the practice.

Who’s who in the practice?

• In many practices, receptionists or care navigators have received additional training about the care and services available in the practice and local area, so that they can direct you to the right help.

• Healthcare assistants can undertake a range of procedures from blood tests and blood pressure checks to injections, ECGs and health checks.

• Practice nurses are trained to provide support for people with long term conditions, family planning and sexual health services such as contraception and smears, vaccinations and wound care.

• Practices may have nurse practitioners/ prescribers, who work alongside GPs to provide routine or urgent appointments. Some may have extra training in certain disease areas such as diabetes or respiratory illnesses. They are able to prescribe and request investigations for patients that they see and can refer on for hospital review if needed.

• Community paramedics and physician associates also work alongside GPs in a similar way to nurse practitioners/prescribers. Some may have undertaken additional training to be able to prescribe for patients.

• Clinical pharmacists support GPs by ensuring patients are on the correct medication, and that it is prescribed safely. Many also manage long term conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma. They are experts on medication and have undertaken additional clinical training in general practice.

• Physiotherapists are experts in dealing with joint and soft tissue problems due to injury, disability or illness. They are the best people to see for assessment and diagnosis, and can arrange further investigations or referral to hospital-based services if needed.

• Mental health nurses/practitioners work alongside GPs and the mental health services to provide support for patients with mental health difficulties. Some practices have care coordinators or social prescribers, who can connect those in need of help to a range of local support, from community and activity groups to work, debt or housing advice.

• GP Registrars are qualified doctors who are completing their training to become a GP.

• GPs can be salaried or partners. As well as seeing patients, they will be involved in supervising all of the people above to do their job. They are available if anyone has a question about what to do next and may be called to see a patient by another professional if they need advice.

Support outside of the practice

There are some things that your practice cannot help with but other organisations can. You may be directed to these if this is most appropriate. Receptionists are trained to help you get to the right place. This might include the following services :

• Community Pharmacy Consultation Service is set up to use the skills and knowledge of pharmacists across a range of minor conditions. You may be referred to this scheme by your practice, 111, A&E or an urgent treatment centre.

• Minor Eye Conditions Scheme is a similar service run by some optometrists for minor eye conditions.

• You may be directed to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if this is the appropriate place to be treated.

111 and 111 online are useful sources of information if you are unsure where to go.

DARTFORD LIVING VISITED PENELOPE’S RESTAURANT

Dartford Living recently had the pleasure of visiting Penelope’s restaurant situated at Beck Evans Farm, Sidcup.

The restaurant, which launched earlier this year, takes its inspiration from the Mediterranean with the menu focusing on fresh, seasonal flavours and locally sourced, sustainably produced food.

When we visited the sun was shining and Penelope’s outdoor terrace was filled with people enjoying the views over the beautiful lavender fields whilst enjoying a live musician, something which we understand happens fairly regularly and really created a great ambience. The restaurant certainly provides the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing summers afternoon.

Penelope’s itself is situated in a restored barn. A gorgeous blue mosaic pizza oven is central to the inside of the restaurant with an open kitchen where kids and adults alike can watch pizzas being made by hand.

Having seen them being cooked we gave the pizzas a try and we can vouch for just how delicious they are. We tried a number of different toppings and each was delicious (our favourite was the delightful four cheese!). We also tried a tricolore salad which was presented beautifully and tasted amazing. The ingredients were clearly very fresh and the quality of produce on offer was evident.

Attached to the restaurant is the farm shop filled with a whole range of fruits and vegetables, as well as meat and fish and other deli items. There is also a very popular soft play, Crazy Club, an exciting indoor, multi-tiered soft play. Children under 11 have the opportunity to play in a safe and stimulating environment with a variety of slides, ball pits and climbing frames. On top of that Crazy Club seem to run numerous events to engage younger visitors including visits from well known characters Bluey and Cocomelon as well as organising seasonal parties and crafting sessions. Make sure you follow Crazy Club to keep an eye on their upcoming events and how to book.

Although we visited for dinner Penelope’s restaurant is open all day offering a diverse range of dishes from breakfast to afternoon tea. We also spotted a tasty looking Sunday Roast menu!

We can highly recommend a trip to Beck Evans farm and especially Penelope’s restaurant which we can’t wait to return to.

Choc Chip Cookie Cake

By Debbie Dickinson

With prices continuing to go up, sometimes it’s the treats that have to be left on the shelf - in order to have enough money for the necessities.

One of my best selling items, is my Giant Choc Chip Cookie Cake so I thought it would be nice to share the recipe this month. That way you can make a delicious treat at home for those moments that need it.

This can be personalised easily by swapping out the chocolate chips for dried fruit, marshmallows, or even the chocolate treat of your choice.

As most people don’t have a large enough tin to bake a giant cookie cake, I’ve given the ingredients for an 8” round cake tin (or 7” square tin). If you have a loose bottomed tin it makes it much easier to get the cookie cake out after baking.

You will need:

75g Unsalted Butter

50g Caster Sugar

50g Light Brown Sugar (can use all caster sugar if necessary – it will just alter the taste a bit)

1 Egg

1tsp Vanilla Extract

120g Self Raising Flour

150g Chocolate Chips

What to do:

Cream the Butter and Sugars together until pale and smooth.

Add the Egg and the Vanilla Extract and mix until combined.

Fold in the Flour gradually. The mix will be quite thick.

Add the chocolate chips. Line the bottom of your tin with greaseproof paper to help get the cookie cake out after baking.

Tip the cookie dough into the tin in a few lumps. This will make it easier to spread out. Try to spread the dough out into an even layer in the tin.

Bake at 160° Fan (170°) for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 140° for a further 5 minutes. The cookie cake will be a light golden brown colour and will feel soft but baked when pressed in the centre.

Run a thin spatula around the edge of the cookie and then leave until cool. Decorate with sweets/chocolate using melted chocolate to stick the decorations.

The cookie cake can be sliced like a pizza –or just popped in the centre of the table for all to break apart!

Enjoy! xxx