Clinics & Services

Nursing Appointments

Please book a nurse appointment if you need any of the following services:

• Adult immunisations (including Influenza)
• Blood tests if you are unable to attend the hospital
      (if you are having a cholesterol or glucose test you need to be fasting - water only from midnight)
• Child immunisations
• Chronic disease management (diabetic checks)
• Ear syringing and ear care
• Family planning (pill checks, LARC advice, emergency contraception)
• Giving injections (e.g. B12)
• Health promotion (diet, smoking cessation, exercise, weight management)
• Screening (blood pressure checks, blood glucose monitoring)
• Sexual health services
• Spirometry (lung tests)
• Travel advice and immunisations (please book at least 4 weeks before you travel)
• Women’s health (cervical screening, menopause, breast awareness)
• Wound care (dressings, stitches, etc.) and tissue viability including leg ulcer care

Antenatal Care

We provide a shared antenatal care service with The Royal Free and University College Hospitals. Pregnancy can be confirmed by a simple urine test purchased at the chemist. If you discover you are pregnant, you can self refer to the local antenatal clinics. Please check on the hospital websites or ask reception for self referral forms.

Baby Clinic

After you have had your baby, the health visitor will contact you. Please book a six week check for mother and baby with reception. A walk-in clinic is run by the health visitor every Friday between 14:00 – 15:30. You will have opportunity to discuss feeding issues and your baby can be weighed. Please do not bring acutely ill babies to this clinic. Children's immunisations are given by the practice nurse. Remember to bring your baby's red book with you at all times.

Chronic disease

At present we do not run separate clinics to monitor chronic disease- e.g. diabetes. Patients with chronic medical problems and those on repeat prescriptions will be asked to book a review appointment with the doctor or nurse in normal surgery time. We may ask you to have a blood test at the hospital before the appointment.

Ill-Health Prevention

A wide range of leaflets are available at reception and also do look at the local NHS website for information about local services

Alcohol

If you feel your social life revolves around alcohol, you are drinking alone or in the morning or you are unable to stop once you start, you may have a problem. The safe limits for men are three to four units of alcohol a day and two to three units per day for women. Pregnant women should try to avoid alcohol altogether. Please feel free to discuss things further with your doctor or nurse.

Cholesterol

If you have a personal or strong family history of heart disease and wish to have your cholesterol checked, please consult your doctor or nurse.

Breast Examination & Mammography

We advise all women to learn to examine their breasts regularly. Please ask for a leaflet. Contact your doctor immediately if you find a lump. Mammography is available every three years for women between the ages of 50 and 64, and on request after the age of 64 every three years. All breast screening appointments are managed by the Central and East London Breast Screening Service. Their contact number is 020 3465 6631.

Cervical Smears

All women should have three-yearly cervical smears between the age of 25 and 49 years and every five years between the age of 50 and 64. We offer cervical screening at the surgery or you can attend local family planning clinics. Please book a routine appointment with the practice nurse when you are mid-cycle (approximately 14 days from the first day of your last period.) Smears cannot be taken if you are menstruating. You will be notified by letter of the result, usually within 2 weeks. A copy of this result will be sent to the practice, so please contact us if you have not heard.

Childhood Immunisations

We strongly recommend that all children are immunised to prevent severe life threatening illnesses. Please do not hesitate to discuss any queries with your doctor or nurse. At present the following schedule applies:

Age Vaccine

Family Planning

You can discuss this with the nurse, doctor or at local family planning clinics. We can prescribe emergency contraception (the morning after pill), but you must be seen within 72 hours or this can be obtained over the counter from your pharmacist. We can provide details of clinics offering long acting contraceptive services including coil fitting.

Health Checks

If you are over 16 and have not had a blood pressure test, or been weighed or had your height measured for over a year please speak to reception, you will be instructed on how to do a check yourself at surgery.
We will also be offering the new NHS health check for patients aged 40-74. Eligible patients will be invited by letter to have a screen including a cholesterol check.

Influenza Immunisation

During the winter, influenza vaccinations are available to patients aged 65 and over and patients with certain chronic medical problems. Please contact the surgery in September for details of our flu vaccination clinics. We are unable to offer influenza vaccination if you do not fall into the at-risk categories.

Obesity

If you think you are overweight, consider more exercise and ask for information on weight reducing diets. A waist measurement greater than 94cm for men or more than 81cm for women may mean that you are at a higher risk of health problems eg diabetes, heart problems and reduced immunity. Please make an appointment with our nurse for advice about weight management. Alternatively, telephone Weight Watchers on 08457 123000 to find out details of local weight-reducing programmes. Your doctor may also recommend medication to help.

Preconception

If you are considering a pregnancy and are uncertain of your rubella status, please contact your doctor and we can arrange a blood test. We advise a blood test for certain groups of women to screen for sickle cell or thallassaemia prior to pregnancy. We recommend a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid prior to conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This can be purchased from the chemist in tablet form. We also recommend adequate vitamin D intake during pregnancy. It is important that patients with diabetes, thyroid disease and epilepsy consult their doctor prior to conception.

Prostate

One in three men over the age of 50 develops prostate problems. Symptoms include difficulty in starting to pass water, poor stream, dribbling, urgency and frequency. There are treatments available if this is a problem.

Sexual Health Screening

A Chlamydia pack for routine Chlamydia testing is available for all those aged between 16 years and 24 years. The pack can be requested from the reception and you may do a self check easily with a urine sample. All other sexual health queries are by appointment or reception can provide details of local genitourinary clinics. Routine sexual health screening can be requested during family planning and cervical screening.

Smoking

If you would like help to give up smoking please book a smoking cessation appointment with our nurse. She is able to offer advice and support to help you stop smoking. You can also call the NHS Smoking helpline on 0800 169 0169.

Stress

Learn a meditation technique and practise it daily if possible. The purpose is to empty your mind of disturbing thoughts and encourage mental relaxation. Take a short period of time out from any stressful situation you encounter during the day.

Adopt an exercise programme.

Testicular Examination

All men should examine themselves for testicular lumps regularly. A leaflet is available to show you how this should be done. Any irregularity or lump should be checked by your doctor.

Tetanus And Polio Boosters

The Department of Health recommends that adults should have a tetanus and polio booster every 10 years. If you have never had a full course of tetanus or polio immunisations please make an appointment with the practice nurse.

Travel Vaccinations

If you intend to travel abroad, especially to developing countries, it is important to see the practice nurse in good time for your vaccination. Travel vaccination appointments should be made at least four weeks before your departure. We may not be able to help you if you do not book your appointment in sufficient time. The nurse will give you advice on immunisations and malaria protection when you attend your appointment.
If your trip involves a complex itinerary it is advisable to contact the Hospital for Tropical Diseases helpline for advice. The practice is not a yellow fever centre and some travel vaccinations such as Japanese encephalitis are not available from us. We will advise you where to go for these.
There is a fee for non-NHS vaccinations and travel prescriptions provided by the surgery. The reception staff will be able to advise you of our current fees. Please note that you will be asked to pay by cash or cheque after each appointment with the nurse.
It is important that you keep an up-to-date record of your immunisations.