Flu cases nationwide have spiked in the last few weeks with thousands falling ill and several deaths, including one in the locality. Flu vaccination is available to all, although particularly strongly recommended for those over 65, people with longterm medical problems, pregnant women, carers and health workers.
From time to time I will have medical students on attachment to learn about rural General Practice for a week or two at a time. The students will be form the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and National University of Ireland Galway. It is an important part of their training and one that hopefully will spark an interest in being a rural GP in the future in at least some of them. The student is bound by the same ethos of confidentiality as I am. There may be times when they will be in the room as an observer during a consultation but I will always ask the patient's permission before this happens. If you as a patient do not feel comfortable with this, please let me know and the student will be excused from the consultation.
Through successive cuts and an abject failure by the HSE and Department of Health to invest the necessary resources, today rural general practice is in crisis like never before. Many communities have lost their GP and I don't want this to happen to the people of Drumkeran. To address some of these issues, I did an interview with Prime Time which will be shown on RTE this Thursday, 21st January, at 2130, followed by a studio debate. I hope you will be able to tune in.
Post script Thursday 21st january: Prime Time piece cancelled due to announcement on rural practice by Minister Varadker, may possibly run next week instead or may not.
I am pleased to say that I am now available for consultation online through the Meedoc App and Website. I am one of the first doctors in the country to offer this service and it has exciting possibilities for healthcare. Many common conditions can be safely assessed and treated via an online assessment. Using text message, photos and / or video calls as needed, patients can be treated from the comfort of their own home and at a time that suits them. This is particularly useful for those who may have to take time off work in order to attend the practice in person.
I can be contacted directly through the Meedoc app and, subject to availability, will do my best to respond promptly. Other GPs are also accessible through this service if required.
Further details can be obtained on the website.
https://ie.meedoc.com/
Here is a short video explaining the service.
Introduction of phlebotomy charges
It is with great reluctance that I have made the decision to introduce a fee for routine phlebotomy (blood testing) for GMS patients. In the opinion of the Irish Medical Organisation, routine blood testing is not covered in the GMS contract.
As you will appreciate, routine blood testing is time consuming and expensive, not just in terms of the time and manpower it takes to take the blood but also transporting the sample to the lab, interpreting the results and deciding on what further management is required.
I have tried putting off this measure for many months to see how things would develop but unfortunately, given successive cuts from the HSE, I have no alternative but to introduce this charge.
Phlebotomy services do continue to be available in Sligo General Hospital for no charge should patients wish to avail of that service.
I appreciate this new fee will put some under pressure and for that I am sorry.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Zachary Johnson
Cryotherapy involves the brief application of liquid nitrogen to conveniently and effectively treat a large range of common skin conditions such as warts, verruccas, solar keratoses, skin tags and molluscum contagiosum.
It is generally a very safe and effective form of treatment for these and some other skin conditions. A small amount of redness and sometimes blistering on the site can be expected. Some lesions will require more than one treatment.
Enquire with Dr. Johnson if you feel you have a lesion that would benefit from this treatment.
If you have health insurance it will usually cover the full cost of your treatment.
Warts
Verruccas
Actinic Karatoses (sun damaged skin)
Skin Tags
Molluscum Contagiosum (viral skin condition mostly affecting children.
I am delighted to inform patients that I am now in a position to offer this important service for free to GMS patients for the first time.
High blood pressure, in the long term, causes an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and many other conditions. At the same time, some people have low blood pressure which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, lightheadedness and headache, and can often go unrecognised.
The blood pressure varies from minute to minute depending on what one is doing. Because of this, taking a single blood pressure reading in the clinic can often give misleading results. This can result in patients with real blood pressure problems going unrecognised and under-treated. Equally, some people can be falsely diagnosed with hypertension and end up on potentially harmful medications that they do not require.
To address these shortcomings, it is being increasingly recognised that the most reliable way to assess blood pressure accurately is the use of a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. This is a small device which is relatively unobtrusive in use.
It is the best way to make an initial diagnosis or high (or low) blood pressure. It is also the best way to assess those who are already on treatment, and ideally should be performed on an annual basis.
We can now provide this useful service to our patients in Drumkeeran. Please speak with us to enquire about availability. There is a charge of 50 euro for private patients for the use of the device, the interpretation of the results and the implementation of any medication changes.
Flu vaccine now available. It is recommended on an annual basis for patients over 65 and those with certain medical conditions (see list below). Please feel free to book in with Teresa our nurse to avail of this service.
Vaccination is strongly recommended for:
From the 1st July 2015 children under 6 years, ordinarily resident in Ireland, who do not have a Medical or GP Visit Card will be eligible for free GP care.
A registration form for the GP Visit Card - Under 6s scheme is available to download by clicking here
Alternatively, by calling 1890 252 919 you can request a registration form to be sent to you. Registration forms will also be available from Community Health Offices.
To view the Frequently Asked Questions for the GP Visit Card for Under 6s click here.
From the 5th August 2015 everyone aged 70 years or over, ordinarily resident in Ireland, who does not have a Medical or GP Visit Card will be eligible for free GP care.
A registration form for the GP Visit Card - Over 70s scheme will be available to download, from Friday, 31st July 2015, by clicking here
Alternatively, by calling 1890 252 919 you can request a registration form to be sent to you or a nominated contact. Registration forms will also be available from Community Health Offices.
