This applies to anyone on regular (repeat) medication or who attends our clinics for: Asthma, COPD, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease/ Strokes and Epilepsy.
This year we are starting to do this yearly review in the month of your birthday. We hope that this will make it easier for you to remember when your health check is needed. If you attend more than one clinic, we are planning to review all your conditions at the same time which should make things a lot more convenient. However, as this will be a much longer appointment, please advise us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend. Your medication review will be done at the same time.
In the first year of our new system we may have to move the review dates a few months either way to fit with your last check-up. However, once everyone has settled into the new system, we expect things to run very smoothly and reports from other Surgeries which operate similar systems show excellent patient satisfaction. We also would appreciate any feedback you are able to give us, so please feel free to let us have your comments on this style of review system.
High Blood Pressure and Diabetic checks break the annual rule as there will often be a 6 month interval blood pressure check. The principle remains for the ‘major service’ around your birthday and the ‘minor service’ 6 months later.
The purpose of this change is to streamline your regular appointments and reduce the number of times you have to visit the Surgery. You may well need a blood or urine test beforehand and you will be advised of this when you are invited for your yearly check. If you have a home blood pressure monitor, please bring your readings with you.
We will advise of any variations to this plan after 6-9 months of this new system.
Many thanks for your co-operation
Chronic Disease Management Team
St Luke’s Medical Centre