Medical Examinations (Non-NHS)

In certain circumstances we may be able to offer the following services that are not covered by the NHS, and fees are payable for such items as:

• Large Good Vehicle (LGV) and Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) licences
• Elderly driver licences
• Insurance
• Private certificates
• Holiday vaccinations
• Insurance claims

Please ask the receptionist for such services. Charges are payable at the time of attendance, and the British Medical Association (BMA) recommended scale of fees is on display at the reception desk. For further information please see Why does my doctor charge fees?

A current list of Non NHS Medical Services fees is held in reception. It you have any queries regarding these, please enquire at Reception.

LGV and PSV Medical Appointment

Before you book your LGV and PSV medical with the GP, please ensure you have had an eye test in the last 2 weeks.  If not, you will need to arrange this with your optician first.

Holiday Cancellation Form

Please note the following must be in place before handing in your holiday cancellation form for the GP to complete:

• Written Consent
• Dates of insurance taken out
• Holiday booking date
• Date of travel
• A contact number if we have any queries

Medical Certificates

Self-certificates are available from your employer for sickness of up to one week. Any certificate required from the Doctor for periods up to the first week can only be provided as a private certificate for which there is a charge.

Spirometry is a specialised investigation for assessing your breathing. If the doctor or nurse feels you need to have this investigation, we will arrange it by appointment with one of the healthcare support workers. It is a non-invasive “blowing” test taking up to 45 minutes. It helps us decide on the severity and best form of treatment for your condition.

Patients with asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease can expect their medication and condition to be reviewed by our nurse trained in respiratory conditions on a regular basis. We will usually invite you in when your treatment and medication need to be reviewed.

The Receptionist’s role is to help the Doctors and patients, and they will be pleased to advise you on any aspect of the running of the practice.

They may need to ask you for information when you telephone or visit the surgery. This is to ensure that we can assist you appropriately and as quickly as possible. The reception staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the doctors and nurses. If you need to speak privately, please tell the receptionist. Their job is very demanding, so your patience when they are busy will be much appreciated.

Members of the reception team are available to help patients from 8am to 6.30pm.

Our Receptionists can help you in:

• making, amending and cancelling appointments
• making telephone consultation appointments
• advise how to obtain repeat prescriptions
• complete forms
• make medical examination requests, for example Large Good Vehicle (LGV), Taxi Medicals and Fostering
• obtain results of tests
• enquire about hospital referrals

We provide a minor surgery service which includes removal of simple cysts, lumps and injection of joints. Surgical procedures are performed under sterile conditions. These are done at a special appointment after consultation with the Doctor.

We are also able to treat lesions by freezing within the Practice. Freezing is only suitable for certain types of lesions. You will first need to be assessed by the Doctor before an appointment for this can be arranged. Most warts can be treated with over-the-counter paste solutions and freezing will usually only be offered if this fails.

We offer a limited number of blood test appointments at the practice. If we are fully booked and you do not wish to wait, you can access the following Walk-In blood test centres:

There is ample free parking at all three locations but please note spaces can be limited early morning at Meir Primary Care Centre.

Blood tests are also held in the Biddulph Primary Care Centre on Wednesdays, 9am to 12 midday and 1pm to 4pm. Please ring 01782 674242 for an appointment.

Please ask at reception for a leaflet on all the local clinics available for blood tests.

A full complement of regular clinics are held to cater for those with chronic conditions (such as asthma or diabetes) and also for those wishing to improve both the quality and span of their lives through preventative care. Further details on all our clinics are available at reception.

Biddulph Primary Care Centre has rooms available for Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) and Counsellors from the psychology or psychiatry departments of the North Staffordshire Hospitals. It also hosts podiatrists, physiotherapists, district nurses, health visitors amongst other allied health professionals.

All Doctors and Nurses provide a full range of Family Planning Services including the oral contraceptive pill, coils, contraceptive injections and implants. Please feel free to discuss your needs in this area with your doctor on a routine appointment. The Emergency Contraceptive pill must be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. Please ask for an urgent appointment or visit the local pharmacy or walk in centre.

For Contraceptive Pill Reviews, please see above.

Mrs Michelle Newell (Diabetic Nurse Specialist) runs a diabetic clinic and is well trained in patients who are on insulin. Our Practice Nurse Sister Sandra Pickles also runs a weekly diabetic clinic. These are overseen by Dr Naz.