Clinics

The Primary Care Services We Provide

Treatment Room (Nursing) Clinic

Appointments available Monday to Friday 8.00am - 1.00pm and 1.30 - 6.00pm.

Nurse-run Minor Illness Clinic

Monday to Friday.

Some of the problems that can be dealt by the nurse in the minor illness clinic include:

cough/cold/flu symptoms, earache, sore eyes/conjunctivitis, contraception and emergency contraception (morning after pill), problems with skin - minor burns/acne/abrasions/impetigo/ chickenpox, urinary tract infection, sprains, strains, back pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Minor Injury

Simple suturing/removal of foreign body service is available in the treatment room.

Blood Test (Phlebotomy) Clinic

Appointments are available each weekday - Monday to Friday 8.30 - 11.30am.

Heart Disease And Stroke Prevention

The practice team is committed to the prevention of premature death from heart disease and the practice nursing team runs several clinics for this purpose:-

Hypertension
Post Heart Attack
Cholesterol Lowering
Smoking Cessation
Weight Reduction
Patients will be referred to the clinics by their GP.

Asthma Management

Rosemary Whitehead, Maria Cook and Anne Smith specialise in asthma management and hold regular clinics. They aim to see all patients diagnosed with asthma to monitor drug compliance/effectiveness as well as inhaler technique and this will help you understand more about asthma so that you can manage the disease together.

Diabetes Management

Anne Smith and Maria Cook specialise in the management of diabetes.

Flu Injections

From early October every year, the treatment room nurses hold special clinics for patients wishing to be immunised - especially those who are elderly or at particular risk, ie suffering from chronic illness or chest problems.

Minor Surgery

Dr G Paige and Dr Brewster perform minor operations. Patients need to be referred by their GP.

Family Planning/Well Woman Services

Family planning/well woman services are available at the practice by appointment with your doctor, or Sally Reeve and Louise Mander, our family planning nurses. Clinics are available Monday pm, Tuesday am/pm and Thursday am/pm.

Contraceptive Advice

The practice offers a comprehensive and highly confidential contraceptive service and particularly aims to assist younger patients both male and female.

Emergency Contraception

The "morning after" pill is also available - please ask the receptionist for an urgent appointment if this is required. The pharmacist is also authorised to prescribe the 'morning after' pill.

Cervical Cytology (Smear Tests)

To reduce the risk of cancer of the neck of the womb, smear tests should be performed at regular intervals between the ages of 20 - 65.

Maternity Services

Antenatal clinics are held every week at which alternate consultations are with your doctor and the community midwife. Postnatal checks are strongly encouraged and these are carried out by the doctors.

Child Health Surveillance

First baby checks are made by your GP at six weeks during the postnatal check-up. A routine appointment will be sent for your child to attend for developmental screening when he/she is eight months old. The health visiting team provide child health surveillance services for the under fives.

Pre-school immunisations are highly recommended by all the doctors and are discussed fully with parents or guardians. These are usually done by one of the practice nurses in the treatment room on Thursdays 2.00 - 4.00pm, or a home visit can be arranged if there are difficulties attending the surgery.

The Health Visitors hold the following group sessions and clinics within the surgery:

Well baby clinics: Every Thursday 1.00 - 3.00pm
First-time parents group: see your health visitor for details
Carers

If you are looking after someone who cannot manage at home without your help, you are a carer and it is important that you let us know. We understand the practical problems, the need for a break and time for yourself. We realise the stresses placed on relationships, feelings of isolation and worries about what the future holds for the person you care for. A telephone help line 0118 947 9910 operates from 9.00 - 10.00am Tuesday - Friday. Our community health nurse, Mary Dyer, is available for support and advice.

Counselling Service

Patients are referred to the counselling service by their GP.

Physiotherapy

Deirdre Cuthbert and Sarah Parr provide a full physiotherapy service at the practice and also in the patient's home, using various modern equipment and techniques. They are happy to provide certain items of equipment on loan and will advise on exercise and rehabilitation after illness or surgery, as well as mobility problems especially for the elderly.

Patients will be referred to the physiotherapists by their GP.

Podiatry

The visiting podiatrist works in the practice every Friday morning, initially examining, assessing and advising on foot care for all ages. Services are only available to certain categories of patients. Referral is by GP or other health professional.

Dietary Advice

A visiting dietitian holds twice monthly clinics in the surgery on Monday afternoons. Patients will be referred to this service by their GP or a member of the nursing team.

Speech Therapy

A visiting speech therapist holds a weekly Thursday clinic at the surgery. Patients are referred to this service by their GP or a member of the nursing team.

Ultrasonography

Dr Andrew Brewster has a special interest in ultrasonography. Scans are performed at the surgery through in-house GP referral.

Dermatology

Clinics are held at the surgery weekly. Patients are referred to the clinic by their GP.

Private Medical Services - Non-NHS Services

We are happy to provide some services which fall outside the NHS and for these a charge will be made. These include private sick notes, insurance claim forms, passport applications, BUPA/PPP forms, solicitors' reports, overseas immunisations not provided on the NHS and various special examinations for sport or employment. The charges made are not more than those recommended by the British Medical Association and are on display in the waiting room. Please check the charge with reception when making the request.

General Advice - A Self-help Guide

If you require medical advice at any time, the NHS Direct Service is available on 0845 4647 and can also be accessed at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk