Services Available To Patients Of Our Surgery

Adult Vaccination
All adults should ensure they have tetanus, diphtheria and polio cover. Our Practice Nurses can advise you. Flu vaccinations are available each autumn for over 65 year olds and people with certain medical conditions e.g. chronic chest problems, diabetes and heart disease. Pneumococcal vaccine is targeted at certain individuals and will be offered, if appropriate.

Antenatal
Appointments are available throughout the week during routine Surgeries, or at the Antenatal Clinic on Tuesday afternoons, when a Doctor and Midwife are in attendance.

Cervical Smears
It is important for all women between the ages of 25 and 65 to have regular cervical smears. These can be done by either the Doctors or the Practice Nurses.

Child Health
Vaccinations:- Childhood vaccinations are given at 2, 3 and 4 months, to protect small babies from whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, HIB meningitis and Meningococcal meningitis C. Booster immunisation is also offered to pre-school and 15 year old children.

Family Planning
Advice can be given by your Doctor or the Practice Nurses.

Foreign Travel
A full range of advice and immunisation is available from the Practice Nurses.
Please arrange these well in advance of your travel date, by telephoning the Surgery and speaking to a Receptionist.

Minor Surgery
Minor operations are carried out by the Doctors at the Surgery, by appointment.

Non NHS Medical Examinations
If you require such a medical, please state this at the time of making the Appointment. Please note, a fee will be payable for these examinations. The Receptionists will be able to advise you of the costs, or see 'Fees' page.

Reports/Results
If your Doctor asks you to phone the Surgery for a test result or report, please telephone in the afternoon, when the phone lines are less busy.

Well Baby Clinic
This is held on Wednesday afternoons, between 2pm and 4pm.
Appointments must be made for 8 week and 8 month checks. A Doctor and Health Visitor work together to assess the well being of infants and toddlers. As all vaccinations are undertaken at this Clinic, there is the opportunity to discuss any worries or queries you may have regarding the vaccination schedule.

Wheelchair
There is a wheelchair available for patient use within the Surgery. Please contact a member of Staff if you wish to make use of this facility.

Additional Services

Counselling
Counsellor
Mrs Susan Cullen BD (Hons) Dip Counselling MBACP (ACCRED)
UKRCP (Approach: Person-centred/integrative)

There are several advantages to the patient in being seen by the counsellor at the surgery:

• Doctor and counsellor have easy communication
• The patient has the comfort of being seen on home ground
• The service is discreet
• The waiting time is short and we are able to prioritise and give emergency
  appointments

Patients suffering from anxiety and depression may find medication very helpful when progress seems otherwise impossible, but a thorough treatment often requires looking at the underlying causes of anxiety and depression, in addition. Often counselling can avoid any need for medication.
Addictions and phobias can be dealt with in counselling, perhaps with the help of other professionals.
People may feel they need help because they are having difficulties at work, they may wish to feel more confident, or they may feel they would like some help in relating to another/others. Sometimes people feel they have not properly dealt with past difficulties or traumas.
Many patients visit their doctor when tragedy befalls or when they do not know where else to turn. The counsellor is there to give extra time when it is needed. An appointment with the counsellor usually lasts 50 minutes.

Primary Care Mental Health Worker

Primary Care Mental Health Workers offer a patient centred service that aims to help people understand their difficulties and feelings. They do this by:
• Offering a listening ear
• Discussing concerns people have about their current situation
• Working with individuals using cognitive behavioural techniques
• Providing problem solving support
• Offering facilitated self-help information
• Signposting people to useful agencies and services available
• Regular contact often on the telephone
• Discussing concerns about anti-depressant medication

If you are experiencing anxiety, panic, stress, depression, despair, lack of motivation or interest in day to day activities then a Primary Care Mental Health Worker is available to assist and help you overcome these problems. Please make an appointment with your usual Doctor who will decide if a referral to this service is appropriate for you.

N.B. Appointments with the Mental Health Worker can only be made with a referral from the Doctor.