Practice Updates

15th Sep

Activity Date August 2021

8th Sep

Dental Helpline

If you need help finding a dentist, phone the Powys Dental Helpline on 01597 828815

7th Sep

Urgent Flu Update

We are currently finalising plans to deliver flu vaccinations to eligible patients in the coming month

You may already be aware from national press that our delivery of flu vaccinations may be delayed.

There is no need to phone us to check when the flu clinics will be starting - we will continue to update you as we receive further information

Thank you for your understanding and appreciation that this is a matter out of our control

Llanfyllin Group Practice

31st Aug

Urgent Practice Notice

As recently reported in the National Press, there is a UK-wide shortage of the blood bottles used for taking blood tests.

We are awaiting guidance on the current situation, following that guidance should this affect any appointment that you currently have with the practice then we will notify you in due course

Thank - you

26th Aug

My Desmond

Self-management Programme for People with type 2 diabetes

Ask the Expert – where you’ll have the multi-disciplinary team of the Leicester Diabetes Centre at your fingertips
Track your activity levels and even link up to the Fitbit or Google Fit
Track your weight, blood pressure, HbA1c, diet and cholesterol Set daily goals that fi t around your lifestyle
Compete with others in our DESMOND community on the global leader boards
Chat with members of the DESMOND community
Invite your friends and family to join you in your journey Learn more about type 2 diabetes through our interactive learning and 9-weekly booster sessions

Download the flyrer here

4th Aug

COVID-19 Visiting Your GP Surgery

Please wear face coverings. COVI-19 protections are still in place at this surgery.

4th Aug

PRACTICE UPDATE

Demands on General Practice were always great before the COVID pandemic hit. Our team have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and we continue to see increasing demand on our services month by month. We are already dealing with 20 - 30% more demand for many of our services, this causes pressure on our telephone lines, our appointments availability and on our administrative time. As a Practice we have always responded to this demand by ensuring we prioritise those patients with the greatest clinical need.

We already face increased challenges operating a GP Practice in a very rural area. The size of our Practice area is over 600 square miles. This poses challenges for us delivering services and for patients travelling distances to attend for appointments.

We can also experience longer than average wait times for ambulance responses which again can cause pressure on our daily workload as we deal with clinical emergencies that present in practice.

We aim to as effectively as we can use the resources we have, we continually review our workload and plan our services to meet these challenges but this increased demand does mean for patients with routine requests there will sometimes be a delay and we ask that you do not take out any frustrations these waits may cause you on our team.

We regularly publish our activity data so you have a sense of the work we do in the Practice, for the latest data please see our social media page and/or our website www.llanfyllin-gp.co.uk

As you can appreciate our team have worked through exceptionally challenging circumstances throughout this last 18 months and you can help us to help you by following the below guidance we have put together:

COVID vaccine pass:

The practice are unable to deal with these queries. You can easily access this information by signing up to our app (full details below) or by clicking the link here: https://gov.wales/get-nhs-covid-pass-show-your...

Hospital appointment waiting times:

We are seeing increasing demand for the Practice to expedite patient’s hospital referrals and to confirm waiting times for their referral.

In the first instance we ask that all patients contact the hospital they have been referred to as we do not have up to date information on hospital waiting times, nor are we notified in advance of your hospital appointments or operation dates you may be given.

Expedite letters - we are aware that patients are often told by the hospital to get a letter from the GP so that their appointment can be expedited. The NHS is under huge pressure and there are a backlog of patients awaiting hospital appointments and this will take some time to work through so simply waiting a longer time than you would wish does not make your request urgent as unfortunately everyone is waiting longer in this current situation.

If your condition has deteriorated since you were referred we ask that you please let us know.

Prescriptions update:

For repeat prescription requests please order your medication allowing 3 working days for your request to be processed i.e. prescriptions ordered on a Tuesday afternoon will be ready on the Friday afternoon. (Saturdays and Sundays are non-working days)

For items not on repeat prescription please allow 5 working days for your request to be processed.

Practice information:

Our website is kept up to date with all of the information you need on the services we provide and how to access them. Please use this as your first port of call for general information on the Practice and NHS help and support.

You can also use the website to contact us for non-urgent requests.

Please go to www.llanfyllin-gp.co.uk

COVID:

Infection control measures in place when you attend the practice:

A reminder to all of our patients that in line with Welsh Government guidance we still have all of the below measures in place at our surgeries to ensure the safety of our team members, their families and our patients, some of whom are extremely vulnerable.

You must not attend the Practice if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms or you have been a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID.

These measures apply whether or not you have been vaccinated.

Full details of symptoms and arranging a COVID test are available here: https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing/

Please remember even if you are fully vaccinated you must follow the testing guidance as there is still a risk you may transmit the virus to others.

Appointments:

We continue to operate full general medical services offering telephone triage appointments on the day for patients who need urgent medical attention and routine calls and face to face appointments with our clinicians.

Patients requiring urgent medical attention:

If you need urgent medical attention please call reception on 01691 648054 and our receptionists will take the details of your request and if appropriate a telephone triage call with our duty clinical team will be booked.

Following clinical triage any urgent patients who need to be assessed face to face will be offered an appointment the same day to attend one of our surgeries so please ensure you are available to attend when making your request.

Patients experiencing severe chest pain, collapse, severe breathing difficulties, slurred speech or have one sided weakness or severe bleeding please call 999 immediately

Patients requesting a routine appointment:

Please telephone reception 01691 648054 to speak to one of our trained receptionists. They will take a number of details from you and direct you to the most appropriate source of care.

Please note that our reception team are asked by our clinicians to take as much information as they can from you to enable you to be directed to the most appropriate source of care for your concern and all information you share with any of our team is strictly confidential.

Flu vaccinations

The practice are finalising our plans to deliver flu vaccinations to our eligible patients commencing the end of September.

For those patients who attended for their vaccination last year we will be following the same system where we will be separating our flu vaccination clinics from all of our routine work.

We will be offering appointments across all of our 3 sites and eligible patients will be invited in by the practice and at the same time you will be given information on how to book your appointment.

Once our plans are finalised we will update everyone. To receive instant notifications of when our flu campaign is commencing please sign up to our app, details below

COVID booster vaccines

At present discussions are ongoing with the Local Health Board (LHB) as to whether practices will be asked to participate in the COVID booster campaign.

As a practice we remain committed to delivering as many services as possible to our patients and we will update you once the LHB has finalised plans.

My Surgery App

The Practice has a new app available for you to download. The app has been designed by patients and doctors and provides a central resource at the touch of a button to access our services and health information using a smart phone or a tablet device.

Over 1500 patients have already downloaded and are using our app and we invite you to join them to allow you to quickly and easily:

Receive push notifications from the practice to service changes and all of the latest practice news and updates

Link straight to the NHS COVID pass, receive COVID vaccination information and all of the latest COVID updates.

Click on this link to get started: https://www.llanfyllin-gp.co.uk/my-surgery-app---download...

Finally we would like to thank all of you for your continued support. It has been an incredibly challenging 18 months for us all.

Llanfyllin Group Practice

2nd Jul

5K Your Way - Move Against Cancer

We invite anyone who is living with, or beyond, cancer; families, griends, health professionals, to join us once a month walk, jog, run, cheer, or volunteer at a 5K Your Way - Move Against Cancer group inked with a local parkrun!

All ages and abilities are welcome. Lots of us will be walking.

Do as much or as little as you want. There is no need to walk the whole 5K

More info here

8th Jun

Important News re your data

An increasing number of practices are receiving communications from patients noting their 'dissent from secondary care use of GP patient identifiable data ' either via a template letter, email or verbally.

This is following a notice from NHS digital in ENGLAND for daily data collection under the General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR) service. This DOESN'T apply to practices in Wales.

This data does not presently apply to General Practices in Wales and is specifically for those practices providing contracted services to English residents within England.

The increasing number of requests are likely to be due to the fact that English residents have until 23rd June to notify their English GP Practice that they wish to opt-out of this data collection due to start on 1st July 2021.

Please do not contact the Practice about the above as it doesn't apply to patients living in Wales.

26th May

Foodwise for Life

More information here

18th May

Get Help, Stay Safe

Information and support for older people experiencing abuse.

Please Remember: You Are Not Alone.

You may be worried about someone you care about. You may be desperate for help and support, but not sure where to turn. But please remember: You are not alone. Help and support is available. We know that seeking help can be incredibly difficult, but it is important that you get help if you need it. Please don’t suffer in silence. Find more information here.

14th May

Support for Virtual Fathers

Feel isolated as a father or need parenting support? For more information, please click here

18th Apr

Patient Transport

Information about non-emergendy pateint transport

English
Welsh
Both languages

15th Apr

PRACTICE ACTIVITY DATA MARCH 2021

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5th Apr

Practice Newsletter April 2021

Gynae reg flags

We know that some problems seem embarrassing to share. Although, as GPs, we’ve seen it all before, we do understand that you might find some things challenging to discuss. If you have any of these gynaecological symptoms, we’d like to see you to talk about them: https://www.redonline.co.uk/health-self/self/a33466580/gynaecologist-symptoms-cervical-cancer

Diet, cholesterol and fitness

Body image has been discussed frequently in the media. We’re not talking about losing weight here; we’re focusing on a healthy diet. If you’re eating a healthy diet with a calorific intake appropriate for your physical needs, the rest will take care of itself. Men are more at risk of high cholesterol than women. Minor changes to your lifestyle can make a big difference to your long-term risks. Increased cholesterol puts you at greater risk of heart problems and strokes. One of the ways to reduce your risk is fitness.

Have you heard of ‘parkrun’? Parkrun is a fantastic free activity organised by volunteers. While restrictions in the UK mean that parkrun for adults can’t go ahead, there’s good news ahead if you’ve considered ‘junior parkrun’. It’s a brilliant way to keep fit and get youngsters outdoors. It’s not just for youngsters, though. Although parkrun can’t go ahead in organised groups at the moment, you can always run the route. You can check out the course for your local parkruns here:

https://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2021/03/23/covid-19-coronavirus-update-23-march/

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events/#geo=1.71/7.5/-28.4

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/balanced-diet-women

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/

Young people, sexting and bullying

If you’re a young person suffering from bullying, you can access support and help through Bullying UK. Bullying takes many forms, both in person and online. Some young people are encouraged to sext, which then provides different resources for bullies to use. If you have a child who has access to their own mobile phone, you should talk to them about the dangers of sexting. Bullying UK has brilliant advice covering many areas. The Anti-Bullying Alliance has got some handy and practical tips on how to deal with bullying too. If you feel bullying is affecting your mental health, we can offer help and support.

https://www.bullying.co.uk

https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/sexting

https://www.bullying.co.uk/advice-for-young-people/sexting/

https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.o.../Top tips for children and young people_0.pdf

Stress awareness

Stress has been a significant feature of the last 12 months for most people in the UK. We’ve had to cope with things we probably never would have thought possible. If you’re not feeling as happy as you did 12 months ago, then perhaps it’s worth taking a look at the NHS quiz below. Mindfulness can help to relieve stress, and if you think tha

t relaxation is all crossed legs and yoga, you couldn’t be more wrong; relaxation takes many forms, as the following information from MIND shows. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/se...ties/depression-anxiety-self-assessment-quiz/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/relaxation/relaxation-tips/

Ageing and shingles

Some changes to your body are common when you get older. What changes can you expect, and how can you minimise the impact? It’s not just physical changes. You may find that you need to reassess other areas of your life. You might want to give some thought to how you’d like your life to look as you get older. It’s worth thinking about how much support you might need and whether you’d need to make changes to your living arrangements before it becomes an urgent need.

Some conditions can be particularly uncomfortable if you are older, and shingles is one of them. If you’re aged between 70 and 79, you’re eligible for a shingles vaccination. If you have previously been told that you’re eligible but didn’t take up the offer, you can still have the vaccine before your 80th birthday. Shingles can be very unpleasant for several weeks, and it’s much better if you can avoid it altogether.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination/

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/normal-aging#1

https://www.caregiversolutions.ca/caregiving/5-stages-caregiving/

Diabetes awareness

Diabetes is a significant cause of ill health in the UK. One in ten people over the age of 40 in the UK are now living with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. Incredibly, more than half of all cases of Type 2 Diabetes could be delayed or prevented. Minor lifestyle changes can make a significant difference to your risks. What steps can you take to reduce your risk? If your risk score shows you as being of high risk for diabetes, please make an appointment with one of our nurses.

https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start?gclid=Cj0KCQjw9YWDBhDyARIsADt6sGZ-wezQwcj6gd2O7E6kJRC95QhstRN_qD7AwIm8VIClO6Nkx3irU1AaAjPhEALw_wcB

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/preventing-type-2-diabetes/can-diabetes-be-prevented

IBS and bowels

April is IBS Awareness Month. Chances are, if you don’t suffer from IBS, you know someone who does. Sufferers often don’t talk about their symptoms due to embarrassment. Irritable bowel syndrome can be a life-long challenge to live with, restricting your diet and activities. If any of the symptoms sound familiar, such as recurring stomach pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation, it might be worth making a GP appointment to discuss it further. COVID-19 has led to fewer people seeking help for worrying symptoms. If you have bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo, you should get it checked out. It may not be anything serious, but it’s better to find out quickly. While the number of people who have bowel cancer is small, appropriate support costs money. Bowel Cancer UK would like to see you get active every day in April. You can raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK and get fit simultaneously, so it’s a win-win.

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/support-us/fundraise/step-up-for-30/

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/symptoms/

https://www.bladderandbowel.org/news/april-is-ibs-awareness-month-but-what-is-ibs-really-like/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/

Arthritis

Most people will have heard of arthritis, but there is a wide range of associated conditions with similar symptoms. Versus Arthritis is dedicated to supporting people who have arthritis. They have a brilliant website full of valuable resources. Arthritis varies considerably in severity and treatment, so it’s always worth talking to your GP if things have changed for you.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/

Learning disabilities

If you’re aged 14 or over and are on our Learning Disability Register, we’d like to see you at least once a year for a check-up, and to see how you’re getting on. If you’ve received an invitation for a health check because you or someone you care for has a learning disability, please make sure you attend so we can check your general health and make sure you’re feeling well. If you think you should be on our register but aren’t sure if you are, just give us a call and we’ll have a look for you.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/learning-disabilities/annual-health-checks/

Autism awareness (29th March to 4th April)

If you think of the autism spectrum as a linear scale, you might want to think again. Autism is a complex condition and, as they say, if you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. Fewer girls are diagnosed with autism than boys, so why is that? This interesting piece below looks at the reasons why girls are diagnosed less often.

https://the-art-of-autism.com/understanding-the-spectrum-a-comic-strip-explanation/

https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/are-girls-with-autism-hiding-in-plain-sight/

World Health Day (7th April 2021)

7th April is World Health Day and WHO wants us to address health inequalities across the globe. As a nation with access to excellent healthcare, free at point of need, we should encourage improved healthcare for every country.

As COVID-19 has demonstrated, where you live can have a massive impact on your life. Health inequality shouldn’t happen in the UK because we have free access to good healthcare. The difference between the least deprived and most deprived areas equates to almost ten years of life expectancy for men. That’s not the whole argument, though. Attending reviews and making healthy lifestyle choices can improve health outcomes.

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2021

https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/what-are-health-inequalities

Parkinson’s awareness (11th April 2021)

11th April is World Parkinson’s Day. Around 145,000 people in the UK are living with Parkinson’s. It’s a neurological condition that gets worse over time. If you are, or you care for, someone living with Parkinson’s, tune in between 11 and 12 for a live event that covers topics that matter to you. You can join the event by visiting the parkinsons.org.uk website on the day or by watching on YouTube.

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/world-parkinsons-day-2021

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/what-parkinsons

European Imms Week (26th April – 2nd May 2021)

The theme for this year’s European Immunisation Week is ‘Prevent, Protect, Immunise’. As we’ve all seen in the past months, we need herd immunity to protect those who cannot be immunised. In the UK, we’re offered free vaccinations at certain times in our lives. If you’re offered a vaccination, please have it; it can save your life and the lives of others.

COVID vaccination

If you’re over 50, or have a condition that makes you at higher risk from coronavirus, are a frontline health and social care worker, have a learning disability, or are a carer for someone at higher risk from coronavirus, you can book your appointment for vaccination now by contacting us, or visiting:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

3rd Mar

Blue Badge Availability

Who is eligible for a blue badge?

Blue Badge eligibility.pdf

1st Mar

Free Diabetes Pre-conception Advice

Do you have diabete? Do you want a baby?

Free pre-conception advice available for all Wales

Bilingual A4 Poster - Pre-conception.pdf

25th Feb

Information on COVID-19 Vaccination in Powys

Download here

20th Feb

Mental Health Monitoring

Download the active Monitoring Leaflet here

20th Feb

Home Shouldn't be a Place of Fear

Chat to us confidentially on 07860 077333. More details here

18th Nov 2020

The Mamwlad Project

The Mamwlad project, funded by the Welsh Government is delivered by Care & Repair in Powys and Age Cymru Powys. It is a service to help people over 50 in the farming community whether a farmer, farm worker or retired from farming to stay living at home safely and independently and to tackle loneliness and isolation.

Download more information

9th Nov 2020

Credu Connecting Carers

Looking after somone with a health condition and/or disability?

Credu Flyer

17th Jul 2020

PRACTICE UPDATE - FACE COVERINGS

The practice are asking all patients to please wear a face covering when entering any of our surgeries - this does not apply when you are collecting you medication but we do ask that you to adhere to social distancing by queuing two metres apart

For more details on how to make your own face masks please visit https://gov.wales/face-coverings-frequently-asked-questions