Page 29 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • March 2003 29
Taw Hill patients first in UK to be given own medical records on disc
With a rapidly growing patient list as new houses are occupied in North Swindon, GPs at Taw Hill surgery are taking a 21st Century approach
by transferring medical records onto CD Rom and sharing them with the patients.
Notes from surgeries where pa- The aim is to reassure both doc- no room for misunderstandings, tioned' under the Mental Health
tients were previously registered tor and patient that information is such as the lady who was surprised Act, when in fact the handwritten
can take weeks to arrive in a vani- totally accurate, hopefully leaving to hear that she had been 'sec- notes referred to a 'caesarean' sec-
ety of formats, computer print outs, ^;"" tion birth.
handwritten or on NHS cards. ^ I^illi^ Dr Crouch pointed out that
To ensure doctors have an accu- OPEN was a response to the Data
rate picture of their patient's his- Protection Act which gives patients
tory, the practice has committed the legal right to see their medical
resources to the information being notes for a standard fee of £10. For
entered onto the surgery's secure a trial period the notes on CD will
medical computer system and ac- be made available free of charge.
tively encourage patients to check The CD Rom provides a snap-
the details through an OPEN (Own ` shot in time of a patient's medical
Patient Electronic Notes) policy. " record, correct on the day of re-
Taw Hill partner Dr Peter quest. Apart from written infor-
Crouch said, with a more mobile mation, the disc can carry clinical
population, the risk increases of a photos, x-rays, and scanned let-
new GP misinterpreting the previ- } .,, ters. It is write-once only and can-
ous doctor's cryptic notes and `1t` _ ' not be updated or tampered with.
sometimes, illegible handwriting. www.tawhilisurgery.nhs.uk

Bowls club's tenth anniversary year starts with concert

The Phoenix Brass Band and the Kennett Accordion Orchestra make a welcome return to the Haydon Centre on Saturday 8 March in a concert
promoted by Haydon Wick Bowls Club.
The programme starts at 7.30pm whether experienced bowlers or "Councillors want parishioners pensive commitment. Members
and tickets priced at £4.50, conces- complete novices. Advice, initial to get full benefit from the green are justly proud that, through their
sions £4, can be bought from the coaching and the loan of woods and we support the club in its con- own efforts, a clubhouse has been
centre or from Barrie on 722972 or are readily available for those con- tinuing efforts to recruit new mem- built, which is the envy of other
Dave, 728517. They will also be sidering taking up the sport. bers from the area." bowlers in the town.
available on the door. The parish council is also en- The green and adjacent land is Secretary Barrie Smith welcomes
Once the concert is behind them, couraging parishioners to take ad- leased to the club, which is respon- enquiries from prospective new
the club begins preparation for the vantage of the facility. Chairman sible for its maintenance, an ex- members on 722972.
new season, its tenth. Detailed Richard Hailstone said, "the par-
plans will be discussed by mem- ish council provided the green for
bers at a meeting in the clubhouse the benefit of local taxpayers some i chiieve Success Fitness Consultancy
behind the Haydon Centre on 12 10 years ago. It has proved a suc- 4
March, 7.30pm. cessful venture, with 100 or so lo- f, U e ' Sports Massage Therapy
The club, as always, is keen to cal residents at any one time tak-
welcome new members from ing advantage of the facilities now PILATES CLASSES
within the Haydon Wick parish provided by the club.
Holy Trinity Church, Shaw Village Centre
Monday: 6pm - 7pm; Wednesday: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
In the swim for cancer relief
Taw Hill Worship Centre Tuesday: 8pm - 9pm
The annual national Swimathon takes place between 17 and 23 March
and Swindon swimmers are being asked to take to the water in aid of Primebodies Fitness Centre Tuesday: 10am - I lam
Macmillan cancer relief on 22 March.
ALSO AVAILABLE: SPORTS & REMEDIAL MASSAGE
Individuals and teams can enter ing in £1,000. Sponsors Butlins will and PERSONAL FITNESSTRAINING
the event starting at 6pm at the also be offering gift vouchers and
Link Centre to cover distances be- larger value prizes.
tween 60 (1,500 metres) and 200 Drop into the Link Centre for an
lengths (5,000 metres). entry form or go online at
There's also a 10,000 metre en- www.swimathon.org
durance challenge which has to be The postal closing date is 11
completed within three hours. March and online 14 March. For Sports Massage
There are gifts in return for clarification, contact Jo Mont-
fundraising, from a water bottle gomery at the Link Centre on
for raising £30 to a watch for bring- 445566. at Taw Hill

Biking into ancient times Medical Practice
Age Concern Swindon is looking for cyclists willing to take a trip to Rob Marshall IHBC, LIST, MHFS
Egypt in October to raise money.
The 400 kilometre eight day ride takes you on a route past the Aswan For appointments call: 01793 - 709500
High Dam, into the Valley of the Kings and to the temples of Luxor.
Flights, accommodation, meals and bikes are provided for a mini- SESSIONS ON MONDAYS 4pm to 6pm
mum sponsorship entry fee of £500. Half of the sponsorship raised will
go to the local branch of Age Concern. Please contact the practice or visit
"This is an excellent way of getting fit, seeing some of the most www.tawhillsurgery.nhs.uk for details.
amazing sites in the world and raising money for a local good cause,"
TAW HILL MEDICAL PRACTICE. QUEEN ELIZABETH DRIVE. SWINDON SN25 1 WL
said fundraising manager Jacqui Sheppard. For details and an applica-
TEL: 01 793 709500 • FAX: 01793 723875
tion pack, call 0807 412 4999 or mail: [email protected] E-MAIL: [email protected]