17.11.24 - Shared Care

As a practice, we have taken the recent difficult decision, that we are no longer able to enter into shared care agreements. This type of agreement places significant additional workload on the Practice, for which we do not receive any additional resources to enable us to complete this optional work, therefore the steps we have taken are to protect the delivery of our core GP Services.

We know that some patients may be disappointed in this decision and for that we apologise. the only exception to this is the prescribing of DMARDs which are Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

At present we will continue to honour existing shared care agreements, however any recommended changes in medication and/or dosage will be considered a new agreement and will therefore be declined.

We hope you understand our reasoning for this.

regards

Dr M Hassan & Dr M Robertson

GP Partners

BREAST SCREENING UNIT

Thursday 14th November 2024 - the mobile breast screening unit moved back to the Minverva Health Centre on Lowthorpe Road, PR1 6SB

for further information about this service please contact: Breast Care Unit, RLI, Ashton Rd, Lancaster. LA1 4RP  Tel: 01524 518699

Clinics & Services

Adult Vaccinations

All adults should ensure they have tetanus, diphtheria and polio cover. Our practice nurses can advise you. Flu vaccinations are available each autumn for over 65 year olds and people with certain medical conditions e.g. chronic chest problems, diabetes and heart disease. Pneumococcal vaccine is targeted at certain individuals and will be offered, if appropriate.

Baby Clinic (Well Baby)

This is held on Wednesday mornings.  Appointments must be made for 8 week checks. A doctor will assess the well being of infants and toddlers. As all vaccinations are undertaken at this clinic, there is the opportunity to discuss any worries or queries you may have regarding the vaccination schedule. Please note that the health visitor is no longer present at this clinic, therefore we are no longer able to provide the weighing service unfortunately. Sometimes it may be necessary to change the day of this and have a separate clinic for post natal and immunisations, as much as possible we try and combine them but this is not always possible.

Blood Clinics

Please use this timetable for blood clinics Blood clinics July 24

FROM 21/10/24 The path lab at RPH will no longer be taking urgent GP bloods - instead, for any urgent bloods you will need to attend the Healthport as below 

Healthport Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) accepts:

• Hospital blood requests (walk in – no appointment needed)
• Urgent GP blood requests (walk in – no appointment needed) – limited availability

No routine GP bloods will be taken

Location: Vicarage Lane, Fulwood, PR2 8DW (free parking)

Opening times: 8.30am – 12.30pm, Monday to Friday. We ask that you attend before 12noon to ensure you are seen as the clinics close at 12.30pm prompt.

Cervical Smears

It is important for all women between the ages of 25 and 65 to have regular cervical smears. These can be done by either the doctors or the practice nurses.

Smear test saves lives!

Cervical Screening - simple explanation

Let's talk....

Jo's Trust Helpline

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

Cervical Screening Awareness

Jo's Trust Cervical Screening Awareness Week will take place from the 19th to the 24th June 2023, focusing on the importance of cervical screening (or a smear test), and to remind people that that it can help stop cancer before it starts. It also encourages those eligible for screening - women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 years - to respond to their cervical screening invitation letters and to book an appointment at their GP practice, if they missed their last one. Each year, more than 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK. This type of cancer can affect all ages. 1 There are around 850 cervical cancer deaths in the UK every year, that's more than 2 every day (2017-2019).2 Women may know about the smear test but having the test can stop cervical cancer from developing. The earlier cervical cancer is identified, the easier it is to treat. During Cervical Screening Awareness Week, Jo's Trust will provide information and share tips to help reduce any embarrassment or fears for women who find cervical screening difficult. Further information can be found at: Cervical Screening Awareness Week | Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust (jostrust.org.uk)

Child Vaccinations

Vaccinations:- Childhood vaccinations are given at 2, 3 and 4 months, to protect small babies from whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, HIB meningitis and Meningococcal meningitis C. Booster immunisation is also offered to pre-school and 15 year old children.

For further information visit: www.nhs.uk/Planners/vaccinations/

Chlamydia Testing

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed Sexually Transmitted infection in men and women. Most of the people who have this infection will have no symptoms. If you or your sexual partner remain untreated it can cause infertility.

For further information visit:  www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk

Contraceptive Services and Family Planning Clinic

Advice can be given by your doctor or the practice nurses.

Minor Surgery

Minor operations are carried out by the doctors at the surgery when deemed appropriate.

17.11.24 - Travel Vaccinations

Apologies but we are currently not taking anymore travel vaccination requests at present, due to the recruitment  and onboarding of a new practice nurse

can we please suggest that you contact a local pharmacy to enquire with them regarding their travel vaccination clinics, we cannot recommend any one pharmacy over another, however for ease we have added a link for Broadway Pharmacy  and their clinics and prices, we are awaiting details from other pharmacies and will post them when we receive them.  As soon as we have capacity to take more request we will update this website - thank you for your patience.

Fear of Flying

At Lytham Rd Surgery, we will not prescribe Diazepam for patients who wish to use it for fear of flying. We have made this decision due to the following reasons:

1. Diazepam is a sedative. This means, the medication makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there were to be an emergency during the flight, this could impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions or react to the situation. This could seriously affect the safety of you and the people around you.

2. Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however, when you sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means, your movements during sleep are reduced and this can place you at an increased risk of developing blood clots (DVT). These blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk further increases if your flight is over 4 hours long.

3. Although most people respond to benzodiazepines like Diazepam with sedation, a small proportion experience the opposite effect and can become aggressive. They can also lead to disinhibition and make you behave in ways you normally wouldn’t. This could also impact on your safety and the safety of your fellow passengers or could lead you to get in trouble with the law.

4. National prescribing guidelines followed by doctors also don’t allow the use of benzodiazepines in cases or phobia. Any doctor prescribing diazepam for a fear of flying would be taking a significant legal risk as this goes against these guidelines. Benzodiazepines are only licensed for short-term use in a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the problem you suffer with, you should seek proper care and support for your mental health, and it would not be advisable to go on a flight.

5. In several countries, diazepam and similar drugs are illegal. They would be confiscated, and you might find yourself in trouble with the police for being in control of an illegal substance.

6. Diazepam has a long half-life. This means it stays in your system for a significant time and you may fail random drug testing if you are subjected to such testing as is required in some jobs.

We appreciate a fear of flying is very real and very frightening and can be debilitating. However, there are much better and effective ways of tackling the problem. We recommend you tackle your problem with a Fear of Flying Course, which is run by several airlines. These courses are far more effective than diazepam, they have none of the undesirable effects and the positive effects of the courses continue after the courses have been completed.

Fear of Flying Courses

There are many courses available, and whilst we do not recommend any one company as there are many out there, this is a list of airlines that provide this service – please search online if you need to find any others

Easy Jet

www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com  A free downloadable e-book is available or on line courses from £89

Tel: 0203 813 1644

British Airways

Fear of flying courses from British Airways™ | Flying With Confidence

Lots of information can also be found on the Manchester Airport website

Fear of Flying | Manchester Airport

Fit to Fly

Unfortunately we are not able to accommodate fit to fly letters - in this instances you should declare medical conditions to the airline in question and they should decide if this is acceptable or not.

Travel Vaccinations - see information at the top of the page dated 17.11.24

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

Travel vaccines/advice are offered from the surgery as a complimentary service for your convenience.

Unfortunately we no longer provide Yellow Fever vaccines, please contact travel clinics below for advice regarding this

*If your holiday is less than 8 weeks away, please contact a travel clinic - details of some travel clinics are below*

- Library House Surgery - 01257 514030

- New Hall Lane Pharmacy - 01772 700483

- Boots Pharmacy - 01772 254517

- Broadway Pharmacy - 01772 717574

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below: 

Europe and Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Caribbean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia & Pacific

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 8 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

You must complete the Travel health Questionnaire - see below

Travel Health Questionnaire

You must fill out the Travel Health Questionnaire and hand in at reception at least 8 weeks before you travel and we will contact you with an appointment.

Travel Health Questionnaire

Could you please ensure that when listing Countries Visiting – you write down which area, town or village you are travelling to or attach a copy of your itinerary.

Travelling in Europe

If you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.

Medication when travelling abroad 

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK.  In addition, GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.

The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment & driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
• Insurance claim forms
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates
• To Whom it May Concern letters - see separate information £50/£75

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them, along with appointment availability, for information please see the table below

My employers want me to get this blood test or this letter. Can I have it on the NHS?

Blood tests requested by employers should be offered through Occupational Health. Your employer should have access to an Occupational Health scheme. We will not do these blood tests on the NHS. You may be able to get this done privately, please search on the internet for private local GP's we can not give recommendations.

The Silver Line 

Everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes

We need connection whatever our age – especially if we live alone or further away from family. The Silver Line Helpline gives anyone aged 55 or over the opportunity to exchange a friendly word, access support, or enjoy a long enriching conversation. Please visit the website for more information or call them for free on 0800 4 70 80 90 - 7 days a week 24 hours a day

The Silver Line Helpline

When someone dies

We understand that when a loved one passes away this can be a stressful time for the family and we would like to help you understand the procedure of what happens next as well as pass on our condolences.

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be emailed to the Registrar and does not need to be collected from the surgery

WHEN PATIENTS PASS AWAY

If the passing is an expected death the following will happen:

The patient's death has to be verified, and this can be done by our doctors, district nurses, out of hours doctors, or if they are in a nursing home one of the nursing staff qualified to verify. 

We will need to know the next of kin details, who the preferred undertaker is (at this stage you may contact any undertaker to look after your loved one and then later change your mind) and also if known at this stage, and whether the funeral would be a burial or cremation, though we can be informed of this at a later time.

Once the death has been verified, we then have to complete a form, whereby our doctor will specify what they believe to be the cause of death and this form is then sent to the Medical Examiner along with a summary of the last six months of the patient’s records. 

The Medical Examiner will then scrutinise the form, and at this stage they may or may not be in touch with the patients next of kin, so please be aware you may receive a call.

Once the Medical Examiner has finished scrutinising the information, they will communicate this back to ourselves, and our doctor will then issue the medical Certificate for Cause of Death and the cremation form if appropriate.

We will then send these documents to the registrar, along with next of kin details and the undertaker, and then will be in touch with the next of kin to advise that you may now make an appointment to register the death.

To register the death please go online: Register a death - Lancashire County Council to make an appointment to do so, this will also give you information about what you are required to take to any appointment made. Please note that you are unable to do this until we have sent the information over to them.

You are able to register the death at any of the Registry offices in Lancashire and not the one nearest to where your family member lived Find a registration office - Lancashire County Council

For any deaths that are unexpected, or deaths whereby the patient hasn't recently been seen by a general practitioner from the surgery - please be advised that this may have to be reported to the coroner, and feel free to contact us for more information.

When contacting the surgery regarding any deaths, please ask for either Sam, Tracy or Layla who will be happy to assist you.

 The Registrar’s Office

When you go to register the death, you will need to take some information with you with regards to the deceased, this is:

The date and place of death

Full name and surname/family name

Date and place of birth of the deceased

Address, including postcode of the deceased

The last full-time occupation of the deceased and whether retired

Date and place of birth of surviving spouse/civil partner

If the deceased was a married woman or a civil partner the maiden name/family name

The husband/wife/civil partners name, even if deceased

The husband/wife/civil partners last occupation and whether retired

This information will form an entry in the Death register

You may also be asked for the reference number of any occupational pension paid out of public funds (apart from the state retirement pension).

After registering the death, the Registrar will give you:

A green form to hand to the Funeral Director

A white form to send to the Social Security Office (BD8) or a Tell Us Once (TUO) reference number

The Registrar will issue copies of the Death Certificate for £11 each – Please ensure all spellings an identification details are accurate on the certificate at the time of registration as any amendments can incur a correction fee of up to £9

‘Tell us Once’ Service

‘Tell us Once’ brings together several organisations, see list below, so that people do not need to notify them individually of the death.

To use ‘Tell Us Once’ the death must already have been registered.  The Registrar will give you the information about the service when you go to register the death:

Department for Works and Pensions (DWP)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Local Authorities

Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

Identity and Passport Service (IPS)

They DO NOT inform the following organisations:

Royal Mail

Utilities

TV Licensing

Bank/Building Society

Library Cards/Season Tickets

Insurance companies

Rental companies

A Coroner’s Authorisation

If a death is referred to the Coroner, a representative working for the coroner will need to contact you to prepare a report relating to the person’s medical history.  This is standard procedure and should not cause you any alarm.

In certain circumstances the Coroner may authorise the doctor to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) without the need for a post-mortem.  This will be explained to you by the Coroners Officer.   A death cannot be registered until the Registrar has received written clearance from the Coroner

A Coroner’s post-mortem

The Coroner may decide that a post mortem is required (your consent is not required, and you are unable to refuse it). Once the post-mortem has been completed, you will receive advice from the Coroner’s Office of when and how to register the death.  The process usually takes a few days.

Preston Coroner’s Office – 01772 536536

Viewing the deceased

When the person has been taken to a funeral home, please contact the Funeral Director to arrange a viewing

Funeral Arrangements

The Funeral Director of your choice will advise you of the options and discuss with you the arrangements you wish to make.  The funeral is your opportunity to say goodbyes in a way that is appropriate for you and the person who has died. You may wish to choose who might lead the service (not necessarily a Minister of Religion), certain music or readings, and you or other relatives or friends may wish to take part in the service.  Take time to consider the possibilities.

Financial Assistance

Benefit  advice about Funeral Grants (payable to the responsible person if in receipt of qualifying benefits) may be obtained from The Social Fund – Tel 0800 169 0140 during office hours or visit the website Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment): How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Pension/Allowance Arrangements

Any queries regarding pensions and allowances can be directed to the Pension Service – 0800 731 7898 Monday – Friday 0800-2000 or visit

Funeral Payment Department

You will need to complete form SF200 available form your local Job Centre Plus office or visit Benefits and financial support when someone dies - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

NHS equipment

Please return NHS equipment to the Loan Store it was issued from or telephone 01772 286573 for collection

Wheelchairs issued by Preston Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) need to be returned to them

Please call 01772 716921 to arrange collection

Any syringe drivers need to be returned to the District Nurses if not already

Any medication can be taken to a local pharmacy for destruction

If you need any further help, please contact us and we will do our best to try and help you

Advice and Support: Some Options for you

Bereavement Support Network

Probate, Tax & Benefits Helpline              0808 168 9607

Citizens Advice Bureau

Town Hall, The Annexe, Birley St, Preston PR1 2QE – 0300 330 1172

CRUSE Bereavement Care

Local: 01772 686668

National Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Email@ lancashire@cruse.org.uk   www.cruse.org.uk

N-Compass

Advocacy and carers support

www.ncompassnorthwest.co.uk    0345 013 8208

Samaritans

11 Wilfred St, Preston PR1 2US

0330 094 5717

Stop Mail

A free of charge service to stop unwanted junk mail to the deceased

0808 168 9607

WAY – Widowed and Young

www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/

WAY offers support & friendship for men and women up to the age of 50 whose husband, wife or partner has died

Bereavement Centre, Royal Preston Hospital
Support for patients and families
Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9HT / bereavement@lthtr.nhs.uk / 01772 523730

Please see this poster for the  Bereavement Cafe which is a warm, friendly and safe place for grieving people to connect with others and find comfort, they meet in St.Margaret's Church on Tag Lane, every 2nd Weds of the month 2pm-3.30pm please feel free to attend.

The Bereavement Journey, Christ Church
Six-week course led by a Lay Minister and a vicar. Topics covered include attachment, separation and loss; the impact and pain of bereavement; adjusting to change; anger and guilt; coping with others’ reactions; and moving on healthily. There is an optional sixth session on Faith questions. Open to all.
Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8NE / christchurchpreston@gmail.com  More details here

Childhood deaths

https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/

Blackpool and Preston Sands 
Sands supports anyone affected by pregnancy loss and the death of a baby and offers understanding and comfort. Monthly meetings (held in Blackpool) are a chance for anyone who has been effected by the death of a baby to be able to talk, share and listen to others in a safe environment with people who understand.
blackpoolpreston@sandsvolunteer.org.uk / More details here

 Home – The Good Grief Trust

 The Good Grief Trust are a registered charity that are there to help and support you and your family when you have lost a loved one

They are Gone

You can shed tears that they are gone

Or you can smile because they lived

You can close your eyes and pray that they will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that they have left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see them

Or you can be full of love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember them and only that they are gone

Or you can cherish their memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what they would ant: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on

(Anon)

“Memories are the loveliest thing

They last from day to day

They can’t get lost

They don’t wear out

And can’t be given away”

(Anon)

Private Letter Requests

“To Whom it May Concern”

June 2023

If you require a formal letter, for yourself or are requesting one on behalf of a patient and you are listed as their parent/guardian or have Lasting Power of Attorney, and the letter is based on the medical facts existing on your/their file, please complete and sign this form.

Opinions which are not supported by, or do not necessarily follow from these facts may be disregarded

Please be aware any letter requested must be put before the GP for scrutiny before any agreement is made to produce a letter and note that the GP may not be in a position to write the letter if there is no evidence in your medical record to support your claim.

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges, as they are done outside of normal working hours.

Examples include:

•        Employers        ·  Education          ·  Housing                            ·  Council      ·  Court
•        Immigration     ·  Insurance          ·  Government agencies         ·  Fit to Fly

Sometimes all that you may need is a list of your recent consults, medical problems, or medication, if this will suffice, we are happy to print this free of charge, please ask at reception.

FAQ’s /terms and conditions

Why do I have to pay? The preparation of these letters is not covered by the NHS.  The doctor must complete them during their own time and as such there is a fee payable.  All letters require the doctor take time to review the patient’s medical record to ensure that the information provided is correct, then the doctor must dictate the letter, and finally a medical secretary must type and print it.

Can I tell the doctor what to write? We are very sorry, but we cannot accept requests for the doctor to write the letter in a specific way.  The doctor will write what they know is supported by your medical records, and their opinion on what that should be is final. 

I want the doctor to write me a job reference

These kinds of requests are not appropriate, and we will not be able to help you.

Examples we cannot fulfil:

Confirmation of address or other proof of residence or ID (we have no means of verifying this).

Countersigning passport applications (A GP is no longer required on the form).

Letters stating something that is not supported by your medical records.

Blue Badge applications.

Sporting activities (sky/scuba diving, parachute jumps, marathons, etc)

-----------------------------

Please remember that the doctor is not obliged to write a letter for you at all, as this is not an NHS requirement.

We reserve the right to contact the patient if you have applied on behalf of someone else

Charges and turnaround times

Please indicate which turnaround you would like

Please note, we are a cashless surgery, payment can be made by debit card or bank transfer (details on request)

E: lscicb-gp.p81015.reception@nhs.net

Is this for you/someone else? – please circle

Patient Name: ______________________

Date of Birth:­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­­­­______________________

Address: ­­__________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Tel Number: ­­­­_______________________

Letter is for: (please indicate)

•      Council
•      Court
•      Employer/Education
•      Government
•      Housing
•      Immigration
•      Insurance
•      Travel
•      Other

Please state:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

If for someone else

Your name: _______________________

Relationship to patient: ______________

_________________________________

Your Tel Number: _________________________________

 For what purpose are you requesting this letter:  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 If you agree to all the terms and conditions within this leaflet, then please sign and date:

Signature: _____________________________________________

Print Name: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­____________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________________

To whom it may concern

The Birchall Trust

Do you know of anyone that may benefit from help following on from sexual abuse and trauma?, then please click this link for the details of the Birchall Trust who help support survivors, this is open to anyone from the age of 4 onwards

CARERS

n-compass operates across the North of England to help people regain control of their lives, providing hope and a sense of purpose, through the provision of Carers, Advocacy, Wellbeing, Counselling and Volunteering Services.

Advocacy, Carers, Well Being & Young People | n-compass

you can contact them via the online website Contact Us | n-compass or by calling 03450 138 208 or SignVideo WebTC (signvideo.uk)

for information about the service in BSL click here Information in BSL | n-compass

Working to Maintain Your Independence and Facilitate Access

PUKAR Centre Preston

Also available locally is Pukar Disability Resource Centre – Disability Resource Centre

the following link will take you to a page full of valuable information for patients suffering from Mental Health issues, as well as their families.

the link contains some great information and help for everyone

Central and West Lancashire :: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (lscft.nhs.uk)

When someone is diagnosed with a terminal illness

We appreciate that this can be a devastating time for the patient and their family, you will be signposted to our Social Prescriber who may be able to help you with regards to any possible benefits you may be entitled to.

One of these entitlements is for the doctor to complete a SR1 form, when a patient is expected to pass away within the next 12 months, for more information please see the link below which explains the special rules around this. When this form is completed by the doctor it is sent by ourselves directly via email to DWP, who process this as a priority. Once this has been sent, we are no longer part of the process.

To help assist us in completing your form it is greatly appreciated if you could provide us with the National Insurance number of the patient, this will also help DWP.

The ‘Special Rules’: how the benefit system supports people nearing the end of life - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)