Nurse-Led Clinics

Our Practice Nurses run the following clinics for which they have received specialist training. The dates and timings of these clinics will vary; please contact the Health Centre for further information.

Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease and Travel
We will send out letters inviting you to come for monitoring of your condition.

Contraception
With the exception of IUCDs (the coil), all contraception advice and service is provided by the Practice Nurse. If you wish to have an IUCD fitted you will need to make an appointment with one of the Nurses to discuss, and the Nurse will advise.

Cervical Smear Tests
A letter will be sent to you inviting you to attend. The results will be sent to you via Primary Care Services at Anglia Support Partnership.

Childhood Vaccinations
Routine vaccination for children is recommended at 2, 3 and 4 months and at 12 months, 13 months and 4 years. Appointments will be sent out automatically by Child Health. If you do not receive an invite, please contact reception. Clinics are normally held on each Thursday between 14.00 and 17.00.

It is essential that your children are protected from infectious diseases as far as possible. You will normally receive an appointment when your child's injections are due. For the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK, please contact Chris Pugh (Health Visitor) at the Health Centre or visit the NHS Immunisation Information website.

Cryotherapy
This clinic is run by the Senior Practice Nurse. Referrals are made through the GP.

Travel Vaccinations
Patients requiring travel vaccination advice are asked to contact Patient Services to arrange a travel consultation with the Practice Nurse at least 8 weeks before the planned departure date. The first appointment will be a telephone consultation to determine your travel vaccination requirements, malaria prophylaxis, and any related health issues. Based on this discussion, the Practice Nurse will arrange an appropriate appointment for you to attend the Health Centre. Please be aware that some vaccination courses involve up to 3 injections and will require more than one visit to the Health Centre. Travel vaccinations are not available on the NHS therefore charges apply to all patients, including those exempt from prescription charges, children and the elderly. Payment by cheque (with valid bankers card) or cash is expected on the day of vaccination.

Most vaccinations are held in stock so if you book an appointment you will normally receive the vaccinations on that day. For information on our travel vaccination charges and for more information on travel health please go to FitforTravel and FCO websites.

Anticoagulation and Near-Patient Testing
We offer regular testing for patients taking anticoagulation drugs and for whom the hospital has prescribed specialised drugs. You will be advised when you need to attend for a blood test.

We hold dedicated anticoagulation clinics each Monday afternoon from 15:00 to 17:00. We also offer other routine blood testing each morning from 08:15 to 11:00.

OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE

MINOR INJURIES

Acknowledging that we are several miles away from an Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department we are able to treat some minor injuries here. However, those which are more severe or which need specialist hospital equipment (eg, x-ray) will be referred on to A&E, possibly after an initial assessment here dependent upon the severity/urgency of the injury.

PRIVATE MEDICALS

Please ask for details from the Patient Services Team. These take time and are carried out by the doctors outside normal surgery hours. These medicals are not part of the National Health Service and a fee is usually charged based on nationally agreed rates, click here for fees information. A basic list is also displayed at the reception desk. The Patient Services Team will give you full details at the time of booking your appointment.

MINOR SURGERY

We are able to perform some minor surgery procedures in special clinics run jointly by a doctor and a nurse. Your doctor will refer you to this clinic and we will contact you when the time and date has been arranged.

CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

A regular clinic is held by the Health Visitor and the doctors who will routinely check the under fives. Children must be weighed and measured by the Health Visitor before making an appointment to see the doctor.

DRINKSENSE

Drinksense works to reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse to individuals, families and communities. Regular clinics are held at the surgery, and a walk-in service is available; please ask at reception for details. Alternatively, please telephone 01480 456956.

DISABLED FACILITIES

Two parking spaces reserved for disabled patients are near the front entrance. The whole building is on the ground floor only. There are no steps into the building and all doors are wide enough for wheelchair access. Toilets equipped to help our disabled patients are available at the front of the building. If you require any extra assistance please make this known. Should you find it difficult to enter the building unaided please ring the bell for assistance.

TRANSLATION

If you are a non-English speaking patient and do not have a relative or friend you can bring with you to interpret, please let our receptionists know and they will try their best to arrange an interpreter.