All Services

Travel Health

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse.

If you are travelling abroad please complete and submit the travel form in plenty of time, we recommend 2 to 3 months before your journey.

  • Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Some women prefer not to travel in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because of nausea and vomiting and feeling very tired during these early stages. The risk of miscarriage is also higher in the first 3 months, whether you’re travelling or not. So, many women find the best time to travel or take a holiday is in mid-pregnancy, between 4 and 6 months.

With pregnant women there are increase risks for long distance travel including increased DVT risk for long haul flights, limited access to adequate health care in some areas, Zika virus reported in many countries, most malaria tabs and some vaccines contraindicated in pregnancy.

We advise that women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should not book travel outside Europe without first booking to speak with one of our nurses.

Further Information

The following websites will give you additional travel advice.

Select the region you are travelling to find out more
MASTA Travel Health | For all your vaccination advice (masta-travel-health.com)
Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Non NHS Services

The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions such as prescription charges.

The NHS does not employ GPs but has a contract with them to provide NHS general medical services for their patients. Sometimes, however, GPs are asked to provides additional services, which fall outside their contract with the NHS, and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.

It is up to the individual practice to decide how much to charge, although the BMA produces lists of suggested fees for the Doctors to use as a guideline.

When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, the doctor needs to check the patient’s entire medical record to ensure that they are providing accurate information. GPs will not be able to complete forms overnight, so please ensure that you give them reasonable notice.

What is covered by the NHS and what is not?

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:

  • Only NHS travel vaccines (Practice Nurse will confirm what is required)
  • Private medical insurance reports
  • HGV Medicals
  • Holiday cancellation claim forms
  • Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales.

  • There is no need to book an appointment with a GP to request a medical report or letter. There is a request form available from Reception to complete to request this additional service.

General Services

Your local GP practice team is the main point of contact for general healthcare needs.

They’re there to support you to get the right kind of care when you need it. GP practices are made up of multi-disciplinary teams which can provide many services, including the following:

  • B12 injections
  • Baby Immunisations and antenatal care/checks
  • Blood pressure monitoring
  • Cervical screening
  • Chronic Disease Management (such as COPD, Asthma, Diabetes)
  • Coil and Implant fitting/ removal
  • Cortisone joint injections
  • ECG’s
  • Flu vaccinations
  • Health checks
  • Holiday and routine adult vaccinations
  • Minor operations
  • Phlebotomy clinics for blood tests
  • Adult Immunisations
  • Child Health Surveillance 6 – 8 week developmental review
  • Childhood immunisations
  • Health Promotion
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Minor Surgery – these clinics are held on some Fridays by appointment. In these clinics minor lumps and bumps, skin tags, verrucas and warts may be removed. Please see your Doctor for further details.
  • Sexual health and contraception – a full range of contraceptive services are available – this includes fitting coils as well as hormonal methods e.g. the pill, injections and implants. These services are also available to residents who are not registered with the Practice.

Medication & Chronic Disease Management Review

The Practice Nurse or Healthcare Assistant can provide the following services.

You will be advised to see a GP for your illness, if needed.

We have changed the way we invite our patients with chronic diseases, so that hopefully it will make it easier to know when you will be invited and reduce the number of times we ask you to attend.

– By chronic disease, we mean Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Stroke monitoring and Heart Disease.

Instead of asking you to see the nurse about separate conditions, we will invite you to attend for a nurse appointment each year in the month of your birth for a review of any of these conditions. So, if you suffer from 2 of these conditions, the nurse will review both conditions at the same appointment.

You are welcome to book appointments if you have any concerns at any other time and the nurse will arrange any follow up you may need before your next routine review. We hope this will make your review appointment procedure simpler and more effective.
Review carried out by: HCA
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

In some cases, your doctor may recommend 24-hour or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

This is where your blood pressure is tested automatically around every 30 minutes over a 24-hour period using a cuff attached to a portable device worn on your waist.

ABPM can help to give a clear picture of how your blood pressure changes over the course of a day.

You should continue with your normal daily activities during the test, although you must avoid getting the equipment wet.
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.

It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.

All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter.

During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix. You’ll get your results by letter, usually in about 2 weeks. It will explain what happens next.
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

The quality of care provided to patients with dementia can be improved by focusing on the following 6 key areas at this regular review.
This applies both to patients in the community and nursing home residents.
1. Medication Review
2. Mental Health
3. Physical Factors
4. Risk Assessment
5. Assessment of Carers Needs
6. Social Supports Review
Review carried out by: HCA
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple test that can be used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.

Sensors attached to the skin are used to detect the electrical signals produced by your heart each time it beats.

These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor to see if they’re unusual.

An ECG may be requested by a heart specialist (cardiologist) or any doctor who thinks you might have a problem with your heart, including your GP.

The test can be carried out by a specially trained healthcare professional at a hospital, a clinic or at your GP surgery.
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

You’ll have regular contact with your GP or care team to monitor your condition at least every 6 months.

These appointments may involve:
– talking about your symptoms, such as whether – they’re affecting your normal activities or are getting worse
– a discussion about your medication, including any side effects
– tests to monitor your health

It’s also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have or raise any other issues you’d like to discuss with your care team.

You may be asked to help monitor your condition between appointments.
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should.

It’s a common condition often associated with getting older. It can affect anyone, but it’s more common in people who are black or of south Asian origin.

CKD can get worse over time and eventually the kidneys may stop working altogether, but this is uncommon. Many people with CKD are able to live long lives with the condition. You’ll have regular contact with your care team to monitor your condition.

These appointments may involve:
– talking about your symptoms – such as whether they’re affecting your normal activities or are getting worse
– a discussion about your medicine – including whether you are experiencing any side effects
– tests to monitor your kidney function and general health

It’s also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have or raise any other issues you’d like to discuss with your care team.

You may also want to help monitor your condition at home – for example, by using a home blood pressure monitor.

Contact your GP or healthcare team if your symptoms are getting worse or you develop new symptoms.
Review carried out by: HCA
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test.

For example, a blood test can be used to:
– assess your general state of health
– check if you have an infection
– see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are working
– screen for certain genetic conditions

Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete and are carried out at your GP surgery or local hospital by a doctor, nurse or phlebotomist (a specialist in taking blood samples).
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath.

It’s carried out using a device called a spirometer, which is a small machine attached by a cable to a mouthpiece.

Spirometry may be performed by a nurse or doctor at your GP surgery, or it may be carried out during a short visit to a hospital or clinic
Review carried out by: HCA
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Many people don’t realise that their GP can help them quit smoking. Your doctor can do a lot, such as enrolling you in a “stop smoking” clinic, and prescribing nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum, or stop smoking medication such as Champix.

Cigarettes are addictive, and self-control alone might not be enough for you to stop entirely.

Give yourself a better chance of success by using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This is available on prescription from your GP, from your local stop smoking service or from a pharmacist.
Review carried out by: Nurse/HCA
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

A regular asthma review could help you keep free of symptoms and cut your risk of an asthma attack.

This is a great opportunity to talk to your GP about:
– Symptoms getting in the way of things you want to do
– Asthma attacks – whether you’ve had one, or you’re scared of having one,
– Medicines – how they help, and any side effects,
– Stop smoking advice and other ways to help you avoid asthma symptoms

Your asthma review is a check-up to see how well you’re managing your asthma, and to see if there’s anything more you and your GP can do to help you avoid symptoms.
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Type 2 diabetes check-ups help to make sure your condition doesn’t lead to other health problems.

Every 3 months blood sugar checks (HbA1C test): Checks your average blood sugar levels and how close they are to normal. You have these checks every 3 months when newly diagnosed, then every 6 months once you’re stable. This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse.

Once a year feet checks: Checks if you’ve lost any feeling in your feet, and for ulcers and infections. This can be done by your GP, diabetes nurse or podiatrist. Speak to your GP immediately if you have cuts, bruises or numbness in your feet.

Once a year eye check: Checks for damage to blood vessels in your eyes. Speak to your GP immediately if you have blurred vision.

Once a year blood pressure, cholesterol and kidneys checks: Checks for high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease. This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse.
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.

It’s usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries (atherosclerosis) and an increased risk of blood clots.

The exact cause of CVD isn’t clear, but there are lots of things that can increase your risk of getting it. These are called “risk factors”. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing CVD.

The main risk factors for CVD are outlined below.
– High blood pressure
– Smoking
– High cholesterol
– Diabetes
– Inactivity
– Being overweight or obese
– Family history of CVD
– Ethnic background

If you’re over 40, you’ll be invited by your GP for an NHS Health Check every 5 years. Part of this check involves assessing your individual CVD risk and advising you how to reduce it if necessary.
Review carried out by: GPs/Pharmacists
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Getting your medication reviewed is not only important for you, but also allows the NHS to maintain a good level of service across the board.

By regularly reviewing your medication, you can help the NHS save a considerable amount in terms of wasted medication. Medicine reviews can be performed by both pharmacists and GPs.

Pharmacists can perform a Medicines Use Review (MUR) during which they can check how you are getting on with your medication. If your pharmacist feels that there are any changes that need to be made, you can then go on to book an appointment with your GP to have your prescription amended accordingly.
Review carried out by: Nurse
Frequency of review: Check with Practice
Appointment Duration: 10 min
Current status: Available

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The condition usually affects the hands, feet and wrists.

There may be periods where symptoms become worse, known as flare-ups or flares. A flare can be difficult to predict, but with treatment it’s possible to decrease the number of flares and minimise or prevent long-term damage to the joints.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience problems in other parts of the body, or more general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss.

See a GP if you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, so they can try to identify the underlying cause. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis quickly is important, because early treatment can prevent it getting worse and reduce the risk of joint damage.
  • The Practice will contact you at an appropriate time to book for the above-listed conditions. If the review is due and you have not received a call, please call the Practice.