Cervical Smear Tests 
A female doctor or trained nurses perform smears.  It is most important that all women between the ages of 25 and 65 have regular smear tests.  The test can detect any cell changes in the cervix or neck of the womb that can, in the long term, lead to cancer. 
If the changes are present, treatment is nearly always simple, effective and without major surgery.  It is a test designed to prevent cancer, not detect it. 

Patients who have had a total hysterectomy do not need to have a smear.  If you are unsure, please ask to speak with the specialist nurse. 

Citizens Advice Bureau 
A fully trained adviser is available by appointment, for patients on Monday mornings to offer free, independent, impartial and confidential advice on any subject. You can book an appointment with the CAB advisor through reception. 

Contraception Advice 
Confidential advice is available from all of the doctors. Dr Taylor and Dr Bubb have a special interest in this area.

Counselling 
Counselling offers you a space to share difficulties you may be experiencing.  It is a confidential service and the Practice Counsellor is a member of the British Association for counselling and abides by their Code of Ethics.
Counselling is available by referral from your doctor.

Minor Operations 
Dr Wakeham performs minor surgery.  These may include joint injections, excision of skin lumps and bumps and other procedures.  If you feel you have a condition, which justifies such a procedure, please see your Doctor.  

Nail Care Service 
Non-medical Chiropody i.e. toenail cutting is not available on the N.H.S.  To meet this need we provide a twice monthly Nail Care Service, by appointment, for which there is a charge.  For more information please ask at reception

Vaccinations & Immunisations
All adults need to have a complete basic course of immunisation against tetanus followed by two booster doses.  Boosters are not then necessary unless you suffer a tetanus prone wound.  If you are unsure of your coverage you are welcome to ask at reception. 

Children’s vaccinations will be carried our by your doctor.  If you use the branch surgery you can also take your children there if you ring the surgery before so that the doctor can take the appropriate vaccinations. 

Flu Vaccination 
We particularly recommend this for patients over 65 years and those with recurrent heart, chest or kidney disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases.  It is also recommended for residents of nursing and residential homes.  The flu vaccination programme normally takes place in October, and we advise patients to make enquiries at Reception during September for details of clinic times. 

Other Services Available by Referral from your Doctor or Nurse 

• PHYSIOTHERAPY - Twice a Week with Jules Sanders 
• CHIROPODY - Weekly with Sandra Moles 
• COUNSELLING - Weekly with Brenda 

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Other Non-NHS Services 

Medical examinations for HGV and PSV licenses, and any medicals for pre-employment purposes are not paid for by the NHS, and the Doctors are entitled to charge a fee.  

Examinations of this nature take time, and it is sensible to tell the Receptionist the purpose of the visit to the Doctors so that they can book an appropriate amount of time.  

A list of all the fees that the Doctors are entitled to charge is displayed in Reception and the waiting room.
 
 

Vaccination Schedule

At two months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection
• Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection

At three months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) - one injection

At four months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) - one injection
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) - one injection
• Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection

At around 12 months old:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) - booster dose in one injection

At around 13 months old:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection
• Pneumococcal infection - pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) - one injection

Three years four months to five years old (pre-school):

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) - one injection
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) - one injection

13 to 18 years old:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) - one injection

Travel Information

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.  There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Carribean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible  - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations.  These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine.  Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

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.

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

Travel Questionnaire

During pregnancy you’ll be looked after by a primary health care team led by your General Practitioner (GP), which includes the midwives and health visitors involved in your care and the care of your baby.  If complications arise you’ll be referred to a specialist team at the hospital. 

Primary Care Team

Your GP: 
This is your family doctor who, along with a midwife, will help you plan your antenatal care and will provide medical care for both you and your baby during and after pregnancy. 

Midwives: 
Hospital and community midwives have been specially trained to care for mothers and babies throughout pregnancy, labour and birth. Community midwives continue to care for you and your baby for between 10 and 28 days after the birth. 

Health Visitor: 
Your health visitor takes over your care from the midwife.  She is fully qualified nurse who has had extra training in caring for people in the community.  Her role is to help families, especially those with young children, to keep healthy. 

Specialist Team

Obstetrician: 
This is a doctor who specialises in pregnancy, labour and birth.  An obstetrician is part of the hospital team you will be referred to if complications arise in any of these areas. 

Paediatrician: 
Also part of the hospital team, a paediatrician is a doctor who specialises in the care of babies and children.  Your baby will be checked by a paediatrician before you both leave hospital to make sure that he is fit and healthy.