Antenatal Care
Whilst pregnancy can be a fantastic time, it can also bring some anxiety. You will experience a great deal of changes with your body. The midwifery and Practice Team are here to help you through your experience.
During the course of your pregnancy, you will be seen by a variety of people – doctors, obstetricians and midwives – who will all have an input into the care of you and your baby. Please make an appointment to come and see us as soon as you become pregnant so that we can get you in touch with these people and make pregnancy a satisfying experience for you. Appointments for antenatal check-ups are also available with the doctors during surgery hours
The following website is a useful resource for antenatal care.
Asthma
As part of their management all patients are encouraged to attend a regular asthma review. This is to ensure optimum control. Ideally, if you have long-term asthma then you should be reviewed annually. You also should be eligibe for an annual flu vaccination
Support and advice is also offered for smoking cessation.
Asthma review is only intended for long-term asthma management. For urgent asthma care, please make an appointment with any doctor in the usual way.
The following website is a useful resource for asthma.
Baby Clinic
The Practice Nurse normally carries out all immunisations. Make sure you bring your baby’s red book
The Health Visitors are available to weigh babies and offer excellent practical advice; THe Health Visitor runs a walk in clinic on the ground floor of the building every Wednesday afternoon
The Doctors carry out routine developmental checks at eight weeks.
Blood pressure
Having high blood pressure is one of several ‘risk factors’ that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and other serious conditions. As a rule, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk. Treatment includes a change in lifestyle risk factors where these can be improved – losing weight if you are overweight, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, cutting back if you drink a lot of alcohol, stopping smoking, and a low salt intake.
If needed, medication can lower blood pressure. As a guide, your blood pressure should be checked at least every year if normal and more regularly as directed by the nurse or doctor if not.
The following website is a useful resource for blood pressure tests.
Breast screening
In the UK, women aged 50 to 70 are invited to attend for breast screening every three years as part of a national breast screening programme. This programme aims to find breast cancer very early so that women have the best chance of the cancer being cured. If you are aged over 70 you can continue to have regular screening by making your own appointments at the breast screening clinic.
You may also be referred to a breast clinic for tests at any age if you find a change or lump in your breast tissue that worries you, even if you are already having screening as part of the breast screening programme. Contact the practice asap if you think that you need an earlier review.
The following website is a useful resource for breast screening.
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment & NHS Helath checks (40-74yrs)
If you haven’t had a NHS health check then please book in with the Nurse (reception will be able to advise)
We can offer advice on the main causes of heart disease: smoking, high blood pressure, a family history of heart attacks or stroke, high cholesterol and obesity. Please make an appointment with the nurse
The following website is a useful resource for cardiovascular health.
Cervical Smears
It is strongly recommended that all women between the ages of 25 – 49 have a smear every three years and those between 50 and 64 have one every five years, to detect minor abnormalities and so prevent the development of cervical cancer. A national recall system exists to ensure regular testing.
Appointments can be made with the nurse in any normal surgery or family planning clinic. If you require further information, please discuss with the nurse or your doctor.
Our practice nurse does routine smears. We recommend you ring for a convenient appointment; ideally when you are around the middle part of your cycle.
The following website is a useful resource for cervical screening.
Child Immunisations
We recommend the full programme of vaccinations for 0-5 year olds, which may be given on Wednesday afternoons, or during any other nurse clinic. If you have concerns about any vaccination, feel free to consult the health visitors, doctors or nurses.
Please consult the Immunisation Schedule.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an ‘umbrella’ term for people with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. With COPD the airflow to the lungs is restricted (obstructed). COPD is usually caused by smoking. Symptoms include cough and breathlessness. The most important treatment is to stop smoking. Inhalers are commonly used to ease symptoms. Other treatments such as steroids, antibiotics, oxygen, and mucolytic (mucus thinning) medicines are sometimes prescribed in more severe cases, or during a flare-up (exacerbation) of symptoms. Patients diagnosed with this condition need annual check-ups with the practice nurse or doctor. If you think you need to see the doctor sooner then we welcome you booking an appointment through reception
Please refer to the following website for information and advice on long term respiratory problems.
Contraception
We are able to provide a wide range of contraception within the surgery. Our nurses and doctors can advise you during routine appointments on all aspects of contraception, pills (including emergency contraception). This confidential service is available to patients of any age who require advice.
Please refer to the following website for more information on Contraceptive Choices.
Counselling (a time to talk)
Counselling gives you the chance to be heard and the opportunity to look at your problems in a different way with someone who’ll respect and value your thoughts and feelings. Many of us in our lives face difficulties or painful experiences which we need to talk through with someone else. Sometimes the people closest to you may not understand, or you may feel that you don’t want to burden them with your worries. Counselling can offer you a safe and confidential space in which to explore your thoughts and feelings. It can enable you to find and use your own resources to cope with the difficulties you face and to make changes in your life.
We offer in-house counselling to anyone who has been referred or feel they may benefit from talking to our professionally qualified counsellor. Please ask at reception for further details.
Diabetes
All diabetic patients should have a comprehensive annual check-up, which includes testing blood, urine, and also a physical examination. Screening for possible eye problems linked with diabetes, is undertaken and all our diabetic patients are also referred for retinal photography and possibly dieticians’ advice.
The Practice Nurse runs this clinic during normal surgery hours.
For more urgent diabetic advice, please see any of the doctors.
The following website is a useful resource for Diabetes.
Retinal Screening (Diabetes)
As part of the national screening programme an annual invitation for eye screening will be sent to you. Even if your eyes are examined by your local optometrist or GP you will still be sent an invitation to have your eyes screened.
In its early stages diabetic retinopathy does not have any obvious symptoms so you may not realise you are developing this condition.
Please refer to the following website for more information on Diabetes/eyes.
Dressings & Stitches
The Practice Nurse will be able to apply or change appropriate dressings. Stitches clips or staples, which are usually applied after a surgical procedure or accident. They may need to be removed from between 3-21 days dependant on the type of wound or operation. Dissolvable sutures can take several weeks to disappear. Don’t be tempted to remove any of them yourself even if they appear to be poking out on their own.
Drug monitoring & General Phlebotomy
Our Practice Nurse will take all bloods that are requested by the doctor.
You may need specialist drug monitoring particularly if you are on fro example epilepsy or rhuematological medications. This is to check the levels of certain medicines to ensure you are taking the correct dose.
Emergency Contraception
A reliable hormonal method is available for emergency contraception. It is effective if it is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. However it is important to remember that the earlier it is taken the less chance there is of pregnancy (if possible in first 24 hours after sex). An alternative method is a copper IUD or coil. This can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sex.
Advice or prescriptions for emergency contraception is available during surgery hours. You do not have to be registered with the practice to receive this. Confidentiality is assured at all times. Follow-up is also advised to discuss further contraception.
Please refer to the following website for more information on emergency contraception.
Other Clinics
The Practice Nurse may also give you advice on the following:
- Stopping smoking – Smoking is the greatest cause of early or premature death in the UK. If you smoke, it is not just that you are likely to die earlier. Smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis (COPD) can cause distressing symptoms, often for several years before death. In addition, asthma, other lung diseases are often made worse by smoking. Male smokers have an increased chance of becoming impotent in middle age (due to the damaging effect of smoking on the blood vessels). Also, on average, children who live with smokers have more illnesses than children who live in a smoke-free home. Also consult this website for more information on how to quit smoking
- Weight loss – For dietary advice especially if you have co-existing medical problems then have an informative chat with out Practice Nurse. Please also refer to the following website for weight advice.
- Healthy eating. Also see healthy eating
- Teenage Health – Confidential advice is available to all teenagers, on any matter including general health, eating disorders, acne, emotional problems, sexual health and contraception. Please speak to a nurse or doctor. Please also refer to the following website for more information on teenage health.
- Occupational Vaccinations – Occupational vaccinations, normally chicken pox and hepatitis B, fall outside the NHS and therefore a fee is payable by the patient or their employer.
- Well Man Assessment – We encourage all our male patients to attend for an annual blood pressure check, particularly if you have a family history of blood pressure or heart disease, or if you are over 40 years old. A check for high cholesterol, prostate problems, liver and kidney disorders may be included if appropriate. Please consult the following websites for more information on:
- Well Woman Assessment – Appointments for well-woman screening can be booked at your convenience. All aspects of general health are covered, as well as the specific areas of cardiovascular risk assessment, continence, family planning, breast examination, the menopause, and inherited diseases. Blood and urine tests may be required, and a doctor’s follow-up appointment may be advised.
