Clinics

CLINICS

CHILD HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS

Childhood vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hib meningitis and meningitis C are given to babies at two, three and four months.

The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination is given at 13 months.

At school entry your child will be given a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. They will also be given MMR 2.

You will automatically be sent a card for a vaccination date if your baby is registered with our practice. If you do not receive one please call our health visitor, Claire Orton, on 644372.

WELL BABY CLINIC

Thursday 1.00 - 2.30pm

The baby clinics are run by the health visitor for child developmental checks and immunisations and allow an opportunity to discuss other problems, eg sleeping, feeding and child health worries, with a doctor or health visitor.

PAEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENTAL CHECK AND IMMUNISATIONS

These are carried out by the doctors, health visitors and practice nurses, who will contact you when a check is due. Appointments for routine immunisations are sent out automatically by the East Berkshire Health Authority.

THE CHILD WITH A TEMPERATURE

We are aware of how worrying it can be to have a sick child. If you are concerned about your child we will always see them the same day at the surgery. We do ask that whenever possible you bring your child to the surgery rather than requesting a home visit. They will usually be seen sooner this way, rather than waiting for the doctor to pay a house call. Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated. It is always wise to keep a supply of children's paracetamol (Calpol or Disprol) at home. Paracetamol reduces a child's temperature, so should be given four hourly whenever a child has a temperature.

In most minor illnesses in childhood this is the only treatment required.

If you are worried about the child, or if the child fails to improve in two to three days it is worth bringing them to the surgery for a check.

ADULTS' VACCINATIONS

All adults should ensure they have had a tetanus and polio booster in the last 10 years. If in doubt please check with the nurse. Flu vaccinations are also available (see next).

FLU VACCINATIONS

An influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for patients over 65 years of age or with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, and residents of nursing and rest homes.

Please contact the reception staff in September for details of the vaccination dates and to make an appointment. If you are unable to attend the surgery, a home visit will be arranged to undertake this facility.

CERVICAL SMEARS

It is very important for all women between 25 and 65 to have a cervical smear test every three years. There are many early stages of cervical cancer and if picked up early this is totally curable by simple treatment and no large operation is necessary. The check is carried out by the practice nurse.

HEALTH PROMOTION SESSIONS

For men and women
For all new patients to our practice
Run by the doctor and practice nurse
Provide a general health check-up
Advice on healthy living
Blood tests, cholesterol and smear tests as appropriate
To arrange an appointment please ask at reception

MINOR SURGERY

Removal of cysts and lumps etc
Done by the doctor during surgery hours
To arrange an appointment please ask at reception

ANTENATAL CLINIC

Run by the district midwife on Friday mornings
To monitor your health through pregnancy
To monitor the development of your unborn baby
To arrange an appointment please ask at reception
Antenatal care can also be discussed with your doctor if you are unable to attend the Friday morning clinic

ASTHMA CLINICS

Run by practice nurse
Peak flow monitoring
Inhaler techniques
New medications
Nebuliser service
To arrange an appointment please ask at reception

DIABETIC CLINIC

Run by our diabetic specialist nurse
Blood sugar measurement and urine test
Advice on diet
Eye examination
Foot care
Blood pressure measurement

FAMILY PLANNING

Advice from the practice nurses
Oral contraceptive, coil fitting and diaphragm fitting
Emergency contraception if necessary for when you have had unprotected sex and do not want to become pregnant. Emergency pills are most effective if used as soon as possible but can still be used up to 72 hours after sex. (The coil can be used up to five days after.)
Emergency contraception is available from our doctors and nurses or from most pharmacies without prescription including Lloyds in Farnham Common.
It is also available at the Walk-in Centre based at Upton Hospital, Albert Street, Slough which is open from 7.00am - 10.00pm weekdays and 9.00am - 10.00pm weekends.

CORONARY HEART DISEASE CLINIC

Run by the practice nurse
Patients have to be referred to the clinic by the doctor or nurse.
This is a clinic for patients who already have coronary heart disease or have one or more risk factors which may increase the chances of them contracting the disease in the future.

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

Heavy periods are a common problem; indeed as many as one in every three pre-menopausal women complains about them. In most cases there is nothing wrong with the woman's body. Even so, the periods can be so bad that they interfere with daily life. Please make a double appointment with your doctor or practice nurse if you wish to discuss this matter.

TRAVEL IMMUNISATIONS/VACCINATIONS

Please make an appointment at least four weeks in advance of your holiday to ensure adequate cover. A charge will be made for certain immunisations and vaccinations which are not covered by the NHS. A list of these charges is held at reception.

Please fill in a travel form. We do not give Yellow Fever or Rabies vaccines.

PRACTICE COUNSELLOR: 01753 644414

Mrs Stephanie Howie provides this service for our patients. If you would like to see her, please make an appointment with your doctor first.

WELL PERSON CHECK

This service is provided by our practice nurses and includes screening for coronary risk factors, diabetes and hypertension, together with advice on a healthy lifestyle. The opportunity is taken to check that all vaccinations are up to date.

NON-NHS EXAMINATIONS

The doctors are happy to carry out medicals eg insurance and driving licence, by appointment outside surgery hours. Please telephone the surgery for an appointment. Please ask at reception for the charges for these services.

Southmead Surgery