|
|
| Current News |
 June 2010 - Small change, Big difference! July 2010
Stockport NHS (formerly Stockport PCT) is working with local doctors to reduce the amount spent on medicines each year. We have to make as many savings as possible whilst maintaining our high standard of care.
Doctors have been asked to work out which medicines can be given out more cost effectively. Small changes can make a big difference, for example, a branded drug may cost a great deal more than what is known as a generic drug because different companies charge different prices for the same thing.
Doctors have been asked to make vital savings by using more generic drugs than they may have done up to now. The main differences between generic and branded drugs are the names and packaging. The active ingredients remains the same.The savings made here will help to prevent cuts in other vital sevices.
Stockport NHS and their doctors need your help! We cannot make the savings without your cooperation and understanding. You and your family can help in lots of small but important ways, all of which add up to a big difference for everyone! Here are some examples of how you can help us:
• Switch to alternative drugs if you are asked to.
• Indulge in a little light exercise. Even a brisk 10 minute walk every day makes a big difference!
• Treat yourself to a nice piece (or two) of fruit each day.
• If you smoke and want to quit, ask your doctor for help.
• Accept alternative treatment suggestions from your GP. Drugs are not always necessary!
• Use your (supermarket) pharmacy for minor ailments.
• Always discuss any problems with your medicine with your GP, Nurse or Pharmacist.
Making these few small changes will help your local health service to save money, which can then be used in other areas to improve the health of the borough. We are all in this together!
May 2010 - Do you want instant access to your medical record?
As you may be aware the practice has invested a lot of time and resources into developing innovative services and facilities for our patients.
One such innovation available to our patients (16yrs and over) is the opportunity to use the Online Medical Record Viewer.
This exciting facility allows you to view your own medical record online from the comfort of your home or work, providing instant access to test results, consultations, hospital letters, immunisations, etc.
If you would like to register to use the service please ask reception for a consent form.
April 2010 - Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
The national charity Beating Bowel Cancer is campaigning
throughout the month to raise awareness of bowel cancer and save lives from this killer disease.
Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer – claiming 16,000 lives each year - yet it is one of the
most treatable cancers, as over 90% of cases could be successfully treated if diagnosed early.
Both men and women are at risk of developing bowel cancer. The risk increases with age; 80% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer are over the age of 60 years.
Consequently in Stockport the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme was launched at the end of 2009 which offers bowel cancer screening every two years to all men and to women aged 60-69 years.
These people will automatically be sent an invitation to do a simple screening test in the privacy of your own home which can then be sent in a sealed freepost envelope to a laboratory for testing.
For more information about go to www.beatingbowelcancer.org/
|
|
