Antenatal Clinics

Thursday 08.30am -13.00pm
This clinic is run by the midwives. If you become pregnant, you will be given a ‘booking appointment’ on another day at which the midwife will ask you a few questions and carry out some general health checks. You will be seen regularly throughout your pregnancy either at the practice or at the local hospital, or both.

If you think you might be pregnant then please do a home pregnancy test (we do not provide a routine pregnancy testing service at the surgery).

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Asthma

All patients with asthma are offered an annual asthma review at our nurse led clinics.

At the review you will be offered advice and support on your condition and your treatment will be optimised.

If you have asthma but have not had a review in the last 12 months then please make an appointment for the asthma clinic.

Some patients with asthma will be offered an annual flu jab and a one off immunisation against pneumonia (pneumovax).

For further advice contact Asthma UK on 0845 7010203 or at www.asthma.org.uk

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Child Health Clinics

Immunisation Clinic for Under 5s Thursdays 13.30 - 15.00pm .
8-week Checks and 1st Immunisations one session each Friday.
Baby Clinic 13.30 - 16.00pm each Tuesday, for health visitor assessment and baby weighing.

Other useful telephone numbers:

NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline 0800 169 0169
Support to Stop (Avon) 0117 959 5465

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Child Immunisation

http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/

It is important to keep up to date with your immunisations to avoid serious illness and you can go to the treatment room or come to this clinic. We will invite your child to attend when they reach the age for their immunisation.

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Childhood Vaccination

All recommended childhood vaccinations are offered in a weekly clinic which is held every Thursday.

Please telephone the vaccinations coordinator on 01275 547029 for further information.

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Contraception

All doctors and nurses are happy to give advice on contraception and sexual health. All consultations are confidential, regardless of age. (We do however recommend that if you are under 16 you bring a parent or guardian with you to your consultation.) Available methods are:

■ the pill (combined oral contraception)

■ the mini-pill (progesterone only contraception)

■ the injection (Depo-Provera)

■ the coil (IUCD)

■ the cap (diaphragm)

■ condoms - we provide free condoms for teenagers on the ‘C’ Card scheme. Ask your doctor, nurse or a receptionist.

Please see a doctor if you would like to discuss having a cap or coil fitted. Contraceptive advice can also be obtained from the Family Planning Clinic on 0117 927 6781.

Emergency contraception can be obtained from the surgery but you must make an appointment. You can also obtain emergency contraception from the nearest Walk-in Centre or direct from a pharmacy.

For further advice try the Contraception Hotline on 0845 310 1334.

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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

All patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are offered an annual review at our nurse led clinics. An invitation should be sent out during the month of birth of each individual patient. At the review you will be offered advice and support on your condition and your treatment will be optimised. If you have COPD but have not had a review in the last 12 months then please make an appointment with the nurse.

All patients with COPD will be offered an annual flu jab and a one off immunisation against pneumonia (pneumovax).

COPD is a common cause of breathing problems and persistent cough seen most commonly in people over the age of 40 who are smokers or have been smokers in the past. It is otherwise known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. If you experience episodes of breathlessness or persistent cough, please see the doctor or nurse who can arrange for further tests.

For further advice contact the British Lung Foundation, by telephone on 0845 850 5020 or at www.lunguk.org

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Diabetes

All patients with diabetes are offered an annual review of their condition. Research shows that good control of diabetes can reduce the risk of complications caused by diabetes and increase life expectancy. An invitation should be sent out during the month of birth of each individual patient. Some patients will need more regular reviews. If you have not seen the nurse for a review in the last 12 months then please make an appointment.

All patients with diabetes will be offered an annual flu jab and a one off immunisation against pneumonia (pneumovax).

Should you have a test for diabetes?

■ is there a history of diabetes in your family?

■ are you overweight?

■ do you feel constantly thirsty or have to drink large volumes of fluid?

■ Do you pass urine frequently or in large volumes?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, or if you are concerned that you may have diabetes then please ask the doctor or nurse for a screening test.

For further information contact Diabetes UK on 0845 120 2960 or at www.diabetes.org.uk

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District Nurses

If you are unable to attend the surgery for nursing care, the District Nurses may visit you at home.

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Drugs and Alcohol

If you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs then please talk to your doctor for advice.

You may also find the following telephone numbers useful:

Advice and Counselling on Alcohol and Drugs (ACAD) 0117 929 3028 www.acad.org.uk

Bristol Drugs Project (BDP)
Advice and support for patients with drug addiction 0117 987 1500

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 0117 926 5520

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 0117 924 0084

Nilaari
St Paul's and Easton drugs awareness group 0117 9551664

National Drugs Helpline Free 24 hour helpline 0800 766 60

Bristol Tranquiliser Project
Helpline for people addicted to tranquillisers/benzodiazepines
0117 934 9950

Families Anonymous
Support for families who have relatives with alcohol or drug addiction
0117 942 0518

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Flu Vaccination

Annual flu vaccination is available for all patients aged 65 or over and those at risk of complications from flu (including children aged over 6 months).

At risk groups include the patients with the following:

■ heart disease

■ diabetes

■ asthma or chronic obstructive airways disease

■ chronic kidney disease

■ chronic liver disease

■ immunosuppression

■ carers of elderly or severely ill patients.

If you are not eligible for a flu jab then we may not be able to provide vaccination as we must prioritise the above groups.

Flu jabs are available from October to December each year.

For more information about influenza please visit the NHS Website.

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Foreign Travel Clinics

Patients requiring advice and/or vaccinations for foreign travel are requested to complete the travel form (which is also available at Reception) at least 6 weeks prior to departure to ensure adequate time for planning which vaccines are required and for the vaccines to take effect before travelling.

Patients are reminded that charges will be made for some vaccinations. Please remember to hand in your travel form when you book your appointment in the Travel Clinic.

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Health Visitors

Health Visitors can be contacted on 01275 547031 or 547032.

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Heart Disease

This includes patients who have had the following heart conditions:

■ heart attack (myocardial infarction)

■ angina

■ heart failure (or left ventricular failure).

Heart disease is one of the main causes of death in the western world. With the correct management and lifestyle changes then patients with a history of heart disease can lower their risk of further heart problems in the future.

Patients with a history of heart disease are offered an annual review at our nurse led clinics. An invitation should be sent out during the month of birth of each individual patient.

If you think you have a history of heart disease and have not been seen then please discuss with your doctor or the practice nurse.

All patients with heart disease will be offered an annual flu jab and a one off immunisation against pneumonia (pneumovax).

For further advice contact the British Heart Foundation on 0845 070 8070 or at www.bhf.org.uk

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Hypertension

High blood pressure is a very common condition that often has no symptoms. It can cause heart disease and strokes. It can also cause kidney damage, deteriorating vision, heart failure and circulation problems. It is therefore important that all adults have a blood pressure check every 5 years.

If your blood pressure is persistently high then you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension). This condition can be treated with lifestyle modifications and medication. Once the blood pressure has been controlled then we advise a 6 monthly check up with the practice nurse and an annual blood test. If you have not had a check up in the last 6 months then please see the nurse.

For further information contact the Blood Pressure Association at www.bpassoc.org.uk or the British Hypertension Society at www.bhsoc.org.uk

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Maternity

When you are pregnant you will receive regular care from your usual doctor and midwife before and after your baby is born. Antenatal and Postnatal Clinics are held at the Health Centre on alternate Mondays.

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Minor Surgery

Minor surgery is provided at the practice for some minor skin lesions. However we do not offer surgery for purely cosmetic reasons. Please make an appointment with a doctor for an assessment.

Warts and verrucas are common and will often get better without treatment. Please see your pharmacist for over the counter treatments which may be helpful. If you have persistent problems with warts or verrucas the surgery does offer a limited wart freezing clinic which is held approximately every 3 months as required.

Joint injections can sometimes be helpful in treating certain inflammatory conditions such as tennis elbow and frozen shoulder. Please see your doctor for an assessment.

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Nurse Led Clinics

Our nurses run the following clinics at the Health Centre:

■ Asthma Clinic

■ Diabetes Clinic

■ Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Clinic

■ Quit Smoking Clinic

■ Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinic

■ Leg Ulcer Clinic

■ Travel Clinic

■ Child Immunisation Clinic

We also run flu clinics every autumn where vaccination is strongly advised for the following categories of patients:

■ All aged 65 and over

■ Patients with asthma, diabetes, CHD, or immuno-suppressant diseases.

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Sexual Health

We can offer advice on all sexual health and contraception matters. We can also screen for sexually transmitted infections including the following:

■ Chlamydia – this is an increasingly common condition and can lead to infertility in women. In many cases there are no symptoms so testing is important. Treatment is with a course of antibiotics

■ Gonorrhoea – this is a condition that has become more common again in recent years. Treatment is with a course of antibiotics

■ Hepatitis B – can be sexually transmitted. A blood test is required to confirm the diagnosis

■ HIV – can be sexually transmitted by both homosexual and heterosexual contact. A blood test is required to confirm the diagnosis. HIV can now be treated very successfully in specialist clinics to prevent the onset of AIDS.

You may also contact the Genitourinary Medicine Clinic (at the Milne Centre on 0117 928 2580) for advice and direct access to specialist clinics.

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Stop Smoking

The practice nurses run ‘Support to Stop Smoking’ clinics and can provide nicotine replacement to help you give up smoking. Please ask at reception for an appointment. Please note we cannot prescribe nicotine replacement treatment without prior attendance at one of these clinics.

If you want to join a ‘Support to Stop Smoking’ group then call 0870 240 3319 or contact the nearest Walk-in Centre for further advice.

If you are pregnant and still smoking then please discuss this with your doctor, practice nurse or midwife.

For further information and advice on smoking call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 1690169 or visit the NHS web site.

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Travel Vaccination

It is important to keep up to date with your immunisations to avoid serious illness. You can go to our treatment room or visit this clinic.

If you are going abroad you should first fill out a Travel Questionnaire and arrange an appointment with a practice nurse for your jabs and any other advice you may need.

What We Offer:

• Up to date travel advice from one of our specialist nurses
• Use of national travel databases
• Immunisation schedules
• Malaria advice including issue of prescriptions if necessary.

Most travel requires either compulsory vaccinations or those that are recommended. Start your vaccination programme at least eight weeks before departure, or earlier if you already have an itinerary.

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