NEWSLETTER FOR THE GENERAL PRACTICE LINK OFFICE
OCTOBER 1998 ISSUE 54
The General Practice Link Office is always looking for articles to be included in Link News. If there is anyone out there involved in General Practice who would like to submit an article, please contact us with any contributions, which will be warmly welcomed.
STOP PRESS
CONTENTS
SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION OF METHADONE SCHEME
NORTH CROYDON PRIMARY CARE GROUP
FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT THE INSTITUTE OF PSYCHIATRY
Supervised Administration of Methadone Scheme Opportunity for GP Prescribing
Following a successful pilot project carried out by Dr Janie Sheridan (Research Pharmacist based at the National Addictions Centre) and Nichoz Efthymiou (Community Pharmacist Advisor for Croydon Health), Supervised Administration of Methadone (SAM) is now available in named pharmacies in Croydon. The Oaks Resource Centre has been referring clients to the scheme since it began in March, 1997. SAM has proved successful in terms of providing a safe and accountable way of ensuring that methadone is consumed in the presence of the pharmacist. This is particularly beneficial for prescribers, and clients, where higher doses are needed, or for clients who are vulnerable: those who have mental health problems, have a poly drug use history, or a poor history of compliance. Clients themselves are also positive in their views about SAM. The scheme enables them to have quality contact with the pharmacist where support, health education and advice can be given. It also enables a closer and more effective relationship between the community pharmacist and the prescribing agency. An effective system is in operation should any problems occur. There is opportunity for GPs to access this scheme for those who prescribe methadone. Patients would need to be prescribed for on blue community FP10's for daily supervision of methadone. These can be obtained via Croydon Health Authority. For an up-to-date list of pharmacies participating on the scheme, please contact below. Assistance can also be given with the wording of the prescriptions. If any Primary Health Care Team members are interested in SAM, or would like further information, please contact: Jane Haywood (Primary Health Care Liaison Nurse/Deputy Team Leader) at the Oaks Resource Centre: Tel: 0181 700 8600.
Nichoz Efthymiou (Community Pharmacist/Professional Advisor) at Croydon Health: Tel: 0181 401 3900.
North Croydon Primary Care Group
On 9th September 1998 a considerable number of health care professionals gathered together at Addington Palace for the first North Croydon Primary Care Group Away Day. The purpose of the day was for members to gain an insight into health needs assessment, the various factors that contribute to health care and to consider issues relating to determining priorities. The day started with photo presentations from representatives of the various wards that make up the Primary Care Group. It soon became obvious that the North has a diverse group of socio-economic and culturally rich groups. Issues such as refugee populations currently housed in various hostels highlighted the fact that a small group of people could increase the workload disproportionately due to language and other poor social factors. The first part of the morning was spent on studying practice profiles with demographic data and referral activity. Practice members were highly successful in recognising their practice data, and interesting observations were made of how varied different activities were for geographically adjacent practices. After lunch groups were given different case studies with a view to prioritising and rationing of health care. This "gut feeling" approach to rationing was then compared to a scoring system. The latter was felt by members to be a useful method as it provided for a more consistent approach and was successful in removing the emotional content attached by members when purely considering it on a gut feeling. The overall day was both enjoyed and considered productive by most attendees. It was also successful in putting into practice the principle of working together, which is now high on the Government's agenda. In addition the first step had been taken by members in allowing access to practice information to be shared openly and without a feeling of discomfort. Many thanks to Dr John Shanks and his public health team for their excellent facilitation of the day. Further thanks to the Link Office for their time and effort in organising a highly successful event. We look forward to the follow-up day on 3rd November.
Targeting all Men! Europe against cancer week 5 - 11 October
A new discreet leaflet, launched for this year's campaign is now available to practices. The advice is to see your doctor without delay if you have any of the following symptoms:-
1. Something is wrong with your mouth/throat/voice
2. Your cough will just not clear up
3. Your stomach or bowels are giving you problems
4. You have seen blood in your urine
5. You've begun to have difficulty passing urine
6. One of your testicles has developed a lump
7. You've got a funny-looking mole or "spot" (may develop anywhere on the body)
8. You have discovered you've got a new lump (may develop anywhere on the body)
Practice Nurses may wish to order the A3 poster and leaflets specifically for the campaign or to have leaflets available for new patient checks throughout the year.
Please order as usual through Health Promotion Resources Tel: 0181 680 2008 ext. 287.
The GP Link Office has a stock of audio-cassettes on Asthma - Advice for Patients produced by Allen & Hanburys, in Punjabi, Hindi, Gujerati, Urdu and Bengali. Booklets accompanying the cassettes are also available. There are also a few tapes on Investigating Asthma.
If anyone can make use of these, please contact the GPLO on 401 3990
Forthcoming Events at the Institute of Psychiatry
1. The Royal College of Psychiatrists Women in Psychiatry Special Interest Group. A one-day meeting entitled 'Career Development Day for Women Psychiatrists ' will be held at the Maudsley Hospital, London on Thursday 19th November 1998. The aim of this one-day meeting is to focus on skills in areas where greater input from women psychiatrists is needed, such as management, policy-making, research and media presentation; and also to provide workshops on areas which may be of particular interest to women psychiatrists, including flexible working and time management. We also hope it will be an enjoyable day for women psychiatrists to meet and discuss common interests. Speakers to include Professor Amanda Ramirez, Dr Ilfra Goldberg, Ms Barbara Chaffey, Dr Martin Deahl. Fee £100.
Application forms from: Mrs Lee Wilding, Short Courses Office, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF ( Tel 0171 919 3170, Fax 0171 740 5172, Email [email protected]).
2. A one-day workshop entitled 'The Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales' will be held at the Institute of Psychiatry London on 1st December 1998. The Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scales (GSS 1 and 2) and The Gudjonsson Compliance Scale (GCS) were developed for research, forensic and clinical applications. The GSS 1 and 2 give a reliable measure of verbal recall, confabulation, and 'interrogative suggestibility'. The GCS measures the construct of compliance, which is principally comprised of eagerness to please and avoidance of conflict and confrontation. The workshop is aimed at Chartered Psychologists and other relevant practitioners or researchers with relevant experience. Topics: Introduction to the theory behind the development of the Scales, details of the administration, scoring, and interpretation of the scores, and clinical and forensic applications. Workshop Leader: Dr Gisli H Gudjonsson. Fee: £95.
Further information from: Mrs Lee Wilding, Conference Office, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF ( Tel 0171 919 3170, Fax 0171 740 5172, Email [email protected]).
3. A one-day meeting entitled 'Anxiety Disorders: The Essentials of Behavioural Psychotherapy' will be held at the Maudsley Hospital, London on Thursday 7th January 1999. This one-day meeting is for clinicians from all backgrounds and will focus on practical management strategies which can be readily incorporated into participants own clinical practice. The principles of behavioural psychotherapy and specific techniques used in anxiety disorders will be illustrated with case examples and video material. Topics Current perspectives on Behavioural Psychotherapy, Assessing patients for Behavioural Psychotherapy, Strategies for engaging patients in treatment, Constructing problem and goal focused treatment programmes, Relapse prevention, Self help in primary care, Overcoming difficulties in treatment. Speakers are from the Behavioural Psychotherapy Unit, Maudsley Hospital, and have extensive clinical and research experience in this field - Professor Isaac Marks, Dr Anne-Marie O'Dwyer, Jonathan Ash, Dr Richard Parkin, Simon Darnley, Dr Susan Shaw, Sheena Liness, Paul Wheble, Brenda McLoughlin. Fee £75.
Further information from: Mrs L Wilding, Short Courses Office, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Camberwell, London SE5 8AF. Tel: 0171-919 3170 or 0171 740 5125. Fax: 0171 740 5172.
Email: [email protected]
SOUTH EAST CANCER HELP CENTRE (SECHC) WANTED
SECHC would like to extend its services to NE and NW Croydon. Can you help? We are looking for a room to use for 4hrs/session per month in a Health Centre to provide information and links with the Cancer Help Centre. The Centre has been set up (1983) to give each person affected by cancer, their family and friends, the opportunity to explore ways, alongside conventional medical care, which may help them to cope with their situation. We offer friendship, individual and group support; general information, including booklets from Cancer Bacup and the Royal Marsden Hospital; counselling and complementary therapies free of charge by professionally qualified and supervised practitioners. The Centre has links with hospital and community health services. Transport to the Centre can sometimes be provided.
For more information, contact the Chairman, Eve Lister, or the Co-ordinator, Kathleen Behan; South East Cancer Health Centre, 2 Purley Road (Tesco Development), Purley Cross, Purley, Croydon CR8 2HA. Tel: 0181-668 0974.
Dengue Fever This is a viral infection affecting muscles, joints and blood vessels. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pains, sometimes a skin rash and bleeding. The disease is commonly known as "break bone fever". It is caught by the bite of Aedes Mosquito and these lovely little creatures bite during the day.
Prevention - Avoid daytime mosquito bites in areas where Dengue Fever is apparent. Use D.E.E.T. insect repellents and creams.
Taken in part from Traveller World Wide Health Information Service and brought to you by the Croydon Practice Nurse Group Committee.
The GPLO does not necessarily endorse or support any of the positions, products or people advertised herein.
Practice Nurse required for 13 hours per week. Experience Preferred. Carshalton area. Contact Mrs. B. Griffiths 0181-643 9551.
Locum required to cover 14 weeks maternity leave from 4.1.99 in 4 partner, fully computerised practice in new purpose-built premises. Please apply with CV to: Teresa Wallace, Practice Manager, Parchmore Medical Centre, 97 Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 8LY.
Part-time practice nurse Thornton Heath area. We are a 6-partner, progressive, fully computerised (Meditel) practice. We offer the opportunity of working in close liaison with the doctors and as part of a longstanding nursing team. Whenever possible we offer a one-stop service so that a patient needing nursing procedures as well as medical treatment and/or advice will be seen by doctor and nurse at the same appointment. Successful applicant will be RGN, able to provide wide range of clinical abilities. Professional development encouraged. Salary: Grade F, commensurate with skills and experience. Hours: 14.5 to include 3 evenings per week. Telephone: 0181-665 7112 for job description and application form.
LOCUM WORK WANTED for G.P. returning to Croydon after 5 ½ years in Nottingham. Please contact the GPLO for details