Fovant General Practice Newsletter 23, July/August 2010
Holidays and workload have conspired against me getting out my usual monthly newsletter - however normality seems to be returning to Fovant. So what's what.
Hot weather
This paragraph will doubtless put the jinx on the lovely summer we've been experiencing in Wiltshire. We have now had almost three months of delightful summer weather. I am reminded of the last two occasions when it was hot in the UK and the surprising effect it had on people's health - especially those of us not in the first flush of youth. There was a significant increase in the number of people feeling non-specifically unwell, being admitted to hospital and unfortunately more deaths than there should have been. Much research was done into the cause of these unexpected findings and it came down pure and simply to the heat - or more accurately the prolonged heat, particularly at night. The recommendation to counteract the warm conditions was simple - drink more. It's easy advice but how many of us consciously do drink more in the summer? A pint a day extra is about right - preferably water or something fizzy like lemonade. And of course keep out of the midday sun! What's that they say about mad dogs and Englishmen?
Farewell and welcome
For over quarter of a century Ann Whitley has worked in various capacities within the doctor's surgery at Fovant - an integral part of the fabric for John Cannon, Gordon Morse and me. She signed off in her own inimitable quiet way at the end of July. Behind Ann's efficient manner is a heart of gold. Times without measure I have witnessed spontaneous acts of kindness that she has performed for patients - usually behind the scenes - to ensure they received the special service that Fovant Surgery is rightly proud to deliver. We all wish Ann and Mark much pleasure and happiness in the future.
But with a departure is an arrival - so welcome to Sue Watling. She lives locally and we're absolutely delighted she has agreed to take over as front of house. There are bound to be a few teething problems following the change over - so bear with us!
Calcium and heart attacks
There has been some information recently in the national press following publication of a large research project which has suggested that people taking calcium are at a much higher risk of suffering a heart attack. Many of us take calcium supplements to help protect our bones - so obviously this news is concerning. I have just read the original article and of course as with all these things it is not as cut and dried as the press would have us believe. The authors of the research finish by quite rightly saying that more work needs to be done to clarify the situation as many other factors may contribute to these findings. I would therefore suggest that there is no need to stop your calcium supplements at the moment - if things change then I will let you know. However remember to keep bones healthy and strong - exercise regularly, get out into the sunlight, stop smoking, consider a vitamin D supplement and eat sensibly.