Wyndham House Surgery

Links to our summer newsletter with a staff update and news about Room4U

Newsletter Summer 2018

Summer Newsletter Page 2

Attached is the programme for late 2018 and early 2019

Silverton Winter 1819 180606 FINAL

Attached is the programme for the summer of 2018.

silverton summer18 180119

(Published in summer editions of local Parish magazines)

Most of us have a garden of some sort – different shapes, sizes and contents but a defined outdoor space we can cultivate as we choose; for some this is a chore, to others a joy. However no matter whether we enjoy or endure almost everyone will have been doing some sort of gardening this summer and for a variety of reasons we will all be healthier as a result.

Mowing the grass, digging the vegetable patch, turning the compost are all activities that burn off more calories than we realise. There is plenty of evidence that getting outside in any way whatsoever is of great benefit to us all. Walking is probably the best exercise we can do. So, no matter whether your garden is big or small, pushing the mower up and down and making trips back and forward to turn the hose pipe on and off will all clock up those footsteps. Sunshine, in whatever quantity it comes, ensures we have sufficient Vitamin D to keep our bones strong and this is enhanced with any form of exertion. As well as the physical workout, gardening also enhances our mental well being too. Seeing, smelling, feeling plants, appreciating their colours, their textures, their scents, leaving the rest of our world behind and immersing ourselves in nature, is a fantastic therapeutic tool do alleviate the stresses of life in the 21st century. The ability to do this has not changed in hundreds of years and no amount of technology will ever replace it. We are also very lucky to live somewhere surrounded by countryside with lanes and paths to be enjoyed as well.

We have had a small patch of grass next to the surgery since it was built and this year we decided to fence it off and make a staff garden. We have dug some beds and planted them up, laid a patio and have a bench, table and umbrella. So come rain or shine all our staff can escape into a space away from the hustle and bustle of the front desk to recuperate. This is a medicine as powerful as a lot of those we pass over the counter.

Often the best health promotion tools are on our doorstep and this is literarily the case as we walk through our gardens every day.

Anthony O’Brien

Wyndham House Surgery

Volunteer Trustee needed for Local Charity

The Friends of Wyndham House Surgery is a registered grant-aiding charity for the benefit of the community within the catchment area of the Wyndham House Surgery. At the next AGM Barry Forrest-Jones from Rewe will be formally stepping down after twenty dedicated years as a Trustee.

The Committee seeks anyone registered with the Surgery (over the age of 18) who would be interested in volunteering to be a Trustee for the Friends to put themselves forward for nomination no later than 3^rd September 2018.

No previous experience as a Trustee is required but enthusiasm and commitment are essential and, to complement the existing team, an interest in publicity and social media would be a great asset for our worthwhile charity. Applications are particularly welcomed from those with a minority background, with young or teenage families, and/or with a keen interest to help our local community to stay healthy.

If you feel passionately about local activities to preserve health and well-being for the young to the elderly and would like to support your Surgery please send your contact details for further information to:

Sylvia Wakeham, Chair of FOWHS, email sfwakeham@aol.com or by letter into Reception in the Surgery marked for her attention.

So far the timetable is as follows, this is very much work in progress as we finalise arrangements.

The treatment room will have a massage couch with electronic controls so providing ease of use. This also doubles as a chair for foot care. 

Barnes room

Monday. Jigsaws, board games and computer access. On the first Monday of every month Michael Griffin will be holding a Grumblebox session, Michael will be giving more detailed information about Grumblebox in the next issue of this magazine.

Tuesday. A community cafe. Light refreshments.

Wednesday, Art, open session for all abilities, run by local artists.

Thursday. To be arranged

Friday. Respite care day. Can be used as a pop in or carers can leave their loved one with us so that they can have some free time and have a break from 24/7 caring. This is a free service as are all the activities in the Barnes room with the exception of the community cafe! 

Whatever activity is taking place all are welcome to pop in and take part or sit and watch. If you are caring for someone with dementia and having a difficult day, just pop in to the room 4 u and you will be sure of a welcome. If you are down in the dumps, pop in! If you are on top of the world pop in, in fact please just pop in, this is YOUR room so please use it whenever you want. Make new friends and chat with old ones. Compare it with the Coffee House of olden days!

 Treatment room

Tuesday. Laura Packer. Foot care and Reflexology

Wednesday. Pippa Perry Bowen Practitioner

Thursday morning.  Penny King. Massage, Bowen technique and Aromatherapy.

Thursday afternoon. Beata Svanova. Massage, Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot Massage

All the therapists will be taking their own bookings and payment is direct to them on the day. All therapists have been vetted by us and all have up to date insurance and DBS checks.

If you are interested in volunteering or have an idea for a session in the treatment room or the Barnes room, please contact me or John Pizey, 861711, Bob Deed 861258, Geoff Hayne 860650. Stephen Roach 861042

Finally, thank you to Paul Jones who has provided his expertise and support to help us over the final hurdles. To all the people who have donated items for use in the room 4 u, for the bottles of whisky etc to make sure that our raffles at the mini market have really good prizes. Your support has been invaluable, a word of encouragement or an act of support when the going is hard makes all the difference.

We are thrilled to announce the results of our 2017/2018 Patient Experience Survey

96% of all patients ratings about Wyndham House were good, very good or excellent.

We score above average in every category assessed when compared to other GP surgeries across the UK.

A big thank you to all our staff for their continued commitment to providing such a high standard of care

Thank you to all our patients whose sensible use of the services we offer make them so accessible

It’s the season to be sneezy (and safe)

Although Spring has been 3 weeks late this year it has still brought with it an abundance of colour and bright sunny weather that lifts the spirits. As a result we also see a change at the surgery. Chest disease, flu-like illnesses and depressive symptoms reduce but heart disease diagnosis rates increase as people stop driving and start walking. However, Hay Fever is the most noticeable. It is also the most frustrating of conditions; those who suffer badly are sadly limited in their exposure to the bright sunny weather. Decreasing the amount of time spent outside, avoiding cutting the grass, wearing wrap around sunglasses, showering and changing clothes regularly to remove pollen and keeping doors and windows shut are all good lifestyle options to reduce the symptoms. Antihistamines work well as excessive histamine release is the problem. Nasal steroid sprays will not immediately relieve the symptoms and so need to be taken every day throughout the season as a preventative measure. Eye drops are the third useful agent. One good thing is that Hay Fever recedes with age as habituation to the pollen occurs and the immune system dampens its response over time. This is also the reason why I will always see one or two families each year who have just moved to Devon; new area, new pollens, new symptoms. There is limited evidence that taking pollen granules (bought over the counter from health food shops) has an effect but the theory would fit with habituation. There is nothing to be lost for serious sufferers in giving it a try; although it will not work immediately, next year might be better.

Those suffering Hay Fever are unlucky but know their symptoms will only last while pollen levels are high. However, other medical presentations at this time of year are often self-inflicted. Enthusiastic gardeners need to be safe and sensible. The hazards of lawnmowers, ladders and hedge cutters may seem obvious but gardening injuries top the A&E charts in Spring. Those trying out the strimmer they received for Christmas need to beware of Hogweed as this can cause a horrible, extremely painful, burning rash. Full protective clothing and goggles are needed before going near it. So take the antihistamines, be careful with the shears and don’t forget the suncream.

Anthony O’Brien

Wyndham House Surgery

We are always looking for more volunteer drivers to help with Bertie our prescription delivery service sponsored by the Friends of Wyndham House. If you could offer up a morning every few weeks then Jan Topham (our Bertie co-ordinator) would love to hear from you.  She is easily contacted via Reception.

Any other comments?

Friends of Wyndham House Surgery Wellbeing Project

Carer Support Group Lunch

Tuesday 24th April 12.00 Noon Lamb Inn Silverton

Please contact Jayne Isaac to book a place 01392 860 272 Cost £5.50

This is a meeting with a 2 course lunch including tea and coffee where carers can meet & support each other

For details of next meeting please contact Trish Jones via reception at the surgery