Community Networks
In this new monthly medical column, the BayHealth Community Network GPs will be offering advice and guidance to Bay readers
Dr Chris Johns GP in Sketty and Killay Medical Centres starts off 2012 , using his 20 years of experience to provide Bay readers with some useful information.
What are Community Networks?
Community Networks provide a new way in which GP Practices and a range of health, social care and voluntary sector professionals will work more closely together.
Community Networks : what do they do?
- Focus on preventing ill health, enabling people to keep themselves well and independent for as long as possible.
- Developthe range and quality of services that are provided in the community.
- Ensure services provided by a wide range of health and social care professionals in the community are better co-ordinated to local needs.
- Improve communication and information sharing between different health, social care and voluntary sector professionals.
- Facilitate closer working between community based and hospital services, ensuring that patients receive a smooth and safe transition from hospital services to community based services and vice versa.
Swansea Community Networks
The Swansea Community Networks are made up of five networks built around groups of GP Practices, as follows:
BayHealth Community Network is made up of the following GP Practices:
- Mumbles Medical Practice and Murton Surgery
- Uplands and Mumbles Surgery
- Gower Medical Practice – Pennard Surgery (Branch Practice)
- Grove Medical Centre - Marina Surgery (Branch Surgery)
- Kings Road Surgery
- Sketty and Killay Medical Centres
- St Thomas & West Cross Surgeries
- University Health Centre Swansea
BayHealth Community Network website:
bayhealthcommunitynetwork.wales.nhs.uk
The other four Community Networks in Swansea are CityHealth, Llwchwr, Cwmtawe and Penderi
Problem round up
Coughs, Colds and Headaches…… it’s that time of the year again!!
As usual we have the “viral soup” that seems to affect us just about every year in Swansea. It started at the beginning of November, and certainly ran up to a busier Christmas time in General Practice than many of the BayHealth Practices can remember for some time. Fortunately in our area of Swansea there has been little evidence of “proper flu” at the moment. Fingers crossed as this is the time we usually start to see a few cases!
The local bug seems to be a horrible cough which lasts for some weeks, in some cases accompanied by a sore throat, racking dry cough and an associated particularly nasty headache for many sufferers. Lots of people have understandably become impatient with their symptoms. It will go in most cases with paracetamol, fluids etc and without the need for antibiotics. There has been a fair share of secondary infections with this one like bronchitis, sinusitis along with some tonsillitis and ear infections.
Most viral coughs clear without complications. However, sometimes a 'secondary' infection with bacteria develops in addition to the viral infection. (e.g. sinusitis, bronchitis or ear infections) Also, other causes of cough (such as asthma) are sometimes confused with a viral infection.
See us if any of the following occur, as you may need further treatment or investigation:
- If symptoms such as fever, chest pains, or headaches become worse or severe.
- If you develop breathing difficulties
- If you cough up blood. Blood may be bright red but dark or rusty coloured sputum may indicate blood.
- If you become drowsy or confused.
- If you develop any symptoms which you are unhappy about, or do not understand.
- If you have a cough that persists for longer than 4 weeks.
Your local pharmacist is a good place to start for most cough and cold simple remedies and they will be happy to give you advice too.
HOW TO PREVENT VIRAL COLDS?
I am afraid there is no way other than all the boring stuff! Eat well, take plenty of exercise, don’t smoke and limit alcohol intake! Sorry but all these things boost your immune system. There is little evidence that Vitamin C, Zinc or Echinacea even in high doses works. Certainly getting wet or cold doesn’t cause a cold. The flu vaccine doesn’t stop you getting a cold, just flu.
Look on the bright side.Generally by the time the daffodils start appearing we see a reduction in this type of thing. Bring on a great Swansea Bay summer!
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS - SMOKING CESSATION
The single most beneficial thing you can do to help your health if you are a smoker is QUIT. Not only will you be hugely improving your chances of living a longer life but you will be so much better off in the pocket.
Nicotine is more addictive than heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. Nicotine is actually a safe drug; it’s the smoke and tar that comes with it that’s the problem.Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 chemical compounds, 43 of which are carcinogenic (cause cancer) and 400 are known to be toxic. One of these is a compound marketed as a rat poison.
There is lots of help available and in BayHealth Community Network we are trying to ensure that at much help is available as possible.
Your GP practice or pharmacist can help. If you are serious about quitting let us know. There is lots of information available and we can point you in the right direction.
Freephone (0800 085 2219)
Wales has a dedicated helpline to help people who wish to give up smoking. This freephone helpline offers:
- One to one confidential advice from trained counsellors
- Guidance on stopping smoking and help with associated problems
- Information leaflets on how to plan and prepare to quit
- Guidance on accessing local smoking cessation services
Local service focus
Each month BayHealth Community Network will let you know about local health services ; where and when to go when you are unwell and how best to access the best and most appropriate care when you need it
Minor Injuries Unit Singleton
7 Days a week 8am to 8pm.
The minor injuries unit at Singleton Hospital offers treatment to anyone with a minor condition without the need for an appointment. The unit will usually treat patients with less serious injuries more quickly than the Accident and Emergency (A+E) department at Morriston Hospital.
What can be treated in both children and adults?
- Minor head injuries
- Minor eye injuries and foreign bodies
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and wound infections
- Minor burns and scalds
- Bites – human, animal and insect
- Muscular, and back injuries
- Urinary tract Infections
Please note: The Minor Injuries Unit does treat problems normally dealt with by your GP.
Following assessment if it is felt that your injury requires an X-ray, the X-ray will be performed at Morriston Accident and Emergency department as there are no emergency bone X ray facilities at Singleton
Medical Funny
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A Brief History Of Medicine |
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I have an earache---- |
Question Time?
If any person registered at any of the 8 BayHealth Practices’ has a question they wish answered by our GPs we will do our best to answer and publish (anonymously) any that will help readers in the forthcoming editions.
You can write or e mail-
BayHealth Community Network GPs, Killay Medical Centre, Goetre Fawr Rd, Killay, Swansea SA2 7QP or use the following web link to send us feedback;
