CLINICS
Family
Planning
The health centre offers a full range of contraceptive
services during normal surgery hours. Ask at reception. We have a family planning
nurse who can be contacted by telephone, if necessary, for advice. The practice
offers contraceptive coil fitting and annual coil checks (a national enhanced
service).
Maternity
Care
The midwife’s clinic is held on Mondays
from 2.00 - 4.15pm. Your doctor will see you in ordinary surgery for
antenatal checks. If you are planning to start a family we recommend
that you mention this to your doctor who can advise you about nutrition
and medication, ideally before you conceive. It is currently recommended
that you should take folic acid supplements, available from the chemist,
before you conceive, to reduce the risk of spina bifida. It is advisable
to be re-checked for immunity to German measles before getting pregnant.
Antenatal classes can be booked by contacting 01494 425172
Monday to Friday, 10.00am - 12 noon.
Well
Child Health Clinics
Clinics are held every Tuesday from 2.00 - 4.00pm. The health visitors are available for advice and support. Child immunisation sessions are held every Tuesday from 2.00 - 3.30pm.
Asthma
Clinic
Our asthma clinic is run by a doctor with an interest
in asthma and a nurse trained in asthma and allergies. Asthma treatment is constantly
advancing. We aim to keep you up to date, improve your understanding and minimise
the effect your asthma has on you. We strongly recommend all patients with asthma
should attend at least annually.
Diabetic
Clinic
Long-term complications of diabetes are
minimised or avoided by good diabetic care and control. We have a
doctor with a special interest in diabetics and our nurses have undergone special
training. We like all our diabetic patients to register with this
clinic in the interests of their long-term health and to attend for
regular review appointments.
Healthy
Heart Clinic
Patients with a history of heart
problems are sent invitations to attend this new clinic. The clinic
is run by a doctor and a nurse with an interest in heart
disease.
Patients will be advised how they can maintain a healthy lifestyle
and an invitation will be sent annualy.
Hypertension
Clinic
Patients with
high blood pressure should attend the hypertension clinic for an annual
review, to be offered advice and treatment to promote long-term health.
The clinic is run by a doctor and nurse with an interest in hypertension.
Minor
Surgery - Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, ie freezing
with liquid nitrogen, is carried out by a practice nurse. Speak to
your doctor.
Practice
Nurse Clinic
Our practice nurses offer a wide range of nursing services by appointment
through reception (Tel: 0844 477 8733). These include dressings, removal
of sutures, treatment of leg ulcers, injections, ear syringing, cardiographs
etc.
Health
Promotion
In addition, our nurses are experienced in offering
advice and supervision in the following:
| •
Well Woman |
Including
cervical smear, family planning and menopause advice |
| •
Well Man |
Assess
your health risks and take action to keep healthy |
| •
Stop Smoking |
We strongly advise
all smokers to STOP SMOKING. Seek advice from the smoking
cessation clinic. Tel: 0844 477 8733 for an appointment |
| •
Diet Advice |
Constructive
dietary advice for all ages. Slimming advice |
| •
Travel Advice |
See below |
| •
Blood Pressure |
Routine
checks and follow-up of patients with high blood pressure |
Cervical
Smears
Women between the ages of 20 and 50 are strongly recommended to have a routine smear test every three years; after this it is every five years if previous smears have been negative. This is normally done by the practice nurses and regular checks offer you over 90% protection against developing cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb).
Appointments: Telephone 0844 477 8733
Immunisations
We are committed to preventative medicine. Several dangerous
infections can be avoided by keeping immunity up to date. This is achieved by
vaccinations, which take a few seconds but give protection for many years. We
strongly advise all patients to make sure that they and their children all have
their immunisations up to date, according to the following schedule and that they
keep their own records.
Children:
The children’s immunisation clinic is run jointly
by health visitors, doctors and the nurses by appointment. Please let us know in advance
if you cannot attend an immunisation appointment on 08444 778733.
The established
immunisations as detailed below will be given at the times shown.
Two months old
Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib and pneumococcal infection
Three months old
Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib and meningitis C
Four months old
Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, meningitis C and pneumococcal infection
Around 12 months
Hib and Men C
Around 13 months
Measles, mumps and rubella, pneumococcal infection
Three years four months to five years old
Pre-school Booster - diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. Measles, mumps and rubella
13 to 18 years
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio
Adults
Diphtheria and Tetanus Booster
Required every
10 years, to a maximum of five doses. If you have never had a full
course of tetanus immunisation please make an appointment now with
the practice nurse.
Polio Booster
A polio booster is required every 10 years for travel and will be
given with combined diphtheria and tetanus.
Pneumovax
Immunisation
Anyone who suffers from chronic heart, lung,
kidney, liver problems, diabetes, has had their spleen removed or is over 65 years
of age should be vaccinated. This is a single vaccination against one form of
pneumonia and lasts for at least 10 years.
Flu
Vaccinations
These are held every October / November. We recommend
flu vaccination for:
• Anyone over 65 years old and all patients with:
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Heart disease
- A history of stroke
-
Diabetes
- Liver or kidney disease
- Most
chronic debilitating illnesses, as well as for those living in residential
homes or taking drugs to supress the immune system or have had their
spleen removed.
• Main carers of elderly or disabled people whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.
Make appointments
in mid September.
Foreign
Travel and Special Risk Groups
The practice nurses offer
foreign travel advice (see below) and immunisations. Please make an appointment with the practice
nurse approximately eight to ten weeks before departure. Please give details of
your travel destination to the receptionist when making your appointment. The
practice nurses will give you information leaflets relevant to your destination
when you attend the clinic.
Payment will be required for some travel
vaccinations.
Advice For Travellers
Nobody wants to think about getting sick on holiday, but by packing a few essential items and taking some precautions, you can reduce the possibility of illness and minimise the inconvenience if minor problems do arise.
Before You Go
Please make an appointment with the practice nurse at least eight weeks before departure giving details of your travel arrangements. The practice nurse will give advice about recommended immunisations, how soon they need to be given and if any further appointments are needed. Payment will be required for some travel vaccinations.
If you are taking regular medication, discuss with your doctor or practice nurse any special arrangements or precautions. If you have a condition such as asthma, which may occasionally require medication, be sure to take an emergency supply with you, and carry it in your hand luggage. Always make sure you have enough of any prescription medicines.
Pack a small first aid and holiday health kit containing:
• Travel sickness tablets
• Paracetamol, including paracetamol and/or ibuprofen syrups for children
• Sunscreen - SPF 15 or higher (SPF 16 or higher for small children)
• Sunburn treatment, eg calamine
• Plasters and antiseptic wipes
• Oral rehydration solution; anti-diarrhoea
• Indigestion remedy, eg antacid
• Insect repellent
• Water purification tablets
• Condoms/other contraceptives
• Antihistamine tablets
• In some developing countries or where medical supplies may not be reliable, it may be wise to include sterile needles and syringes, dressings and suture materials
All these items should be available from your chemist.
When Abroad
Check on the quality of drinking water. Where there is a risk of food or water-borne disease, it is wise to eat food that is freshly cooked, or fruit that can be peeled. Avoid drinking the local water supply or raw food washed in it. Remember, this includes ice in drinks and cleaning your teeth. Bottled water is usually available in tourist areas; choose carbonated where possible as this cannot easily be filled from a tap! Water purification tablets can be used if you are ‘roughing it’.
Diarrhoea and vomiting can ruin a holiday. Apart from eating and drinking wisely, be prepared - take antidiarrhoeals with you. However, these are not suitable for children or if the diarrhoea contains any blood. Antidiarrhoeals will alleviate the symptoms and electrolyte solutions will replace essential salts. If you are afflicted, try to replace fluid loss with bottled water and remember, as children dehydrate more quickly than adults, it may be wise to call for help.
It is advisable to use effective insect repellents wherever there are mosquitoes. Apart from the irritating bites they can inflict, mosquitoes may also carry diseases - including malaria and yellow fever - in countries where contact with these diseases is a risk.
Beware of the sun! Use a high factor sun screen particularly in the first few days of exposure. Small children burn very easily and need adequate protection from a total sun block applied frequently. Keep children in the shade as much as possible and provide plenty of water.
In hot climates drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. If you are not passing water regularly, you are not drinking enough.
On Your Return
If you are ill and need to see your doctor, don’t forget to mention that you have recently travelled abroad.
If you receive medical treatment abroad, tell your own doctor on your return.
If you donate blood, tell the transfusion service staff which countries you have visited.
