First Community would like to thank colleagues, partners and all those working over the festive period to provide health care across our local community.
Minor Injury Unit – Caterham Dene Hospital
Our Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Caterham Dene Hospital will remain open every day* over the festive period from 8am to 8pm and is available for adults and children over the age of 5.
From today, people registered with an east Surrey GP practice experiencing problems with their hearing are now able to self-refer into First Community’s NHS audiology (hearing) service if they are eligible.
Previously, people would have to see their GP to get a referral to this service. However, this new option will make it easier and more convenient for patients, by expanding the ways in which they can access the service and avoiding the need to see their GP beforehand.
As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving is alive and well at First Community. This year, colleagues across the organisation came together to deliver a generous collection of Christmas donations to two local charities, spreading warmth and goodwill to those in need.
Alongside sustainability experts, Care Without Carbon, First Community is delighted to launch the ‘Care, Challenge, Share’ campaign, focussing on sustainability in the workplace. The campaign will ask colleagues to think about their role, their team and their department to help reduce carbon pollution and waste.
First Community’s Community Matrons work to improve the health and quality of life for people with long-term health conditions by coordinating care and services.
They are experienced registered nurses who have advanced skills in areas such as physical assessment, prescribing or have accredited courses in chronic disease management and visit patients in their own homes who are suffering with complex, long-term health conditions such as diabetes, COPD or heart failure.
(Pictured: Brandy the border collie with patient, Brian and his daughter, Trish)
Patients at Caterham Dene Hospital were thrilled to meet Brandy the therapy dog and her owner Lorraine when they visited patients on the ward at Caterham Dene Hospital for the first time on 17 October.
Lorraine and Brandy, who volunteer for the Pets as Therapy charity, visited patients on the ward providing affection and comfort to aid recovery and enhance emotional support.
First Community has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to developing future NHS leaders by welcoming Alfie Holmes on a one-year placement as part of the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.
Jayne White, Associate Director for Children, Young People and Families and Anita Lamb, Service Manager for Children Young People and Families along with members of the 0-19 team for Children and Family Health Surrey (CFHS) were delighted to take part in the East Surrey Place neurodiversity community of practice event earlier this week.
Here at First Community, Helen Greenwood (pictured) is our Specialist Practitioner for MND and rare Neurology conditions working across east Surrey. Helen has over 17 years’ experience working with people in the community helping them manage to live as well as they can with their condition and have access to the timely support they need.
First Community has become the latest healthcare organisation to launch an awareness campaign which aims to reduce the unnecessary use of non-sterile disposable gloves for patients without a known infection risk.
The ‘To glove or not to glove’ campaign focusses on good hand hygiene and infection prevention principles which will lead to a better and safer experience for both patients and staff.