Clinics and Services

Our Practice runs a variety of nurse-led clinics to help our patients manage long term, chronic conditions as well as specialist services for acute conditions and for travel health advice.

The aim of holding these clinics is to support our patients with long term, chronic conditions to manage their illness and get the most from their treatment and medication. Please be aware that these annual checks do not replace consultations with a doctor to manage changes or complications but rather are in addition.

Our nurse-led clinics are an important resource for patients and we encourage everybody to contact us and make an annual appointment - a useful aide-memoir could be to book your annual check in the same month as their birthday.

Appointments for disease management clinics are generally available on request by the patient and can often be booked in advance with our nurse team. Our reception team will need to know the condition(s) you need a nurse clinic for so we can ensure the right time is made available - and, if blood tests are needed, ensure you get a morning appointment.

These Clinics are run by the Practice Nurses and Phlebotomist with support from the Doctors and include:

Diabetes
Stroke
Heart
Asthma
Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease(Chest problems)
Blood Pressure
Cervical Screening
PSA iQudos monitoring
Vaccinations
Child Immunisations
General lifestyle advice
Taking blood samples - including INR testing
Travel advice – see relevant webpage.

Cryotherapy (wart) clinics are no longer run as there is insufficient doctor capacity to justify this non-critical service. Patients can purchase over-the-counter remedies for cosmetic wart and verruca treatments and are advised to talk to their local pharmacist.

Patients with clinical keratosis or similar can ask the doctor for appropriate treatment which can include application of cryotherapy or dermatological referral

Clinic Details :

Although we try to maintain a register of patients who need annual checks and then prompt them to make an appointment, we also cannot take away from patients their responsibility for their own healthcare.

We encourage all our patients to use a diary/calendar/phone reminder etc to remind them to make an annual check appointment.

We have found it useful for many patients to arrange their checks around their birthdays

In each clinical area you can also find links to support organisations and see how our clinical staff provide testing, treatment and health education services for those long-term conditions.

We also run immunisation clinics, health checks for new patients, travel health clinics and seasonal campaigns to combat influenza and help minimise other health risks.

Asthma

Through correct diagnosis of asthma the aim is to abolish the symptoms and, with careful treatment, the objective is to maintain the best possible long-term airway function and reduce the risk of severe attacks. In children and adults alike we encourage patients to use self-management plans.

Patients with asthma will be able to recognise their symptoms, know the distinction between preventers and relievers and will understand when to call for help with symptoms that are getting worse. Importantly, we will demonstrate the correct use of any chosen inhaler device.

Patients on our asthma register will be part of our call and recall system and you will be looked after by our team of practice nurses and doctors. By carefully managing your condition, the aim is to reduce risks, improve quality of life and minimise any absences form school or work.

Diabetes

All diabetic patients should attend an annual full clinic - with the exception of some patients using insulin, who will be monitored by their hospital consultant. It is also good practice to have six-monthly blood tests to ensure prescribed treatments are at optimal doses.

www.diabetes.org.uk

Heart disease

Patients with any form of ischaemic heart disease such as high blood pressure, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease or who have undergone coronary surgery need at least an annual blood pressure and blood tests for regular monitoring.

We monitor health through practice nurse clinics and by GP oversight. Our aim is to provide patients with the best possible advice and treatment in order to maximise quality of life and help prevent future problems.

As part of our work, we monitor cholesterol levels, conduct urine and blood tests, review medication and provide lifestyle advice.

www.bhf.org.uk

'Flu and pneumonia

The government now very strongly advises us that all people over 65 and anyone else with chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney and liver problems, should be vaccinated against ‘flu every year in the autumn.

There is a common misconception that people may be given ‘flu by having the ‘flu vaccine. Please be re-assured that this is simply not possible and that adverse reactions of any sort are rare.

We would strongly advise anybody who falls into one of the above groups to contact the practice each year in October to arrange appropriate vaccination.

Pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for all age 65years+.

One vaccination for most people is sufficient. Exceptional circumstances for specific chronic disease suffers (eg.splenectomy patients) might need a boost pneumococcal every 5 years. Your nurse will advise at the time of injection.

Immunisations for babies and children

Child immunisations are carried out by appointment with the practice nurse.

The Health Authority will send these appointments to you automatically. It is vital for the health of your child and the community, that all children are properly immunised. The universal programme does get updated with regimes and addition, but covers, amongst others :

Diphtheria
Tetanus
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Polio
HIB
Meningitis
MMR
Pneumococcal

Tetanus

All adults should have 5 tetanus boosters in a lifetime or every 10 years if they are in a high-risk occupation. e.g. gardening, agriculture. Boosters are free.