Asthma Clinic
An asthma review is an appointment with a doctor or nurse to talk about your asthma and discuss ways in which you can control your symptoms better. Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. These are the small tubes, called bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs. If you have asthma, the bronchi will be inflamed and more sensitive than normal.
Please make it clear to reception staff that you are asthmatic when you phone. Our practice nurses have specialist asthma qualifications. They run clinics in order that asthma may be assessed, advice offered, queries answered and the correct treatment ensured. Patients on asthma medication should be seen at least once a year in the asthma clinic for a check up with the nurse.
The following factsheets, available from Patient UK give information and advice on a variety of asthma related topics:
- What is asthma; who does it affect?
- Management of Adult Asthma
- Management of Childhood Asthma
- Medicines inside inhalers; types of inhaler devices
- Peak Flow Meter
External Websites:
- NHS Choices – Asthma’s symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and living with the condition
- Asthma UK – an independent UK charity dedicated to conquering asthma.
COPD Clinic
COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and covers a number of conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
All patients with COPD are invited to an annual review appointment. Dr Ritchie and Nurse Gulistan Mehmet are specialist clinicians in respiratory medicine and run these clinics.
External Links:
You can find out more by following the links below:
- The British Lung Foundation
- British Thoracic Society – good detailed leaflet to download.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease happens when your heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries.
Over time this can build up and if your coronary arteries become narrow due to this build-up of fatty deposits, the blood supply to your heart will be restricted; this can cause angina (chest pains).
If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack.
By making some simple lifestyle changes, you can reduce your risk of getting CHD. If you already have heart disease, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing further heart-related problems.
External Websites:
- Coronary Heart Disease – NHS Choices
- British Heart Foundation
- Heart Research UK
- Find Heart Disease Support Services– NHS Choices
COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself if you’re at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Who can have a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine
When seasonal COVID-19 vaccines are available, they will be offered to people who are at increased risk from COVID-19.
How to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine
The NHS will contact you if your NHS record suggests you may be eligible for a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine. When they’re available, there will be different ways to get a seasonal COVID-19 vaccine: booking online, going to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site, through a local NHS service, such as a GP surgery
through your care home
More information:
COVID-19 vaccination
About COVID-19 vaccination, safety and side effects
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (sugar) present in the blood. This can be either because the body is not creating enough insulin or because cells within the body are not responding to the insulin that is produced. Diabetic clinics are run every Monday between 2pm and 5pm where you can be seen by a doctor, nurse and health care assistant. Patients are seen every six months and blood tests are done in house by the phlebotomist.
Diabetes is a long-term condition caused by too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus.
There are two main types of diabetes, which are explained below:
- type 1 diabetes
- type 2 diabetes
Normally, the amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach. When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves any glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy.
However, in people with diabetes, the body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there is either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or because the insulin that is there does not work properly. Our specialist diabetes team will provide you with support, regular reviews and the day-to-day care of your needs.
For more information please visit the websites below:
External Websites:
Flu Clinic
If you are over 65 or fall with in the ‘at risk’ category you will be invited to attend one of our Flu Vaccination clinics in October, if you are unable to attend then please call the Surgery on 01707 871980 to book an appointment with our Health Care Assistant Julie.
People who are included in the “at risk” group are people who have:
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Chronic Heart Disease
- Renal Disease
- Respiratory Problems
- You are a carer
- You are pregnant
We have been advised by the Health Protection Agency that all pregnant women should be immunised.
You CANNOT catch flu from the vaccine. For more information about Flu visit the NHS Choices Website.
Hypertension
Hypertension is abnormally elevated blood pressure. We have a blood pressure machine located in the downstairs waiting room for patients to use themselves. Please take the print out slip to staff at reception who will arrange for the on-call doctor to review. Alternatively, please make an appointment with our Health Care Assistant to have your blood pressure checked High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, or immediate problems, but it is a major risk factor for developing a serious cardiovascular disease (conditions that affect the functioning of the heart and the circulation of blood around the body), such as a stroke or heart disease.
External Sites:
Minor Illness Clinic
Minor illnesses cover problems such as respiratory infections, earache, urinary infections and cystitis, hay fever, diarrhoea and vomiting, conjunctivitis, infected wounds etc. Patients requesting emergency appointments will be seen by the Nurse Prescriber.
Minor Surgery
Surgical procedures can be carried out at the surgery for minor problems or injuries that are not considered life-threatening or hazardous. Prior approval has to be obtained from the PCT before we carry out a minor surgical procedure in the practice. Dr Shah provides this service.
Sexual Health Clinic
All clinicians provide family planning advice during normal surgery times. For more information on Contraception and Sexual Health Clinic opening times and contact details please click here.
If you need advice and support with a sexual health matter or you think you have a problem you would like to discuss, please call the surgery to make an appointment. Sexual health services are freely available for everyone.
Chlamydia Screening
Chlamydia is an infection caused by a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis. In women, this infection usually affects the cervix and uterus. In men, it usually affects the urethra in the penis. It is most common in women under 25.
Chlaymdia testing is available on request for all young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years inclusive. This is a simple urine test and patients will be contacted directly from the Screening Service about the results either by text or mobile telephone message. Patients over the age of 25 should make an appointment with a doctor or nurse for further discussion about testing and treatment if needed.
- NHS Chlamydia Screening– What is chlamydia? How do you get it? Why is it a big deal? What are the symptoms? What if I’m pregnant? What is the Chlamydia screen? and more about sexual health.
Contraception
All clinicians provide family planning advice during normal surgery times. There are many different methods of contraception. Your GP will discuss your choices with you to find the type that will work best for you.
Contraception is free for most people in the UK and allows you to choose when and if you want to have a baby. The only way to help protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to use a condom every time you have sex. Other methods of contraception prevent pregnancy but don’t protect against STIs.
External Websites:
Travel and Holiday vaccinations
We no longer offer travel advice (as this was a private service but we do offer a limited number of the vaccinations free on the NHS) for Travel Advise please visit the following websites for further information or alternatively visit a Private Travel Clinic:
NaTHNaC – Travel Health Pro) or GOV.UK – Foreign Travel Advice
Vaccinations Available on the NHS
Ensure you have done your research before booking an appointment with the Nurse for one (or more) of the free vaccinations as listed below. Please note: the receptionist will ask which vaccinations you are booking in for.
Polio (given as a combined Diphtheria/tetanus/Polio)
Typhoid
Hepatitis A
Cholera
Excess quantities of regular repeat prescriptions
Under NHS legislation, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for people when they leave the United Kingdom. However, to ensure good patient care the following guidance is offered. People travelling to Europe should be advised to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card.
Medication required for a pre-existing condition should be provided in sufficient quantity to cover the journey and to allow the patient to obtain medical attention abroad. If the patient is returning within the timescale of their usual prescription, then this should be issued (the maximum duration of a prescription is recommended by the Care Trust to be two months, although it is recognised that prescription quantities are sometimes greater than this). Patients are entitled to carry prescribed medicines, even if originally classed as controlled drugs, for example, morphine sulphate tablets.
For longer visits abroad, the patient should be advised to register with a local doctor for continuing medication (this may need to be paid for by the patient).
General practitioners are not responsible for prescriptions of items required for conditions which may arise while travelling, for example travel sickness or diarrhoea. Patients should be advised to purchase these items from community pharmacies prior to travel.
Useful Links
NHS Overview – Travel Vaccinations
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Lonely Planet’s website
International Society of Travel Medicine
Health Advice for the Diabetic
Fit for Travel
Medical Advice Services for Travellers Abroad
Travel Health Pro
Travel Health
FCO Travel Advice
MASTA