Surgery News
Donna Simms
Healthcare Assistant
Tricia Morton
Practice Nurse
Georgie Spencer
Nurse
Lou Hart
Healthcare Assistant
Thursday 12th May 2022 was International Nurses Day and so we wanted to say a BIG thank you to our amazing team.
There are many reasons why you may wish to visit the nursing team at the surgery, they work very hard to ensure excellent service is given to our patients. What a wonderful team!
This week is maternal mental health week. If you or anyone you know has been affected by this please know there is support available:
Mind provides a guide on how to speak to your GP if you are feeling unwell. And resources for those who are pregnant or had a baby or if you have existing mental health issues and you are planning to have a baby.
APNI - (Association for Post Natal Illness) provides support to mothers suffering from post-natal illness please visit their website for further details.
Tommys provide help and support before, during and after pregnancy and also support for those who are parenting after loss.
Midwives and Health Visitors
You can find useful telephone numbers on this website Help for expectant and new parents – Warwickshire County Council or contact your Midwife Community midwifery in south Warwickshire (swft.nhs.uk)
Local Support Groups
Parents in Mind - provide trained female peer supporters and a safe space to meet others
By Your Side - offer stay and play sessions with trained peer supporters
Further information
For further details on where you can find useful information please visit Perinatal mental health, sources of support, mental health, pregnancy, baby | Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (covwarkpt.nhs.uk)
Coventry and Warwickshire’s Safe Haven Out of hours service is available from 6pm - 11pm every evening. Call (024) 7771 4554 or
Text (07970) 042270
Email safehaven@cwmind.org.uk
And our GPs are always here to listen.
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 9-15 May 2022
The theme this year is exploring the impact of loneliness. You can visit the Every Mind Matters loneliness webpage for some fantastic resources and support including:
Advice for yourself if you are feeling lonely
Where to find support and people to talk to
How to reach out and support others
The website also has information on other areas of well-being and supporting mental health.
And of course our GPs are also here to help.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 999 immediately
For any other medical advice whilst we are closed, please call 111
Please call the surgery number on 01926 810939 for further information on what to do if you need help when we are closed.
Our Early Bird clinic will be on Tuesday 3rd May by prior appointment only.
If you need to visit a pharmacy, the following are open on Bank Holiday Monday:
Asda Pharmacy (10.00 -16:00): Chesterton Drive, Leamington Spa, CV31 1YD , 01926 459010
Boots the Chemist (10:00-17:00), 31 The Parade, Leamington, CV32 4BL, 01926 424945
Please click here for further information on pharmacies open over the weekend.
When visiting the surgery for a face-to-face appointment it is important to let us know you have arrived so that the Doctor or Nurse know to call you in for your appointment.
Until now we have asked patients to check-in via the screen at reception, or let reception know when this has not been possible.
It is now possible to check-in using your mobile phone.
Upon arriving at the surgery, please visit https://engage.gp/#/arrive or you may also find the QR code in reception. Follow the instructions via the link and your sorted!
Hopefully it’s a little something to make things a little easier!
As many of us plan to get away this year, it is really important to book your travel vaccinations in plenty of time.
Our Nursing team would like to remind our patients of the following:
Please submit our travel questionnaire at least 6 weeks prior to travel
Allow at least 4 days for us to get back to you
And bear in mind it takes at least 4 weeks prior to travel for vaccines to be effective
Further details can be found on our Travel Page.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Visit the NathNac website for details of what jabs you need
Complete the Online Form by clicking HERE
Allow up-to 4 working days to be contacted by our Reception Team who will then be able to book you into an appropriate clinic
We provide all the necessary vaccinations for travel worldwide and we are a registered Yellow Fever Centre.
We have builders working on the footpath outside the surgery today (20th April) between 10:30 - 14:00 so we apologise for an inconvenience caused!
Thank you to all of our Wonderful Patients and Friends - Our Facebook page has now reached over 1000 followers. This is a great accomplishment, not least because we like to use social media channels to promote resources and stories that can help improve the health and wellbeing of all, as well as keeping you all up to date with developments within the practice.
Thats why we intend to continue keeping everyone updated.
If you want to subscribe to our weekly email please register towards the bottom of this page or visit our sign up page.
If you would like to follow our Facebook Page please visit: https://www.facebook.com/SouthamDoctor and click “Like" 👍
St Wulfstan Surgery will close for the Easter Bank Holiday at 6.00pm on Thursday 14th April and will re-open at 8.30am on Tuesday 19th April.
Extended Hours clinic by prior appointment only and can be booked via reception:
Tuesday 19th April: 6.50am - 7.50am
Saturday 23rd April: 8.00am - 12.30pm
If you have a life threatening emergency whilst we are closed, please call 999
If you have a medical problem that cannot wait until we reopen, please call 111
Southam Pharmacy is closed on from Thursday 14th April at 6.15pm until Tuesday 19th April at 8.30am
Asda Pharmacy Leamington Spa is open from 10.00am - 4.00pm on Friday 15th April and Monday 18th April
Please click here for local pharmacy opening times over the Easter Weekend
As part of our association with Warwick East Primary Care Network we are pleased to be able to offer our patients support from our Health & Wellbeing Coach, Ludmila. If you think you may benefit from her help, please speak to you GP.
Please read on for Ludmila’s piece on stress.
In recent years we have got used to blaming stress for an increasing number of symptoms and health decline. However, this might give out the impression that stress is never good. The reality is we developed a stress response that kept us safe throughout evolution and it still plays an important part today. Our stress reaction helps us step up to challenges that show up on a daily basis. From moving energy to the legs ,when we need to run to catch the bus we are about to miss, to improved cognitive power to find solutions under pressure; stress and the chemical alterations it causes in the body and brain continues to be essential to help us thrive.
Immediate stress is powered through hormones such as adrenaline, which coordinates the allocation of resources in the body in the first hour of acute stress. Normally, situations in nature that led us to develop this ability to 'move up a gear' in our physiology wouldn't last for long. In the days of the sabre-toothed-tiger, we either escaped the threat or got caught, which put an end to the misery very quickly. This meant stress, although frequent and acute, was not long lasting. This is the type of stress that has shaped our internal biology to keep us on top of the food chain.
However, these days, a lot has changed in our lifestyle and stress can last for long periods of time as well as be completely unrelated to any physical engagement. The stress hormones are still the same and they will be triggered in the same way, but the stress response we have developed to serve us so well in the ancient past is now inadequate for modern life. After the acute phase, the initial hour of stress, another hormone is activated. This is the stress hormone called cortisol. It has important functions to keep us going for a bit longer and it also talks to the immune system to make sure we can avoid getting too ill before we are back to safety and able to recover. Cortisol basically slows down the drain in resources caused by adrenaline during the initial phase of acute stress. It is a modulator of stress and it works really well to get us out of bed in the morning too. However, if cortisol remains high for long, say weeks to months or years, it provokes changes in the body that can lead to chronic disease. Elevated cortisol will for example:
Promote high blood pressure, which is a useful resource when you need to pump more blood through the racing heart for running from something, but damaging when you are supposed to be sitting and resting at home
Decreased bone strength as cortisol promotes breakdown of bone and impaired absorption of calcium
Decreased muscle mass and strength as cortisol diverts energy away from muscle growth and repair
Excess weight as cortisol tells the body to flood the blood with glucose (energy) and therefore impairs fat burning. Most of us cannot burn fat reserves if the blood is full of spare circulating energy (sugar) that is not needed
And from the above you can see how prolonged high levels of cortisol will also contribute towards problems with high blood sugar, which first leads to insulin resistance and later to increased chance of diabetes if lifestyle changes aren't addressed
So stress is part of life but what can we do when it goes on for long?
It is important to be aware of the consequences and pay attention to the stress factors that impact health. Secondly, by understanding how the body works and responds to stressful situations, we can try and adapt lifestyle to help the body physically cope to alleviate the impact. For example, immediately after a stressful event, if feasible, we should move the body, ideally get outside, breathe fresh air and even break a sweat if possible. This way, we'd be giving the body the opportunity of an outlet for all the sugar that is discharged in the blood stream in response to stress. Breathing techniques that are simple, quick and effective can also be a great help in real time. By activating the diaphragm, filling up the lungs to maximum capacity and then letting the air out through the mouth in a big sigh (what is known as the 'physiological sigh') we can help the nervous system to recalibrate and regulate rather than let things escalate inside our minds.
These are simple cues we can work with when we know how our bodies function. If you would like to know more about lifestyle changes to keep you healthy or manage chronic disease with more success, consider booking an appointment with our Health Coach. All our PCN patients have free access to Health Coaching as part of their NHS services. Health Coaches work with patients who want to make lifestyle changes for better health outcomes. Make time for your health, come talk to us.
By Ludmila Enticott, Health & Wellbeing Coach, Warwickshire East PCN
Supported by Warwickshire County Council the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme allows eligible children and young people to attend up to 4 activities over the Easter Break.
Eligible children aged 5 to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals can join the scheme.
For full details of what is available and how to book please click here to visit the website directly.
The Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme can help households in need of support. If you or anyone you know is struggling financially and unable to afford to pay gas or electric bills you can call in confidence on 0800 408 1448 (between 4 and 22 April) please see leaflet here or visit their website here for further details.
Our Admin team are always here to help but did you know you can also call the hospital to find out about the status of your referral and get updates about when your appointment may be.
Please see below for useful numbers for our local hospitals who will be able to give you the most up to date advice on your appointment.
Warwick Hospital Booking Line: 01926 600036
UHCW (Coventry) and Hospital of St Cross (Rugby) Booking Line: 0800 252060
Birmingham Children’s Hospital Booking Line: 0121 333 9700
Horton General Hospital (Banbury): 01865 231405
Should you need to cancel or change your appointment you can also do this by calling the above numbers.
Of course if you need any further help please do call our admin team on 01926 810939 who will be happy to help.
The Government has announced details of the Spring COVID Vaccine Booster campaign. These vaccines are being delivered from Southam Clinic again from 10th April 2022 on Sunday’s, Monday’s and Tuesday’s. Vaccinations are also offered on other days at Stoneleigh Park.
Who is Eligible for a Booster:
Age 75 and over
aged 12 and over and have a weakened immune system
When are you Eligible:
3 months after your last COVID vaccine, but is is advised you wait until 6 months after your last dose
How do I book:
Via text message if you have received a text invite
OR Book Online
OR call 119
As the practice is not delivering the vaccinations, it is best to call 119 with any queries.
“To recognise Young Carers Action Day 2022 (16 March 2022), Warwickshire County Council and its partners are keen to highlight the support available to young and young adult carers throughout the county.
Isolation is the theme for this year’s campaign, something all vulnerable groups, including carers, will have experienced during the pandemic. Those who have a caring responsibility are seven times more likely to feel lonely or isolated than the general public. Warwickshire County Council and partners want to reassure young carers that help and support is available to anyone struggling with their mental health and any feelings of loneliness.
In addition, the council also wants to urge young and young adult carers to make themselves known as official care givers to local support services such as Carers Trust (Heart of England) and Warwickshire Young Carers. For further information and advice and contact details for both of these services, go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers
Other support agencies such as schools, colleges, universities and places of work are also encouraged to help those who have caring responsibilities to come forward to access the support they need. There is also online support for young people mental wellbeing at www.Kooth.com
Cllr Margaret Bell, Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care said: “No young person should miss out on an education or a social life. As a young person you should know that there are dedicated services available to you to help relieve the pressure you may feel looking after a family member who is ill, disabled, or has a mental health issue or an addiction. Please know that Warwickshire is here for you.”
She added: “If you’re a young carer we encourage you to reach out to local services through our network, so you can get the support you need.”
The main message for the campaign is ‘Who’s Missing’, which refers to the number of young and young adult carers who are absent from school/college/university and apprenticeship placements due to their caring responsibilities.
Along with the council, Warwickshire Young Carers and the Carers Trust (HofE) work to ensure young carers are linked up to other young carers and have access to activities and groups.
Warwickshire Young Carers has been working with young people in the county since 1999 and currently has over 2,600 young carers known to them. The service provides:
•Young Carers Family Support – One-to-one support with a professional, support at school, home visits.
•Young Carers Assessments – the staff at Warwickshire Young Carers can help assess you and your families’ needs.
•Young Adult Carers – advocacy support, a chance to meet others with similar experiences, help with applying for apprenticeships and or college.
For anyone looking to understand the the caring responsibilities of young people in Warwickshire and how to assist – there is a training module available. Please click here for free Young Care Aware training.”
For more information about Warwickshire Young Carers please visit www.warwickshireyoungcarers.org.uk
For information about loneliness and Social Isolation please go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/loneliness
For online support for young people mental wellbeing please go to www.Kooth.com
For further information and resources to support Young Carers Action Day visit www.carers.org/
For the Warwick County Council website please click here
Act on Energy is an independent charitable organisation working in Warwickshire to try and help residents who are struggling financially, or who wish to improve their energy efficiency. They have a team of qualified energy advisors who are willing and able to provide free, impartial advice.
The service can be accessed by anyone. It is also worth bearing in mind that you need to frequently review you energy tariff to make sure you are not paying too much. Act on Energy can help you with this also.
For help please either:
Call freephone 0800 988 2881
