Asthma Clinics
All asthma patients requiring medication will be invited for annual review in an asthma clinic appointment to ensure their condition is maintained at the optimal level. Children will be offered an additional 6 monthly review appointment.
Diabetes Clinics
We have returned to our Pre-Covid format with a few modifications to help tailor care to our patients. This is a 3 step approach.
Firstly everyone is called to attend an annual appointment with our Health Care Assistant to have a blood test, blood pressure, weight and foot check completed. We ask that they bring a urine sample with them too which is to check for microalbumin (a marker of kidney function).
Secondly, they will be offered to attend an annual group education session at the Library next door to the practice. The room is spacious, light and its nice to go somewhere different that is less clinical. The session lasts about an hour. Everyone has the opportunity to talk about their diabetes and are given support on how to best manage their health from our diabetic nurse Carolyn Lowes. Some people will feel more comfortable talking than others, and there is no obligation to talk. People can just listen if they prefer and take in what others are saying. Often someone will ask a question which others were thinking of. The session is confidential with patients signing an agreement to ensure ‘what is said in the room stays in the room’. The session is optional not mandatory but we do find that our patients find the group session extremely rewarding and supportive from the clinical team but also from eachother as they often share tips and get to realise that know they’re not alone. It is also very innovative as not many other practices currently offer this type of group consultation care.
Lastly, everyone has a diabetes review appointment. This will be with with Dr Katie Dixon or Gemma Harrison our Pharmacist generally over the phone but it can be face to face if a patient prefers or if they have more complex health conditions. If any questions have been raised following the Group session this is the ideal opportunity to discuss those.
Patients diagnosed with diabetes should attend a review at least every 12 months, with or without hospital follow-up as well.
Family Planning
The doctors and nurses offer general advice and information on contraception and sexual health. We offer a range of services including oral contraceptive pill, contraceptive injections, as well as long lasting contraceptive implants and coil fitting. Our 3 Implant and Coil fitters are Dr Longstaff, Dr Smailes and Dr Dixon.
Our nurses hold regular clinics for both pre-school and school age children for routine immunisations
MMR
Adults who missed out on the MMR vaccination as a baby and are therefore not immune can have the MMR vaccine on the NHS. Some adults may not have received full protection because of changes in the MMR vaccine. Anyone born between 1980 and 1990 may not have received a mumps vaccine and anyone born between 1970 and 1979 may have only had a measles vaccine. If you fall into one of these groups, please make an appointment with the nurse for the MMR vaccination.
Warfarin Monitoring (INR)
The health care assistants offer a warfarin monitoring service in the practice. Clinics are generally held in the afternoon as the testing is done in the practice rather than having to be sent to the labs.