04/01/12 - We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete our patient survey. Click on the link to the right.

03/10/11 - The Devon Virtual Carers Helpline 08456 434 435  is available for carers and enables access to a number of support services e.g. local opportunities to meet other carers for mutual support, friendship and time away from caring. 
Don't forget to let the surgery know if you are a carer so that we can offer you further services as they become available. 

26/09/2011 - BOOK YOUR FLU JAB NOW!  Eligible patients can now book an appointment in one of our flu clinics, which are starting in October.  Please check with the receptionist if you are unsure whether you fall into one of the 'at risk' groups'. 

30/08/2011 - ARE YOU A CARER?  In anticipation of additional support becoming available to carers throughout Devon, we are currently attempting to identify as many patients as possible who are looking after someone.  A carer is someone who, without payment, provides support to someone who could not manage without their help.  A carer can be a spouse, parent, child or other relative, a friend or even a neighbour.  You do not need to be claiming Carer's Allowance to be considered a carer.  Please give us a call or complete a Carer's Registration form at reception so we can identify you as a carer.  Thank you.   

16/08/2011 - The surgery will be closed 12.30 - 14.30 on Tueday 13th September for Staff Traning.  Patients with appointments to see the physio will be seen as usual.  Devon Doctors on Call will be available for any urgent medical problems. 

01/08/2011 - Welcome to Dr Matthew Best who joins us as a partner today! Dr Best works on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Please look out for our next newsletter for details on Dr Best's traning and interests!

27/07/2011 - Farewell to Dr Mallaband, who retires this week.  You will be missed by us all! 
Patients registered with Dr Mallaband may notice that Dr Lynch or Dr Best appears on their prescription repeat cards etc.  We have to change this for administration purposes. All patients are registered with the practice rather than one particualr doctor and you still have the right to choose who you see.

25/07/2011 -  Saturday Clinics.  We will now be holding a Saturday Practice Nurse clinic once every 5 weeks.  Similarly to our existing Saturday clinics, appointments must be pre-booked and are only for patients who are in full-time employment or education. 

15/04/2011 - There is a new edition of the newsletter available...click on Practice Newsletters on the right hand side of the screen.

 

28/02/2011 - West Devon Breast Screening Unit
If you are a woman aged 50 or over breast screening is available for you.  The mobile screening unit will be in Morrisons Superstore Car Park, Plymouth Road, Tavistock from March 2011 to August 2011.  If you are between 50 and 70 years old you will soon be receiving a letter inviting you to attend.  If you are over 70 and would like to be screening, please ring the Primrose Breast Care Centre on 08451 558167. 
An age extension is gradually being introduced in this area.  This means that some women 47-49 or 71-73 years of age will receive an invite.  If you would like more information on the age extension please ask reception for a leaflet or visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk   

15/02/2011 - Sales Calls
It has been brought to our attention that sales calls are being made to patients by someone fraudulently claiming to be a representative of the surgery.
The telephone calls are being made by a company called Sanda Wellness tel:0208 619 0745.
The caller will either ask you questions regarding your health and lifestyle or will try and sell you products e.g. pomegranate syrup, which will ‘cure all your ailments’.
This company does not have any connection with Yelverton Surgery and we do not condone the pressurised selling technique the company uses.
If you do receive a sales call from this company, please do not disclose any personal details and if possible report the telephone call to the local Trading Standards
01752 304141

06/01/2011 - Online Prescriptions
When ordering your prescription online, please take extra care when choosing the collection point.  If you choose 'Yelverton Surgery' the prescription will be held at the practice and will not be sent to the chemist for dispensing.

Ordering Prescriptions
In line with many other GP practices, we have decided not to accept telephone requests for prescriptions in the interest of safety.  This change will be effective from 1st June 2010.  

You may order your repeat prescriptions through the website (click on Repeat Prescriptions to the right of this message) or you can bring your repeat slip to the surgery and put it in the box in the reception lobby.  Postal requests are also accepted.  If you do not have your repeat slip, please provide a written request to include your personal details and items required.

Repeat Dispensing
For those patients on stable medication, we have a repeat dispensing system that allows six or twelve months of prescriptions to be sent to the chemist at one time.  For further information, please refer to our prescriptions page and enquire at the desk if you are interested. 

Heart Disease
Asthma & COPD
Cancer
Mental Health
Diabetes
Osteoarthritis
Pain

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a preventable disease that was responsible for the deaths of 88,000 people in the UK in 2008 (British Heart Foundation CHD Statistics 2010). In all, 191,00 died from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. Death rates are highest in Scotland and North of England and lowest in the South of England. CHD is the biggest killer in the country.

British Heart Foundation - Vinne Jones' hard and fast hands-only CPR

British Heart Foundation - What is a heart attack?

There are more videos available on all aspects of BHF and heart disease on the BHF video site

 Audio MP3 Downloads

British Heart Foundation Now you can download and listen to podcasts free from the BHF - either on the move or in the comfort of your own home. We have a few examples below, there is a full list on the podcast page.

Controlling Cholesterol

Giving Up Smoking

Risk Factors & Heart Disease

Alcohol & Your Heart

"The British Heart Foundation is Britain’s leading charity fighting heart and circulatory disease – the UK’s biggest killer. The BHF funds research, education and life-saving equipment and helps heart patients return to a full and active way of life. The charity relies on donations to continue its vital work."

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

The BHS recommends that only properly validated BP monitors be used both in the clinic and at home. All the monitors listed on their website have been clinically validated. This means that all the machines, regardless of their cost, give reliable readings when used correctly. Please note that added cost does not equate to added accuracy.

View a list of clinically validated BP monitors

Useful Links

CHD - Healthtalkonline
Healthtalkonline Healthtalkonline, an award-winning charity website, lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. An excellent resource compiled after interviewing a wide range of people suffering from heart disease.

CHD
An excellent resource with useful video, audio, images and references relating to CHD.

NHS Choices
Further information about symptoms, treatment, causes and prevention of CHD.

British Heart Foundation
Our vision is of a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease. We will achieve this through our pioneering research, our vital prevention activity and by ensuring quality care and support for people living with heart disease.

These links all come from trusted resources but if you are unsure about these or any other medical matters please contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

 
For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS DirectNHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare servicesNHS ChoicesDepartment of HealthMy Surgery Website