New TV channel for Notts GP surgeries
PATIENTS at GP surgeries used to only have creased copies of old magazines to fill in the time they were waiting to see their doctor.
But now 10 practices across Notts have come up with a new way to keep patients occupied and provide them with health information at the same time.
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The surgeries have signed up to a deal with the Life Channel to show the station in their waiting rooms.
They are also able to create their own individual television channels – and NHS Notts County has already produced its first programme.
A further 27 surgeries across Notts are also set to sign up over the coming weeks and a 90-minute loop of local and national advice, aimed at people of all ages, will be shown in waiting rooms.
Practices already showing the channels include Church Walk Surgery, in Eastwood, and Kimberley Medical Centre.
Over the coming weeks, channels will also be unveiled at practices in Mansfield, Newark, Ruddington, Stapleford and West Bridgford.
Sarah Petter, practice manager at Church Walk Surgery, which has two television screens showing the practice's channel, said: "They are excellent. The staff have commented on how well-watched they are.
"There are topical things at the moment, such as swine flu. Then we have customised things such as the importance of not missing appointments."
The Life Channel is already used by other GP surgeries nationally but it was unveiled at the first 10 Notts surgeries on May 1.
Dr Chris Kenny, director of public health at NHS Notts County, said: "Our key aim is improving the health and wellbeing of people in Nottinghamshire and this is a fantastic way of inspiring local communities.
"We want everyone to live more healthily and the Life Channel will help to get the message across."
NHS Notts County's first video on the Life Channel explains its plan to improve health in the county.
Other planned videos include tackling obesity and how to prevent falls for the elderly.
To see one of the videos, go to: thisisnottingham.co.uk.
samantha.hughes@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
8 Comments
by A.. Pensioner, outside Somerfield !!
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 12:48PM
“I bet they call it " Botox TV " in Selston”
by Kate, Notts
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 12:42PM
“Why would you not want this in your GP Surgery I think it's a great idea!!
My GP Surgery has this and if you actually watched it you may find it is not a commercial programme at all.
I took my daughter recently for an appointment and at 10 years of age she found the TV programmes interesting and we were discussing several issues mentioned on the screen. One of which was the change for life. Anything that raises awareness of health especially in children is surely a positve in my opinion, especially as is it is hard enough to engage children in health matters.
Given I have four young children and an elderly mother I am a regular visitor to the GP Surgery for routine injections
etc.
I would say that as a family the TV in our DR's is a reminder of how important adopting a healthy lifestyle is.
I think the idea behind it is to advise of what you can do to avoid being a regular visitor to GP surgery through unhealthy eating, smoking, drinking too much and I even saw a programme on Salsa dancing locally.
I hope other GP's do take this up as my sister has only Jeremy Kyle to watch in her surgery.
And Nicky given the state of the UK's health at the moment. If the TV in the DR's improves the health of only 10% of the people who go in there as you suggest is that such a bad thing? Maybe given those stats all GP surgeries should have the TV's.
Well done to the forward thinking of my Dr's at Sandy Lane Surgery who have had this in for sometime now.”
by Mad Max, The Thunderdome
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 11:54AM
“I think that this is a great idea.
There's nothing worse than sitting in a waiting room listening to kids fighting and pensioners on their last legs.
I can't wait to watch such classics as ER, Holby City and Dr Who.”
by Nick, City Centre
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 9:42AM
“This idea is as old as the hills an has attracted a lot of commercial hucksters over the years.
A 90 minute loop? What is the average waiting time in a GP surgery? How can it be effective as a communications tool if your average viewer sees, say, only 10% of your output.?”
by Havin a Larf, Nottm
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 9:05AM
“I went to the Docs because I keep thinking that I am a Zip Fastener.
He told me to pull myself together !!!!!!!!!!
He said how's your diet, I said " I eat snooker balls, red, yellow, blue and brown, he said " You aren't eating enough greens"
My doctor keeps giving me advice, Don't drink, don't smoke, exercise, eat fruit & Veg
I think he wants me to die of nothing.”
by Dave, Notts
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 8:28AM
“If I find mine has an idiot lantern, I'd pull the plug out. Can't the stupid peasants go for 20 minutes without being mesmerised by it?”
by Havin a Larf, Notts
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 7:43AM
“Agreed Hyson, it's where I meet up with my pals for a chat
I didn't go last week I wasn't feeling very well !!!!!!!!!!!!”
by hysongreen, hysongreen
Wednesday, May 06 2009, 7:31AM
“There is no escape from the Dreaded TV, I for one hope that my GP does not subscribe to this service.”