CLINICS & SPECIAL SERVICES
To help our patients, most of the services below are offered in flexible appointments throughout the week rather than in specific clinics. Those patients who have conditions which require regular follow-up, eg asthma or diabetes, will be sent review reminder letters.
Asthma And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
If you suffer from asthma you will be asked to attend for an appointment once a year for a review to assess your current health and whether your current medication is effective.
If you have continuing problems with your asthma, our practice nurses will be able to assist you during normal surgery hours.
We keep nebulizers at the practice for urgent treatment and these are also available for 24 hour loan when noted as clinically necessary.
Diabetes
We work closely with Weston General Hospital to provide shared care. Checks are normally carried out every six months to identify and help with any problems.
Hypertension
Patients with hypertension (raised blood pressure) will be seen at least six monthly.
Cholesterol
The presence of dietary fats and high levels of cholesterol in the blood has become a very important factor in relation to heart and circulatory disorders. If you are found to have high levels you will be invited to attend an appointment at our Lipid Clinic when you will be advised on treatment.
Travel Vaccines
If you are going abroad we ask that you complete a holiday form to assess whether you need any vaccinations. You need to do this no less than six weeks before the date of travel (we do not have the availability to book travel vaccinations at short notice and you will therefore be signposted to another agency). An appointment will be made for you with a practice nurse to administer any necessary vaccines along with any information available on the areas in which you are travelling. (NB: there will be a charge for some vaccines.)
Childhood Immunisations
Your child will be invited to attend when they reach the relevant age for each immunisation.
Flu Vaccines
You will be invited to attend for a flu vaccine, around late September of each year, if you are aged over 65 or have an illness, eg heart disease or diabetes, that would be made worse if you caught flu.
Child Health Surveillance
This service is provided by some of our doctors and our practice nurses (to undertake immunisations) during normal working hours.
Baby Clinic
This is held at The Scout Hut (next to Priory School) every Monday from 2.00 - 4.00pm and at the Old School Building, Mendip Avenue, on Thursdays from 9.30 to 11.30am.
Family Planning
All our doctors provide a full contraceptive service including emergency contraception (morning after pill) and the fitting of IUCDs (coils).
WISH (Weston Integrated Sexual Health) Clinic
This clinic is available for advice on contraception as well as treatment for any sexual health problem including sexually transmitted infections. Telephone 881234.
NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FEEL ILL?
Can you treat yourself at home? A well-stocked medicine cabinet will help
you treat many everyday illnesses at home.
Have you tried your pharmacist or chemist? Pharmacists are qualified to
give advice on common complaints, such as coughs, colds, flu, sore throats, aches
and pains.
Have you called NHS Direct? NHS Direct is a confidential 24 hour advice
and health information service staffed by nurses and professional advisers. You
can call them on 0845 4647 any time, or visit their website which is www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
Do you need to visit the surgery? Your local GP surgery provides a range of services (see Clinics and Special Services).
Remember to tell your doctor if you have tried or are still taking any self-care treatment.
Do you or your family need emergency hospital treatment? If so you should go immediately to your nearest accident and emergency (A & E) department or call 999 for an emergency ambulance. An emergency is a critical or life-threatening situation which may include loss of consciousness, severe chest pain or loss of blood.
Please remember that hospital Emergency Departments are designed to treat accidents and emergencies only. Calling an ambulance will not necessarily ensure you are seen any quicker in the Emergency Department.
Non-NHS Services
Some of the work we do falls outside the remit of the NHS and has to be paid for privately. Please ask reception for a copy of our leaflet "Why Do GPs Charge Fees?”. The current rates can be obtained from reception. Payment for private services will be required in full prior to an appointment or collection of completed forms. All cheques must be accompanied by a current cheque card (business cheques will not be accepted).
All private appointments need to be made outside of normal surgery hours.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU
- Mondays are our busiest day - if something can wait try later in the week.
- The phone may be busy at peak periods eg from 8.30am to 9.00am each morning and again from 12 midday to 12:30pm.
Please be patient - don’t blame the receptionist!
- Request home visits before 10.00am but try to attend surgery whenever possible.
- Remember one appointment is for one person only - if you think you may need
longer than 10 minutes please ask the receptionist for advice.
- Please inform us if, for any reason, you are unable to keep an appointment with any member of the practice team. Try to give us as much notice as possible. Should you cancel on the day you will be recorded as having not attended.
- Inform us of any change in your address or circumstances and make sure we have an
up-to-date telephone number.
We welcome your views on the services we provide. If you have any queries, comments,
constructive suggestions or criticisms, our practice manager would like to hear
from you.
CARERS REGISTER
We are endeavouring to compile a comprehensive register of carers (these are patients who are in receipt of the Carers' Allowance on behalf of another person). If you are a carer it would be useful for us to know. If you are happy for this information to be included in your record please advise reception of your details and those of the person you care for.
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