Spring 2012
your guide to local health services page 16
Surviving breast cancer later in life pages 4 and 5
win
win six mont free member hs s at luxury healthip club / dinner h for four. Page 12
home from home births page 8 NHS_Medway_Health_Matters_Spring_2012.indd 1
Checking my pulse saved me from a stroke page 10 15/02/2012 18:09
Joan Brown, 80, cancer survivor
1 in 3 women who get breast cancer are over 70, so don’t assume you’re past it. Contrary to popular belief, older women are more at risk and your chances actually increase with age. Anything unusual like a lump, a change to your nipples, skin or the shape of your breasts could be an early sign of breast cancer, so tell your doctor straight away. Finding it early makes it more treatable and could save your life.
nhs.uk/breastcancer70
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Contacts Editors Emma Burns Laura Patrick For the latest news, stories and information, visit www.medwaypct.nhs.uk We have an e-newsletter for anyone interested in health and healthcare in Medway. Sign up at www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/newsletter NHS Kent and Medway Fifty Pembroke Court Chatham Maritime Chatham Kent, ME4 4EL Tel: 01634 335020 Follow us @nhsmedway at www.twitter.com/nhsmedway
inside
welcome Welcome to this, the fourth issue of Health Matters, containing a guide to GP practices, dentists, pharmacies and opticians in Medway. As a GP, I am passionate about encouraging people to become aware of their own health so they can spot when something is wrong. A simple check everyone can do is learning how to take their own pulse. An erratic heart beat, which becomes more common as people get older, can be a sign of a common heart condition that dramatically increases the risk of stroke. Retired nurse Sue Anderson picked up the signs when her heartbeat soared – read her story on page 10. Parents-to-be in Medway can now have a relaxed home-from-home birth at Medway Maritime Hospital. Find out more on page 8. Check out your health knowledge with our quiz on page 9, pick up some ideas for healthy eating on page 11, read on page 6 about how Medway Samaritans’ confidential listening service supports people who are feeling sad, lonely or despairing and on page 13 see what people have been asking the doctor. As well as individual stories, Health Matters has advice and information to help you. We hope you will want to keep it, so you can find the contact numbers it contains if you need them.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.
Please let us know your comments or suggestions for improvement – with this guide or local NHS services – by emailing itsyournhsmedway@nhs.net or phoning 01634 335210.
If you have an idea, story or query, want to know about alternative formats or would like to order a copy in large print, contact:
Dr Peter Green, Medical Director and Chairman of Medway Commissioning Group
itsyournhsmedway@nhs.net or phone 01634 335210 Design by Vortex Creative Ltd www.v-creative.co.uk Photography by Praxis design www.praxisdesign.co.uk NHS Kent and Medway represents the three primary care trusts; NHS Medway, NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent and NHS West Kent.
Sexual Health Medway’s sexual health team has an online service where young people can get answers to questions they may not want to ask their parents, friends or GP. Registered nurses will answer sensitive questions about everything from relationships, emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infections to chlamydia testing. All questions are answered by email. Visit www.medwaysexualhealth.co.uk for more details.
Live It Well
An innovative mental health website is now available to help people in Medway get more out of life. The Live It Well site, www.liveitwell.org.uk, brings together practical information - including a postcode search - to help people stay well, and get the right support if they need it. It focuses on activities that all of us can do to look after our emotional health and wellbeing, as well as having information about support for people with mental health needs.
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Surviving breast cancer la You’re never too old to get breast cancer. Older women are more at risk of breast cancer – around one in three women diagnosed are older than 70. Although the NHS routinely invites women aged 50 to 70 for a mammogram – a breast x-ray – every three years, women older than 70 can also ask to be screened even if they have not been invited. The NHS is encouraging anyone older than 70 in Medway to know the signs of breast cancer, because the sooner cancer is diagnosed, the better the outcome. Breast cancer survivors Maureen Rudd and Cynthia Baxter talk to Health Matters about the importance of being breast aware, no matter what your age. Cynthia Baxter thought she was too old to have a mammogram when she was 73, but last spring she had a nagging feeling something wasn’t right with her health.
the past, so I knew what to expect. A couple of weeks later I received a letter saying they wanted to do another one. Even then, I never thought it would be cancer.” The scans found a 5cm tumour in Cynthia’s breast. The news was a big shock. “When the doctor told me I thought ‘No, not that’. I was a little nervous, but I was surprised at how quickly everything happened.” Cynthia’s tumour and some lymph nodes were removed, but she was able to keep her breast. She stayed in hospital for a week and then began a sixweek course of radiotherapy. “I had radiotherapy three times a week, which made me feel very tired but now I’m feeling fine.” Cynthia, who lives in Rainham with her husband Edward, is encouraging other women to be breast aware and keep their mammogram appointments.
The mother of three, who’s now 74, had always taken care of herself, but an uncomfortable pain under her right armpit was worrying her.
“It’s good to know that women older than 70 can have a mammogram on the NHS; I thought I was too old, but I’m proof that you’re never too old to get breast cancer.
Following the advice of a friend, she went to see her GP. “My doctor sent me for a mammogram - I’d had one in
“I was lucky. I’d encourage women to keep their appointments, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Cynthia relaxes at home
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r later in life The deaths of both Maureen Rudd’s dad and a close family friend to cancer left her with a lifelong fear of the disease. It was a fear that came back to haunt the 78-year-old great grandmother of three when, in 2010, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Maureen, who lives in Gillingham with her husband Patrick, 84, said: “I ignored all the invites from my GP to have my mammograms and checks. “My ‘aunty’ died of breast cancer when I was little and then my dad died suddenly of lung cancer; it really affected me. Cancer is such a scary word and I buried my head in the sand whenever it was mentioned.” But in the summer of 2010, during a routine examination for an unrelated condition, a nurse made a grim discovery. “It came as a shock when they told me they had found a small lump,” Maureen recalls. “I’d not had any other symptoms or noticed the lump before.” Within a couple of days, she had been referred to Medway Maritime Hospital’s breast clinic by her GP, where a biopsy confirmed she had breast cancer. “I was stunned when I was told I would have to have a mastectomy, it felt like the end of my world, but I knew I had to be calm and get on with it. We had a family Christmas and I had the operation at the beginning of January 2011.” Maureen’s left breast and lymph nodes from her armpit were removed during a two hour operation. “I was up and walking about the next day. The team was great, they explained everything to me and told me what to expect. I can’t fault the care I received.”
Maureen is fighting fit after her operation
Now Maureen, who also has four children and eight grandchildren, has to take a chemotherapy tablet, called Letrozole, has fewer side effects than traditional chemo, once a day for the next five years. “I wish I had taken up the invite for a mammogram so the cancer could have been picked up sooner. I don’t know why I was so scared. Now our whole family is much more open about talking about cancer.” The NHS provides free breast screening every three years for all women aged 50 and older. Although women stop being invited once they reach 70, anyone older is still entitled to a mammogram every three years but will need to request it from their local screening unit. Please ask your GP for more details.
Symptoms of breast cancer
Women should see their GP about any breast change - a change in the size, shape or feel of breasts, a new lump or thickening in one breast or armpit, any puckering, dimpling or redness of the skin, changes in the position of the nipple, a rash or nipple discharge, or new pain or discomfort that is only on one side. Being overweight, drinking alcohol and taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can increase your risk of getting breast cancer. You can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol and taking regular exercise. Women older than 70 are less likely to see their GP for unusual breast symptoms, which can delay diagnosis. Diagnosing breast cancer early means treatment can be less aggressive and more successful.
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listening is better Single mum of two, Michelle, 36, can’t stop crying. She’s run up hundreds of pounds of debt on her credit cards and payday loans. Now they’ve cut back her hours at work and she can’t see a way out. Gary, 62, is having one of his bad times. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder nearly 30 years ago (when it was called manic depression), logically he knows this awful despair will pass but, at the moment, he wants to end it all. Either of them – and millions more people like them - will phone Samaritans this year. “Michelle and Gary are not real people,” says Simon Tatnall, 53, the director of Medway Samaritans. “They’re examples of the sorts of people who call Samaritans and who may call many times over months, years or even decades. “Samaritans offer a totally confidential, non-judgmental listening service for anyone feeling sad or lonely or despairing, 24 hours a day, every day.
Factfile
Samaritans receive five million calls every year, including an estimated 250,000 in Kent and Medway.
Medway Samaritans provide a listening ear
‘People who call us are able to talk anonymously and completely openly about everything they’re feeling, with no time limit. “It’s amazing what a powerful thing it is – to talk to someone about your anger, guilt, shame, sadness or despair: emotions you may feel you can’t share with anyone else. “We don’t suggest solutions – we ask our callers questions to help them to explore solutions for themselves.” It takes a year of rigorous training, monitoring and evaluation to become a fully fledged volunteer for Samaritans.
Every year, offenders in Rochester Young Offenders Institute are trained by Medway Samaritans to help other inmates by providing a listening ear. Samaritans are part of the multi-agency suicide prevention steering group, led by NHS Kent and Medway’s public health team, which has developed a joint suicide prevention strategy. As part of this, it is planned for Samaritans to offer support to people who have attended A&E for self harm. You can also call Mental Health Matters, which offers 24/7 confidential, emotional support and advice for people in Kent and Medway, on 0800 107 0160.
“It’s a real commitment,” says Simon, “but our volunteers say they get so much out of it – what motivates each of us is the desire to give something back, make a difference and offer help to people in despair.”
to10pm, seven days a week at the Medway Samaritans building in Priory Road, Strood, ME2 2EG. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org
You can phone Medway Samaritans on 01634 730981 or 08457 909090, round the clock. You can also have a face-to-face meeting from 9am
If you are interested in volunteering, Samaritans have regular awareness evenings. Phone or email (as above) to find out more.
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Have we made a difference? Patients and local people across Medway are being asked to help recognise excellent care by nominating Medway Community Healthcare staff who you feel have made a difference. With a range of teams delivering health services across Medway, from health visitors and community nurses to speech and language therapists and out of hours urgent care, in the last year, Medway Community Healthcare provided some 685,000 appointments for local people. “Our recognition awards are your chance to tell us about the individuals, volunteers or teams you feel should be recognised for the excellent care and service they provide and the difference it makes,” explains Martin Riley, managing director for Medway Community Healthcare, one of the new health social enterprises.
Partnership award For people who work well with others to provide a seamless service; including those individuals or teams who work together with other services, organisations or patients. Quality and value award There are many ways that people help improve quality – it can be something really simple or simply someone who has provided you with quality care or service. Outstanding achievement award For outstanding contributions made by an individual or team; this might be overcoming a significant challenge or making a difference to the local community.
Nominate now
To nominate an individual or team visit: www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/excellence or complete the form below:
Based on the organisation’s values, there are four award categories: Caring and compassion award For people who you feel give excellent support to their colleagues, patients, service users or carers - sometimes by just doing small things that make a real difference.
Which award are you nominating for? (tick box) Caring and compassion
Partnership
Quality and value
Outstanding achievement
Name of the individual or team you are nominating: Name:
Job title/service:
Work base:
Your details Name:
Please tell us how the person or team you are nominating has made a difference.
Address:
Contact details telephone and/or e-mail*
*In case we need to contact you to discuss your nomination in more detail.
Information sponsored by Medway Community Healthcare, 7-8 Ambley Green, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0NJ, 01634 382777.
Please send your nomination to: Recognising excellence awards, Freepost, Response Service (NAT 19820) Medway Community Healthcare, 7-8 Ambley Green, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0BR. (no stamp is required) Thank you for your nomination
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Jen with baby Isaac, at eight weeks old
Home from home start for baby Mums-to-be in Medway now have the choice of giving birth in a home-from-home centre at Medway Maritime Hospital, in addition to the hospital’s consultant-led maternity unit. Jen Shearman, 31, from Strood, is one of the first mums to have used The Birth Place, the hospital’s new midwife-led centre, which offers a calm, relaxed environment with home comforts - double beds so partners can stay; en suite bathrooms; sofas and relaxed lighting. She explains: “Giving birth there was an amazing experience. I found it very relaxed and positive. “The midwives made me feel like I was in complete control and they let me be guided by my own body. “It was a great experience for my husband Dan too, as he was involved all the way through. We
were given time to ourselves to start becoming a family – learning how to feed and change nappies, knowing staff were on hand to help if needed. “People often feel that doesn’t happen until you get home, but for us it started in the birthing room.” Medway Maritime Hospital is home to the largest maternity unit in Kent, delivering around 5,000 babies a year. It is expected that about 1,000 of them will be born in The Birth Place, with the rest coming into the world under the supervision of consultants in the main maternity unit. Lisa Price, Senior Sister on The Birth Place, explains: “Mums and dads can control their environment – they can listen to music and change the lighting. Women can labour in the bedroom or use the birthing pool. It’s completely down to them.
“Ladies are encouraged to move about freely and to find their own comfortable upright positions during contractions. An ‘active birth’ like this can result in a quicker labour and is known to reduce the need for medical interventions. The bed is not the main focus of the room and is only used if needed.” In The Birth Place, there are five birthing rooms; four postnatal beds; two birthing pools; a low risk triage (assessment) and an education room where workshops are held to help prepare mums and dads for life as parents. It can care for five women in labour at any one time.
Information sponsored by Medway NHS Foundation Trust, 01634 830000, www.medway.nhs.uk, Patient Advice and Liaison Service 01634 825004
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Test your health knowledge How much do you know about staying healthy? Find out with our fun quiz.
1
Andy is in the pub with some friends and has drunk five pints of lager. How many units is this? a. Five units b. 8.3 units c. 11.4 units d. 15 units?
2
Karen is trying to get fit for the summer, but doesn’t have time to exercise every day. How much exercise should Karen aim to do a week? a. An hour a day, every day b. 40 minutes, every day c. 20 minutes, twice a week d. 30 minutes, five times a week?
4
Jim lives alone and is feeling a bit low. What is most likely to make him feel better? a. Watching an evening’s programmes on TV b. Walking the dog c. Phoning his daughter and grandchildren d. Reading a thriller?
5
Jenny wants to give her five-year-old son Callum the right amount of fruit and veg. How big is a portion? a. As much as Callum can hold in one hand b. A plateful c. 40g d. One banana, one apple, two tomatoes?
3
Simon wants to make sure he’s eating enough fruit and veg, but which of the following doesn’t count towards his five-a-day? a. Potatoes b. Carrots c. Apples d. Plums?
ANSWERS 1. c. Andy has drunk 11.4 units of alcohol, nearly three times the daily recommended amount. Men should have no more than three to four units of alcohol a day – the equivalent of a pint and a half of 4% beer. Women should drink no more than two to three units of alcohol a day – the equivalent of a 175ml (medium) glass of wine. Both men and women should have at least two alcohol-free days a week. Check your units at www.drinkaware.co.uk 2. d. Adults should ideally exercise five times a week for 30 minutes. It doesn’t have to be all at once; three lots of 10 minutes are just as good and may fit more easily into your life. The exercise should make you a bit out of breath and a little
6
New mum Joanne wants to breastfeed her baby. What are the health benefits for babies who are breastfed? a. Smaller chance of developing eczema b. Reduced risk of getting ear, chest and tummy bugs c. Won’t be fussy about new foods d. Less likely to become obese and develop diabetes when they are older?
warm, such as fast walking, dancing or jogging. If you’re worried about any existing health condition, talk to your GP before you start. Visit http://www.abettermedway.co.uk/getting-active 3. a. Although a vegetable, potatoes do not count towards your five-a-day. This is because they’re a starchy food. They are, however, a good source of energy, fibre, vitamin B and potassium, so don’t exclude them from your diet, but eat in moderation. 4. b and c. Research has found that being physically active and talking to other people have a real impact on your mood. They are two of the five ways to wellbeing which can make you feel
better and help you cope even when times are hard. Visit www.liveitwell.org.uk for details. 5. a and c. As a rough guide, a 40g portion should fit in a child’s hand. 6. a, b, c, and d are all correct. Mum’s milk is perfectly and uniquely made for your baby. It’s packed full of disease-fighting antibodies to help protect babies from illness and it changes daily, weekly and monthly to meet their growing needs. Breastfeeding can protect your health too. Find out more at www.abettermedway.co.uk/ breastfeeding
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Sue checks her pulse with husband Colin
It can lead to dizziness, shortness of breath and even dangerous blood clots, the cause of 16,000 strokes a year in the UK. Sue says: “I was lucky because, as a nurse, I knew how to check my pulse. It’s such a simple test that could save your life.”
Beating stroke Sue Anderson’s heart was racing 19 to the dozen, she knew something was wrong.
Medway Commissioning Group chairman and Cliffe Woods GP Dr Peter Green says: “Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that can be easily detected and treated. “Knowing how to check your pulse will help you understand what an irregular rhythm could feel like. It takes one minute and could pick up undiagnosed heart conditions.”
recipe cards_
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“It was just before midnight and I was in bed. My heart was pounding so fast, I thought it was going to burst from my chest,” says the retired nurse. “It was very frightening.” Sue, 66, tried not to panic her husband, Colin, as she took her pulse – and found it was an irregular 156 beats a minute. A normal pulse rate is 60 to 100. She knew a heartbeat that fast could be a sign of atrial fibrillation, a common cause of stroke. Minutes after Colin dialled 999, paramedics arrived at their home in Chatham and took Sue to Medway Maritime Hospital, where she was hooked up to a heart monitor while doctors kept a close eye on her. She was also connected to a drip containing digoxin, a medication to bring her heart rate back to a normal rhythm. She was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a heart condition which is most common in people older than 55. It happens when the upper chambers of the heart, the atria, contract randomly and sometimes so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax properly. This reduces the heart’s efficiency and performance.
Sue is now taking Warfarin, a drug that can prevent strokes. She is also under the care of the community cardiology team, which offers people with heart conditions specialist diagnostic testing such as ECGs (electrocardiograms), 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and five day recording of their heart symptoms.
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Denise Kent, lead arrhythmia nurse with the community cardiology team, run by Medway Community Healthcare, says: “People who keep a check on their pulse can make a real difference to their own health and reduce the risk of stroke with the early detection of symptoms.” Unlike Sue, most people with an irregular heart beat don’t feel unwell and have a normal heart rate, but may still be at increased risk of complications, including having a stroke. Learn how to check your pulse at www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/selfcare If it’s irregular, book to see your GP and tell them, when booking, that you have an irregular heartbeat. It could save your life.
Learn how to take your pulse at www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/self-care
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R O F G N I T A E Y H T L A E H T E G D U B A N O Y L I A FAM Are you looking to create healthy meals that won’t cost the earth? The second edition of Medway Cooks! contains 30 tasty recipes that will help tighten the purse strings without tightening your waistband. The free recipe card collection features original dishes that were submitted to the healthy living campaign, A Better Medway, by members of the public. All the dishes are simple, inexpensive and encourage healthy eating, such as turkey stir fry, Spanish chicken with rice, low fat cheesecake and roast squash, leek and cheese pasta.
Medway’s Director of Public Health, Dr Alison Barnett, says: “The first edition of Medway Cooks was a great success and helped more than 5,000 people learn how to cook healthy and affordable meals. “This second edition offers an even wider variety of recipes to help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your long-term health and wellbeing.” There are 5,000 copies of the new free collection available from children’s centres in Medway and online at www.abettermedway.co.uk/medwaycooks along with tips on a balanced diet, getting your five-a-day and understanding food labelling. recipe cards_Layout 1 19/01/2012 09:23 Page 38
Tuna fish cakes Serves 4
50 recipe cards_Layout 1 20/01/2012 16:50 Page
Ingredients • 2 large potatoes, cooked • 1 small tin tuna in spring water
Fajita fiesta Serves 4
Ingredients • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion (chopped) • 4 skinless chicken breasts (diced) • 3 peppers of your choice (chopped) • Handful mushrooms (chopped) • 1 packet fajita mix • 8 soft flour tortillas To serve:
• 1 tsp mustard • 3 slices wholemeal bread • 1 egg • Pepper to taste • 1 tbsp oil
Method 1 Break the bread in a bowl to make crumbs. 2 Mash the potatoes, and mix in the tuna and mustard. 3 Break the egg into a bowl and stir. 4 Roll the potato mix into balls, dip them into the egg mixture and cover them with breadcrumbs.
5 Add the oil to the pan and heat until hot, add the fish cakes and fry for approximately 10 minutes or until golden on the outside.
• tomatoes • cucumber • lettuce • tomato salsa (optional)
Method 1 Heat the oil in a large pan. 2 Add the onion and chicken. Fry for around 3 minutes or until 3 4 5 6 7
the chicken turns white. Cook until the Add the peppers and mushrooms and stir. ed. soften have bles vegeta low heat. Stir in the fajita mix. Continue to fry on a oes, cucumber and tomat of salad mixed a e prepar hile, Meanw . lettuce leaves 3 minutes or in the Warm the tortillas in a preheated oven for . microwave for 1 minute o salsa if you like. Serve the fajitas with the salad and a tomat
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health matters Competition
The Roffen Club, which is for a slightly older age group than most health clubs, offers personal programmes to help its members overcome health issues. The club invites people over 30 to get fit and improve their all-around health in relaxing and non-intimidating surroundings.
The Roffen Club is generously offering six months full membership, including a gym introduction and a personal fitness programme – worth £320 – to one lucky reader. The club is also offering a second prize of dinner for four in the Roffen Club restaurant, including wine and soft drinks, worth £100.
To be in with a chance of winning one of these two prizes, simply answer the following questions: How much do memberships of The Roffen start from? What do you think of this magazine? What would you do to improve it? Please cut out this coupon and send your answers with your name, age, address and daytime telephone number to Health Matters, NHS Kent and Medway, Fifty Pembroke Court, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent ME4 4EL. The first person to be drawn from the entries will win the six-month membership, while the second person will win the dinner for four. Answers will be picked at random and must arrive by noon on Friday, 11 May. Entries that arrive after the closing date will not be entered into the competition. You must be 18 or over to enter this competition. Competitions are not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of NHS Kent and Medway. By entering the competition the winner agrees to participate in such promotional activity and material as NHS Kent and Medway may require. We will only process your data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. NHS Kent and Medway will analyse the information you provide to see what is most effective about this publication and to help us identify ways to improve it. As a public body we do not share data with other organisations unless the law permits us to do so. We do not sell individual information. We will share it only with our authorised Data Processors who must act at all times on our instructions as the Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 1998.
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Ask the Medway GP Dr Shariq Lanker
doctor
Q
I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes and I am not sure what I am allowed to eat and drink. Can you advise me?
A
The good news is that most people with diabetes don’t need special foods, so long as they eat healthily, with plenty of fibre, fruit and vegetables and not much fat, salt or sugar. If you have been advised to make changes to your diet, your GP or practice nurse will be able to advise you on your specific needs. It is important to drink alcohol only in moderation and never on an empty stomach. Aim for no more than one pint of beer or one small glass of wine a day. Your GP or diabetes nurse will already, I am sure, have advised you to stop smoking and to exercise. Aim to build up to at least 30 minutes of exercise that increases your pulse rate and your breathing, five times a week. This will help lower your blood glucose level.
Q A
What’s the difference between bowel cancer and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), which is usually first experienced between the ages of 20 and 30, is a common condition of the digestive system and can cause bouts of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation and mucus in your poo. There’s no cure for IBS, but the symptoms can be relieved by changing your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes medication can help, too. The symptoms of IBS are usually worse after eating and tend to come and go in bouts. Most people have a flare-up of symptoms that lasts for two to four days and afterwards their symptoms improve or disappear. Symptoms which indicate that you may have a more serious condition than IBS and that you need further tests include: • unexplained weight loss • a swelling or lump in your abdomen or back passage • bleeding from the back passage
• changes in your bowel habits including constipation, diarrhoea, or a ‘jelly-like’ mucus • a persistent pain or lump in your tummy See your GP if you have any of these symptoms.
Q
My six-month-old baby has really bad eczema. Our GP has prescribed steroid cream but I’m worried about putting it on in case it thins his skin. What should I do?
A
The important thing is to bring the eczema under control so your baby becomes less unhappy and the risk of infection through scratching is reduced. Read the instructions with the cream carefully and follow them exactly, for a few days, and there should be no problems. Corticosteroid creams are very safe and very effective for short-term use.
Q
I am 18 and I am in a relationship but I don’t want to go on the pill. What other choices do I have?
A
Long acting reversible contraception – such as implants or injections – are a very good solution if you are in a long-term monogamous relationship. See www.medwaysexualhealth.co.uk for details. Otherwise, you should always use a condom to limit your risk of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
For information about health problems and staying healthy, visit www.nhs.uk To check symptoms, visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Dr Lanker works at Rainham Healthy Living Centre and the Woodlands Family Practice in Gillingham. He is a Board member of the Medway Commissioning Group, which is gradually taking on responsibility for buying and planning health services for people in Medway (see page 14 for more details).
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MCG update
By Dr Peter Green Medway Commissioning Group Chairman
You may already know that GPs have been getting ready to play a much bigger part in the commissioning of health services for local people. Across the country, Clinical Commissioning Groups led by GPs and other senior health clinicians are preparing to take over the planning of health services for their residents from April 2013, subject to parliamentary approval.
Medway Commissioning Group Board
Medway Commissioning Group (MCG), which consists of all 61 GP practices in Medway and will be led by local GPs and other health professionals, will be commissioning services in shadow form from this April. This means that local people will benefit straightaway from the in-depth knowledge and expertise that we
Get involved A Health and Wellbeing Board, set up by Medway Council and involving Medway Commissioning Group and a new organisation, HealthWatch, will review the plans of Medway Commissioning Group and give an opinion on whether it meets the needs of local people. The MCG will publish this opinion in its annual operating plan. HealthWatch, which will start in April 2013, aims to give people real influence over health and social care decisions locally. Medway Local Involvement Network (LINk) will be one of the building blocks for HealthWatch. You can get involved now by joining the LINk: www.themedwaylink.co.uk, or 0800 980 3956. You can also get directly involved in helping Medway Commissioning Group develop, design and improve services by joining the Medway Health Network. This virtual network of members receives a monthly bulletin, Growing Healthier, and is invited to participate in focus groups, consultations and surveys about healthcare. Â
To join, visit www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/healthdebate/ email itsyournhsmedway@nhs.net or phone 01634 335173.
bring together in MCG, though the primary care trust (part of NHS Kent and Medway) will remain the legally accountable body for healthcare commissioning. Helping people to stay well and ensuring they get excellent care when they are ill are at the heart of our vision for health services in Medway. Our key priorities are prevention, early diagnosis, better management, better integration and better end of life care for everyone who lives in Medway. We aim to reduce the high levels of smoking, obesity and teenage pregnancy in Medway, reduce premature deaths and improve end of life experience, offer people choice of services with more available closer to home, improve outcomes and access to health services for children and young people, improve independence and wellbeing for the growing number of older people and people with long-term conditions, and improve mental health by enabling people to access a wide range of preventative and treatment services. We will continue with the NHS Health Check, which has screened more than 11,000 people in Medway aged from 40 to 74 to identify their individual risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease, and has helped hundreds make lifesaving changes to their lifestyle. We are focusing on earlier diagnosis of breast, bowel and cervical cancers and atrial fibrillation. We will be working closely with all our colleagues in the NHS and social services, to ensure that patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. • To find out more about the MCG and our plans, visit www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/mcg
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Electronic prescribing Patients can now collect their medication using a new online service.
Eighteen pharmacies in Medway are using the NHS Electronic Prescription Service, which allows GPs to send their patients’ prescriptions direct to participating pharmacies. More pharmacies are expected to join during the year. This convenient service means patients will need to make fewer trips to their GP surgery. It also has
the potential to reduce pharmacy waiting times as prescriptions can be made up in advance. The service is completely safe, with only approved NHS staff being able to use the secure, online system. You can find out if your GP or preferred pharmacy is offering EPS by visiting www.nhs.uk or www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/systemsandservices/eps
Dementia café The sessions will also allow people to learn more about support services that are available, while guest speakers will give talks and presentations about living with dementia.
A new service to support people with dementia and their families has opened its doors. On the second Friday of each month, the dementia café at Amherst Court care home in Palmerston Road, Chatham will become a meeting point for people with the condition and their carers to meet and share their experiences. The session takes place from 1 to 3pm. A dementia café will also take place on the second Tuesday of the month at St Paul’s church hall in Long Catlis Road in Parkwood from 1 to 3pm.
Teresa Harrison-Best, Support Services Manager from Alzheimer’s Society Kent and Medway, said: “It is exciting to be able to provide our first dementia cafes in Medway. The cafés will give everyone affected by dementia the chance to meet other people and share their experiences in a friendly environment. The social element may include occasional light entertainment such as musicians and entertainers.” The cafés are being run by the Alzheimer’s Society on behalf of NHS Kent and Medway, and Medway Council, to support people with dementia and their family carers. There is no need to book, but the cafés cannot offer personal care or one-to-one counselling. Phone Sylvia Wolfson on 07557 111060 or email Sylvia. wolfson@alzheimers.org.uk for details.
not too late for mmr protection Every year, some children miss out on full protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Two vaccinations are offered – one to babies and the second before children start school – and both are needed for maximum immunity. While nearly all babies in Medway have received their first MMR vaccination, up to one in five miss the second dose, leaving them at risk of illnesses which can cause serious complications, including meningitis, swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and deafness. Rubella infection can also cause problems later in life for girls who, if they have not been vaccinated and contract rubella when pregnant may pass the virus onto their unborn child, resulting in blindness, deafness and other conditions. If a child or young person has missed one or both MMR vaccinations, it is not too late to protect themselves. It is free on the NHS to everyone younger than 16 through GP surgeries. If you are a young person younger than 16 or the parent of a child under this age, don’t delay – contact your GP practice and make an appointment for this important vaccination.
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Your local NHS NHS Kent and Medway, 01634 335020 Commissioners of health services for Medway Fifty Pembroke Court, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent ME4 4EL Patient Advice and Liaison Service 0800 014 1641 Complaints 0800 014 1634 Web: www.medwaypct.nhs.uk Email: itsyournhsmedway@nhs.net Community healthy living centres: There are four healthy living centres in Medway. Built for NHS Medway, these are bases for GP practices, clinics and a range of community health services. They also offer community cafes and rooms the community can use.
Medway Community Healthcare Centres: Darland House 01634 852323 29 Darland Avenue, Gillingham, ME7 3AL St Bartholomew’s Hospital 01634 810900 New Road, Rochester, ME1 1DS Wisdom Hospice 01634 830456 High Bank, Rochester, ME1 2NU Walter Brice Centre 01634 253611 Tilley Close, Hoo St. Werburgh, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9AE Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT), 01732 520400 Provider of mental health and learning disability services Patient Advice and Liaison Service 0800 587 6757 Complaints 01622 722133
Rainham Community Healthy Living Centre 01634 337600 103-7 High Street, Rainham, ME8 8AA KMPT buildings Elizabeth House – Admiral Nurses 01634 382091 Rochester Community Healthy Living Centre 01634 334200 Older people’s mental health 01634 382080 Delce Road, Rochester, ME1 2EL Holding Street, Rainham, ME8 7JP Lordswood Community Healthy 01634 583000 Living Centre 01634 337444 Canada House Barnsole Road, Gillingham, ME7 4JL Sultan Road, Lordswood, Chatham, ME5 8TJ Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre 0333 200 1730 Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre 01634 334900 (Centre for some secondary care services) Beechings Way, GillinghamME8 6AD Balmoral Gardens, Gillingham, ME7 4PN Walk-in centre 01634 575232 Medway NHS Foundation Trust, (GP slots for non-registered patients, 01634 830000 as well as booked appointments for registered patients) Provider of secondary care (hospital) Medway NHS Healthcare Centre services in Medway 547-553 Canterbury Street, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, ME7 5LF Windmill Road, Gillingham, ME7 5NY Patient Advice and Liaison Service Medway Council 01634 306000 01634 825004 Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham Complaints 01634 825216 ME4 4TR Customer First 01634 333333 Patient Contact Centre (about appointments) Social care (children and adults) 01634 334466 01634 838938 Medway Community Healthcare, 01634 382777 Provider of community services in Medway (such as district nurses, health visitors) 01634 382266 Customer Care: Web: www. medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk Email: medwaycustomercare@nhs.net
Living well in Medway Friendly advice and guidance for people who want to know about care and support services in Medway and who live in: Chatham, Rochester, Strood or Hoo peninsula - contact
Medway Citizens Advice Bureau Kingsley House 37-39 Balmoral Road Gillingham ME7 4PF 01634 383760 Gillingham or Rainham - contact Carers First 3 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5TP 01634 582132 Medway Local Involvement Network (LINk) The local independent network of local people and community groups working together to influence and improve Medway’s health and social care services. www.themedwaylink.co.uk 01303 297050
Five ways to wellbeing These are actions which, research shows, can help improve the way we feel and help us get the most out of life. The websites have information about local groups, activities and courses. 1. Connect with the people around you: www.medway.gov. uk/leisure 2. Be active: www.medwaygetsactive.co.uk 3. Take notice – be aware of the world around you 4. Keep learning: www.medway. gov.uk/adultlearning 5. Give – do something nice for someone: www.medway.gov.uk/ volunteer
Do something amazing – give blood 96 per cent of us rely on the other 4 per cent to give blood. If you’re generally healthy and aged between 17 and 65, why not see if you can be a blood donor? 0300 123 23 23 http://www.blood.co.uk/
First aid – learn to be a lifesaver British Red Cross and St John Ambulance both now have first aid phone apps – simple, free and life-saving. You can download them and learn about local training courses from the organisations’ websites: www.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk/ and www.sja.org.uk
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Medway GPs GPs (family doctors) are responsible for the comprehensive care of patients registered with them. They provide care when you are ill, health advice and services to keep you well (such as screening and vaccinations) and other services such as contraception. GPs will also refer you to hospital or other professionals, such as physiotherapists, if that is what you need. If you are not registered with a GP practice, visit www.nhs.uk to find practices near you. (Put in your postcode via the “find and choose services” section). If you need to see a GP urgently, phone your practice. They will try to fit you in. If they cannot help, they will be able to refer you to MedOCC. Or you can try the walk-in centre, *Medway NHS Healthcare Centre in Canterbury Street, Gillingham. Allhallows The Surgery Dr KW Lee, Dr HK Mara, Dr JS Birdi, Dr JD Woodfield Avery Way Allhallows ME3 9NY 01634 270345 Brompton Brompton Medical Centre Dr BN Singh 28a Garden Street Brompton ME7 5AS 01634 845898 Chatham Churchill Clinic Dr R Vibhuti, Dr M Vibhuti, Dr R Seldon 94 Churchill Avenue Chatham ME5 0DL 01634 842397 College Health Dr P Malik, Dr Y Ajakaiye, Dr B Obe, Dr S Pun, Dr J Pushparajah Boots Pentagon Centre Chatham ME4 4BB 01634 815160 Halfway Surgery Dr IM Ali 68 New Road, Chatham ME4 4QR 01634 828665
King’s Family Practice Dr CD Huxham, Dr CL Norwood, Dr A Najjar, Dr J Ladd, Dr J Mathew 30-34 Magpie Hall Road Chatham ME4 5JY 0844 477 2496 Medical Centre – three separate surgeries in the same building 29 Bryant Street Chatham ME4 5QS Dr S Aly, Dr PB Raval 01634 811463 Dr MA Chaudhry 01634 848911 Dr KV Kanekal
01634 848912
Maidstone Road Surgery Dr K Qureshi, Dr N Hlaing 262 Maidstone Road Chatham ME4 6JL 01634 842093 West Drive Surgery Dr KS Mahapatra, Dr CK Chitgopker, Dr JH Rao West Drive, Davis Estate Chatham ME5 9XG 01634 867587 Cliffe Cliffe Surgery (provided by Highcliffe Medical Practice) Dr CP Markwick, Dr J Bell, Dr K Stone, Dr S Hossain Millcroft Road Cliffe ME3 7QN 01634 220203 Cliffe Woods Parkside Surgery (provided by The Parks Medical Practice) Dr PH Green, Dr RC Loftus, Dr R Mehr-Ghorbani, Dr CE Hawarden, Dr AK Wheeler, Dr A Oluwabamise Cliffe Woods ME3 8HX 01634 221410
Red Zone Dr Y Karim, Dr J Ahmad, Dr I Khattak 01634 334937 Blue Zone Dr JK Raval, Dr CM Shum, Dr NK Nathan, Dr S Jha, Dr SK Lall, Dr T A Bui, Dr BS Virdee, Dr M Dabestani, Dr M Rahman, Dr S Pun 01634 334929 Dr SB Bhasme, Dr S Pun 19 Railway Street Gillingham ME7 1XF 01634 853667 Dr M Dharan, Dr AK Shetty 90-92 Malvern Road Gillingham ME7 4BB 01634 578333 Glebe Family Practice Dr P Patel, Dr J Watkin, Dr JE Thackray Vicarage Road Gillingham ME7 5UA 01634 576347 Dr PP Jana 151 Napier Road Gillingham ME7 4HH 01634 580480 King’s Family Practice Dr CD Huxham, Dr CL Norwood, Dr A Najjar, Dr H Ladd, Dr J Mathew 91 Cleave Road Gillingham ME7 4AX 0844 4772518 Malling Health Dr Alexander ,Dr N’Dongi-Sila, Dr S Webb, Dr C Gunasekera 105 Nelson Road Gillingham ME7 4LT 01634 850943
Gillingham
* Medway NHS Healthcare Centre (provided by DMC Healthcare) Dr P Singh, Dr A Yearwood, Dr N Mayo 547-553 Canterbury Street Gillingham, ME7 5LF 01634 575232 Also provides walk-in care seven days a week
Balmoral Gardens Clinic – three separate surgeries in the same building Balmoral Gardens Gillingham, ME7 4PN
Dr N Ramesh 7 Railway Street Gillingham ME7 1XG 01634 851193
Yellow Zone Dr GCJ Davies, Dr AO Durowoju, Dr R Mahandru, Dr M Sharief 01634 334920
Dr RB Silhi 511 Canterbury Street Gillingham ME7 5LH 01634 573020
Cuxton Cuxton Medical Centre Dr MR Sastry, Dr KS Malladi, Dr R Jacobs 19a Wood Street Cuxton ME2 1LT 01634 714317
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Sunlight Centre Surgery (provided by Medway Community Healthcare) Dr M Lynn, Dr O Oyerinde, Dr O Olaleye, Dr Beyer, Dr R Okafor, Dr F Filtz, Dr D Chelliah 105 Richmond Road Gillingham ME7 1LX 01634 283487 Woodlands Family Practice Dr N P Rishi, Dr P Bakshi, Dr C K Ashok, Dr F Yazamaidi, Dr N Rishi, Dr P Modha, Dr O Akintoroye, Dr S Lanker, Dr T Tun Gillingham Medical Centre Woodlands Road Gillingham ME7 2BU 01634 854431 Halling The Halling Medical Centre Dr MR Sastry, Dr KS Malladi, Dr R Jacobs Ferry Road Halling ME2 1NP 01634 240238 Higham Highcliffe Medical Practice Dr CP Markwick, Dr J Bell, Dr K Stone, Dr S Hossain Hermitage Road Higham ME3 7DB 01474 823841 Hempstead Matrix Medical Practice Dr AN Stacey 146a Hempstead Road Hempstead ME7 3QE 01634 363561 Dr SKC Patel, Dr NR Patel, Dr R Patel 144 Hempstead Road Hempstead ME7 3QE 01634 235531 High Halstow Recreation Hall Dr KW Lee, Dr HK Mara, Dr JS Birdi, Dr JD Woodfield, Dr FPK Mallaiah, Dr Nair, Dr Sivi Meinerikandathevan The Street High Halstow ME3 8SF 01634 254480 Hoo St Werburgh The Elms Medical Centre Dr KW Lee, Dr HK Mara, Dr JS Birdi, Dr JD Woodfield, Dr Y Mirza Tilley Close, Main Road 01634 250142 Hoo ME3 9AE Hoo St Werburgh Medical Practice Dr GCJ Davies, Dr AO Durowoju,
Dr R Mahandru, Dr M Sharief 98 Bells Lane Hoo St Werburgh ME3 9HU 01634 250523 Isle of Grain Hoo St Werburgh Medical Practice Dr GCJ Davies, Dr AO Durowoju, Dr R Mahandru, Dr M Sharief 38 Chapel Road Grain ME3 0BZ 01634 272338 Village Hall Dr KW Lee, Dr JS Birdi, Dr JD Woodfield, Dr HK Mara, Dr SPK Mallaiah Grain ME3 0BY 01634 270791 Lordswood Lordswood Community Healthy Living Centre – two separate surgeries in the same building Sultan Road, ME5 8TJ Red Suite Dr SP Singh 01634 337443 Green Suite Dr S Jha, Dr SK Lall, Dr BS Virdee, Dr M Debestani, Dr N Nathan, Dr M Rahman, Dr T A Bui, Dr JKK Rawal, Dr CM Shum 01634 337445 Lower Stoke The Surgery (provided by Hoo St Werburgh Medical Practice) Dr GCJ Davies, Dr AO Durowoju, Dr R Mahandru, Dr M Sharief Mallard Way Lower Stoke ME3 9ST 01634 271347 Luton Luton Medical Centre Dr AB Jha 10a Beacon Hill Chatham ME5 7JX 01634 402115 Sterling House, College Health, Dr Ajakaiye, Dr P Mallik, Dr Idowu, Dr L Hanif, Dr R Hanif, Dr George Second Avenue, Luton, ME4 5AU 01634 810170 Stonecross Surgery Dr KS Mahapatra, Dr CK Chitgopker, Dr JH Rao 25 Street End Road Luton ME5 0AA 01634 842334
Parkwood Parkwood Family Practice Dr ST Selvan, Dr N Imam 119 Long Catlis Road Parkwood ME8 9RR 0844 815 1226 Parkwood Health Centre Long Catlis Road Parkwood ME8 9PR Malling Health Dr S Alexander, Dr R Rumsfeld, Dr Sabari 01634 371535 Dr A Shah
01634 233491
Rainham Pump Lane Surgery Dr S Bhatia 13 Pump Lane Rainham Mark ME8 7AA 01634 231856 Dr M Faramawi 1 Wyvill Close Rainham ME8 9NE 01634 230461 Rainham Healthy Living Centre 103 – 107 High Street Rainham ME8 8AA Blue Suite Malling Health Dr N’Dongi-Sila, Dr S Alexander, Dr S Webb, Dr C Gunasekera 01634 337632 Green Suite Woodland Family Practice Dr N P Rishi, Dr P Bakshi, Dr C K Ashok, Dr F Yazamaidi, Dr N Rishi, Dr P Modha, Dr O Akintoroye, Dr R Neubauer 01634 337607 Red Suite Dr LV Ferrin, Dr KL Haworth, Dr MC Quigley 01634 337620 Yellow Suite Dr JL Grant, Dr TPM de Bie, Dr A Rahim 01634 337642 Maidstone Road Surgery Dr LN Shaunak, Dr V Shaunak, Dr S Das 53B Maidstone Road Rainham ME8 0DP 01634 231423 Also has a branch surgery at 56 Oak Lane Upchurch, ME9 7AU 01634 231423 Thames Avenue Surgery Dr WSBP Fernando, Dr Mannivannan, Dr K Boardman 2 Thames Avenue Rainham ME8 9BW 01634 360486
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Rochester Dr CS Balachander, Dr Y Yau 25 Wouldham Road Borstal ME1 3JY 01634 408765 The Dame Sybil Thorndike Health Care Centre Dr JS Tanday, Dr G Fargher, Dr PH Gilbert, Dr MS Pujara, Dr MS Ojedokun, Dr Varadarajan, Dr A Yeates, Dr J Ravindra, Dr B Haddadkhoshkar Longley Road Rochester ME1 2TH 01634 817217 Dr DC Hubbard, Dr JH Redman 1 The Esplanade Rochester ME1 1QE 01634 843142 Rochester Community Healthy Living Centre – three separate surgeries in the same building Delce Road Rochester ME1 2EL Dr A Dhindsa, Dr E Schirrmacher 01634 334202 Dr N Elapatha
01634 334201
Dr SL Tandon, Dr S Singh 01634 334203 City Way Surgery Dr S Syed, Dr TS Colbert, Dr G Martin, Dr AAA Osman, Dr D Bhagirathan 67 City Way Rochester, ME1 2AY 01634 843320 / 01634 843351 St Mary’s Island St Mary’s Island Surgery Dr SM Lawrence Edgeway ME4 3EP 01634 890712 Strood Medical Centre – two separate surgeries in the same building Gun Lane, Strood ME2 4UW Apex Medical Centre Dr S Jayasinghe, Dr RV Premeratne, Dr KW Jayasinghe, Dr S Balendran 01634 720220 Medical Centre Dr V Agarwal, Dr JN Ray, Dr DK Ray, Dr P Kumar-Shahi 01634 290644 01634 727888
Court View Surgery Dr G Francis, Dr JTW Spinks, Dr JK Lonsdale, Dr GRS Dolman 2a Darnley Road Strood ME2 2HA 01634 290333 Marlowe Park Medical Centre Dr S Juneja Wells Road Strood ME2 2PW 01634 719692 St Mary’s Medical Centre Dr BA Oshinusi, Dr K Pancholi, Dr I Sabri, Dr N Jilani Vicarage Road Strood ME2 4DG 01634 291266 Twydall DMC Healthcare Dr P Singh, Dr A Yearwood, Dr N Myo, Dr H Mittagi, Dr S Ilanthirayan Twydall Clinic Twydall Green, ME8 6JY 01634 575232 Medical Centre Dr JC Lakshman, Dr Y Rean 4a Waltham Road Twydall ME8 6XQ 01634 231074 Dr V Nandini 52 Eastcourt Lane Twydall ME8 6EY 01634 232144 Dr MG Patel 44 The Broadway Twydall ME8 6BD 01634 231364 Wainscott Wainscott Surgery (provided by The Parks Medical Practice) Dr PH Green, Dr RC Loftus, Dr R Mehr-Ghorbani, Dr CE Hawarden, Dr AK Wheeler, Dr A Oluwabamise Miller Way Wainscott ME2 4LP 01634 717450 Walderslade DMC Walderslade Surgery Dr P Singh, Dr P Kypa, Dr N Yearwood Land at Greenacres School Walderslade Road Walderslade ME5 0LP 01634 661140 Dr AB Jha 16 Tunbury Avenue, Walderslade ME5 9EH 01634 668814 01634 684981 Dr S Maheswaran, Dr O Sofowora 52a King George Road
Walderslade ME5 0TU 01634 671037 Princes Park Medical Centre Dr T Aslam, Dr J Le Geyet Dove Close Walderslade ME5 7TD 01634 201272 Walderslade Medical Centre Dr K Padma Princes Avenue Walderslade ME5 7PQ 01634 668160 Walderslade Village Surgery Dr JK Raval, Dr CM Shum, Dr NK Nathan, Dr S Jha, Dr SK Lall, Dr BS Virdee, Dr M Dabestani, Dr M Rahman, Dr TA Bui, Dr CE Grzonka 62a Robin Hood Lane Walderslade, ME5 9LD 08444 778741 Wayfield Wayfield Surgery Dr AR Mir 183b Wayfield Road Chatham ME5 0HD 01634 845613 Wigmore Dr SKC Patel, Dr NR Patel, R Patel 114 Woodside Wigmore ME8 0PW 01634 231752
Pharmacists Your pharmacist can recognise and suggest treatments for a range of common health problems, including eye infections, stomach upsets and allergies. Extra services offered by many pharmacies in Medway include • free Chlamydia self-test kits for people aged 15-25, • free Stop Smoking support – one-to-one sessions with the pharmacist every week for six weeks; • free emergency hormonal contraception; • free medication reviews for people taking two or more kinds of medication regularly Brompton Brompton Pharmacy 3 High Street Brompton ME7 5AA 8.30 am-1pm and 2pm-6.30 pm Mon-Fri. 01634 818499
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Chatham Asda Pharmacy 387 Maidstone Road Chatham ME5 9SE 01634 663010 8am-11pm Mon, 7am-11 Tues-Fri, 7am-10 Sat, 10am-4pm Sun Boots Pentagon Centre Chatham ME4 4BB 8am- 7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. 01634 405471 Delmergate Ltd 21 Shirley Avenue Chatham ME5 9UR 9am-1pm, 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri and 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 303110 Karsons Pharmacy 33 Pattens Lane Chatham ME4 6JR 9am-1pm and 2-6pm Mon-Fri, 01634 843177 9am-1pm Sat. Merlin Pharmacy 54 Silverweed Road Chatham ME5 0QX 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12.30pm Sat. 01634 861683 Palmers Pharmacy 98 Palmerston Road Chatham ME4 5SJ 9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12.30pm Sat. 01634 845624 Paydens Ltd 139 New Road Chatham ME4 4PT 9am-1pm and 2.15pm-7pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm Sat 01634 404142 The Co-operative Pharmacy 22 Magpie Hall Road Chatham ME4 5JY 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 842129 Cliffe Woods Marshlands 7 Parkside Parade, Cliffe Woods, ME3 8HX 8.30am-1pm and 2-6.00pm MonFri, 9am- noon Sat 01634 222021 Frindsbury Williams Chemists 86-88 Frindsbury Road Frindsbury ME2 4HY 9am-1pm and 2.30pm-6pm MonFri, 9am-2pm Sat. 01634 718221
Gillingham 212 Pharmacy 212 Canterbury Street Gillingham ME7 5XL 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat 01634 850289 Boots 125-127 High Street Gillingham ME7 1BS 8.30am-1pm and 2-5.30pm Mon-Sat. 01634 851475 Delmergate Ltd Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road Gillingham ME7 1LX 9am-1pm and 2-6pm Mon-Fri 01634 851427 Lloydspharmacy 74-76 Watling Street Gillingham ME7 2YW 9am-1pm and 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 853087 Osbon Pharmacy 17 Duncan Road Gillingham ME7 4LA 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat 01634 574114 Osbon Pharmacy 1 Railway Street Gillingham ME7 1XF 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 575327 Paydens Late Night Pharmacy Balmoral Gardens Community Healthy Living Centre Balmoral Gardens Gillingham ME7 4PN 7am-10pm Mon-Sat, 8am-6pm Sun. 01634 581815
Tesco Pharmacy Courtney Road, Gillingham ME8 0GX 01634 649647 8am-10.30pm Mon, 6.30am-10.30pm Tues-Fri, 6.30am-10pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun The Co-operative Pharmacy 135 High Street Gillingham ME7 1AQ 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat. 01634 851683 Hempstead Boots Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre Gillingham ME7 3PB 8am-8pm Mon-Fri. 8am-7pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. 01634 388175 Hempstead Pharmacy 148 Hempstead Road Gillingham ME7 3QE 9am-1pm and 2-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12noon Sat. 01634 376674 Sainsbury’s Pharmacy Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre Gillingham ME7 3PB 7am-11pm Mon-Fri, 7am-10pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. 01634 360256 Hoo St Werburgh Knights Pharmacy 39 Knights Road Hoo ME3 9DT 9am-1pm and 2-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 250882
Phoenix Pharmacy 373 Maidstone Road Gillingham ME8 0HX 9am-12noon and 1-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12noon and 1-5.30pm Sat. 01634 232079
Lordswood Lloydspharmacy Ltd 17-18 Kestrel Road Lordswood ME5 8HT 9am-1pm and 2-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 863372
Smiths Chemists 318-320 Canterbury Street Gillingham ME7 5JP 9am-1pm and 2-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 851852
Luton Delmergate Ltd 23 Street End Road Luton ME5 0AA 9am-1.30pm and 2.30-6pm Mon-Fri. 01634 402108
Sturdee Avenue Pharmacy 46 Sturdee Avenue Gillingham ME7 2HN 9am-1pm and 2-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 851616
Parkwood Fenns Chemist 33-35 Parkwood Green Parkwood ME8 9PW 9am-5.30pm Mon-Thurs, 9am-6pm Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 235880
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Rainham Boots 21-22 Rainham Shopping Centre Rainham ME8 7HW 8.45am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5.30pm Sat. 01634 231191 Lloyds Pharmacy 2-3 Stanford House, Station Road Rainham ME8 7PH 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12.30pm Sat. 01634 232020 Lloyds Pharmacy 8 Rainham Shopping Centre Rainham ME8 7HW 8.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm Sat. 01634 375047 Rochester Asda 387 Maidstone Road Rochester ME5 9SD 8am-11pm Mon, 7am-11pm Tues-Fri, 7am-10pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. 01634 663010 Boots The Thorndike Centre Longley Road Rochester ME1 2TH 8.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-12pm Sat. 01634 817317 Focus Chemists 126 Borstal Street Rochester ME1 3JS 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 405691 Karsons Pharmacy 69-71 City Way Rochester ME1 2BA 7am-11pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat and 8am-1pm Sun. 01634 405700 Merlin Pharmacy 364 City Way Rochester ME1 2BQ 9am-1pm Mon, Tue, 2.15-6pm Wed, Fri, 9am-1pm Thurs, 9am-1pm and 2.15-5pm Sat. 01634 842789 Paydens Ltd 134-136 Delce Road Rochester ME1 2DG 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 842089
Ryders Chemist 130 High Street Rochester ME1 1JT 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat. 01634 842838 St Mary’s Island Island Pharmacy Edgeway, St Mary’s Island ME4 3EP 9am-1pm and 2-6pm Mon-Fri 4-10pm Sat, Sun 01634 891207 Strood Boots 83 High Street Strood ME2 4AH 9am-1pm and 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm and 3-5.30pm Sat. 01634 717367 Bryant Rd Pharmacy 59-61 Bryant Road Strood ME2 3EP 9am-1pm and 2.30-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. 01634 718039 Coles Pharmacy 29 Darnley Road Strood ME2 2EU 8.45am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8.45am-1pm Sat. 01634 718508 Hobbs Pharmacy 41-43 Wells Road Marlowe Park Strood ME2 2PW 9am-6pm Mon-Fri. 01634 714455 Tesco Pharmacy 3 Cuxton Road Strood ME2 2BT 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. 01634 497549 Twydall J Spensley Ltd 1 Twydall Green Gillingham ME8 6JX 8.30am-1pm and 2-5.30pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8.30am-1pm and 6-7pm Wed, 8.30am-1pm Sat. 01634 231809 Wainscott Marshlands Wainscott Surgery 63 Miller Way Wainscott, ME2 4LP 8.30am-1pm and 2.30-6pm Mon, Tue, Fri. 8.30-1pm and 2.30-6.30pm Wed. 8.30am-1pm and 2-5.30pm Thurs. 01634 297580
Walderslade Fenns Chemist 9-10 Walderslade Centre Walderslade ME5 9LR 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat. 01634 863819 Morrisons Pharmacy Princes Avenue Walderslade, ME5 8BA 9am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. 01634 684964 Wayfield Delmergate Ltd 163 Wayfield Road Wayfield ME5 0HD 9am-1pm and 2-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am -12.30pm Sat. 01634 841967
NHS dentists Most of the dentists listed below have space for NHS patients, although a few treat only children and those adults who are exempt from all charges for dentistry. If you need assistance or advice, please phone NHS Medway Dental Helpline on 0800 014 1538. In an emergency, you should contact your own dentist in working hours or, if you do not have a dentist, call the NHS Medway Dental Helpline on 0800 014 1538 (open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). For emergencies during the evenings and at weekends, call DentaLine on 01634 890300. Chatham Chatham Dental Surgery Mrs Ramzani and associates 131a High Street Chatham ME4 4DH 01634 406776 Premier Dental Care Ms Kiani-Anaraki 93a High Street Chatham ME4 4DL 01634 405515 The Dental Surgery A Lupin and associates 27 Railway Street Chatham ME4 4RH 01634 843044 Gibraltar House Clinic Dr Mark Hughes and Associates New Road Chatham ME4 4RY 01634 400128
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Gillingham Gillingham Watling Street Dental Care Dr O Adesanya 56 Watling Street Gillingham ME7 2YN 01634 576688 Nelson Road Dental Practice Dr Uddin and Dr Akhtar 193 Nelson Road Gillingham ME7 4NB 01634 851317 Franklin House Dental Practice H Walia, S Walia, R King 15 Franklin Road Gillingham ME7 4DF 01634 577794 01634 853030 Longford Dental Centre Niamh Cashman 86 Rock Avenue Gillingham ME7 5PS 01634 853935
Luton Luton Arches Dental R Nath and associates 425 High Street Chatham ME4 4NU 01634 844121 Rainham The Dental Surgery BF McElroy 33a High Street Rainham ME8 7HX 01634 365523 Rainham Dental Surgery and Implant Centre JM Unter and associates 15 High Street Rainham ME8 7HX 01634 235377 Maidstone Road Dental Clinic B Murphy and associates 3 Maidstone Road Rainham ME8 0DH 01634 231413
The Dental Surgery BF McElroy 70 High Street Gillingham ME7 1AY 01634 853289
Rochester Crown Court Clinic D Ryan and associates 203 High Street Rochester ME1 1HB 01634 840303
Dental Healthcare Practice Dr Mark Hughes 83a High Street Gillingham ME7 1BL 01634 851061
The New Road Dental Practice D Lundberg, H Abel 3a New Road Rochester ME1 1BD 01634 845286
The Dental Surgery P J Gunn and associates 84a High Street Gillingham ME7 1AX 01634 851178
Howard Marshall Dentistry 18E City Way Rochester ME1 2AB 01634 842549
Hoo St Werburgh Hoo Dental Care (J Sellers, H Harris, D Robinson, T Green) 96 Bells Lane Hoo St Werburgh ME3 9HU 01634 250181 Lordswood The Dental Surgery S Meads and associates 17-19 Gould Rd Lordswood ME5 8DP 01634 201636 Lower Stoke The Post Office Dental Practice Dr G Biant 1 Sandra Court High Street Lower Stoke ME3 9RA 01634 272933
Thorndike Dental Surgery S Fernando, S Kunasingham, M Passaloudi, N Clarke 374 High Street Rochester ME1 1DJ 01634 817417 Eastgate Dental Practice JG Moriarty and associates 1-4 Eastgate Court High Street Rochester ME1 1EU 01634 841337 Louie Dental 360 High Street Rochester ME1 1DJ 01634 404590 The Dental Surgery PS Photay, SS Photay and associates
196 High Street Rochester ME1 1EY 01634 404600 Strood Longford Dental Centre Niamh Cashman and Colm MacCormaic 27A Darnley Road Strood ME2 2EU 01634 723086 The Dental Surgery LD Lunness-Barnes and associates 4 The Parade Allington Drive Strood ME2 3ST 01634 713422 Thakray Dental Clinic Dr R Ray 11 Central Road Strood ME2 3HF 01634 716840 Twydall Hillton Dental Practice MJS Patel and associates 139 Twydall Lane Gillingham ME8 6JU 01634 231776 Walderslade Medway Dental Care ZH Van Der Westhuizen and associates 26 King George Road Walderslade ME5 0TX 01634 862749 Lavender Close Dental Practice M Ryan and associates 1 Lavender Close King George Road Walderslade ME5 0PU 01634 864153 Wigmore The Dental Surgery Dr V Patel 367 Maidstone Road Wigmore ME8 0HT 01634 232204 Wigmore Dental Practice Dr Mark Hughes 198 Fairview Avenue Wigmore ME8 0PX 01634 231062 Covering all of Medway Domiciliary Dentist – provides denture care for the housebound C/o Hospital Lane Dental Clinic Lord Lees Grove Bluebell Hill Chatham ME5 9PE 01634 842566
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The Rochester Orthodontic Centre – offers NHS orthodontic care to eligible patients under 18, referred by their dentist. Cypress House 227 Frindsbury Hill Frindsbury ME2 4JS 01634 710105
Opticians Got a sudden eye problem? Six local opticians offer fast, expert care to anyone with a sudden eye problem, under NHS Medway’s Primary Eyecare Acute Referral Scheme (PEARS). If you or your child has eye pain, headaches, blurred vision, loss of vision, red eyes, dry eyes, problems with lids or lashes, or other problems, please contact one of the opticians highlighted in blue below to make an appointment. Gillingham Boots D&A 96 High Street Gillingham ME7 1AX 01634 850000 Hempstead Leightons Opticians 67 Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre Gillingham ME7 3PD 0800 402020 T J Woolley 60 Watling Street Gillingham ME7 2YN 01634 281291 Rochester Sanford Opticians 7 Main Road, Hoo Rochester ME3 9AA 01634 256565 Strood Niall O’Kane Optometrists 78-80 High Street Strood ME2 4AR 01634 290178 Walderslade Village Vision 6 Ashdown House Walderslade Centre Walderslade ME5 9LR 01634 682595 Chatham Boots D&A 225 High Street
Chatham ME4 4BQ 01634 826819 Boots Opticians Pentagon Centre Chatham ME4 4BB 01634 828672 Kent Contact Lens Centre The Guard House, Church Lane The Historic Dockyard Chatham ME4 4TE 01634 827817 Optical Express Ltd 181 High Street Chatham ME4 4BA 01634 828769 Specsavers 215 High Street Chatham ME4 4BG 01634 818555 SpecsFactory 13 Military Road Chatham, Kent ME4 4JG
Specsavers 137 High Street Gillingham ME7 1AQ 01634 583350 Hoo St Werburgh The Kent Eye Clinic (Sanfords Opticians) 7 Main Road 01634 256565 Hoo ME3 9AA Rainham Boots Opticians 15 Rainham Shopping Centre Rainham ME8 7HW 01634 362738 John High Opticians 73 High Street Rainham ME8 7HF 01634 233634
01634 832684
Patrick Duff Opticians 65 High Street Rainham ME8 7HS 01634 231308
Vision Express 199-201 High Street Chatham, Kent ME4 4BG 01634 404808
Rochester Vraitch Vision 39 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LN 01634 832099
Gillingham Bowden & Lowe Opticians 117 Watling Street Gillingham ME7 2YX 01634 851783
Strood Boots Opticians 117 High Street Strood ME2 4TJ
01634 718676
Looking after yourself and your family To protect against infection Wash your hands often and thoroughly – it should take 15-30 seconds. Don’t forget fingertips and backs of hands! Clean hard surfaces – germs can linger for days on TV remote controls, light switches, telephones, and toilet or door handles. Use a tissue to catch coughs or sneezes, throw it away and wash your hands If you get a cold or tummy bug, stay away from other people, drink plenty of water in small sips, and take great care with hand hygiene. Don’t visit hospital or care homes if you feel unwell – an infection which is mild to you could be dangerous to more vulnerable people. To steer clear of slips and trips Up to a third of falls in older people can be prevented by: • Keeping physically active - it improves muscle strength and balance. • Eating a varied and healthy diet • Keeping hydrated • Removing hazards from your home such as rugs that ruck up • Looking after your feet and replacing worn or ill-fitting footwear – your feet can get bigger as you get older so get your shoe size checked • Getting your eyes checked once a year Medway Community Healthcare’s falls prevention service in Medway offers full assessments of people who have fallen or whose fear of falling is affecting their life. If you would like an assessment, speak to your GP or phone 01634 810953.
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Urgent help when you need it Need advice, to check symptoms or find an NHS service? NHS Direct at www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect
08 45 46 47
Need a pharmacy? Medway pharmacies open late and on Sundays include: Asda, Chatham Sainsbury’s, Hempstead Valley Karson’s, City Way, Rochester Payden’s, Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre, Gillingham Tesco, Courtney Road, Gillingham
01634 663010 01634 360256 01634 405700 01634 581815 01634 490447
Need emergency contraception? Visit www.medwaysexualhealth.co.uk for details of your nearest service.
Dental emergency? In office hours, contact your own dentist or, if you do not have a dentist, 0800 014 1538 the NHS Medway dental helpline In the evenings and at weekends, call DentaLine 01634 890300
Sudden eye problem? Visit www.medwaypct.nhs.uk/eyecare for details of high street opticians who offer fast expert care.
Mental health crisis If you are being treated by a specialist mental health service, phone the number you have been given. If not, contact your GP or Mental Health Matters helpline (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). 0800 107 0160
Minor injury that may need cleaning, stitching or dressing? A minor injuries unit is open 9am-9pm, 7 days a week at Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital, Bell Road, Sittingbourne, ME10 4DT Sheppey Community Hospital, Plover Road, Minster-on-Sea, ME12 3LT
01795 418300 01795 879104
Need to see a doctor? If you don’t have a GP practice, visit www.nhs.uk or phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 where you can register. If you need to see a GP urgently, your practice will try to fit you in. If they cannot, and you need an urgent appointment, they will be able to refer you to MedOCC. Or you can try the walk-in centre.
Walk-in centre For care by GPs and nurses, 8am-8pm, 7 days a week. Medway NHS Healthcare Centre, 547 553 Canterbury Street, Gillingham ME7 5LF
01634 575232
Need to see a doctor when your practice is closed? MedOCC - for urgent care from 6.30pm-8am Mon-Fri and 24 hours at weekends and bank holidays 01634 891855 You must ring first – you cannot be seen if you just turn up.
Serious or life-threatening illness or injury? Phone 999 or go to the emergency department at Medway Maritime Hospital. Please keep emergency services free for those who really need them
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