From December 24, West Common Lane Teaching Practice will begin conducting a project to digitise all of our historic, paper-based patient medical records, commonly known as Lloyd George medical records. Digitising these records will enable better utilisation of practice space, increase security, as well as making the full patient record easily accessible at the point of care to clinical staff within the practice. 

On completion of the digitisation process, paper-based records will be securely destroyed.  The scanning and destruction of the paper records will follow strict data protection guidelines adhered to by the NHS.

This is an on-going project and is expected to take around 12 – 18 months to complete depending on staffing resources available at the time.  Patients will be notified once their medical record has been digitised. 

Having an ill child can be a very scary experience for parents. If you understand more about the illness it can help you to feel more in control.

This booklet is for parents (and older children) and deals with common infections in children who are normally healthy. It is not meant for children who have ongoing health problems such as asthma, heart, or kidney problems. You should not rely on the advice in this leaflet for children who are less than 6 months old. Babies younger than this can respond differently to infections.

You can access the booklet by clicking here.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that that can cause serious lung infections. While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults, newborns and small babies. Because of this, from 1st September, a vaccination is being offered to those aged between 75 and 79 (up until a day before turning 80), along with all pregnant women who have reached 28 weeks' gestation.

The practice will contact those who are eligible to offer the vaccination.

Information surrounding RSV can be found on NHS.uk by clicking here.

Information relating to the vaccination can be found on NHS Inform (Scotland) by clicking here.

Healthwatch North Lincolnshire is looking at the local provision of mental health services, through gathering the experiences local people have had. This will enable commissioners and providers to consider where improvements can be made and understand the priorities of local people. Their survey includes will include the assessment process and difficulties accessing care at home.

Access the survey by clicking here.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long–term condition where the kidneys do not work well. It does not usually cause symptoms until later stages. CKD is normally found at earlier stages by blood and urine tests. If you have CKD, you can find out what stage you are using the NHS App and viewing your medical record. 

A healthy diet makes less waste and puts less stress on the kidneys. Some aspects are especially important for people with early-stage CKD. One of our kidneys jobs is to get rid of the waste products from food breakdown. When you have CKD, your kidneys are not able to do this well.

The National Kidney Federation, in collaboration with the Renal Nutrition Group, have produced a dietary leaflet to help those with CKD Stage 1, 2, or 3, manage their diet in a way that helps them with their condition, as well as their overall health.

The leaflet can be downloaded by clicking here.

Further information can be found on the National Kidney Federation website.

Let’s Get Better: The website for all your health and wellness needs

Let's Get Better, created by Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, is a new website designed to be the ultimate online health and wellbeing companion for the 1.7 million people living in our geography.

The website offers comprehensive resources, support, and signposting to help you and your family Start Well, Live Well and Age Well. 

Whether you're a young person looking for mental health support, a mum-to-be who's looking for help to manage your pregnancy or just want to get fitter, improve your diet, or manage stress, there's something for everyone.

In addition to the website, your loved ones can follow Let's Get Better on Facebook. The page will regularly share content in the form of short videos, hints, tips and blog posts from experts across our patch about the little steps you can take to improve your health and wellbeing.

So, if you haven't already, check out www.letsgetbetter.co.uk and follow the Facebook page. Remember to spread the word and encourage your loved ones to like and share the page, so that we can be the ultimate destination for all your health and wellness needs in Humber and North Yorkshire.

North Lincolnshire Council's Community Wellbeing Team offer support for those in our area who have autism or other learning disabilities, assisting them with the 5 steps to wellbeing. Take a look at their video below for a visual guide:

You can also visit Live Well North Lincolnshire's website, to find an up-to-date list of local activities that anyone can partake in.

Want to view a larger version of this image? Click here!

NHS App - Apps on Google Play

NHS App on the App Store (apple.com)

From Monday 8 January, Scunthorpe blood tests can be booked online.

You can book an appointment online for your blood tests by going to the Pathology page on the website: https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/services/pathology/

Scroll down and click on the Scunthorpe appointments link.

To book an urgent or same day appointments, or if you have any other issues, please call 03033 306670, Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.

In the NHS, we want our patients to have the best experience possible and having continuous patient feedback is crucial in helping us to deliver what patients want and need. The GP Patient Survey (GPPS) is designed to give patients the opportunity to feed back about their experiences of their GP practice and other local healthcare services. The answers we get help the NHS to improve local health services for people like you and your family.

A random selection of patients will be invited to take part in the survey in early January. About 2 million adult patients registed with a GP in England have been selected to receive the GP Patient Survey this year. For more information on the survey and how to access help and support in completing it, please visit GP Patient Survey (gp-patient.co.uk).

The NHS has been working hard to address the backlogs built up during the COVID pandemic. As part of these plans, the NHS will be proactively contacting patients who have been waiting a long time for NHS funded treatment to remind them of their right to request to move to an alternative hospital where they may be seen quicker. 

From Tuesday 31^st October new digital portal called the Patient Initiated Digital Mutual Aid System (PIDMAS) will be introduced. Patients who have been waiting 40 weeks or more can use this portal to request an alternative choice of hospital.   

Any patient who is eligible will receive either a SMS text message or a letter from their current hospital explaining how to request to choose a different hospital.

Please do not contact the practice regarding this process as we have no information regarding individual patients. 

The hospital will contact you if you are eligible. Please do not contact them either.   

Further information about alternative choice is available on hospital websites. 

Ashby Clinic will re-open as normal on Monday 23rd October. 

Thank you to all our patients for your patience and understanding whilst we have been closed for business.

Thank you all for your patience regarding Ashby Clinic. There are a number of rumours circulating so we’d like to address these the best we can.

There are issues with the water and heating and we have been assured that work is ongoing to resolve the problems as soon as possible. We don’t have a firm date as yet but please be assured that Ashby Clinic is NOT closing permanently.

Keep following us on Facebook, X (Twitter) or our website for more updates.

Across the Humber and North Yorkshire, a new service has launched called Healthier Together, aimed at parents of babies and small children – packed with clinically approved information to help those looking after young people worry less and get the best help and advice when they need it.

You can access the website by clicking here.

GP practice services are being temporarily moved from Ashby Clinic, Collum Lane, Scunthorpe, with immediate effect while essential maintenance work is carried out on the building.
Patients who attend the two branch surgeries within the Collum Lane clinic are being contacted directly by their practice and informed of new arrangements for appointments that have already been booked. Patients should contact their main GP practice which will be either West Common Lane Teaching Practice or The Birches, within Ironstone Centre, for any new enquiries.
Patients will be informed once services resume at Ashby Clinic.

West Common Lane Teaching Practice are saddened to announce the retirement of Julie Hall, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, at the end of August. Yet, although we are saddened, Julie has most certainly earned the right to hang up her scrubs and enjoy the retired life! We convey our thanks for her commitment to West Common Lane, associated professionals, and our current & former patients.

Please see Julie's retirement message below:

After 32 years working in the practice and 43 years in the NHS I am retiring at the end of August 2023.

From basic training and working as a ward staff nurse in Scunthorpe to the high tech of ITU in Sheffield and back again to general practice, my career has been filled with wonderful memories and people. 

I was here, in 1991, as the doors first opened, a member of a small team led by Dr Chris Hall and Dr Andy Lee delivering care, initially from the portacabin and then from this purpose-built surgery.  We have grown into a multidisciplinary team with health care assistants, practice nurses, nurse practitioners, administrative and reception teams, GPs in training and senior, experienced GPs. The personnel may have changed but the ethos has not and we remain a pioneering practice, not afraid to embrace change. 

The practice has been a big part of my family’s life too. Being married to one of the GPs perhaps made that inevitable! Our three daughters were frequently here after school, at ‘flu weekends’, at open days and Christmas parties. Perhaps as a result all three of them work in caring professions and as I leave primary care our youngest daughter begins work as a newly qualified GP.

I feel privileged to have been part of the team delivering care to this community. A community I know well. I grew up on Riddings and I went to school on Westcliff. I have come to know many of you well. I have cared for generations of your families and it has been a joy to meet your children and grandchildren. And yes, that does make me feel old! Those relationships, knowing your history and families, the continuity of care only general practice can provide has always been the most important part of my role. I have witnessed the worst moments in your lives and the happiest. I have tried always to provide the best of care. I hope I have made a difference, however small.

I am sad today but the time is right to retire. I know you are in safe hands with this talented and committed team.  And should our paths cross, and Scunthorpe is a small town, please say hello. You are as much a part of my story as I hope I am of yours.

Dr Julie Hall RGN, MMedSci, MA, DProf.

Specialist Practitioner – General Practice

You can contact us about a medical, administrative or prescription issue by clicking HERE.

This short online form is the quickest and simplest way for the majority of our patients to access or clinical team for assistance. Our practice phone lines remain open for anyone with accessibility needs who might find difficulty completing this form.

Please do not use this online form for urgent or emergency requests. The submitted forms will only be read during office hours. The forms will not be read on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) or on bank holidays. They will not be read Monday-Friday between the hours of 16:00 – 08:00. Please contact 111 during out of hours or 999 if this is an emergency.

"The North Lincs IAPT service provides evidence-based psychological therapies to adults who are experiencing common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress. Adults wishing to access the service must be registered with a Scunthorpe/North Lincolnshire GP surgery.

The North Lincs IAPT team is made up of psychological wellbeing practitioners and cognitive behavioural therapists, who offer low intensity and high intensity psychological interventions."

The IAPT team can be contacted on 03000 216 165. Alternatively, their self-referral form can be found at this link.

Details of their criteria, along with further information, are located on their website and their leaflet.

Parents are being urged to be alert for the signs of Strep A infections.  This is also known Group A streptococcal (GAS) or invasive Group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections.

Especially in winter, there are a range of causes of sore throats, colds and coughs   caused by viruses that will get better by themselves without needing antibiotics or medical intervention, meaning it not being necessary to contact your GP surgery.

Occasionally, Strep A can lead to more serious illnesses like scarlet fever and, albeit rarely, very serious disease such as sepsis, Pneumonia or bone infections. 

Across North Lincolnshire there has been an increase in cases this year, particularly in children under 10. Nationally, there have sadly been some deaths. We want parents to know what to look out for and when to seek medical care. 

• If your child has a fever, sore throat, or fine red or pink rash that feels rough (like sandpaper) read our advice below.

• If your child seems more unwell than usual or if your child is getting worse or this illness is different to their normal coughs and colds, please seek medical attention.

What to do if you suspect your child has scarlet fever

Scarlet fever mainly affects children under 10, but people of any age can get it. In the early stages, symptoms include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.

We are asking parents to contact their GP if they suspect their child has scarlet fever, because early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.

Parents should contact their GP if they feel:

• their child is getting worse
• their child is feeding or eating much less than normal
• their child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
• their baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
• their baby feels hotter than usual when they touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
• their child is very tired or irritable.

Call 999 or go to the Emergency Department if

• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs

• there are pauses when your child breathes

• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue

• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

• Don’t put off seeking help if your child continues to get worse.

Strep infections are spread by close contact with an infected person and can be passed on through coughs and sneezes. 

Please consider that emergency departments and GP surgeries are very busy. If you feel that your child can stay at home or be seen elsewhere, such as a pharmacy, please do so. 

Know what to look for and when to seek medical care.  Go to:  https://humberandnorthyorkshire.org.uk/strepa/

For further information on scarlet fever, visit: www.pha.site/ScarletFever

Please see attached leaflet on how to deal with sore throats at home: Sore Throat information HNY NHS Dec 2022.pdf

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) for Humberside has refreshed its ongoing media campaign aimed at preventing domestic abuse to run across the summer months including the school holidays. The messages target those who commit abuse to encourage them to face up to the damage caused by their actions and seek help to change, in addition to supporting those affected by abusive behaviour.

Statistics show that over the past three years, Hull, East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire have been in the top ten police force areas for reports of Domestic Abuse

www.youarenotalone.online – help for people affected by domestic abuse

www.helptostop.online – getting help to change your abusive behaviour

Are you interested in joining us?

All GP practices nationally are required to have a Patient Participation Group, and our practice has had one in place for a number of years.

The purpose of this group is to engage with the practice management to give a patient perspective on how well the practice is performing, and to give patient input relating to any proposed changes in delivery of services. To this end meetings are attended by our Practice Manager, and from time to time by clinicians – GPs, Specialist Nurses etc.

In normal times, the Group meet quarterly in person (usually at the Dorchester Road site), but Covid-19 has intervened and prevented us from doing so over the last two years. Virtual meetings were considered but a number of members lacked both the necessary computer skills and hardware, so they would have been unable to contribute.

As Covid-19 restrictions have now been lifted, we would like to resume meetings in the not too distant future, but we have had a number of resignations from the Group and our numbers are seriously depleted. Only three members remain, hence the invitation at the top of this page.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact our Practice Manager in the first instance by emailing:  andrea.taylor3@nhs.net

As the current chair of the group, I would then be happy to speak by phone with any prospective candidates if they wish to do so, and Andrea can supply my mobile number on request (I prefer not to publish it on a public website).

Finally please note that the PPG is not a vehicle for airing personal grievances or for raising complaints. There is a separate Complaints Form elsewhere on this website, and also a Suggestion Form if patients wish to submit either of these to the practice directly.

Paul Grinell

Chair

Further information can be viewed at: https://www.westcommonlane.nhs.uk/patient-participation-group

Social prescribing is when residents are linked to local community groups and services to enable them to develop skills and confidence to improve their self care and tackle the social causes of ill health and wellbeing.

Who is social prescribing for?

The service is for all adults (18+) who are North Lincolnshire residents in need of information, advice and support to cope with everyday life.
Social prescribing focuses on:
• Supporting people to cope with their long-term conditions; or those of someone they may care for; increasing independence to enable and empower people to self-manage their own health and wellbeing
• Reducing social isolation; supporting those who are feeling lonely and looking for social opportunities to get more involved in the community
• Signposting people with social, emotional or practical needs to a range of local services, often provided by the voluntary and community sector
• Promoting a holistic approach to health and wellbeing by focusing on the wider determinants of health and supporting people to access relevant services e.g., housing, welfare advice and employment programmes, as well as health promotion services such as smoking cessation and physical activity.

Benefits of providing this service

Many people go to their GPs as a familiar route to seek help, but often the problem is not just a medical need – this is when the social prescribing route will be offered. Evaluations of local social prescribing schemes have reported reduced pressure on NHS services, with reductions in GP consultations, A&E attendances and hospital bed stays for people who have received social prescribing support.

How do I access social prescribing?

Speak to your GP practice staff who will be able to directly refer you to a social prescribing link worker.

West Common Lane Teaching Practice wish to report the following information, from the Care Quality Commission (CQC):

We carried out a review of the data available to us about West Common Lane Teaching Practice on 07-04-2022. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.

This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.

If you have concerns about West Common Lane Teaching Practice you can give feedback on this service.

Care Quality Commission

The NHS App is a simple and secure way of accessing a range of NHS services on their smartphone or tablet. It was developed to help people in England get more information about their health and care – and more control of how they use NHS services.

You can use the app to:

• get your NHS COVID Pass
• order repeat prescriptions
• get health advice
• view your health record
• register your organ donation decision
• find out how the NHS uses your data
• view your NHS number.

Most patients will not need to visit their GP practice to set up a login for the app, but can prove their identity in the app and create their NHS login.

The app can be downloaded to a smart phone or tablet via Google Play or the Apple app store. You need to be 16 or over to use the NHS COVID Pass service and registered with an NHS GP practice in England.

If you don’t have access to a computer or smartphone and have been fully vaccinated, you can call 119 for a copy of the NHS COVID Pass letter.

It can take up to 5 working days for your letter to reach you. If you have any further questions visit www.nhs.uk or call 119.

For further information:

• NHS App support: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/
• About the NHS App: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/about-the-nhs-app/
• Demonstrating COVID-19 vaccination status: www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass