Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Patient Participation Group

The PPG meets quarterly, in January, April, July and October. If you have any queries/observations you would like to be raised on your behalf, please contact the Chairman on: 01634 231585. The group next meets on Thursday 18th April 2019.

Group Committee 2019

Ray Kemsley - Chair

David Candy and Mrs Jackie Brown - Co-vice Chairs

Janice Bunting - Secretary

Gill Renshaw, David Kew, Rev Ron Partridge, Kathryn and Paul Rutson

Marian Richardson, Michelle Williamson - Surgery Representatives

Shingles Vaccinations

To check whether you are eligible to receive a Shingles vaccination, please log on to: http://www.gov.uk/phe. Go to the 'search' box and enter ‘shingles eligibility’. Click on the 'calculator' box and enter your date of birth.

Defibrillator

The Upchurch Surgery has now been equipped with a new defibrillator.

Patient Access

Why not register with Patient Access online to order your prescriptions and/or make appointments? Forms and details are available from reception.

Missed Appointments

The Problem Continues...

Across the 2 Surgeries a further 93 missed (ie not pre-cancelled) appointments were recorded in November/December. This brings the total for 2018 to a staggering 536.

It has been noticed that the majority of these relate to appointments with the Practice Nurses.

It is important that, if you have booked an appointment but subsequently find that you are unable to keep it, you please give the Surgery as much notice as possible by ringing: 01634 231423.

With an ever increasing demand for appointments, this will almost certainly allow your slot to be reallocated to another patient. This applies equally to Hospital appointments.

Please remember that, if you rebook an appointment online, this does not automatically cancel any earlier bookings.

Also, if you update Surgery records with your mobile phone number, you will receive a texted reminder just before your scheduled appointment is due.

Smear Tests

The Surgery urges all female patients between the ages of 25 and 70 to take up the offer of regular free smear tests. Eligible patients will normally receive a written invitation to partake of the test but, if you feel that you qualify but don’t receive such an invitation, please enquire at either Surgery.

If you have any questions or suggestions on the local practice, please Email:

Jan Bunting - Secretary: janannbunting@outlook.com or 

Ray Kemsley - Chair: raykemsley@btinternet.com

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Space

Upchurch Gabriel - Ham Green, Wetham Green, Susans Lane Areas

Unfortunately, the usual distributor for the above (and surrounding) areas is unable to carry out further deliveries of the Gabriel. I am therefore seeking a new distributor for the area. If you think you can help please contact me, details below. In the meantime, if you occupy one of the affected residences you may collect a copy from the Costcutter Newsagent in the village.

Please accept apologies for any inconvenience caused.

PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO NEIGHBOURS WHO MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET OR BE UNABLE TO COLLECT COPIES PERSONALLY.

Many thanks

Dave Candy [Editor]

Tel: 01634 361040   07710 443948

Email: upchurchgabriel@gmail.com

Space

Beach Clean at Riverside Country Park

Join the Medway Swale Estuary Partnership for our monthly Beach Clean in the park on Wednesday 13th February, 9:30am - 11:30am.

Meet at Eastcourt Drive, on your right, just past the turning for Eastcourt Lane (if heading towards Gillingham). Limited parking will be available on-site or alternatively parking at the park's Visitor Centre (approx 10 minute walk).

All equipment provided, but please wear suitable clothing.

The Beach Cleans at Riverside are a monthly event and are open to all age groups. Everybody welcome.

Further information, Email: msep@medway.gov.uk Tel: 07803 625496

Belinda Lamb

Guardians of the Deep Project Officer

Medway Swale Estuary Partnership
Riverside Country Park, Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 2XH

Guardians of The Deep: www.guardiansofthedeep.org

Medway Swale Estuary Partnership: www.msep.org.uk

Space

UpARA - February 2019 Newsletter & Latest Schedule of Events

John Wishart - Chairman

Tel: 07971 511956
Email: john@togthedog.co.uk

Sandy Tutt - Honorary Secretary

Tel: 01634 361516
Email: dylansnan@sky.com

Space

Newington History Group

Spend an evening reviving memories or finding out about the past when Colin Harvey presents Kent Remembered at Newington History Group's meeting on Thursday, February 14th at 7:30pm.

Colin will show how mechanised farming, foreign travel and other events have helped to changed life in county. He'll stir memories of steam trains that brought holidaymakers to the coast and Cockneys who picked the hops and fruit.

The group, which meets on the second Thursday of the month in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Annual subscription is £15 and guests (£3) are welcome.

For more details contact: thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk

Or call: 01795 842711

View the website: www.newingtonhistorygroup.btck.co.uk

And follow the History Group on Twitter: @newingtonhg

Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group

Space

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery - CQC Inspection Report Overview - January 2019

Maidstone Road Rainham Surgery is located at 53a/b Maidstone Road, Rainham, Gillingham, Kent ME8 0DP. There is a branch surgery at 56 Oak Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7AU. This surgery is more rural and is a dispensing surgery. The CQC visited both premises during their inspection.

The CQC inspection team was led by a CQC lead inspector and included a GP specialist adviser.

The report describes the CQC's judgement of the quality of care at this service. It is based on a combination of what they found when they inspected, information from their ongoing monitoring of data about services and information given to them from the provider, patients, the public and other organisations.

More information available on the Care Quality Commission website >> http://bit.ly/2GfdYuP

If you have any questions or suggestions on the local practice, please Email:

Jan Bunting (Secretary) janannbunting@outlook.com or 

Ray Kemsley (Chair) raykemsley@btinternet.com

Ray Kemsley

Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham

Space