Issue 57: June/July 2009

Fourways 2, 6 Dilston Terrace, Amble, Northumberland, NE65 0DT editor@theambler.co.uk

Injured Amble Soldier
Amble soldier wounded during Afghan tour

Day Centre reform
Controversy and unease at reform plans

David counts on a bright future
Local lad becomes Fulbright Scholar

Bronze Age burials
Why archaeologists are worried about Low Hauxley's coast

A piece of history
The day the roof fell in

Amble meets Ab Fab
Fashionistas come to town

Help for jobseekers
Jobs board, CV service etc

Amble's community forum
How to join in the fun

Selfridges has Empathy with Amble
Luxury products from the Friendliest Port

Zecca opens doors
New restaurant could put Amble on food map

Beach safety
RNLI concerned about holidaymakers

Links First School
Graduation and recycling

Strawberries and Bubbly
All in aid of a good cause

Your letters and email
Amble Day Centre - Politicians and Council argue it out . Plus what did the Vikings call Amble?

Cycling for charity
Gillian and Tony take a three day challenge

Brambles Celebrations
What these top tots are up to!

Enterprise and Initiative
Year three youngsters show us how it's done

Funday at the Welfare
Healthy fun in the sun at the Welfare

Coronation street party
Do you recognise anyone in the picture?

Attendance allowance
Are you getting what you're entitled to?

Help for volunteers
Country-wide project will help local people

Capt'n Coquet's corner
Lord of the (Coquet) rings!

Comment
How Amble is strutting its stuff

Artograffi
Including why we wake up early only in the holidays

David's Diary
News from Amble Development Trust


Town council report
News and updates from the Town Council

County Councillors reports
Reports from Robert and Jeff

Bringing in the cha-ching
Staff at Kathleen's hold a coffee morning

Amble Churches Together
Keeping things safe

Penny says..
Pity the teachers

Armed Forces Day
Images from the Town Square

Swine 'flu: the facts
Information at your fingertips

Talk to your doctor, guys
Delicate subject delicately discussed

What's On
Local events and activities

Dance Divas and St Cuthberts
Youngsters with a lot going on

Ray King blog
Including a tribute to Bobby Robson

Castles and Islands challenge
Why a hi tec firm supported a local yacht race

Patient survey gives good report
Coquet Medical Practice's new Practice Manager, Lisa Scott, who has been working in the practice for 22 years, gave a very good presentation at the review. She invited a cross section of people from the patient list, including a young Mum, a new patient, and students from the High School, to accompany doctors, nurses and receptionists to the review.

The practice is obliged to carry out the annual survey and they use the results to improve the service they offer. The doctors do not know when the survey is being carried out, so they cannot influence the results.

The practice has over 11,000 patients and a cross section of different ages and sexes took part. Some had been seen by their own doctors, others not. The comments about the doctors were good: ‘It is great to have a doctor who listens and does not rush you, no matter what’ being a typical example.

The hours have been extended to include evenings and Saturday mornings, to make it more accessible for working people.

One question was, ‘Could we have text reminders about appointments?’ The IT department is looking into the possibility. Patients are reminded that even if they phone in at the last moment an appointment can be filled. Booking your own appointment on the internet could also be a possibility in the future.

As well as personal appointments, the surgery provides lots of dedicated sessions, such as sexual health and diabetes clinics. They also serve local care homes.
Privacy at reception is an on-going problem, but there is the option of a private room, just ask at reception.

Lunches are staggered to keep reception open, but on a Wednesday it is closed for staff training.

There were questions about availability of complementary therapy, but doctors did not want to be seen endorsing any particular one. The overall score for the survey was on a par with the national average.


Vivienne Dalgliesh


The NHS Foundation has just published the results of the consultation on their plans for the future, including the proposed new specialist emergency hospital. The full report document can be accessed at www.buildingacaringfuture.co.uk. Our most local public meeting is at the White Swan, Alnwick on Wednesday 17th June at 6.00pm.

 

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