Wellbeing

Alresford Surgery News

Over the last couple of years, the Covid Pandemic has changed the way we provide General Practice care. It has been a very challenging time and we had to be responsive; moving quickly to ‘on the day’ service, providing the Covid vaccination program whilst also trying to maintain General Practice services with high staff sickness levels. Our clinical demand locally and nationally has now reached levels which are not sustainable in the current way General Practice is being offered. Nationally there are now 1,608 fewer fully qualified full time GPs compared to numbers in 2015 despite the promises of increased recruitment. As a result, each GP is looking after approximately 300 more patients. In January 2022 there was a total of 25.7 million appointments nationally, which is an increase of 0.5 million since January 2020. Our own consultations rates in Alresford have increased month on month despite the challenges of increased staff sickness and difficulties with recruitment. In March we offered 2925 appointments and this was an increase of 15% and 17% offered in February and January respectively.

As we are now moving out of the pandemic and addressing the backlog, we recognise the need for the appointment system to change. We have listened to your feedback and recognise the importance of having access to pre-bookable appointments as life is returning to normal. We have responded to increasing demands by recruiting new members to the clinical team such as Helen Hall (Acute Nurse Practitioner) and Megan Power (Paramedic Practitioner) to help us deal with the emergency workload. We have in addition recruited Dr Hannah Harring as a new salaried GP and recently appointed two more GPs to the clinical team who are replacing retiring GPs in June. We now have access to musculoskeletal specialists via reception and several of the local opticians offer a Minor Eye Conditions service. Please be aware our staff have been trained and may appropriately direct you to an alternative service, which may be better suited to your problem thus ensuring you can access GP appointments when you really need them.

Our new appointment system will provide a balance of on the day emergency care alongside pre-bookable appointments (up to 7 days in advance). We hope that this system will provide a better balance of appointments for the Alresford Population and preserve some of the continuity of care we have lost. In addition, we have boosted our access for those who are more vulnerable by having additional slots throughout the day for this group to access. There will be a range of methods for booking appointments including online, by telephone and through the e-consultation service via our website. We will return to offering direct access to either a telephone or face to face consultation.

While we will continue to try our best to respond to increasing pressures and demand, please be kind to us and be reassured we are doing the best we can with what limited resources we have. It is vital that we work together and you too play your part in helping your local surgery by only accessing us if you really need to. Below is the advice from NHS England (‘Use the right service’) to consider when addressing your healthcare needs. We have also included a helpful website to access if you are worried about your child’s health and are uncertain of which service to use. If you feel you would like to be more involved with the practice directly, please consider joining our patient participation group by contacting us at the surgery – admin. alresford@nhs.net

https://usetherightservice.com/ “Use the Right service” https://what0-18.nhs.uk/ “Healthier Together”

Bank holiday closures 2nd May, 2nd & 3rd June The surgery will be closed for the bank holiday weekend from 6.30pm Friday 29th April until 8am on Tuesday 3rd May then again from 6.30pm Wednesday 1st June until 8am on Monday 6th June.

Changes to eConsult: Please be advised that we have taken the decision to only use e-Consult during the surgery’s opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-6.30pm) After 6.30pm & over the weekends & bank holidays patients will still be able to access the ‘self help’ area but will be unable to submit requests using the service.

NHS 111 Can help if you have an urgent medical problem when your GP practice is closed. Dial 111 on any phone for advice, or visit the NHS 111 website – 111.nhs.uk.

Remember to call 999 at any time in a medical emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill, or injured, and their life is at risk.

Dispensary service Over the summer months (From now until September) it is likely to take longer for prescriptions to be handled by our dispensary due to staffing levels. Therefore please ensure that you place your medication requests in plenty of good time.

Please also remember that when attending the surgery, even if just to collect a prescription that you are required to wear a face mask unless you have a medical exemption, thank you.

Welcome We offer a warm welcome to Dr. Charlotte Allberry who joins us from mid May on Tuesday- Friday mornings & to Dr. Samantha Powell who will be joining us from the beginning of June on Thursdays & Fridays.

The Alresford Surgery Station Road, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9JL Telephone: 01962 732345 Website: www.alresfordsurgery.co.uk

Discover Saddle House Medi-Spa

Experts in beauty and non-surgical treatments to rejuvenate and enhance your natural look

Saddle House Medi-Spa is a hidden gem discreetly tucked away in the privacy of the countryside only a minute's drive from the gorgeous historic town of Alresford. Housed in a 17th century building, the scenic grounds are shared with a family of beautiful white swans and magnificent peacocks. The sound of running water and bird song echo around the private estate adding to the tranquillity of the location. This is a tonic for many clients, who prefer the privacy and serenity of the countryside rather than stepping out into the hustle and bustle of a busy town centre.

The building has been completely renovated to an extremely high standard over the last twelve months. The interior is modern and light, with an indulgent feel to the decor. The reception area has a warm and inviting feel and the entire team reflect this in their friendly and professional demeanour.

Saddle House Medi Spa offers a range of specialist treatments suited to men and women with the understanding that every patient has a different need. The spa’s menu ranges from beauty treatments to medical grade facials and facial aesthetics. The clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), ensuring that the premises operate at the highest standard of medical practice.

If a pamper session with a beautiful view of the river appeals to you, then escape everyday life for an hour or two with one of the indulgent massages performed by our Senior Beauty Therapist, or revitalise your hands with a perfectly painted manicure. If your goal is to improve the overall appearance of your skin, then a clinical facial such as the IPL light therapy treatment, or the much sort after Hydrafacial will be sure to leave your skin with a radiant natural glow from the inside out.

Finding the right clinician to perform injectable procedures is extremely important. Director, Leanne Hawkins is a Registered Nurse and an Independent Nurse Prescriber (INP) who spent a decade working in the NHS before qualifying as a Medical Facial Aesthetician. Leanne set up the awardwinning Face and Skin Clinic in Wickham in 2011. A passionate and experienced clinician, Leanne's professionalism and commitment to enhancing your unique features is evident from the first interaction.

On booking a facial treatment, you will be invited to enjoy a complimentary Visia Skin Analysis which uses the latest AI technology to capture a multi-point image of the skin and assess its strengths and weaknesses at every level. Based on this analysis your practitioner will set up your unique patient journey to enhance, improve and rebalance the skin.

Saddle House Medi Spa is a charming addition to the local area. From massage to thread vein removal, the experienced and professional team will help you to discover and uncover your very best you.

To celebrate their first year of business, Saddle House Medi-Spa is hosting a ticketed Skin Analysis Day on Friday 27th May 2022, giving you the opportunity to experience the Visia Skin Analysis system and discuss which treatments are best suited to you.

To secure your spot on the day, purchase tickets by contacting the Saddle House Medi Spa team on 02380 518558. Tickets are £25.00 which is redeemed as a take home voucher for you to use at your convenience.

Tel: 02380 518558 Address: Western Court, Bishops Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0AA www.saddlehouse.co.uk

SKIN & BEAUTY SPECIALISTS SKIN & BEAUTY SPECIALISTS SKIN & BEAUTY SPECIALISTS TREATMENTS TO REJUVENATE AND TREATMENTS TO REJUVENATE AND TREATMENTS TO REJUVENATE AND ENHANCE YOUR NATURAL LOOKENHANCE YOUR NATURAL LOOKENHANCE YOUR NATURAL LOOK

We will be hosting a We will be hosting a We will be hosting a “Skin Analysis Event” “Skin Analysis Event” “Skin Analysis Event” on Friday 27th May 2022on Friday 27th May 2022on Friday 27th May 2022

Join us for a complimentary Visia Skin Analysis, demonstrations from the experts and meet the team at our ticketed event. Attendees will need to book their time slot with the reception team prior to the date. Join us for a complimentary Visia Skin Analysis, demonstrations from the experts and meet the team at our ticketed event. Attendees will need to book their time slot with the reception team prior to the date. Join us for a complimentary Visia Skin Analysis, demonstrations from the experts and meet the team at our ticketed event. Attendees will need to book their time slot with the reception team prior to the date. Tickets are £25.00 and redeemed as a voucher on arrival. We look forward to seeing you there. Tickets are £25.00 and redeemed as a voucher on arrival. We look forward to seeing you there. Tickets are £25.00 and redeemed as a voucher on arrival. We look forward to seeing you there.

TREATMENTSTREATMENTSTREATMENTS

Thread Veins - Aqualyx - Beauty & Massages - Dermal Filler Packages - Hydrafacial - Skin Tag Removal - Facials - Profhilo - Chemical Peels - IPL Treatments - Radiofrequency Microneedling & HIFU - Wrinkle Treatments - Weight Loss - Excessive Sweating Thread Veins - Aqualyx - Beauty & Massages - Dermal Filler Packages - Hydrafacial - Skin Tag Removal - Facials - Profhilo - Chemical Peels - IPL Treatments - Radiofrequency Microneedling & HIFU - Wrinkle Treatments - Weight Loss - Excessive Sweating Thread Veins - Aqualyx - Beauty & Massages - Dermal Filler Packages - Hydrafacial - Skin Tag Removal - Facials - Profhilo - Chemical Peels - IPL Treatments - Radiofrequency Microneedling & HIFU - Wrinkle Treatments - Weight Loss - Excessive Sweating Tel: 02380 518558 @saddlehousemedispaTel: 02380 518558 @saddlehousemedispaTel: 02380 518558 @saddlehousemedispa Email: desk@saddlehouse.co.uk www.saddlehouse.co.uk Email: desk@saddlehouse.co.uk www.saddlehouse.co.uk Email: desk@saddlehouse.co.uk www.saddlehouse.co.uk Western Court Bishop's Sutton. Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0AAWestern Court Bishop's Sutton. Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0AAWestern Court Bishop's Sutton. Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 0AA

Alexander Technique in Alresford

Are you moving as freely and effortlessly as you’d like? Is postural deterioration inevitable with age? Can youthful poise, balance and co-ordination be regained?

We were all born with wonderfully functioning bodies, but nobody gave us the instruction manual! So during our lives we have pulled ourselves out of shape. Alexander Technique is a valuable education to show us how to return to ‘factory settings’ where our bodies once again work as they were designed. Through this, problems often drop away.

As young children we could stand and walk with ease, sit comfortably for as long as we please without strain; our bodies a model of poise and perfect muscle tone. Sadly, the emotional and physical stresses of modern life accumulate and manifest in chronic muscle tension, distorting our movement patterns and well being.

Our musculoskeletal system - our bones, muscles and soft tissue - is a complex integrated system harmonised by appropriate tension and elasticity to maintain stability and strength, balance and coordination. Think very simplistically of a tent; poles, canvas and guy ropes, ineffective by themselves but tensioned together appropriately, the tent structure is strong, stable and able to withstand external forces.

Unfortunately, when we start interfering with our own natural functioning with undue tension (over contracting some muscles and under using others) imbalances occur throughout, which has a major impact on the way we react, move and perform. Aches, pains and injury are also tell tale signs.

Often we focus on individual body parts or muscles. Exercise is beneficial - muscle atrophy is to be avoided at all costs! - but it is important to recognise that our bodies are not made up of parts to make a whole, but they are a whole. Understanding how our whole body integrates and how we are affecting it, comes possibility to restore ourselves as nature intended.

Fear, stress, thoughts, emotions, chaos, excess demands on strength and co-ordination are all enemies of how we use our bodies. We fix, contract, compress and shorten in stature. Even furniture has an impact. The trouble is, much of our busy lives are carried out repetitively on autopilot, at a subconscious level. Repetitive movements becomes habitual and before long, these patterns feel normal and ‘right’. Worse still, if most of our reactions are subconscious how on earth do we know what to change and how?

Alexander Technique works through thinking in activity; with initial help from a Alexander Technique teacher we learn awareness of our unwanted habits, to make change and from that, real choice as to how we react and move.

Alexander Technique can be applied to help you do anything better and easier. Co-ordination and energy levels improve, movement becomes lighter, free, and more enjoyable. When our bodies and minds work together we learn to rebalance physically, as well as mentally and emotionally. With that comes greater self awareness, confidence and inner strength.

Better functioning gives better performance; in your everday activities, business, education, sport, music and arts.

Alexander Technique is a simple and practical method which is best learned by one-to-one lessons with a qualified teacher. Alexander Technique eventually becomes a self-help tool to regain control over our lives and problems, for a healthier and happier way of being.

For more information please contact Cathi Foale MSTAT M: 07484 823049 E: cathi@cathifoale-at.co.uk www.cathifoale-at.co.uk