Other Information

Medical Students And Training

We are fortunate to have medical students and other trainee professionals attached to our practice for short periods. You will always be asked in advance for your consent to the presence of a medical student or trainee during your consultation. Some consultations may be videoed at the patient's discretion. Please feel free to say no at any time. We are also in the process of developing into a training practice and hope to be up and running by September 2007, when GP Registrars (qualified doctors training to be GPs) will be in attendance.

Health Promotion

Foreign Travel
For advice about appropriate vaccinations and other health care if you are going abroad (except to West Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand). Ask for a questionnaire at reception, preferably eight weeks before your intended departure and arrange to see a practice nurse.

Yellow Fever Vaccinations
The surgery offers this service as we are an authorised Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. There is a charge for this service.

Adult Immunisation
Flu can be serious, especially for older people or those with some chronic illnesses. A preventative vaccine is available each Autumn. If you are over 65 or have diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease, or take steroid tablets ask for details in September.

Smoking
Smoking is a major cause of disability and death. We offer advice to help smokers to quit.

High Blood Pressure
All adults are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years.

Special Advice For Our Female Patients

If you are planning to get pregnant, folic acid tablets (a vitamin) taken before you conceive and in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy may help to reduce the risk of your baby having spina bifida. A leaflet is available explaining this.

Don’t ignore your smear test reminder as early treatment of any abnormal cells can prevent cancer developing.

Mammograms (breast X-rays) are offered to women aged 50-64 to detect early cancerous changes which can often be treated with a very high chance of a complete cure.

If you would like a chaperone to be present please feel free to request this from the doctor.

Medical Examinations
The doctors conduct insurance, HGV, PSV and pre-employment medical examinations for which a fee is payable.

Please note that charges are also made for forms and certificates which are not for NHS or Social Security purposes. A poster detailing the most common fees is displayed in reception.

Freedom Of Information - Publication Scheme

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available. This scheme is available from reception.

Zero Tolerance

As a practice we do not tolerate abusive language or behaviour towards any member of the practice staff. Continual bad behaviour will result in exclusion from the practice list.

The surgery is now a non-smoking building.

New Patients

We like all new patients to have a health check with our practice nurse within one month of applying to join the list. This examination is very brief but gives us vital information as it can sometimes take several months before we obtain the original records from your previous doctor.