Over Wyre Medical Centre

CHURCH OF ENGLAND (cont)

St Mark, Eagland Hill

• Sun 19th Dec, 2:30pm: Family Carol

Service • Sat 25th Dec, 9:00am: Holy Communion

Rev Andy Shaw 01253 799895 pillingrev@btconnect.com

OVER WYRE MEDICAL CENTRE

The reputation of general practice is currently suffering following a barrage of inappropriate and misleading media coverage. Some sources insinuate that general practice is closed, that face to-face consultations are not available or that GP practices are somehow not pulling their weight within general practice. Here at Over Wyre Medical Centre, we feel that this is untrue and insulting. Prior to the Covid pandemic, when face-toface consultation was the first port of call, the system was managing but demand was high and patients would wait between two and four weeks for an appointment. This was not a perfect system. The pandemic has pushed us all towards remote working. We have seen benefits to this and recognise this as an opportunity to work more efficiently. We are able to see more patients in the best way possible. This is always the highest priority. All requests for same-day appointments are clinically triaged. If the doctor can manage the clinical problem remotely and in a shorter period of time, they will do. If the doctor needs to arrange for a faceto-face assessment, this will be arranged. Routine problems, such as discussion of nonurgent test results or long-standing clinical problems, are allocated an appropriate time slot.

Although this change has been forced by

OVER WYRE MEDICAL (cont)

the pandemic, we see this as progress and a more efficient way to deal with demand at this time.

We continue to see patients face-to-face in consultation, but we clinically assess which patients need this.

We have never closed our doors to patients, even at the height of the first wave in Spring of 2020. We have delivered 20,000 vaccinations to our local population, continued all medical care as directed by NHS England and we adapt and move forward aiming to provide the best care for our patients. Our staff have had an unprecedented year and we are proud of our entire team.

Breast Examination

I was approached by the manager of Moss Side Nursery in Stalmine, Laura Larsen, to deliver some teaching to her staff about breast examination. Some of the staff there had been touched by the sad death of Sarah Harding in recent months and Laura was keen to promote breast awareness amongst her staff. I thought this was an excellent idea and the staff seemed to enjoy the teaching. All ladies (and some gentlemen, of course) should develop a monthly habit of checking their breasts. There is a wealth of information out there aiming to teach you how to examine your breasts properly. Breast Cancer UK and England.nhs.uk have good information on their websites. Essentially, it is important to ‘look, feel and move’. Firstly, look from the front and from the side in a good light. Skin changes, changes in contour, changes in the appearance of the nipple are all important and should be reviewed by a doctor. Secondly, feel the breast tissue with the first three fingers to identify any new lumps or bumps. Think of

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OVER WYRE MEDICAL (cont) CARDIAC RISK IN THE YOUNG

the breast as a clock and work your way round systematically. Remember to feel all the way up to the collar bone and around as far as the armpit. You may prefer to do this in a sitting or a lying position, although ladies with larger breasts may find this easier in a supine position. Lastly, it’s time to move. Lift the arms into the air and check for changes in the contour of the breast. Then put your hands on your hips and push down to tighten the muscles of the chest. This will push the breasts out and you can use this technique to identify any other changes. Whilst your arms are up, take the opportunity to have a feel in the armpits. Any lumps here are equally as important and any noticeable changes should be reviewed by a doctor.

Dr Vicky Simpson t: (01253) 951165 fb: @overwyremc www.overwyremc.co.uk Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund

Over the summer many of you may have seen, and indeed supported, Sarah’s wayside stall for CRY in Catterall. It’s been a lovely little community venture with goods and produce being dropped off at the stall as well as purchased! A grand total of £432 has been sent to the fund from this project and we’d like to say a huge thank you both to Sarah, who we know has spent many hours tending it, and to everyone who has buoyed her endeavours. The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is now well and truly underway for Matt’s fund and huge thanks are due to everyone who joined us in marking the season with our bountiful ‘Shades of Autumn’ pop-up shop. Colourful local produce and tasty home-made products helped make the day successful with £180 raised. The same day we were delighted to receive two anonymous