News from Maidstone Road Surgery Rainham, including Upchurch Surgery

Maidstone Road Surgery Rainham, including Upchurch Surgery.

Changes to Surgery Opening Hours

Extended opening hours evening appointments at the surgery will cease from Saturday the 1st of October 2022.

If you require an extended opening hours evening appointment, please telephone the usual number: 01634 231423 and follow the instructions. You will be referred to another location within the Rainham PCN area.

Flu Vaccinations

Please telephone or call in at Upchurch or Rainham surgeries to make an appointment.

Covid Vaccinations

The practice is offering a day of Covid vaccinations on Wednesday the 26th of October 2022. Please contact the surgery to make an appointment.

Practice Website 

The Maidstone Road Surgery Rainham website is: www.maidstoneroadsurgeryrainham.co.uk

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Email: raykemsley@btinternet.com

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery, Including Upchurch Surgery - Flu Vaccinations

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery, including Upchurch Surgery.

Flu Vaccinations

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery, including Upchurch Surgery, is expecting Flu Vaccine deliveries in the last week of September 2022.

Therefore, the practice hopes to begin vaccinations in early October and will call eligible patients in to receive their Flu vaccination.

A further update will follow.

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Dementia: Ask the Experts Day at Swallows

Alison Carter

On behalf of Swale Dementia Action Alliance

Telephone: 01795 597983

Email: alisoncarter@nplh.uk

Website: https://bit.ly/3LgAy5M

Covid-19 Autumn Booster Programme Begins This Month

Anyone eligible is being encouraged to be protected this Winter by having the Covid-19 booster vaccination.

The programme starts from Monday the 5th of September with care home residents and people who are housebound, the first to receive their vaccines. Health and social care workers will also qualify for the vaccine.

Covid-19 vaccines are vital for protecting the population of Kent and Medway and remain the best defence we have against the virus.

Guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the Autumn programme outlines who should be offered the jab.

These include:

• Residents in care homes

• Frontline health and social care workers
• People aged 50 years or above
• Anyone aged five to 49 who is in a clinical risk group or are household contacts of people with immunosuppression

• Pregnant women

Those eligible will be able to book on the national booking system from late September.

NHS Kent and Medway

Vehicles Speeding in and around Poot Lane, Upchurch

I have received several reports from residents living in the Poot Lane area of vehicles speeding and racing around the lanes. The speeding is continuing into the 30mph zone on The Street and in the other direction, whereby people are travelling over 30mph prior to the national speed limit sign.

I would like to remind people that the speed limit is there for a reason.

There are numerous potential hazards in and around Poot Lane - horses, tractors, wildlife and pedestrians, including the local nursery school children who walk down the lane to one of the orchards.

The speed limit is a limit, not a target.

The reports I have received indicate that many of the offending vehicles belong to local people who should be more aware of the potential hazards along the lane than anyone.

I will be conducting speed checks in the area to record offending vehicles. I am also looking into other measures that could be implemented in conjunction with other partner agencies, such as reducing the speed limit and other restrictions.

PCSO Lorraine Holmes

Tel: 07970 458645

Email: lorraine.holmes@kent.police.uk

Changes to Upchurch Surgery Opening Hours

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery, including Upchurch Surgery.

Thursday 16th June 2022

For one day only, the Upchurch surgery will be closed on the afternoon/evening of Thursday 16th June 2022. The surgery will be open between 10:00am and 1:00pm instead.

From Thursday 7th July 2022

From Thursday 7th July 2022 until further notice, there will be no afternoon/evening surgery at Upchurch on a Thursday. The surgery will be open between 10:00am and 1:00pm instead.

Upchurch surgery opening hours on Mondays and Wednesdays will remain the same:

Monday 10:00am - 1:00pm

Wednesday 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery, including Upchurch Surgery.

At the last meeting, the following points were announced:

1. Practice Programme

The practice is now in a major 'catch up' programme following the Covid pandemic.

a) Diabetics - the practice has some 516 patients

b) Respiratory issues

c) Dementia and mental health

d) General health checks - cardio/weight/diabetic and cholesterol
Patients will be contacted to make an appointment.

Any patient due for one or more will be contacted by the surgery to make an appointment.

2. Kidney Tests

Patients are now receiving 'minuteful' kidney function test kits via Royal Mail.

If patients do not have a smartphone or tablet, they should contact the surgery to receive a sample bottle, and one of the nurses will send it off.

3. COVID-19

Vulnerable patients and those over 75 years will be contacted by the NHS to make an appointment for the 2nd booster (4th jab) 6 months after the date of their last (1st booster).

If any patient would like to join the Patient Participation Group, then please contact Ray Kemsley: raykemsley@btinternet.com

The group meets 4 times per year.

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Mental Health Awareness Week - Lift Someone out of Loneliness

Mental Health Awareness Week

9th - 15th May 2022

Mental Health Awareness Week is the annual event run by the Mental Health Foundation that focuses on improving good mental health across the nation.

This year, the week will run from 9th - 15th May 2022, with the theme of exploring the impact of loneliness and how we can tackle it.

This follows recent research that showed many people have increasingly been suffering from feelings of loneliness which has led to harmful consequences. They also discovered an increased demand from the public for loneliness to be addressed as a serious topic requiring urgent action.

Feeling lonely is something that all of us can experience at any point and can have a huge impact on our wellbeing.

Sometimes admitting we feel lonely can be hard but it’s important to remember that many others experience feelings of loneliness too, and that this feeling can pass.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, people are being encouraged to reach out to others to help someone who may be feeling lonely, which might in turn help you feel less lonely too.

Help

Find more support and advice for ways to lift someone out of loneliness on the Every Mind Matters - Loneliness webpage. 

This Mental Health Awareness Week, search Every Mind Matters for more support and advice for ways to lift someone out of loneliness.

Take the Mind Plan quiz to get a personalised mental health action plan with practical tips to help you deal with stress, anxiety, low mood and trouble sleeping. Plus advice on how to cope with feelings of loneliness.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in partnership with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will continue to encourage people to ‘Lift Someone Out of Loneliness’ as part of the Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

#EveryMindMatters

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities

Kent Connect to Support

Supporting you to live well in Kent

KCC's new Kent Connect to Support website provides information and advice to help you stay independent and connect with your local community. 

Unsure where to look or who to contact, visit the information finder tool for help.

The website helps you to look after yourself or a friend or relative and includes:

■ Information and advice

■ Community directory

■ Care directory

■ Applying or renewing a blue badge or bus pass

■ Report abuse or neglect

■ Advice on staying healthy

■ Request for care support services

■ Information about housing

■ Financial advice and support

■ Transport and accessible facilities

Visit: https://kent.connecttosupport.org

Upchurch Matters

Public Access Defibrillators Installed at the Doctors Surgery and Upchurch Village Hall

Two additional Public Access Defibrillators have been installed in Upchurch and are available to use 24 hours a day, located outside of:

Maidstone Road Surgery

56 Oak Lane
Upchurch
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME9 7AU

and

Upchurch Village Hall

The rear of the Crown Public House

The Street

Upchurch

Sittingbourne

Kent

ME9 7EU

Both Defibrillators were partially funded by grants awarded by Swale Borough Council through their Defibrillator Grants Scheme and significant contributions from Upchurch Parish Council and UpARA.

What is a Defibrillator?

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

Modern AEDs have been designed to be simple for the layperson to use.

In a medical emergency

In a medical emergency, you must dial 999.

The 999 operator will assist and instruct the user, particularly with CPR, and provide the unlock code to open the Defibrillator Cabinet.

No training is required to use the Defibrillator. The Defibrillator will talk to the user giving them instructions on how to use it.

The 999 operator will also dispatch an ambulance.

Parish Council Public Access Defibrillators are also available to use 24 hours a day, located outside of:

Snaffles Equestrian & Country Store

2 - 4 The Street

Upchurch

Sittingbourne

Kent

ME9 7AJ

and

The Park Office

Beckenham Residential Park

Otterham Quay Lane

ME8 7XF

Holywell Primary School has a Defibrillator inside the school building, which is available in an emergency only when the school is open.

If you notice a problem with the Defibrillators outside the Doctor's Surgery, Snaffles or the Park Office at Beckenham Park or if you have had to use them, please let Upchurch Parish Council know as soon as possible so that they can be made ready for future use - Thank you.

Tel: 07798 600696

Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

If you notice a problem with the Defibrillator outside Upchurch Village Hall or if you have had to use it, please let Upchurch Village Hall know as soon as possible so that it can be made ready for future use - Thank you.

Tel: ​07368 461507

Email: enquiries@upvh.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery including Upchurch Surgery.

Healthy.io NHS Provider - minuteful kidney function test

A number of patients have received a text from the Practice Manager informing them that they will be contacted by Healthy.io, an NHS provider, to have a kidney function test at home with a kit provided by Healthy.io. (Sent directly to your home address).

The kit will look like the one below, and the results can be scanned by using your smartphone or tablet and sent to Healthy.io.

HOWEVER, if you do not have a smartphone or tablet then you will need to make an appointment with the surgery to see the nurse for this test to be carried out.

COVID-19 2nd booster (4th vaccination) - update

You will be contacted by the NHS by text message or letter, 6 months after your last booster, inviting you to make an appointment.

Practice website 

The Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery website is: www.maidstoneroadsurgeryrainham.co.uk

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Swale Borough Council - Drivers Do Their Bit to Improve Air Quality in Swale

People who have been approached by Swale Borough Council’s enforcement officers as part of their anti-idling campaign have done their bit to improve air quality.

Since the council introduced the anti-idling legislation and launched the education campaign late last year, officers have been visiting school hotspot locations across Swale where idling engines are at their highest.

The seven schools identified as hotspots where parents leave their engines running include:

• Fulston Manor school in Sittingbourne

• South Avenue Primary School in Sittingbourne
• Highsted Grammar school in Sittingbourne
• Ethelbert Road Infants School in Faversham
• Bysingwood Primary School in Faversham
• Davington School in Faversham
• Ospringe Primary School in Faversham

Research shows that an idling vehicle can emit up to 20 times more of some pollutants than one travelling at 32mph and these pollutants can cause asthma and be particularly damaging for children.

Cllr Tim Valentine, cabinet member for the climate and ecological emergency at the council, said:

“Our enforcement officers have approached 16 drivers who had their engines idling while waiting to collect their children from school since the campaign begun and they’ve all been understanding and switched their engines off.

“Our officers can issue a £20 FPN to drivers who refuse to switch off their engines, but we don’t want to jump straight to a fine and think we’ll have better results by educating people to the increase in pollution an idling engine can have.

“Each car we approached was given a leaflet with idling advice and information on air pollution and the impacts on health.

“We put up 42 signs around the seven school hot spots and drivers seem to be happy to switch their engines off, especially around schools.

“By leaving your car idling it emits 20 times more pollution than one travelling at 30mph and what most people don’t realise is that if you leave your car engine running the pollution levels inside will be worse than outside.

“Idling for an hour can waste half a gallon of fuel or more so switching off your engine will save fuel and money.”

The next hotspots to be added to the anti-idling campaign include Fulston Manor school and Lansdowne school in Sittingbourne, Faversham train station, Bank Street in Faversham and Vincent Road in Sittingbourne.

People can report a hotspot for investigation by calling the council on: 01795 417850.

Swale Borough Council

Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

The Surgery Patient Participation Group Committee met on Thursday 10th February 2022.

Personnel Changes

Bonnie Olsen attended the meeting for the first time as the new partner in the practice. Her role will be dealing with patients' minor ailments.

The group were informed that the practice has a new manager, Francesca Scarrott.

Covid Vaccinations

Covid vaccinations are now being carried out at Maidstone Road in respect of the 3rd (booster jab) and the 4th jab if you were on the original 'shielded' list.

(However, since the meeting, it has been announced that everyone over the age of 75 years will be invited to have a 4th Jab and all vulnerable patients over the age of 12 years during the Spring).

There is NO NEED to contact the surgery as you will be contacted directly by telephone or letter to make an appointment.

Vascular Services

Vascular Services are changing and a consultation period is running until Tuesday 15th March 2022. More details at: https://jointheconversation.scwcsu.nhs.uk/vascular-services

In future, Medway Hospital will be providing diagnostic and day surgery facilities but if major surgery is required or an overnight stay in hospital, then patients will be transferred to Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury.

Missed Appointments

Patients have begun to miss appointments, that they have made, again!

If for any reason patients need to cancel then please inform the surgery by telephone or online - thank you.

Diabetic and Medication Consultations

Over the coming months, the practice will be carrying out routine diabetic and medication consultations. This may be in person with a Diabetic Nurse or Doctor as required or by telephone.

Committee Minutes and CCG Bulletins

Copies of committee minutes can be seen at the surgery and links to the latest NHS Kent and Medway CCG Community Bulletins are posted regularly to Upchurch Matters Facebook and Twitter

If anyone requires a copy to be sent to them directly by Email, please contact Ray Kemsley: raykemsley@btinternet.com

Ray Kemsley
Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Improving Vascular Services Across East Kent, Medway and Maidstone

The NHS is proposing changes to how vascular services (services related to arteries and veins) are delivered across east Kent, Medway and Maidstone.

The vascular services consultation proposes that the vascular team would continue to provide the majority of care, such as clinics and investigations, in local hospitals in east Kent, Medway and Maidstone. Specialist surgery needing a hospital stay would be carried out in a new inpatient vascular centre at Kent and Canterbury Hospital in Canterbury.

We would like to invite you to some online events to outline the proposals and ask for your views and ideas. The events will take place via live video call.

• Tuesday 22nd February 2022: 10:00am to 12noon
• Tuesday 1st March 2022: 10:00am to 12noon
• Tuesday 8th March 2022: 11:00am to 1:00pm

To book your free place, click on your preferred date found at the bottom of this information about the consultation page. You can also complete a survey, if you wish.

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

NSD Runners Club - Hit the Ground Running in 2022!

Hit the ground running in 2022!

Come join the NSD Runners - Upchurch Community 5K Run on Saturday morning at 9:00am.

We meet just outside the Crown Pub every Saturday morning. All runners of all abilities welcomed and encouraged to come.

We will also be adding a mid-week 5K Run on Tuesday nights at 7:30pm (starting again from the Crown). This mid-week run will commence from Tuesday 11th January.

Winter miles bring Summer smiles :-), so lace up and come join us!!!

Please contact me (Andy Sambrook) at: nsdrunners@gmail.com if you are interested or search for the run club (NSD Runners) on Strava.

Andy Sambrook

Changes to Upchurch Surgery Opening Hours over Christmas and New Year

Dr Supriya Das & Dr Lakshmi Subbiah

Upchurch surgery will be closed on Monday 27th December and Monday 3rd January, otherwise regular surgery hours will apply.

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

KCC - Reconnect: Grants Available

Reconnect: Kent children and young people

Grants of up to £50,000 are available for organisations to provide exciting activities for children and young people next year.

Kent County Council is making up to £1million available through its Reconnect: Kent children and young people programme for a new county grants scheme. The money can be used for activities, events or projects that address gaps in learning missed, promote health and happiness, encourage the take-up of sports or other outdoor activities, help children and young people reconnect with friends, family or communities or generate more work-related opportunities.

Reconnect has already committed £2.5milllion to its locality grants scheme to enable small local organisations to deliver activities for children and young people, with £1.8million allocated so far.

The new scheme enables organisations to apply for a grant to deliver projects across at least three district areas or across the whole of Kent by the end of August 2022.

Organisations can submit up to four bids although none will be awarded more than three grants. The maximum amount, which together will be limited to no more than £100,000.

There are two rounds of funding for the county grants scheme - this round which will allocate £850,000 and a separate round totalling £150,000 specifically for Economic Wellbeing Grants, where businesses and organisations can bid for up to £20,000 for projects that support young people to bridge the gap between education and work.

Full details of the application process, funding criteria and the online form to apply are available on the Reconnect website

The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday the 9th of January.

Sue Chandler, Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services, said:

“It’s fantastic to be able to announce this latest round of funding that will see even more children and young people reconnect to the things they love or try out new activities.

“Our passionate and committed community already provides a wide range of activities for children and young people. By applying for the additional Reconnect funding, groups and organisations can build on their great work and give even more children and young people the chance to do fun activities with friends, enjoy new experiences, take up new hobbies or enjoy outdoor pursuits.”

Kent County Council

Swale Borough Council - Community Grant Schemes

The following Swale Borough Council grants are now live on the website:

• Community Health and Wellbeing
• Heritage and Culture
• Environment Grant Schemes

These use the new online grant application forms, and information on all grants can be found at: www.swale.gov.uk/grants

Swale Borough Council

Public Access Defibrillator Installed at Beckenham Residential Park

Click map to enlarge.

A Parish Council Public Access Defibrillator has been installed and is available to use 24 hours a day located at the Park Office:

Beckenham Residential Park

Otterham Quay Lane

ME8 7XF

A Parish Council Public Access Defibrillator is also available to use 24 hours a day located at:

Snaffles Equestrian & Country Store

2 - 4 The Street

Upchurch

ME9 7AJ

Holywell Primary School has a Defibrillator, which is available in an emergency only when the school is open.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

Modern AEDs have been designed to be simple for the layperson to use.

In a medical emergency

In a medical emergency, you must dial 999.

The 999 operator will assist and instruct the user, particularly with CPR, and provide the unlock code to open the Defibrillator cabinet.

No training is required to use the Defibrillator. The Defibrillator will talk to the user giving them instructions on how to use it.

The 999 operator will also dispatch an ambulance.

If you notice a problem with the Defibrillator or if you have had to use it, please let the Parish Council know as soon as possible so that it can be made ready for future use - Thank you.

Tel: 07798 600696

Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Upchurch Matters