Survey Results

The results of the GP Patient Satisfaction Survey 2009 are now available. Please click on the link to read the survey results.

Swine Influenza

Further information will be given once the swine flu vaccination becomes available at the surgery.

Swine Influenza Guidance

For guidance and information on Swine Flu visit the PCT website. It has a section on Swine Flu that is being updated regularly and includes useful links to the main other relevant websites such as NHS Choices, World Health Organization, and Health Protection Agency.

Dr Lacey has retired

Dr Lacey qualified as a doctor in spring 1974. After working at the Royal Free and Willesden General hospitals in London, he did his vocational training at the QE2 hospital and in general practice as a trainee in Welwyn Garden City.

He was invited to join this practice in August 1978 when more

Welcome to Dr Vishen Ramkisson

Professional background: Dr Ramkisson attended school in Durban, South Africa. He completed his undergraduate medical training (MBBS) in Bangalore, India and his GP postgraduate training (MRCGP) in East Surrey. He obtained his (DFFP) qualification as well as further training in Substance Misuse. He is interested in minor surgery and IT. He is currently pursuing GPwSI (GP with a special interest) in Vasectomies.

Personal background: Dr Ramkisson grew up in South Africa and is now settled in Hertfordshire. He is married and his interests are travelling and sport. He is a keen cricketer and an ardent F1 fan.

We are delighted to welcome Dr Ramkisson to the practice.

Aged between 16 and 25?

ARE YOU FULLY IMMUNISED AGAINST MUMPS?

If you are aged between 16 and 25, there’s a very good chance that you’ve had only one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. You need two doses of MMR to be properly immunised. There have recently been outbreaks of mumps among teenagers and adults because they have not been fully protected. More

Aged 65 or over?

Make sure you get your pneumo jab.

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis.

Please make an appointment with the practice nurse if you have never had a pneumo jab.

Saturday morning surgeries

EXTENDED OPENING HOURS

From 28 June 2008 King George Surgery will be opening from 8am until 11.30am on Saturday mornings for routine pre-booked GP and nurse appointments.

These appointments are for the benefit of patients who cannot easily access a GP or nurse during existing core hours (Monday to Friday). Please ask for an appointment at reception.

Saturday mornings are NOT intended for urgent appointments, visits, prescriptions or enquiries – these will be directed to the Out of Hours service at Lister Hospital: 03000 33 33 33 . There will be no ‘duty’ doctor available here on Saturday mornings, only the doctors who have pre-booked routine appointments.

Notice for patients taking Warfarin or Simvastatin

Patients taking Warfarin should not take cranberry juice.

Patients taking Simvastatin should not take grapefruit juice.

Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) booster vaccination

Hib diseases in infants, including meningitis, are on the increase again. It is now realised that the original course of 3 vaccinations did not give adequate protection. Longer lasting protection would be provided by an additional booster vaccination. More

Reception Desk

You will notice that a glass effect brick screen has been installed on both sides of the front reception desk. More

Our practice needs you!

We are looking for new recruits to join the King George Surgery Liaison Group. We value your views on what is being done in the surgery, and also your suggestions ..... more

Dr Lacey has retired

Dr Lacey qualified as a doctor in spring 1974. After working at the Royal Free and Willesden General hospitals in London, he did his vocational training at the QE2 hospital and in general practice as a trainee in Welwyn Garden City.

He was invited to join this practice in August 1978 when it was located at 66 High Street (there were 2 consulting rooms downstairs and one upstairs) At the time the senior partner was Dr Warner-Smith Snr.

Dr Lacey was involved in the move from High Street to the first floor at 5 Stanmore Road (which at the time seemed huge)! We were then able to employ our first practice nurse.

He was involved in the Red Cross, training many people in first aid, and being presented with their badge of honour when other commitments forced him to give up.

He was a pioneer of video in the waiting room, recording programmes himself in the early years of home video!

Dr Lacey was responsible for the build phase of the current surgery even producing the design for the reception desk while on holiday!

He was involved as clinical tutor with GP education and ran (and still does run) a small education and support group for local GPs.

He was chairman of the Victim Support Scheme in Stevenage for some years.

He was involved with the Patient Liaison Group from its inception.

Dr Lacey has retired to devote more time to his family and year old grandchild, not to mention his passion for railways.

He continues to be around as our handyman nowadays unblocking drains rather than bowels!!

Since retirement he has no idea how he had the time to work!

I am sure that you will join us all at King George Surgery in wishing him all the very best for the future in his well earned retirement.

If you are aged between 16 and 25, there’s a very good chance that you’ve had only one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. You need two doses of MMR to be properly immunised. There have recently been outbreaks of mumps among teenagers and adults because they have not been fully protected.

Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes fever, headache and painful swollen glands. It is spread from person to person by coughs and sneezes. It can also be transmitted by direct contact through saliva.

It can cause viral meningitis and permanent deafness. Much rarer, but very painful complications of mumps, are inflammation of the pancreas and of the ovaries and testicles.

The only effective way to prevent mumps is to have two MMR vaccinations. If you don’t know if you’ve had MMR before, having more than one or two doses won’t do you any harm.

Contact the surgery to find out how you can get your FREE MMR vaccination.

For further information please visit: www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk

Hib diseases in infants, including meningitis, are on the increase again. It is now realised that the original course of 3 vaccinations did not give adequate protection. Longer lasting protection would be provided by an additional booster vaccination. The Vaccination Advisory Committee has decided that every child aged over 6 months and under 4 years of age on 1 April 2003 should have a 4th (booster) Hib vaccination. All children eligible for this booster are being invited to the surgery. If your child has not been called, or you have missed a previous appointment, please contact the surgery to make an appointment on telephone: 01438 361111.

If you require further information about Hib, please visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk You can also ring NHS Direct on telephone: 0845 4647 for more details.

Reception Desk

You will notice that a glass effect brick screen has been installed on both sides of the front reception desk. This is to help maintain patient confidentiality, as we felt previously that the desk was too open and were very aware that conversations could be overheard from the waiting room.

Another problem of the reception desk being too open was that patients were unsure as to where to queue, and the current reduced area of the desk helps overcome this.

We hope you will agree that the way the screen has been designed enhances the waiting area.

We are looking for new recruits to join the King George Surgery Liaison Group. We value your views on what is being done in the surgery, and also your suggestions for improving the service given.

The group meets once every two months.

Please contact Gill Nicholson, Practice Manager, if you are interested in joining the committee.