Repeat prescriptions.  These can now be ordered by email, as well as the following

1. by handing in the re-order slips at reception, itemising those drugs required

2. by completing one of the request slips kept in reception

3. by fax (01252 370751) specifying the items clearly *

4. by EMAIL , following this link  to : prescriptions.milestone@nhs.net

 

	We have a new Registrar who started in April 2008.  She is Dr Masood who has been working as a junior doctor at Royal Surrey and Frimley Park.
	Dr Manning left at the end of July 2007.  She was very popular amongst patients.  We wish her well in pursuing her career.
	Dr Os Guirguis has been with us since August 2007.  He has come from Charing Cross Hospital where he was working as an A and E specialist.
	Choose and book.  If you are referred for a hospital appointment your doctor may now be able to facilitate booking the appointment with hospital ,.date and time of your choosing.
	Dr John de Verteuil runs the echocardiography service for the whole Primary Care Trust, and based at Milestone Surgery.  Patients suspected of suffering from heart failure can be referred direct to him.  After assessment with the portable echocardiography machine, a report is sent to the patient's GP.  The effective treatment of heart failure, helped by correct diagnosis in this way, improves quality of life.
	IT changes.  The surgery has upgraded its system to facilitate 'Choose and book' technology which will allow doctors to offer choice of out patient appointments at different hospitals.  At present we are using this scheme to direct patients to either ring and book an appointment of their choice or do so 'on line' for their convenience at home.
	New equipment.  A Pulse Oximeter has just been acquired - to check the oxygen levels in blood.  We have a ECG machine which gives a readout directly into the computer system.  We already have one 24 hour blood pressure monitor, and plan to purchase another as it is such a useful diagnostic tool.  Similarly we are going to buy another spirometer to measure lung function.  The treatment room now has a cardiac defibrillator, just in case someone has a cardiac arrest whilst visiting the doctor, in fact a very rare event.
	GP Training.  Dr Zoe Lee  stayed on for a further 6 months from February 2005, working 2 days a week at Milestone as an Academic Registrar, spending the rest of the week involved in research.  Dr Sally Fox joined us in February 2005 for 18 months, working part time as our new Registrar.  Dr Luckraj  left us in January 2004 to join the Branksomewood Road practice in Fleet  as a partner, and has now left for a new life as a GP in Sydney, Australia.
	Out of hours.  In common with all other practices in the town, and following Government contract changes, Milestone is no longer  open on Saturday mornings, either for consultations or prescriptions.  Emergencies are dealt with by Frimley Primary Care Service, the number for this being given when you ring the practice telephone (01252 545078). This is run by the Primary Care Trust, along similar lines to GP Call, and is based at Frimley Park Hospital in Outpatients B. It  deals with all emergencies outside of the weekday opening hours (8.30am - 6.30pm). Arrangements can be made with your usual pharmacist to collect and dispense repeat prescriptions.

Flu vaccinations.  Another successful campaign this year, vaccinating about 80% of the over 75's, together with a large proportion of the 'at risk' population with diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

Doctors' Parking.  The car parking situation has been impossible at times with doctors unable to find their way back into surgery after visiting patients.  New signs have been positioned to make it clear where the doctors' bays are.  Please be understanding with our parking facilities - we cannot accommodate many patients and would like to be able to help the more needy - either very ill people, or the disabled, in those spaces not used by staff.

Immunisation Success.  The practice continues to immunise a very high proportion of its young patients, with between 90 and 100% under 5s protected against tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, meningitis, measles, mumps and rubella.