White Horse Surgery and Walk-in centre Patient Participation Group NEWSLETTER Issue 2 A Patient Participation Group is a group of like minded people attached to a GP surgery or health centre with a view to improving overall health care. At its simplest this refers to patients taking an active interest in their health; but it is a unique partnership between patients, GPs and their practice which is essential to and results in high quality and responsive care. It is an ideal opportunity to provide s trategic advice, provision of useful information, volunteer services and fundraising. It can for instance support their GP surgery through running health promotion events, on issues ranging from smoking to fitness and wellbeing, to weight, diabetes and asthma management. The beauty of PPGs is that there is no set way in which they work - the aims and work of each group entirely depends on local needs - but they have the aim of making sure that their practice puts the patient, and improving health, at the heart of everything it does. Upcoming events organised by the PPG December Christmas raffle (see article ‘fund raising’ 10th January 2013 at ** Alzheimers and Dementia talk 16th January to ** Carers talk 22 January to ** Carers talk **Please note there are 30 places available for these talks and it will be on a first come first served basis. Please call the surgery on to reserve your place** PPG’s first fundraising event. The PPG has decided to start some fundraising to provide facilities for the patients at white horse surgery. The first thing we would like to provide is a TV and DVD player to keep the children entertained. We have organised a Christmas Raffle which will be drawn on Friday 20th December. We have started to get prizes and are looking for any welcome donations.

Carers Story My wife had a stroke in June 2010 which for her was terrifying as she has had morbid fear of doctors ever since her Mum died of a brain tumour when she was only 5years old. She then had to spend 6 weeks in Darent Valley Hospital followed by 12 weeks in Gravesend Community Hospital for rehab. The stroke affected her left side hand and leg, she started to get the use in her hand back after about 3 weeks but unfortunately her leg can't support her so she is now disabled and has to use a wheelchair. I tried to keep working full time while looking after my wife but the pressure became too much as I couldn't do both things properly so I've now semi retired, I'd like to retire completely but can't afford to. Apart from going to work, which gives me an reason for getting out of the house, I look after my wife, washing and dressing her every day I also have to do all the cooking, cleaning, washing, gardening,decorating and walking our 2 dogs and everything else in running a house. It’s a lot of work and at times it's very stressful and it does not always seem appreciated so I try to go out occasionally and do different things to get a break from it including going out for a couple of hours with my Carers support group for a meal in a local pub it helps to have people in similar situation to talk to and share experiences with. I do the best I can for my wife but I get very tired. It’s good to know that I have support when I need it as life can be tough. This wasn’t how we planned to spend our retirement years together. How do I know if I’m a Carer? · Do you have a family member, child or friend who is dependent on you to assist in daily living activities? · Are you, your child, partner or friend in receipt of any Caring benefits e.g. Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Carer Allowance? · Do you do more than would normally be expected in your relationship? Tasks like helping with bathing and personal hygiene, dressing, assistance with eating and drinking, help with mobility around the home or help with toileting? If the answers to any or all of these are “yes” then you are a Carer and should be recognised for the valuable service that you provide. Please speak to one of our receptionists for more information on the North West Kent Carers support service who can provide you with much needed support. We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!