News from the Quantock Medical Centre
Last month we focussed on the work of the Dispensary, I forgot to mention that most months the team process approx. 10,000 items of medication, which really puts the amount of work they do into perspective!
We have an awful lot of information in the waiting area, and we are regularly asked to promote even more! It can be quite overwhelming for patients trying to find what they are looking for with all the posters and leaflets displayed. Whenever I try to have a cull someone will always ask for the information I have just removed! Most people are able to access the internet, but for anyone who has difficulty finding what they need, with we are very happy to search and print something off for you.
I recently attended a Carers Conference in Somerset which highlighted the amazing job unpaid carers do for their loved ones, partners, friends, parents, and children; which often goes unnoticed and unrewarded. Many people do not identify themselves as ‘unpaid carers’, and I would like to spread the word and acknowledge these amazing people and ask them to identify themselves at the Practice when they come in, so that we are aware of what you do and offer you more support and help.
Somerset Carers Support Service have gone through a rebranding and are now known as ‘Thrive’. Thrive believe that everyone living in Somerset should be able to access the support they need to meet their basic needs in fuel, food, transport and health.
In particular Thrive provide information and support to ‘unpaid’ carers. They provide useful links with other helpful organisations such as Dementia Support Services, Age UK, Micro Provders who can pride further support in the home when needed, links with Drug & Alcohol support, Eating Disorders Support etc. They provide very helpful Carers checklists to make sure the carer has all the information they need to support them, along with Carers Cafes and Support Groups that bring carers together to share experiences with others so that they know they are not alone. They can also provide training, and support for completion of ‘attendance allowance’ and other funding applications.
For more information : Somerset Carers Services 0800 3168600, http//Somersetcarers.org
I also met a representative from the Devon & Somerset Fire Services who provide free home safety checks, and are particularly focused on people who are at higher risk of a house fire – can you guess what the main risks are? I certainly wasn’t aware of all of them. Apparently, people are more at risk of dying in a house fire is they have the following 4 common denominators:
Live alone and over 65 years old, have poor mobility, smoke, and use emollient creams
Other risk factors include, charging mobile phones overnight. Modern mobile phones only need a fast charge and can charge in 40 minutes and are prone to the battery overheating (never charge on a carpet floor or on the bed). Cooking with fat/ (deep frying), people who smoke & drink alcohol or are on medications that make them sleepy. The Fire & Resue Service would like to focus on targeting the most vulnerable in the community and we would like to promote this services and identify patients who would like a referral for a ‘home safety check’, if this is you or you are aware of a neighbour or relative who this might apply to, please do talk to them about this and get in touch for us to refer on to this service.
Helen Stacey
Practice Manager
