Hi!
Welcome back to the Horizon Healthcare patient newsletter. Here we will keep you updated on what’s happening at the practice, community events and initiatives and important health information.
What’s new?
We are thrilled to announce that on August 27th, between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM, we will be unveiling our new and improved website! This update will bring a modern, clean design that makes it easier than ever to find the information you need. We’ve reorganised our content to ensure a smoother, faster browsing experience, all while keeping the same web address to ensure easy access for everyone.
This month we’ve also been updating our patient care standards. To ensure we meet NHS guidelines for reasonable adjustments, we’ve been sending out questionnaires to patients who may require specific accommodations. If you receive a questionnaire, please fill it out promptly so we can update our records and make necessary adjustments to better serve you. You can learn more about reasonable adjustments here.
Know the signs: stroke awareness campaign
Do you know how to spot a stroke? Recognising the signs early can be crucial. A stroke requires immediate medical attention, and every moment counts.
Learn to quickly identify the signs of a stroke using the FAST method:
- Face: Check if one side of the face is drooping. Ask the person to smile to see if their smile is uneven.
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Listen for slurred or strange speech. Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and see if they can do it correctly.
- Time: If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call emergency services immediately.
For more information and guidance, watch this essential video from the Stroke Association.
What’s on the horizon?
Over the next month you can look out for:
- August 25 – Derby Running Festival 2024
- September 1 – Darley Park Concert
- September 19 – Derby Careers Fair
We’re launching a fortnightly lunchtime walk alongside Derby County Community Trust. These walks will run biweekly from Monday 26th August until Monday 21st October, from 12 – 1pm, so keep an eye out!
Upcoming flu clinics: protect yourself and your little ones
We’re excited to announce our upcoming flu clinics for both children and adults this autumn. For children aged 2 and 3 years, nasal flu clinics are set for September 14th and 21st, with another session on October 13th in Mackworth. We’ll also host a mini fun day with face painting, balloons, and stickers during the September sessions. A non-gelatin vaccine option will be available by request.
Adult flu clinics will take place on October 5th and 12th, following new NHS England guidelines that prevent us from offering these vaccines in September. Look out for your invitation to book these upcoming clinics.
Addressing missed appointments
We need your help to improve our services and ensure timely care for all patients. In June, 309 appointments were missed. That’s over 87 hours of clinical time wasted.
When appointments are missed, it not only affects the individual patients but also limits our ability to offer those time slots to others in need of care.
You can help by cancelling any appointments you can no longer attend. Either via phone or on our website
Join our patient participation group (PPG)
We believe in working together with our patients to improve our services. Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) is a vital part of this effort, providing a platform for patients to share their insights and feedback.
The PPG is a group of patients who meet regularly to discuss and influence the way services are provided at Horizon. Members have the opportunity to suggest improvements, share experiences and help to shape the future of our practice.
We welcome patients from all backgrounds, ages and experiences. You can register to join our PPG by emailing direct to ddicb.horizon.ppg@nhs.net
As we wrap up this month’s newsletter, we want to extend our thanks to all of our patients for your continued support and trust in Horizon Healthcare.
We hope you found the information in this newsletter helpful and informative.
See you next month,
The Horizon Healthcare Team