News
Online Access Champion
June 2020
Abby is our Patient Online Access Champion and is available to offer support and guidance for all patients wanting to access the online services at Fountain Medical Centre.
Abby holds regular clinics where patients are booked into a 121 session to introduce them to patient online services. At these sessions you will be shown how to book appointments, request repeat medications and view brief details of your medical records.
All patients wanting to access patient online services need to register by filling in a form (located at reception) and producing ID documentation. Abby can verify you ID documentation along with helping to complete the registration form at your appointment.
If you would like to book in with Abby please contact the surgery or request a appointment on your next visit to the practice.
TELEPHONE
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR PATIENTS
Dear Patients
We are experiencing a high demand of telephone calls and the waiting time to connect to the reception team is longer than usual. We apologise if this is causing difficulties but please be assured our reception team are working tirelessly to answer as many calls as possible.
Do you know that you can use e-consult for administration, prescription and secretarial queries and also requests for fit /sick note requests. Please click on the e-consult link on the website.
Thank you for your understanding and patience. Fountain Medical Centre
Vitamin D information
Vitamin D Guidance for patients – New guidance October 2020
Your recent bloods results show you have a Vitamin D insufficiency.
The level will be between 25-50nmol. Anything above 50mmol/l is considered sufficient and healthy.
Vitamin D is usually caused by a lack of vitamin D in the diet or a lack of sun / daylight exposure. Having a good supply of both should ensure good vitamin D levels. Symptoms of low vitamin D include more frequent illness, exhaustion, fatigue, muscle pain, depression, bone pain, aching joints and hair loss. Vitamin D deficiencies in the UK are very common and many patients are unaware of it. Vitamin D deficiencies are easily treated with the treatment and advice below.
Advice – 80 % of our vitamin D comes from daylight exposure. You should ensure you have exposure to 20-30 minutes of day/ sunlight at least 3 times a week without sunscreen on face, arms and legs if possible and also have a diet containing vitamin D rich foods. These foods include oily fish (salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines. Tinned tuna is not classed as an oily fish and only have very low levels of vitamin D). Other foods containing lower amounts of vitamin D include eggs, mushrooms, fortified cereals and dairy produce.
See leaflet for calcium and vitamin D checked in food.
https://strwebstgmedia.blob.core.windows.net/media/s3qmugrt/healthy-living-leaflet-december-2019.pdf
Treatment recommended is a long term maintenance dose of vitamin D with a dose of between 800-2,000units per day depending on dietary intake. This treatment is no longer prescribed on the NHS and must be purchased over the counter, they are readily available at reasonable prices from pharmacies, supermarkets, health food shops and the internet with prices starting at 99p for 60 tablets (1000units) Failure to take these supplements or make dietary changes often result in treatment failure which may require further investigation so it is vitally important you follow this advice.
Follow up – there are no follow up blood tests and it may take 6 months of maintenance treatment to get to steady if after this time you feel unwell please consult with the GP.
Telephone System
May 2020
We are sorry that you have been experiencing problems with the telephone system. We are currently working closely with our telephone provider to resolve this issue as soon as possible. We are also planning to add additional facilities to the telephone which will help to direct you to the most appropriate person for your call and also let you know where you are in the queue (if the lines are busy).
In addition to these changes with the telephone we are also recruiting more staff to answer the phone at peak times.
We are continually reviewing the services we offer to all patients and value your suggestions/ideas on how these can be improved.
Suggestions forms can be completed at reception or via the website.
The Lions Message in a Bottle scheme
- Your full name and brief physical description
- Your doctors name and the surgery address and telephone number
- A brief description of any medical conditions you are suffering from
- The names , addresses and telephone numbers of two persons who may be contacted in the event of an emergency - sudden illness or accident
- Details of pets at the property that may need caring for
- Details of anyone that you might provide care for - Full name and address
It is also recommended that you keep an up to date list of any repeat medications that you may be prescribed. This information is of great value to the ambulance service. Paramedics are able to administer drugs, but need to know of any you are already taking to eliminate the risk of drug interaction.
Please ask at reception if you are unsure of your repeat medication list.
Dr Gogna's Change in Role
16th July 2019
I wanted to inform all of you about my new role as Clinical Director for the Primary Care Network which is made up of 7 local practices in Morley and the surrounding district.
This system will be in place for all areas in Leeds as well as nationally.
It will be a challenging and demanding role and I hope it will be beneficial to our local community, this does require time and will have an impact on my availability within the practice.
I hope with my colleagues, as well as your support, I can make it a success.
Best wishes
Dr S Gogna
Online appointments
18.05.2020
From 1 July 2019 Fountain Medical Centre will provide over 25% of appointments available to book online. If you would like to register for online access please attend the practice with photo id and request an online account.
Further information can be found on the link below
https://www.fountainmedical.co.uk/appointments
Clinicare Provider Services
May 2019
All existing Gastroenterology, Endoscopy and Dermatology appointments booked with Clinicare Provider Services have been cancelled.
If you have been referred to one of these clinics provided by Clinicare Provider Services then please contact the practice for more information on how to rebook your appointments or visit the Clinicare Provider Services website below.
'Looking out for our neighbours'
April 2019
Looking out for our neighbours is a social movement that aims to prevent loneliness throughout West Yorkshire and Harrogate by encouraging people to do simple things to help out their neighbours
By doing your bit to support people in your neighbourhood, you’ll help to rekindle neighbourly spirit, reduce social isolation and even prevent illnesses such as dementia, heart disease and depression
For more information follow the link below
Ear Wax Removal
Earwax build-up
Earwax normally just falls out on its own. When it's blocking your ears, a pharmacist can help.
For more NHS information, please follow the link below.