Merritt Matters Newsletter December 2011/January 2012

The newsletter of the Merritt Medical Centre PPG

Book of the Month

Absolutely :a Memoir by
 JoannaLumley.(Weidenfield and Nicolson £20)
Actress, model, Bond Girl, Champion of the Ghurkhas.
It is the sheer diversity of Joanna Lumley’s life that has made her such a compelling personality. In this illustrated memoir the Bafta award winning actress opens her private album documenting her early years in Kashmir, Malaya and Kent and her rise as one of Britain’s undisputed national treasures

Healthy Eating Recipe of the Month

Lamb and apricot stew.   Serves 2. Preparation 10 mins.
Cook 35 mins.
2 tbsps olive oil. 250g / 9oz stewing lamb pieces.
1 onion thinly sliced. 1 garlic clove chopped.
1 tbsp chopped ginger. 2 tsp Middle Eastern spice mix.
1 tbsp tomato puree. 5 soft dried apricots halved.
300mls / ½ pint vegetable or chicken stock.
Cooked couscous, mint or coriander leaves and lemon wedges to serve.

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a medium sized pan. Season the meat and fry until browned.
Remove from the pan and add the remaining oil. Add the ginger, onion and garlic and fry with a little seasoning. Cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the spice mix, tomato puree, apricots and stock and return the lamb to the pan.
Simmer gently for 25 mins.
Serve with warm couscous, mint or coriander leaves and lemon wedges.

 

Healthy Eating

In season this month:

Vegetables
Onions, carrots, parsnips, leeks, sprouts, cauliflowers, cabbage, swede, turnips, celeriac, shallots, chicory, chard, artichokes, broccoli.
Fruit
Apples, pears, pineapples, melons,
pumpkins cranberries, quinces.

In the shops:
Spanish persimmons, clementines, satsumas, chestnuts.

Future Events

We are currently organising the next PPG information event which will be on hypertension. The details of this will appear in the Merritt Centre waiting area and on the notice board in the patient information room.
Please keep looking and put the date in your diary as soon as it is available.

Christmas and New Year Surgery Opening Times
Chessington Park Surgery.
Normal opening until Friday 23rd December. CLOSED on 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th December.
OPEN Wednesday 28th December to Friday 30th December inclusive.
CLOSED 31st December to Monday 2nd January inclusive. Normal opening from January 3rd.
Hook Surgery
Normal opening until Friday 23rd December. CLOSED on 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th December.
OPEN Wednesday 28th December to Friday 30th December inclusive.
CLOSED 31st December to Monday 2nd January inclusive. Normal opening from January 3rd.

 

Local Blood Donor Sessions

You can donate blood locally during December 2011 and January 2012 at the following venues:

Long Ditton St. Christopher’s Church. 12/12/2011. 2 days.
Ewell Bourne Hall. 13/12/2011. 2 days.
East Molesey Mole Hall. 23/12/2011. 1 day.  
Epsom St. Joseph’s Church. 3/1/2012. 1 day.

 

Chessington Park Surgery opening times

Monday 08.00-6.30pm
Tuesday 08.00-7.30pm(Commuter Clinic 7.00-7.30pm)
Wednesday08.00-7.30pm(Commuter Clinic 7.00-7.30pm)
Thursday  08.00-7.30pm(Commuter Clinic 7.00-7.30pm)
Friday  08.00-7.00pm
Alternate Saturdays 8.30 – 10.30am bookable appointments.
We close between 1-2 for lunch.
Times may vary from time to time.

Hook Surgery opening times

Monday 8.00 am – 7.00 pm (Man to Man Clinic 6.30 – 7.00pm)
              (Sexual Health Clinic 5.30 – 6.30pm)
Tuesday 8.00 am – 7.00 pm
Wednesday 8.00 am – 6.30 pm
Thursday 8.00 am – 8.00 pm (Commuter Clinic 6.30 – 8.00pm)
                 (Teenager Clinic 4.10 – 4.30pm) (sexual health clinic 4.00pm - 6.00pm)
Friday 8.00 am – 7.00 pm
Saturday 8.30-10.30am pre booked appointments only

 

The Merritt Medical Centre PPG would like to wish all patients and staff a very Happy Christmas and healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

 

Merritt Medical Centre Patient Participation Group.