As you can see, The ElliottEar is still here! Arthur and Beryl Peacop had built it into something so good that we just couldn’t let it die, and now instead of only two of them doing everything, we have a team of about a dozen, each bringing differing skills and able to give varying amounts of time, but all wanting to carry The ElliottEar forward.

This first edition under our joint efforts will probably be the most difficult, as we come to terms with new things, and it may not be as amusing and elegant as the Peacop issues, but we shall learn as we go. If you have any comments or suggestions for us, please tell me (gently!) and we’ll take note of what you say.

There are no jokes or other funny snippets this time as we only received two, but if you can send us more for future issues, please do.

Also, if there are any topics you would like considered for inclusion in the Ear please tell me, either in writing or by phone. If you are visiting the Medical Centre and want to leave something for the Ear, do ensure that it is very clearly marked “For Lesley Walmsley, The ElliottEar”, so that the receptionist can tell me that it’s there.

I am very grateful to everyone who has helped with this issue, in particular to Sharon Casteldine our designer, to Mela Ragusa who helped find a printer and also edited some articles, to Cyril and Anne Flood for constant help, and of course to the Doctors and Nurses for their articles and encouragement.

The gratitude of all of us goes to Arthur and Beryl who have given us this great gift. We wish them much enjoyment of whatever they want to do with the time now at their disposal.

Have a happy and healthy summer.

Lesley Walmsley Co-ordinating Editor

Hands up those of you who thought that No. 19 would be the last edition of the ElliottEar? As you can see, the publication lives on. Within a few days of delivery of No. 19, a number of people rang me to offer their services, and I am therefore delighted to welcome the new team. Lesley Walmsley, has kindly agreed to act as co-ordinator, and Suzanne Smith (nee Hearnden) has taken on the job of advertising manager. The various production and distribution jobs are undertaken by a group consisting of Sharon Casteldine, Helen Macintosh, Hilary Morgan and Mela Ragusa, but we have had offers of help also from Gilly Newman, David Prowse, Chris Rogers, Mr. Shah, Helen Spillane and David Stodell, and we plan to involve more of them as things progress.

Many thanks to Geoffrey Davies for his sterling work as advertising manager for the last couple of years.

I am sure you will be pleased to know that Beryl and Arthur Peacop are thrilled that a new team has come forward. It would have been terrible for them to witness the demise of a publication to which they have devoted so many hours, and I must repeat my heartfelt thanks to them all for all they have done to make The ElliottEar such an excellent publication to hand on to their successors. I am very happy that Arthur has kindly agreed to remain on the Committee of the Association.

Now another appeal for help: the Transport Service has been in difficulties in recent months and has actually has to turn down some requests for help. PLEASE, if you can help even in a small way, contact David and Pat James.

Finally, may I remind you of our AGM, when after the business section (normally about 15 minutes) our guest speaker will be Mr. Robert Moore, Director of Primary Care at the Harrow Primary Care Trust (Full details appear on page 3).

Cyril Flood Chairman

Notice is hereby given under Rule 6 of the Rules

Of the

Elliott Hall Patients’ Association that the

Annual General Meeting

Of the said Association will be held at

HATCH END FREE CHURCH HALL

Rowlands Avenure, Hatch End

On Tuesday, 13 May 2003 at 8.00 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence 2. Chairman’s Annual Report

3. Hon, Treasurer’s Report, presentation 4. Election of Officers

of Statement of Accounts and Adoption 5. Election of Independent

of same Examiner of Accounts

6. Any other business

Hon. Secretary Mrs. Janice Berry, 11 Carew Way, Grims Syke Manor, Carpenders Park, WE1 5BG

The three present Officers are eligible for re-election and all have agreed to stand again. Any other nominations for the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon. Treasurer and Hon. Secretary, must be proposed and seconded by members of the Patients’ Assocciation and send in writing to the Hon. Secretary by 30 April 2003. After the formal AGM, Mr. Robert Moore, Director of Primary Care at the Harrow Primary Care Trust, will speak on the work of the PCT.

From the Hon. Treasurer

Having been gently coerced into becoming Treasurer, I must share with you the fun that goes with the job. The banking arrangements caused some merriment, as I had asked the Committee for permission to move the account to a bank nearer to home. This entailed the completion of many forms, necessary to ensure that the signatories are not attempted money laundering. Most of us would not know how to launder money except by passing a wallet through the washing machine, which in my case my wife did on one occasion.

In my innocence, I thought it would be a good idea to put funds not immediately required into a deposit account. When seeking to transfer from deposit to current account, to enable me to pay the printers, the bank staff transferred the other way, with the result that the cheque bounced, incurring charges and interest. After an interval the charges were cancelled and the bank made a donation to our funds by way of apology.

Things have now settled down and the job entails banking cheques from donations, advertisements in The ElliottEar and the money charged for transport. There are also cheques to be paid for normal expenses, affiliation, floats for events and equipment for the surgery. Cyril Flood is a tower of strength, and has made my initiation run smoothly. Committee meetings with a strong team give an insight into the mysteries of how a busy Practice operates.

URGENT APPEAL

FOR DRIVERS

for Transport Service

A service which many of our elderly patients depend upon is in danger of disintegrating. We are desperately short of drivers, who are the lifeline of this service.

The transport service was started 10 years ago when the EHMCPA was founded, and we have been able to help many patients with journeys to the surgery and to local hospitals. Recently we have had to turn down requests due to the lack of drivers, and unless more are found this trend will continue and get worse.

Our system operates by volunteer drivers naming days when they are available, although this is not cast in stone and any driver can refuse any journey they are unable to make. In the Practice, unless there are special circumstances, we only ask each driver for one journey a week – though of course anyone wishing to do more could be accommodated! Seventy-five percent of our journeys are to the surgery, and drivers wishing to do only these journeys would be welcome.

If you feel that you could help please pick contact Pat & David James .We will willingly explain the system in detail and then provide you with the necessary application forms. Please do not be put off by form-filling which is necessary for your own protection and that of the patient.

WE AWAIT YOUR CALL

We take this opportunity to thank our present drivers, many of whom have been with us from the start. Without their dedication our service would not continue. There are not sufficient words to express how much they are greatly appreciated by us, the patients and indeed by the Doctors and Nurses at the Medical Centre.

David & Pat James

Transport Co-ordinators

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Babble and Chat

Come and have some fun with us,

Do some craft

And sing “Wheels on the bus”.

We meet in Tuesday,

Come rain or shine,

And we always have a jolly good time

New friends to make,

And games to play,

We are sure that you will want to stay,

So come along,

We look forward to seeing you,

And don’t forget to bring Mummy/Daddy too!

Carole Lesser

Babble and Chat meets every Tuesday afternoon, 12:45 to 2:45, in The Clubhouse, situated in Saddler’s Mead Park, off Clonard Way, Hatch End. Further information and a map are available on the Patients’ Association notice board in the waiting room at the surgery.

Lisa Harvey and Carole Lesser

As a member of the Social and Fundraising Committee, I am planning to set up afternoon teas to be held every 4 to 6 weeks on a Sunday afternoon.

There are many patients in our practice, young and old, with little opportunity to socialize, get out and about and meet others in a friendly environment.

SO HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Can you help with your time, energy and enthusiasm? I need about 15-20 volunteers on a rota basis to ensure success so that we can plan ahead. Help covers everything from transport to help on the day for approximately 2-3 hours, on a Sunday afternoon. It would be very rewarding, knowing that you are helping those less fortunate in our community. Please lend a hand.

Contact Tova Salomon

CARERS’ SUPPORT GROUPS

Are you a Carer? Would you benefit from meeting other Carers and “airing and sharing” problems? Talking with other Carers does not make the responsibility and strains go away, but it helps to know that there are other people with stresses similar to your own.

Why not join us at our daytime meetings, held informally in members’ homes on the third Thursday morning of each month

from 10:30 a.m. till 12 noon, the dates and venues of which are given below. Come for as long as you can manage, and a sitter for the loved one you care for can be arranged.

If you would prefer to attend an evening meeting, we hold them on the second Tuesday of each month, again in members’ homes, from 8 p.m.

Further information about either of these Groups, and to receive a home visit of you prefer, can be obtained from Beryl Peacop, or Anne Flood.

Date	Venue
10 April (second Thursday)	67 Oxhey Lane, Hatch End
15 May	15 Dove Park, Hatch End
19 June	67 Oxhey Lane, Hatch End
17 July	70 Rowlands Avenue, Hatch End
21 August	62 The Avenue, Hatch End
18 September	Outing for members
16 October	52 Dove Park, Hatch End
20 November	6 Boniface Gardens, Harrow Weald
18 December	70 Rowlands Avenue, Hatch End

Volunteer Services

Transport Service

Aim: To provide transport for patients to the Medical Centre and local hospitals

Co-ordinators: David and Pat James .

Operation: The system is operated by volunteers at the Medical Centre on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Patients are asked to ring the Medical Centre on 020 8428 4019 at this time to book their journeys. Drivers do not take bookings. In the event of emergency appointments, patients should contact: David & Pat James .

Shopping Service

Aim: To provide shopping Facilities for

the housebound.

Co-ordinator: Carole Levy

Volunteers needed urgently

Home Visiting Service

Aim: To provide visitors for housebound and isolated

Patients, for young families in difficulties, and to

Give respite to carers.

Co-ordinator: Anne Flood

Social and Fund Raising

Aim: To provide social and fund-raising events and

opportunities for patients to meet in a “relaxed

atmosphere”.

Babble and Chat

Aim: To provide opportunities for parents and

Grandparents to meet, and babies and youngsters to play.

Co-ordinator: Lisa Harvey

Parents of Children with Special Needs

total confidentiality and anonymity, in a

relaxed atmosphere.

Aim: To provide opportunities for discussion in total confidentiality

and anonymity, in a relaxed atmosphere.

Co-ordinators: Monique Lauder & Lisa Hawes

Carers’ Support Group

Aim: To provide help and information for carers

Through regular monthly meetings in

members’ homes and by individual visits.

Co-ordinators: Beryl Peacop & Anne Flood

Bereavement Visiting Service

Aim: To visit the bereaved in their own home and

give them the opportunity to talk in

confidence, and offer support.

Co-ordinator: Anne Doulton

S T O P P R E S S

The Harrow PCT have decided to change the structure of child development checks in line with reorganisation of the health visiting scheme.

All babies will be offered a check with the Doctor and Health Visitor at 6-8 weeks. Routine checks with the Doctor will then cease but there will be a Health Visitor contact at 8 months and at 2 years. The Health Visitor will have more time to spend with needy families.

Any parents with concerns can continue to make contact with the Health Visitor at any time by calling 020 8421 5947.

Our current Health Visitor Claire Leed (nee Maxwell) will be going on maternity leave soon, we wish Claire and Paul much happiness for their expected arrival. Details of the Health Visitor(s) to cover Claire’s absence will be posted on the EHMC website as soon as they are finalised

Thank you.

Dr Reena Majus

CHANGES TO REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

From 1 February the practice has started to change the quantity of medicines allowed on repeat prescription to 28 days’ supply. This applies to all patients eligible for free prescription, the majority being our older patients, aged 60 and over.

FAMOUS NAMES IN MEDICINE

William Marsden

William Marsden was born in Sheffield in 1796. After school he was apprenticed to an apothecary. He wanted to become a surgeon, so he went to London in 1816 and became apprenticed to a surgeon-apothecary (the equivalent of a General Practitioner today) in Holborn. At the same time he attended a School of Anatomy, and later went to lectures at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. He lived in the surgeon’s house, near St Andrew’s Church, Holborn. One cold winter night near Christmas 1827 he was passing that church when he saw a young woman lying on the steps. He found her to be dying of disease and exposure, and took her in a carriage to his hospital. St Bartholomew’s. The warden would not have a letter of recommendation from a subscriber. In those days either a subscriber’s letter or payment was required before a patient was admitted to hospital. Marsden met with a similar refusal at St Thomas’ and Guy’s Hospitals. He arranged lodgings for her at his own expense but she died soon afterwards.

Marsden was very distressed at this incident and decided to do something to change the situation. In February 1828, with the financial help of 27 businessmen, he took over a house in Grenville Street Covent Garden, and established “The London General Institution for the Gratuitous Care of Malignant Diseases”, where patients were admitted without payment or a contributor’s letter. It soon became known as “The Free Hospital”.

At first it treated only out-patients, but in 1832 in-patients were admitted (in two rooms on the top floor). For many years Marsden had difficulty making ends meet. In 1833 the hospital was renamed The London Free Hospital and, when giving her patronage in 1837, Queen Victoria asked that it be known as The Royal Free Hospital. It moved to Gray’s Inn Road in 1843, and to its present site at Pond Street, Hampstead, in 1974. The teaching of medical students began at The Royal Free in 1853, and in 1877 it was the first hospital in England to admit women medical students.

Marsden had always been concerned at the conditions of the sick poor in Victorian London. In 1851 he instituted measures to establish another hospital, The Cancer Hospital (Free) in Cannon Row, Westminster. Patients were again admitted without charge or a recommending letter. This was the first hospital in the world devoted exclusively to the treatment of cancer. It moved to a small house in West Brompton in 1852 and to its present site in Fulham Road in 1857.

At first the Queen declined to contribute to a hospital “for the exclusive treatment of one disorder”, but her subsequent

From the Editorial Team

Babble and Chat

CARERS’ SUPPORT GROUPS

The Expert Patient Programme

THE EHMC WEBSITE