Letters are sent out to relevant patients for the following screening programmes:
Breast Screening
Women aged between 50 and 70 are routinely offered breast screening every 3 years. This is now being extended to women between the ages of 47 to 73. The age extension of the programme is expected to be completed by 2016
Cytology Screening
Cervical cytology screening is routinely offered to all women between the ages of 24 yrs and 6 months to 64. Women between the ages of 24 yrs and 6 months to 50 are recalled every 3 years and women aged between 50 and 64 are called for every 5 years.
Bowel Screening
The NHS bowel screening programme aims to detect bowel cancer early, when successful treatment and cure is more likely. Screening is offered every 2 years to people aged between 56 – 74.
If you are 75 or over you can ask for the test by calling the freephone helpline on 0800 707 6060
Aortic Aneurysm Screening
The NHS invites men for AAA screening during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not been screened previously can arrange a screening appointment by contacting their local programme directly. Telephone 0115 9249924 and ask for extension 62394 or 62378.
It is important that patients should consult their GP if they are concerned about a problem and not wait until their next recall is due.
This year we will not be sending out letters to people who require an influenza vaccination. If you fall into one of the at risk groups below please contact the surgery from the 10th of August onwards and we will arrange an appointment for you.
At Risk Groups
Everyone 65 and over.
Anyone aged 6 months and over who fall into one of the following clinical at risk groups:
Chronic respiratory disease including:Asthma(requiring continued or repeated use of inhaled or systemic steroids), children who have been admitted to hospital for lower respiratory tract disease.
Chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome and renal transplant.
Chronic liver disease including:
Cirrhosis, biliary atresia, chronic hepatitis.
Chronic neurological disease including:
Stroke and transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs)
Diabetes- all types.
Immunosuppression including:
Patients undergoing chemotherapy, asplenia or splenic dysfunction, HIV infection.
All pregnant women.
Child Health and Immunisations
Our Health Visitors hold a Child Health Clinic at the Children’s Centre, Minver Crescent on a Tuesday afternoon between 1pm and 2.30pm AND at the Children’s Centre, Amesbury Circus, on a Thursday morning between 9am and 10.30am.
Between 2.00pm and 3.00pm on Mondays there will be a Doctor and Practice Nurse available at the surgery for child immunisations and 8 week baby checks.
These clinics are not intended for children who are unwell. if your child is ill, please contact reception and an appointment to see a doctor will be arranged in normal surgery time.
All children starting the immunisation programme at 2 months of age will follow the schedule below:
When to Immunise
What is given
Eight weeks old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussus, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b. and hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB)Pneumococcal (PCV)Rotavirus 1st doseMeningococcal Group B (MenB)
Twelve weeks old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB)Rotavirus 2nd dose
Sixteen weeks old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Hepatitis B (DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB)Pneumococcal (PCV)MenB
One year old
Haemophilus influenzae type b, Meningitis C (Hib/Men C )Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)Pneumococcal (PCV)MenB
Two to eight years old (including children in reception class and school years 1-4)
Influenza (each year from September)
Three years four months old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV)Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
Girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years
Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18
Fourteen years old (school year 9)
Tetanus, diphtheria and polioMeningococcal groups A,C,W and Y disease
If you would like a copy of the “Guide to Common Childhood Illnesses” please ask at reception or go to the following link:
It is estimated that more than 800,000 people are affected by dementia in the uk.
If you are worried about your health or memory it is a good idea to discuss it with your GP who can listen to your concerns, run tests, give you advice and refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Dementia Friends
Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perception of dementia. For more information or to become a “Dementia Friend” go to http://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/
We have leaflets for the above in the waiting room.
Well Person & Adult Immunisations
Well Person Checks
We offer appointments with our Practice Nurses for well woman and well man checks.
You can discuss your general health and have your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure checked. You can also get dietary advice and if you wish to stop smoking advice can be given.
Health Checks
If you are aged between 40 – 74 you can also book for a Health Check. You may be at risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes or dementia. A free NHS Health Check can help reduce these risks and make sure that you stay healthy.
About one in five people who have had chickenpox develop shingles. It is more common in people aged 70 years and over. Of these, about 14,000 go to develop long term pain and over 1400 are admitted to hospital because of it each year.
By having the vaccination you will be significantly reducing your chances of developing shingles. And, if you do go on to have shingles the symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter, than if you had not had the vaccination.
The vaccine is being offered to all people aged:
70-77
78 and 79
If you fall into one of these age groups and would like a shingles vaccination please contact the surgery and arrange an appointment with the practice nurse.
Everyone over the age of 65 is eligible for a pneumococcal vaccination. (This is a one off vaccination).
Influenza vaccination
Everyone over the age of 65 is eligible for an influenza vaccination (each year from September).
Travel
Non-urgent advice: Please Note
We are unable to offer Travel Health Advice; this advice must be sought from a specialist Travel Health Clinic or through the National Travel Health Network and Centre.
We can offer the following vaccinations as part of the NHS provision:
Cholera,
Hepatitis A,
Paratyphoid,
Poliomyelitis,
Smallpox (vaccine not currently available)
Typhoid
These must be specified in a written instruction from a Travel Health Clinic. Please bring in a copy of this instruction when booking an appointment for travel vaccinations.
When booking an appointment before travelling:
You must bring in a copy of this instruction to us at least 8 weeks before you are travelling so we have the time to process form and give you adequate time to have them before you travel.
We do not offer yellow fever vaccination.
Minor Surgery and Joint Injections
We can offer a minor surgery service for some conditions. Please check with your doctor.
Nursing Clinics and Investigations / Tests
During the week, our nurses are available (by appointment) for general advice on health care. They are also able to organise immunisations (routine or holiday), give dietary advice, carry out cervical cytology (smear tests) and MOT’s (well man and well woman checks). Our nurses also undertake the screening services for “over 80s” in the community. Between them they also run Asthma, COPD, Diabetic and warfarin Clinics.
We now have a phlebotomy clinic. The appointments for this can be booked up to 5 days in advance.
Patients between the ages of 16-75 who have not seen a GP within the previous 3 years are welcome to arrange an appointment for a health check.
Patients over 75 who have not been seen within the last year can also arrange an appointment for a health check.
If you are aged between 40 -74 we offer NHS health checks. These check are to assess your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. The check takes about 15 – 20 minutes.
Ask at the reception desk if you need further information about these services.
Maternity Services
There has been an increase in cases of whooping cough recently and babies who are too young to start their vaccinations are at great risk. Expectant mothers can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated against whooping cough from the 20th week of pregnancy after their detailed scan.
Please contact the surgery for details.
Pregnant women are also eligible for a flu vaccination. It is usually available from the end of September and is free for pregnant women. it is safe to have at any time in pregnancy and takes around 14 days to provide protection following vaccination.
