Newsletter November 2007
4 February, 2008
GAYHURST MEDICAL CENTRE
142 Gayhurst Rd, Dallington
Telephone 385 3114 Fax 385 3113 Website www.gayhurstmedical.co.nz
Receptionists Lorraine O’Malley, Jan Silcock, Sharyn Cameron.
Doctors Nurses
Jan Whyte Bernice Hey
Niall Holland Alison Thompson
Catherine Cooper Liz Frame
Susan Tarnay
Practice Administrator Liz Perston
Physiotherapist: Nu Wright. Appointments here-Mon, Wed and Fri midday till 3.00pm. Her rooms are at 49 Aylesford Street where alternative times are available
Midwife: Ann Corkin Counsellors: Terri Walters, Amanda Wilde
Podiatrist: Charlotte Russell
After Hours
24 hour Surgery: cnr. Bealey Ave and Colombo St. Ph 3853114 or 3657777
Emergency dial 111
Practice Newsletter November 2007
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Christmas and New Year Greetings
Have a happy and safe Christmas holiday
Sunscreen Reminder – Remember to apply those sunscreens again and to wear a sunhat for protection againstharmful rays.
Time for a New Year’s Resolution?
If you are still smoking consider giving up in 2008
News
New Staff: We welcomed Liz Frame in July after Karen Mason decided to desert for warmer climates in Western Australia. Liz has been a practice nurse for some years and had just returned from about 2 years working experience in the UK
Podiatry: The clinic has now been running for over six months and is well attended. It has recently been given a contract by the DHB to fund a regular podiatry visit for those patients with diabetes who are at high risk of foot problems. Ask us to see if you qualify.
Answer Phone: The nurses answer phone is working well for us and we hope that it has been useful to you as well. If you leave a message the nurses will return your call but please ensure you leave your name and number. If your message is a request for a repeat script this will not be actioned until 1-2pm when there is time to talk to the doctor concerned. If the doctor feels that you need to be seen rather than having a repeat prescription the nurses will phone you after 2pm to arrange an appointment. If a visit is not required the script will be done around 2pm.
Phone Advice: Please remember that should you want results, or phone advice that is not urgent, if possible try to contact the nurses between midday and 2pm as they do not have booked appointments at that time and it is easier for them to take the call directly. Remember also there is the 0800 Healthline if you want advice at night time or the weekend but don’t need to see a doctor or nurse.
Nurse appointments/Cervical Smears: The nurses are now able to see you for various problems without the need to see a doctor. This can include uncomplicated bladder infections, cervical smears and contraceptive advice. If you think the nurse may be able to help, check with the receptionist when asking for an appointment. A nurse fee will apply
Nursing Hours at Xmas: There will be no routine vaccinations or bookings for the nurses between Xmas and New Year. We will have only one nurse available and she will be very busy with acute problems.
Travel Vaccinations: These are available from the surgery. Prices are available on request.
Diabetic Checks: The government funds a nurse diabetic check annually to ensure you have all the necessary treatment in place and to provide for any educational needs It is preferable if you have the blood and urine tests about 3 days before. This means any concerns from these can be discussed at the visit and with the doctor as well.
Vaccination against Cervical Cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, is the most common cause of cervical cancer. When a woman is exposed to HPV, her immune system usually prevents the virus from doing any harm. But in a small number of women, the virus survives for years and eventually converts some cells on the surface of the cervix into cancer cells. These changes happen very slowly.
At first, the cells only show signs of a viral infection, but later, the cells become precancerous. Doctors refer to this as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). In time, it progresses to invasive cervical cancer. It's not clear why some women are more likely to develop cervical cancer. Some types of HPV are more aggressive than others and that plays a role. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of both precancerous changes and cancer of the cervix. The best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to have fewer sexual partners, to always use condoms, and to not smoke.
The HPV vaccine (Gardisil), which has been approved, is another way to protect against HPV infection. The vaccine protects against the main types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Although the vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active, the vaccine may also benefit women who are already infected with one or more types HPV by protecting them against the HPV types they don't have. You are able to get further information about this vaccine from the surgery. There are currently two other vaccines also being trialed and which we will have data on in the future. It is possible that the government may consider funding this in the future, like other childhood vaccines but currently this vaccine must be purchased.
Eat to beat Cancer
We all want to avoid cancer and watching our diets is one factor we can modify. But how do we make sense of the plethora of information available? Here’s some useful, authoritative advice from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), which says we should aim for:-
Body mass index (BMI) 21 -23.
Alcohol: 2 units/day for men, 1 unit/day for women
Veg, fruit, and dietary fibre probably protect against several cancers – five portions/day recommended despite lack of convincing evidence.
Total meat consumption 300g/week (current average intake 970g/week in men, 550g/week in women).
Folate-rich diet may reduce the risk for cancer of the pancreas.
Calcium rich diet may reduce the risk for colorectal cancer.
Dealing With Insomnia
Waking up in the middle of the night is a common problem. These mid-sleep awakenings often occur during periods of stress, like family illness, work or exam worries, but depression can also be a factor. Insomnia may also be related to pain, restless leg syndrome or sleep apnoea. The more you worry about not sleeping the more likely it is to become a permanent problem.
To help stay asleep through the night, try some stress-reduction strategies. Make sure to get some exercise into your day, then set up a quiet relaxing bedtime routine, such as a warm shower or soft music. Gentle upper body stretches or gentle yoga may help tight muscles unwind. When you wake in the middle of the night, staying in bed and listening to some soft music, or a book on tape with the lights out may help you transition back to sleep, but if you’ve been struggling to fall asleep for more than 20 minutes, go to another room and do something quiet and relaxing until the urge to sleep returns. It’s best to avoid long periods of distress in your bed. Avoid caffeine after noon, and limit alcohol to one drink several hours before bedtime. Pass on late night sweet snacks.
If the problem persists, talk to your doctor. He may suggest a referral to a sleep specialist for further evaluation. Over-the-counter sleep aids rarely offer significant help, and your doctor may prescribe medication specially designed to help you get back to sleep, combined with specific behavior changes.
What does Love Mean? – touching words from the mouths of babes.
‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know your name is safe in their mouth. (Billy – aged 4)
A 4yr old lad had an elderly neighbour who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing him cry, the little boy went into the old man’s yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy replied, ‘Nothing – I just helped him cry’.
Love is what makes you smile when you are tired (Chrissy – aged 6)
If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate (Nikka – aged 6)
Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen (Bobby – aged 7)