Services available at the practice

Antenatal Clinic
The antenatal clinic is held on Friday afternoons between 1:45pm and 3:00pm. A community midwife and health visitor are present at the antenatal clinic. There is also an option to see the GP.

Contraception:
Comprehensive, confidential advice is available from all members of the practice during normal surgery times. The Practice Nurse or Nurse Practitioner will be able to provide a prescription for oral contraceptives (the pill and mini pill), and can administer contraceptive injections.

The fitting of coils and contraceptive implants (Implanon)is performed by prior arrangement with Dr Helen Steiner. Please ask at reception for an appointment.

Emergency Contraception:
Emergency Contraception can be effective up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. A coil can be fitted up to five days later and continues to provide contraception. If you require emergency contraception please contact the surgery as soon as possible.

Cervical Smear Tests:
All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years. In the light of evidence published in 2003 the NHS Cervical Screening Programme now offers screening at different intervals depending on age.

The new intervals are:    

 You will receive an invitation by computer-typed letter. However, you need not wait for the invitation before making your appointment. We prefer to do these tests within the practice and either the practice nurse, nurse practitioner or a doctor can carry them out. Please inform the receptionist, when making your appointment, that you will be having a smear test.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
HRT is initiated by the Nurse Practitioner or a GP. The Practice Nurse or Nurse Practitioner carry out the follow-up appointments.

Respiratory Management Clinic:
If you suffer with asthma or require advice regarding chronic respiratory problems, please make an appointment to see one of the nurses with specialist training in the management of respiratory disease. The reception staff will advise you about the most appropriate healthcare professional to see regarding your respiratory problem. If you suffer from a chronic respiratory condition you may be invited to attend for assessment of your condition and treatment.

Smoking Cessation:
For professional Smoking Cessation advice please phone 'North Lancashire's Stop Smoking Service' on 0845 601 2186. With professional advice you will be offered up to 10 weeks nicotine Replacement Therapy on prescription. Alternatively ask for an appointment with the Practice Nurse.

Diabetic Management Clinic:
All diabetic patients will be reviewed by practice nurse Mandy or one of the nurse practitioners Wendy or Angela at least every 12 months to maintain and improve diabetic control. These clinics will be held monthly and patients will be invited to attend.

Minor Surgery:
Minor surgical procedures can be carried out at the surgery. Please make an appointment to see the doctor if you think you may need this service, which includes minor operations under a local anaesthetic and joint and soft tissue (muscle and tendons) injections.

Newly Registered Patients:
All newly registered patients will be asked to complete a quetionnaire and have a consultation with the nurse practitioner within one month of registering. Medical treatment is available from the date of registration.

Patients Aged 75 and Over:
If you are 75 years of age or over you should be seen by a member of the practice team, this can be done at the surgery if you are well enough to attend. If you are housebound a home visit will be arranged.

• Pre-employment medicals
• Private medicals
• Insurance claims
• Private certificates
• Fitness to drive medicals
• Travel vaccinations

If you have any queries about fees or any other private medical services please discuss them with the receptionist or the practice manager.

Children
By the age of 5 years all children should have completed the three "triple" vaccines (with or without whooping cough) plus the combined Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations and the Diphtheria / Tetanus & Polio - pre -school booster, plus the required number of doses of Menningitis C vaccine. Vaccinations take place on a Tuesday mornings between 09:30am and 12.15pm by appointment.

Adults
By appointment with Practice Nurse.

Travel Vaccinations
Please discuss your requirements with the Practice Nurse at least six weeks before you are due to travel.

Tetanus
All adults should be immunised against tetanus and receive a booster injection at least every 10 years.

Influenza
In accordance with the department of health guidelines We operate an annual 'Flu vaccination programme beginning in October. It is recommended for certain at risk groups, diabetics, chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, chronic liver disease and those patients registered with the practice who are the main carer for an elderly, disabled or "at risk" person whose welfare may be affected if the carer falls ill, residents of nursing and rest homes and for everyone over the age of 65 years. The vaccination is available in October.

Pneumococcal Vaccine
This vaccine gives a lifetime protection against a specific form of Pneumonia, it is recommended for all patients with, Heart disease, Diabetes, Asthma, Splenectomy and patients over the age of 65.

Child Health
Health Visitor Primary visit at 10 - 12 days
Weaning contact at 4 - 6 months
2 year health check and 3 year questionnaire

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Children 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

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

Please contact the surgery at least six weeks before you are due to travel.  You will need to fill in a form detailing where you are travelling to and any previous vaccinations you have in order for the practice nurses to advise you about your vaccination requirements.  When the form is completed and returned to the practice, the receptionists will make you an appointment in one of our travel vaccination clinics.

Most travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge.  This is because travel vaccination is not included in the services provided by the NHS and therefore is a chargeable service.

The treatment room nurses deal with dressings, removal of sutures and ear syringing. They also perform blood tests and injections at the written request of a doctor or nurse practitioner. If you require any of these services please ask at reception to make an appointment.

Present opening hours:

MONDAY                        9.00am to 12 noon        1.30 to 4.00pm
TUESDAY                      9.00am to 12 noon        1.30 to 4.30pm
WEDNESDAY               9.00am to 12 noon        1.30 to 4.30pm
THURSDAY                   9.00am to 12 noon
FRIDAY                           9.00am to 12 noon        1.30 to 4.00pm

It is not necessary to see a doctor to be referred for ear syringing but you must make sure that you have put warm olive oil in your ears every day for at least five days prior to your ear syringing appointment.