The Pinn Piper Newsletter

We provide the following for all patients of the Pinn Medical Centre - Helping you to stay healthy

The “Pinn Medical Centre’s Lifestyle Medicine Evening” on Thursday 20th February 2025, held at Harrow Leisure Centre was a huge success and was attended by approximately 200 local people. More than 25 organisations hosted a range of health talks and performances. Clinical talks led by Dr Abhi Vepa, on ‘Healthy Eating & Nutrition’ and Dr Mathi Woodhouse on ‘Lifestyle Medicine & Type 2 Diabetes’ were incredibly well received, attracting large audiences and many questions. The team of Pinn Medical Centre Patient Association (PMCPA) trustees and volunteers were vital to the success of the evening, providing leadership, a PMCPA information stall, marshalling and a talk about the association by the Chair, Kevin Mahon. The event was expertly hosted live by Radio Harrow and we welcomed the attendance of Cllr. Janet Mote, Portfolio Holder for Community & Culture. Year 3 medical students attached to the Pinn Medical Centre, Denis Collen of Harrow Striders and Charlie Churchill of Diabetes UK provided excellent support prior and/or during the evening. A special word of thanks to Bipin Dattani for his excellent and kind support prior to and during the evening, assisting with the projection of slides for the presentations.

Soham Yoga provided a free chair yoga taster session for all attendees on the night, which received superb feedback. The Pinn Medical Centre Team were really impressed by the support and dedication of local organisations, many introducing themselves to local people and hosting stalls. Attending organisations included Harrow Carers, Harrow Council, ParkRun, Metros, Harrow RunSoc, Harrow Conservation Forum, Resourceful Women’s Network, Harrow Cycle Hub, Healthshare, CLCH, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, Middlesex Association for the Blind, Voluntary Action Harrow, Via, Watford FC Community, Everyone Active, EACH Counselling, Bereavement Care, Street Tag, VTSUK and Street Tag.

Following the event, the Pinn Medical Centre has had many requests to host similar events in the future. Medical students attached to the surgery conducted a survey of attendees, results were encouraging, with an excellent increase in self-reported understanding of lifestyle medicine following the event. The Pinn Medical Centre would like to thanks all those who attended for making this such an excellent community event.

“A Day in the Life”

Miksha Patel

Hi! I’m Miksha, the Lead Pharmacist at The Pinn Medical Centre.

I’ve been part of the team since 2018, and it’s been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and making a real difference in patient care. Currently, I’m pursuing my Advanced Clinical Practitioner Masters, which I hope to complete by September 2025.

At The Pinn, our pharmacy team is made up of three pharmacists (including me!) and three enthusiastic postgraduate pharmacist trainees. Together, we play a vital role in supporting patients, improving medication outcomes, and working closely with the wider GP team.

My day begins at 8:50 AM with a 10-minute team huddle. It’s a chance for us to align on the day’s workload, discuss any complex patient cases, and support one another to provide the best care possible.

A large part of my role involves seeing patients directly, especially those managing long-term conditions such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic kidney disease, plus medication reviews.

I also handle medication-related queries - whether they come through PATCHS, over the phone, or directly from patients. Ensuring patients are on the right medication and understand how to use it poroperly is essential to keeping them well and out of hospital.

Repeat prescribing is a huge area of responsibility. I review prescription requests and check for medicines that are due for review. After a patient has been discharged from hospital, I reconcile their medications and work with both patients and community pharmacists to ensure continuity of care.

On Wednesdays, I work with one of our GP Partners to manage acute illness cases such as: urinary tract infections (UTIs), coughs and colds, acute asthma or COPD exacerbations, upper respiratory tract infections, raised blood pressure and other ailments. This collaborative approach allows GPs to focus on more complex conditions, while I handle cases within my clinical competency—helping to manage the demands on their time and maintaining patient safety.

One of my key goals is to reduce medicine-related hospital admissions. By helping patients understand their treatment and resolving medication issues proactively, we can often prevent complications that might lead to readmission.

Training and development are key. As part of my day, I ensure I dedicate time to support our postgraduate pharmacist trainees. I help them develop their clinical skills, consultation skills and clinical knowledge. I guide them to apply the appropriate clinical guidelines and always keep patient safety at the forefront. It's incredibly rewarding to see their confidence and competence grow, and I am proud to play a part in shaping the next generation of clinical pharmacists.

Being a clinical pharmacist is about so much more than just dispensing or prescribing medicine— it's about working closely with patients, supporting their health journeys, and playing a vital role in the wider healthcare team to deliver safer, high-quality care.

Bipin Dattani - requiescat in pace A very special person

It is with a very heavy heart that the Board of Trustees announce the sudden passing of Bipin Dattani.

Awarded the title of "Harrow Hero 2025" just before he died, Bipin was well-known for his volunteer work over many years across the borough.

He was not a patient of the Pinn Medical Centre, nor was he ever a Trustee of our charity, but Bipin was as vital a member of those two groups of people as any other person could be.

Bipin's passion was in harnessing the power of technology to help people to keep together, to stay informed, to keep in contact with the community, and more importantly, to defeat loneliness by knowing family and friends were never far away.

He selflessly provided instruction and help for those who struggled to understand the world of digital technology and he organised weekly sessions at the Pinn, teaching others how to use their mobile phone or their computer to stay in touch, to live efficiently and enjoy life just a little bit more.

His sessions were always, always, so very enjoyable. Patients loved coming to them because he made learning such fun. An exceptionally generous and warm-hearted man, he was endlessly kind and made time for everyone, and was loved deeply for it. He will be very sorely missed by innumerable patients and friends.

Shaanti se vishraam karo sundar aatma

Kevin Mahon
Chair PMCPA

Do you, or do you know of anyone else amongst your family and friends or even in your neighbourhood, who are struggling to master the use of technology in all its various forms of telephone, computer or television? The PMCPA has organised a Technology Workshop - a Digital Inclusion group - to explain, train and encourage anyone to use their electronic equipment more effectively.

Classes can be provided at the Pinn Medical Centre every Tuesday at 12 noon, BUT you must register your interest to attend.

Please contact the PMCPA Chair, Kevin Mahon Email: kevin@pinnpatients.org OR Call: 07870 487878, providing your contact details for you or your family member, neighbour or friend to reserve a place.

You gave nothing to lose, and so much to gain!

Websites to watch

• Healthwatch Harrow Newsletter

Includes: Stress awareness, bowel cancer, end of life support & lots more.....

What do my blood test results mean?

• Patient Education on Blood, Urine, and Other Lab Tests

Unlike many websites on “Dr Google”, this is a UK peer-reviewed site, which also gives useful links for further reading

In future issues:

• “A Day In The Life” of....
• From the Dr’s Desk
• “Did you know? ...”
• Using the NHS app
• PATCHS training, helps and hints
• News of more new services for our patients

What would you like to see in the next edition of the Pinn Piper?

Please contact: pauline@pinnpatients.org

Published: Jul 21, 2025