Clinics

The Nursing Team

The nursing team is comprised of nurses who have undergone specialist training in many fields related to your needs. They are all regularly involved with:

• Asthma and diabetes monitoring
• Family planning
• Baby immunisation
• Cervical smears
• Travel immunisation
• Removal of sutures
• Routine injections
• Smoking cessation advice
• General treatment of minor injuries
• Wound care
• ECG tests
• Flu vaccination (Oct/Nov)
• Blood pressure checks
• Weight monitoring
• Alcohol consumption advice
• Ear syringing
• Health screening
• Holiday advice
• HRT
• Spirometry and COPD monitoring

The Nursing Team Comprises

Victoria Fuller RGN

Julie Newman RGN

Natalie Madigan HCA

Each nurse has her own area of training and expertise. It is therefore helpful if you could inform the reception team of the kind of treatment you may require, in order that your appointment is made with the most appropriate person. Please note that our nurses may be running clinics in all rooms of the surgery and you are therefore advised to listen carefully to ensure you attend the correct room.

Our healthcare assistant is available to take your blood pressure and give advice on lifestyle, diet, medication, smoking cessation etc.

Services Provided

Minor Operations

We provide a minor operation service for ingrowing toenails, skin tag removal, steroid injections etc by arrangement with your doctor. This is subject to the CCG Service Restriction Policy.

Health Promotion Advice and Blood Pressure Monitoring

Our practice nurses and healthcare assistant give advice on smoking, alcohol and diet control. They are available for routine BP monitoring and a wide range of health advice.

Travel Advice And Immunisations

The Practice has a special interest in travel health and is able to give general and individual advice on staying healthy whether abroad for business or pleasure. Advice is available on the special requirements of the backpacker or adventure traveller.

A full range of immunisations are available and the practice is a registered Yellow Fever centre. Only a few vaccines are available on the NHS but we aim to make our charges competitive.

This service is available not only to our registered patients but to travellers from outside the Practice.

Our Nursing Team operate the Travel Clinic; you should complete a Pre-Travel Questionnaire (which is available to download (PDF, 340KB) or can be collected from reception). Once the completed questionnaire has been reviewed by the nurse, we will contact you to book your appointment.

Flu Vaccine and Pneumonia Vaccine

Influenza is still a major cause of illness and can lead to more serious diseases in those people who, for whatever reason, are more susceptible. It is therefore particularly targeted towards “at risk” groups such as the elderly, those with chest disease such as asthma or emphysema, diabetics and those with low immune systems or on steroids. People outside these groups may still be eligible for vaccination.

The vaccine is made new each year depending on the ‘flu strain which is around that season, hence re-vaccination is required yearly, usually in October or November. It provides protection against flu but unfortunately does not prevent the common cold or other viruses.

Pneumonia vaccine is only required once and gives protection against pneumococcus. Again, it is recommended for the "elderly and at risk" groups and is vital for those who have had the spleen removed. We organise and publicise a flu campaign each autumn; please monitor any prescriptions for messages / announcements / text messages

Asthma Clinic

This is held in regular nursing hours by appointment and there is also a COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) clinic with a specialist respiratory nurse.

Diabetic Clinic

This is held in regular nursing hours by appointment only; if you have had your review blood test then you should book a 30 minute appointment, however if you have not had a blood test then please book a 20 minute appointment where you will receive a foot check and be given a blood test form.

Private Services

The NHS covers “core services” but examples of those falling outside NHS which therefore incur charges include:

• Medical reports
• Insurance reports and forms
• HGV driving medicals
• Sports medicals
• Private prescriptions
• Prescriptions for Foreign Travel Purposes only
• Letters at the request of patients to third parties
• Sick notes in the first seven days
• Yellow fever vaccination
• Copies of letters and results 50p per page up to a maximum of £10

A list of the more common charges is available on request.

Child Health Services

Baby Clinics And Child Health Surveillance Clinics

Baby immunisations are carried out during normal nursing hours.

Post Natal Checks and your child's 6 week check need to be carried out BEFORE your child can receive any vaccinations.

How To Protect Your Child

There are very few medical reasons for not having your child immunised. If you are concerned please discuss this with our practice nurse or doctor.

Before three months old your child may be offered a BCG injection by the clinic doctor to protect your child against TB. This is available on request for siblings.

Advice And Care Following Immunisations

After any of the following injections, children may be irritable or have a temperature. You should keep the child cool and they should be given the appropriate dose of baby paracetamol to bring down the temperature and have some of their clothes removed. Follow this with a second dose four to six hours later. If your baby is two to three months old, the dose is 60mg of paracetamol. You can get a special oral syringe from the pharmacist for measuring the right amount. Contact the practice if you are worried. Sometimes the skin becomes red and swollen around the place where the injection was given, or a small lump appears and may take a few weeks to disappear. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal and your child’s next injection need not usually be delayed.

Following MMR, children may experience a rubella-type illness, ie rash and/or temperature 7-21 days following the injection. This is self-limiting and non-infectious and should be treated as above. If you are worried that this is not resolving, please contact us for advice.

There is a Meningitis A, C, W & Y vaccine available for patients who were in the School Year 13 (aged 17 and 18) on the 31st August 2015. We will be offering active recalls for these patients, if you have not been called and think you may be eligible then please contact the surgery. This is a free immunisation available from our Nurses.

NHS England and SEPT - Provider Services

We have a close working relationship with the modern matron and district nurses. Our community midwife runs a clinic every Wednesday between 9.00am to 11.30am in the Surgery.