I strive for excellence and am committed to offer the highest possible standard of care to every person I support and to support my fellow team members to deliver the same standards I expect.

Each month we will outline to you one of our unique 12 Culture points. This month is… ‘Commitment’.

I am committed to being the very best I can be and am motivated to fulfil my goals. I give my all at work. I am dedicated to the vision, mission culture and success of Primary Care, the team and the people we support and care for at all times.

The Primary Care office is open as usual from 7.00am  to 7.15pm every day up to and including Saturday 24th December. After this the following times apply.

(Please note : Primary Care operate an emergency only contact line outside of office opening hours 07900 922793)

December….

Saturday 24^th       07.00 to 19.15

Sunday 25^th           Emergency line

Monday 26^th       Emergency line

Tuesday 27^th – Saturday 31^st     07.00 to 19.15

January…..

Sunday 1^st            Emergency line

Monday 2^nd       Emergency line

Back to Normal…..

Tuesday 3^rd      Opening times back to 07.00 to 19.15 as normal.

With less than week to go until the festive day is actually here, We wanted to take the opportunity to wish all our team members, service users, and friends a very Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.

We’d like to thank our dedicated and passionate team for all their hard work throughout 2011. We are so proud to have such an amazing team working alongside us offering the highest quality services to all our clients.

To everyone who uses our care and support services. Many thanks again, for choosing to use Primary Care over the last twelve months. We look forward to continuing to develop, grow and provide you with an excellent top quality service in 2012.

Merry Christmas, and very happy, healthy New Year to you all.

Natalie and Michelle

According to the weather man, this winter could see the coldest months we have experienced in recent years.

At Primary Care we know that the cold winter weather can have a dramatic effect on elderly people’s health and wellbeing who are particularly at risk because they may not sense they are getting cold until their body temperature falls to low.

Every winter in the UK, 25,000-30,000 deaths are linked to the cold weather, and winter times sees an increase in conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression in the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. So to help raise awareness Primary Care has put together our top tips on how to keep fit and healthy during the coldest months of the year.

• Sound obvious but Keep warm at all times even when it appears mild outdoors
• Wear gloves and warm socks, allowing your hands and feet to get cold can cause problems with your circulation
• Use a hot-water bottle or electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm.
• Did you know you are more likely to be struck by the common cold if you have a cold nose! This is most likely to happen if you sleep in a cold bedroom so ensure the windows remain closed
• Several layers of thin clothes may be more effective than one thick one so wear adequate clothing whether inside or
  outside
• Keep active. Move around at least once an hour and don’t sit down for long periods of time. Even light exercise will help keep you warm.
• Have stocks of food and medicines so you limit the amount you need to go out during very cold weather.
• Get a flu jab
• When indoors keep the living room temperature between 18C & 21C  and other rooms at 16C–.
• Make sure you received your Winter Fuel Payments of up to £400 which is available if you were born on or before July 5^th  1950.

Finally, please remember to check on any elderly relatives or neighbours living alone in your community or give Primary Care a call on 01255 224680.

You may  be able to claim financial and practical help with heating your home.

Grants available include the Warm Front Scheme, WinterFuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.

Congratulations Nicky on being nominated Office Team Member of the Month!

Below are  just a few of the wonderful things that the team said about Nicky.

• Nickyis always supportive.
• Nicky is super-efficient.
• Nicky is helpfully and always happy to help out no matter how busy she is.
• Nicky has she has a good phone rapport with all staff and service user’s she talks to.
• Nicky is very accommodating, lovely to have around and very efficient.
• Nicky is very helpful with regards to work books and enquires re staff members.
• Nicky fully embraces her role and always takes responsibility for her role.

Here are just a few of the wonderful things that the team said about Nicky that made her Team Member this time around.

Congratulations again Nicky.

Sharing some more great news.

Primary Care are delighted to announce that Natalie Emmerson, one of our Directors has been awarded Business Woman of the Year 2011 by the Colchester Business Awards.

Primary Care reaches the final in not just one but TWO categories of the Colchester Business Awards.

Primary Care have been selected as finalists for the Colchester Business Awards for ‘Excellence customer services’ and ‘Businesswoman of the Year’.

Natalie Emmerson – Director of Primary Care says: “It’s been a very busy year for Primary Care, we have been selected as finalists for the Great British Care Awards for the second year running, won the Oyster Awards – Businesswoman of the year and now to be in the final for two categories for the Colchester Business Awards is such an achievement for us”.

The Primary Care UK Ltd Coordinator Team have been selected as finalists for The Great East of England Care Awards 2011 Care Team of the Year.

“This is the second year Primary Care has been selected. We are all delighted to have been chosen to be one of the final companies across the whole of the East of England” “It is great that the hard work of the team has been recognised in such a fantastic way”

Primary Care have offered to be a food drop off point for our local Clacton Salvation Army.

We will be collecting items such as tins of beans, spaghetti, soup, meatballs. Packets of soup, noodles and pot noodles.

The Salvation Army will then donate these to the most needy people in our communities.

This will run throughout the year so if you would like to donate any food items please drop them into our office.