NHS Services available

The Practice provides a comprehensive range of services, which include: -

Maternity

Ante-natal

The Midwife runs a weekly clinic on Tuesday afternoons by appointment.

Once your pregnancy has been confirmed you can book to see the Midwife. Let the Receptionist know it is your first appointments so a double slot is allocated. The Midwife will explain lots of issues to you and will undertake some general health checks and see you regularly throughout your pregnancy. She will organise scans, blood tests and provide you with ante-natal notes. When you attend appointments please bring the notes with you and a sample of urine.

Postnatal

The Practice will send you an appointment for your postnatal check. This is booked for eight weeks post delivery. We arrange for baby to be seen at the same time for their eight week check and for their first baby immunisations. Please allow 50 minutes for these two appointments.

Child Health

Child immunisation clinics are held each Wednesday morning by the Practice nurse. The appointments are sent out for the Practice by the Child Health Department at Dudley Primary Care Trust.

To view the up-to-date schedule for childhood immunisations you can log onto the NHS website: -

Visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk for further information.

Family Planning

The Drs and Nurses are all qualified in family planning. We offer a service for all forms of family planning and sexual health issues.

Visit www.fpa.org.uk for further information

Cervical Screening

You will receive a letter from Dudley Primary Care Trust asking you to make an appointment for your cervical smear test. You can ring the Practice and make an appointment with the Practice Nurse.

Women on routine recall will be invited at three yearly intervals between the age of 25 and 49. Between 50 and 64 years the recall interval changes to every five years.

The optimum time for a smear to be taken is mid cycle. For instance, if you have a 28 day cycle, around day 14 would be the best time to book an appointment.

Visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/screening.html for further information.

Asthma

Patients with Asthma are welcome to see the Practice Nurse who holds the Diploma in Asthma Care from the National Respiratory Training Centre.

During the appointment discussion will take place to support management and education of the condition.

Visit www.asthma.org.uk for further information.

Diabetes

All patients who have Diabetes are invited for an annual review at the Diabetic clinic which is run by the Practice Nurse, who is qualified in the treatment of Diabetes. During the appointment there will be a review of blood results and blood pressure and discussion regarding management of the condition.

Visit www.diabetes.org.uk for further information.

Dietician

A Dietician from Dudley Primary Care Trust visits the Practice 5 times a year. Newly diagnosed Diabetics are allocated an appointment to help with dietary advice.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Patients with COPD are invited annually to the Practice for a Lung Function Test. This appointment is with the Healthcare Assistant who is trained to carry out this test. She will report to the Dr to ensure the current medication is still relevant.

Coronary Heart Disease/Hypertension/Stroke

The management of these conditions is based on a 6 monthly review. The Dr or Nurse will look at medication and discuss your progress.

Visit www.bhf.org.uk for further information.

Epilepsy

Patients with Epilepsy are monitored on an individual basis. Review with the Doctor or Nurse includes an annual blood test.

Hypothyroidism

This condition is managed with the help of an annual blood test to check the Thyroid Function and whether the dosage of medication is still correct.

Mental Health

We monitor those with chronic mental illness at regular intervals and where appropriate, arrange regular blood tests and medication reviews.

Influenza immunisations

The Practice holds ‘Flu jab clinics during October/November each year. Eligibility for this immunisation is decided by the Department of Health.

We normally start booking the clinics by the middle of September. We are only able to immunise patients who fall into the recommended categories.

Stop Smoking Service

The Practice offers a Stop Smoking Service for patients who genuinely want to quit smoking. Appointments are available throughout the week both morning and evenings. The Programme runs over 8 weeks and offers an initial 30 minutes assessment appointment to discuss smoking habits, motivation, nicotine replacement therapy and to set a quit date. Patients can be seen weekly or fortnightly during a 15 minute appointment. Carbon monoxide readings are taken at each appointment to monitor progress and to motivate. If by the 4th week no proper quit attempt has been made, nicotine replacement therapy prescriptions will be stopped and the programme will discontinue.

Nicotine replacement therapy is not a miracle cure but helps reinforce individuals will power.

We recognise that stopping smoking is a challenge, but with help and support this can be overcome. For further information ask in surgery or visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk

Minor Surgery

Dr Brindley performs Minor Surgery procedures at the Practice, provided it is appropriate to do so. Cryotherapy is also performed for the treatment of warts and veruccae.

Travel Advice and Vaccinations

This service is provided by the Practice Nurses who have extensive knowledge and training in travel health. It is essential that you allow sufficient time during the planning stage of your holiday to attend for a discussion on your requirements, ideally six or so weeks beforehand.

Visit www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk for further information.

Health Promotion/Well Person Checks

The Practice encourages patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle and welcomes you to book an opportunistic screening appointment. This incorporates BP, height, weight, lifestyle choices and cholesterol testing if required.

District Nurses

District Nurses visit highly dependent patients who are acutely, chronically or terminally ill, who are housebound and unable to attend the Practice.

Below are just some of the procedures undertaken:

· Specialist wound care

· Administration of medications

· Post operative care

· Promotion of continence

· Palliative care at home

· Other technical procedures

Referral to the District Nurses is via the Practice

Health Visitors

Below are just some of the issues the Health Visiting Nurses can help you with:

· Immunisations

· Minor Illnesses

· Antenatal/Postnatal advice

· Child Protection

· Development Screening

· Growth monitoring for children

· Family relationships – all ages

· Smoking Cessation

· Continence problems

· Over 75 years Screening

· Benefits advice

· Housing advice

· Support for Carers

· Bereavement

· Nutrition

Non-NHS Services

Medical examinations are available for special purposes such as pre-employment, HGV medicals, fitness to travel etc.

Please enquire at Reception for appointments times and fees payable.

Referral Letters for Private Appointments

You may be referred to a Consultant and decide to book a Private Appointment. The letter to take with you is completed by the Secretary whose workload is done in strict date order. We do not complete Private referral letters ahead of NHS work.