Information for Patients

Cervical Screening

Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.
It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer.
All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter.
During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix.
The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called "high risk" types of HPV.
If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests.
If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
You'll get your results by letter, usually in about 2 weeks. It will explain what happens next.

When you'll be invited for cervical screening in England


Age	When you're invited
Under 25	Up to 6 months before you turn 25
25 to 49	Every 3 years
50 to 64	Every 5 years
65 or older	Only if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal

You can book an appointment as soon as you get a letter.

If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.

myDiabetes

As you will be aware the NHS has been under extreme pressure during the Covid pandemic. As a result, many non-urgent appointments and services are not running as normal. The NHS is currently working with a company called myH mhealth to help Diabetic patients to manage their condition. myDiabetes is an online tool which can help people living with diabetes take control of their condition. The Kent and Medway CCG and Paula Carr Trust has purchased access to this App so that people living in the area can be registered free of charge.  

myDiabetes can help you to:   

Learn how to better manage your diabetes 
Manage your risk factors 
Complete a Diabetes exercise & diet program 
Reduce your risk of serious long-term complications

And much more!

It is easy to use and can be accessed on almost any device that connects to the internet, including smart-phones, laptops, tablets, and even smart TVs.    

For more information about the App please see the my mhealth website by click here.  If you have Diabetes then my mhealth will be in contact in the coming weeks to offer you the opportunity to access this service.

Healthy iO Home Testing Kit

Having high blood pressure is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. With regular checks of your kidney function, you can reduce the risk of developing these complications.

Last year we trialled a new service where patients can test their kidney function at home and submit results via their smartphone, and due to its success we are therefore excited to inform you that we will be extending the service to more patients.

Some patients should have a simple urine test as part of their annual condition review. This test looks at your urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR). The ACR test checks your kidney function by looking for particles of protein in your urine called albumin. If there is albumin in your urine, this means you are at increased risk of kidney disease and heart disease. If this is picked up at an early stage, you can be put on medication that will reduce your risk of any complications.

To help you perform this test, we are working with a company called Healthy.io, who provide a urine ACR kit and app that allows people to do the test at home. The test is really easy to do and only requires a smartphone and a kit that will be sent to your home.

Those eligible will be contacted by Healthy.io in the next few weeks to get your kit sent to you. To find out more about kidney disease or the test, see here: https://lp.healthy.io/minuteful_info/.

If you receive a text from us; It is not a scam and you do not need to pay for the service, and if you would rather opt out of the process you can say at any time. If you want to speak to their customer support team, you can call them on 020 7183 7939.

Mental Health Support

Christmas and the holiday season can put additional pressure on our mental health. If you are struggling and need help, there is free confidential support available 24/7 by text and phone from Release the Pressure.

Text KENT or MEDWAY to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160 for free expert advice from trained counsellors. It’s available for every mental health concern. Visit Release the Pressure to find out more.

Mental Health Matters (MHM) safe havens offering face-to-face mental health support will be open from 6pm to 11pm every day during the Christmas period.

MHM Safe Havens are available in Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway and Thanet, for people aged 16 plus.
No appointment or referral is needed. Anyone who lives in Kent or Medway can use the service, regardless of where you live.

Details of where safe havens are located and how to get in touch, can be found on Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Hub’s safe haven page.

Healthy iO Home ACR Kidney Testing Kit

Message for people with diabetes at the practice:

As you know, as part of your diabetes annual review, urine testing is really important to look for early signs of kidney damage. We do this through a test called the albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) test, which looks for small amounts of protein in the urine.

We know people struggle to do the test, and many would prefer to avoid the clinic and test at home wherever possible. That’s why we are offering a new, NHS funded service to allow people to do this test at home with a kit and a smartphone.

If you meet the criteria for the new service, you will receive a text message (or a letter!) about this testing process, which is run by Healthy.io. If you want to find out more, please click here: http://bit.ly/uACRtest.

This text is not a scam; you do not need to pay for the service, and if you would rather opt out of the process you can say at any time. If you want to speak to their customer support team, you can call them on 020 7183 7939.

Looking forward to hearing your feedback!

Porchlight

The practice is working with Porchlight to ensure we are able to offer you a health and wellbeing check.

These checks are like a MOT and recommended to be held annually.

Porchlight will be contacting patients by phone to talk your through the process and make sure that you are happy to proceed. All information you share with them will be updated on your medical records so that we can ensure we are all offering you the best care.

If you want to find out more about Porchlight please visit their website www.porchlight.org.uk or call 0800 567 7699.

Please contact the surgery if you have any concerns.

Dermatology helpline

If you have been referred to the DMC Healthcare dermatology service between April 2019 and June 2020 and have not been seen or have any concerns about the service, there is a helpline available:

0300 555 0708 Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm (messages can be left outside these hours)

The DMC Healthcare dermatology service has been suspended and a new interim service put in place to rapidly see all patients.

Find out more at:

www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/dmc

Are you living with or caring for someone with diabetes?

Would you like the chance to speak to someone else affected by diabetes?

Get in touch with a Diabetes Friend

Whether you are living with diabetes or a parent or carer of someone living with diabetes we will match you with one of our trained volunteers

You can connect via phone or email and have the chance to chat and share experiences. To find out more or to get connected contact:

• Emma.cobon-drummie@diabetes.org.uk

• 07880 202546