WEEDON SURGERY NEWSLETTER
April 2009

PLANNING A VISIT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR OR CONSULTANT

Before your appointment

• Write down your two or three most important questions.
• List or bring all your medicines and pills - including vitamins, etc.
• Write down details of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse.
• Ask your hospital or surgery for an interpreter or communication support if needed.
• Ask a friend or family member to come with you, if you like.

During your appointment

• Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand e.g. 'Can you say that again? I still don't understand.'
• If you don't understand any words, ask for them to be written down and explained. • Write things down, or ask a family member or friend to take notes.

Before you leave your appointment

Check that:
• You've covered everything on your list
• You understand, e.g. 'Can I just check I understood what you said?'
• You know what should happen next - and when. Write it down.

Ask:

• Who to contact if you have any more problems or questions
• About support groups and where to go for reliable information, and
• For copies of letters written about you - you are entitled to see these.

After your appointment, don't forget the following

• Write down what you discussed and what happens next. Keep your notes.
• Book any tests that you can and put the dates in your diary.

Ask:

• 'what's happening if I'm not sent my appointment details,' and
• 'can I have the results of any tests?' (If you don't get the results when you expect - ask for them.) Ask what the results mean.

PLANNING A VISIT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR OR CONSULTANT

Our Practice Nurse Team Leader, Devina Moore has become a Nanny for the first time. Congratulations from all of us!

As part of our continuing improvements to the surgery,
we have installed further handrails both inside and outside the building.

RECOMMENDED SAFE LIMITS OF ALCOHOL

What are the recommended limits of alcohol drinking?

Men:
Should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week (and no more than four units in any one day).

Women:
Should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week (and no more than three units in any one day).

Pregnant women.
It is known that a lot of alcohol can damage a developing baby. A small amount probably does no harm. However, the exact amount that is safe is not known. Therefore, to play safe, advice from the Department of Health is that pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant should not drink at all. If you do choose to drink when you are pregnant then limit it to one or two units, once or twice a week. And never get drunk.

What is a unit of alcohol?
This varies as to what drink you are having and what strength of alcohol is present in your chosen drink. For example:

1 pint of lager (5% strength) is 3 units
A single gin and tonic is 1 unit
Pint of cider (6% strength) is 3 units
125ml of red wine (12.5 strength) is 1.5units

Log on to www.nhs.uk/units for more advice on units.

RECOMMENDED SAFE LIMITS OF ALCOHOL

The more you drink above these limits, the greater the risk of developing serious problems such as: liver disease (cirrhosis or hepatitis); stomach and pancreas disorders; depression; anxiety; sexual difficulties; muscle and heart muscle disease; high blood pressure; damage to nervous tissue; serious accidents; some cancers; obesity (alcohol has many calories).

Did you know after drinking alcohol you should not:

• Drive a car
• Use any type of machinery or equipment
• Use a ladder or work at heights
• Take part in active physical sport.

Isn't alcohol good for you?

For men over 40 and for women past the menopause, it is thought that drinking a small amount of alcohol (1-2 units per day) helps to protect against heart disease and stroke. However it is illegal to give alcohol to a child under five, even at home.

See your Doctor or Practice Nurse if you are drinking above the recommended limits and are finding it difficult to cut down.

Comprehensive resources are available at: www.patient.co.uk
AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) 0845 769755 - National Helpline
CAN (Drugs, Alcohol and Homelessness) 01604 627027