For patients with angina or a history of heart attacks, we need to monitor your cholesterol, blood pressure, weight and other parameters to minimise your risk of getting further heart attacks or other complications. If these have not been done whilst having regular checks with the doctor, we may ask you to attend our CHD clinic to organise these and review your medication.

We encourage all patients to have their young children and babies screened for health, growth and development. The Doctors, in conjunction with the Health Visitor, undertake the regular screening of babies who are registered with our practice. These checks are usually conducted at the same time as the mother’s post-natal check.

All children will be called for vaccination through the computer system run by North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust. This clinic is run on a Wednesday afternoon and is conducted by the Practice Nurse and a Health Care Support Worker. A Doctor is also available should he or she be needed. Please bring your child’s health record with you when you attend.

Immunisation and Vaccination Schedule.

We advise all women between the ages of 25 and 49 years to have regular three yearly smears and women aged 50 to 64 years to have smears every five years. All the Nurses in the practice will take smears. Please tell the receptionist you are making your appointment for a smear.

The ante natal clinic is held on Tuesday afternoon and all-day Thursday and is run by the Midwife, with a doctor available if needed. Our aim is to provide a personal and efficient service throughout pregnancy, delivery and post-natal care. We would ask patients to make an appointment with the Midwife as soon as they know they are pregnant. Please give your details to the receptionists.

Clinical pharmacists work as part of the general practice team to improve value and outcomes by seeing patients in clinics, telephone consultations and handling all aspects of medication management. This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions and advice for those on multiple medicines. The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and ensuring patient safety.

Having a clinical pharmacist in GP practices means GPs can focus their skills where they are most needed, for example on diagnosing and treating patients with more complex conditions.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner

An Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) is a registered nurse who has received additional university education to increase their ability to treat, diagnose, counsel and educate patients. The Advanced Nurse Practitioner can also provide the information you may need to better manage your health or condition.

Advanced Nurse Practitioners are trained to see patients of any age with new onset health problems. You will need to see a Doctor if you have complex health problems. The receptionist will be able to advise on suitability. The ANP is able to issue a prescription if necessary.

Same day appointments are available Monday to Friday morning and every afternoon with the exception of Thursday. You may be offered a same day appointment with our Advanced Nurse Practitioner as an alternative to seeing the GP.

Nursing Sisters and Health Care Support Workers

Our Nursing Sisters and Health Care Support Workers hold surgeries morning and evenings by appointment only. Between them they perform a wide range of services including:

• Blood pressure checks
• Stitch removal
• Ear syringing
• Immunisations
• Travel vaccinations
• Cervical smears
• Exercise on prescription referrals
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs)
• Dressings
• Urine Tests
• Contraception,
• Flu Vaccination (September and October)
• Weight advice
• Health checks
• Spirometry

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Booking your Appointment with the Nurse

• Travel Appointment:
  Please call us to book a travel clinic appointment with the nurse. A Risk assessment will be completed with the Nurse on your initial appointment.
• Allow Plenty of Time:
  Patients are advised to allow plenty of time for vaccinations (at least 6 to 8 weeks) especially if traveling to an ‘out of the way’ place where they’ll be living or working among local people. Some courses of vaccine such as rabies or Hepatitis B need to be given over several weeks.

Prescriptions

If you require a prescription for vaccinations, this will be ready to collect 2 working days following your appointment.

Holiday Health

It is always a wise precaution to pack some essential items in case of illness on holiday. Do choose medicines according to your needs and the country you are intending to visit. Remember to pack your prescription medications if you take some.

You may want to consider packing the following:

• Paracetamol, Travel Sickness tablets, Plasters and a Small Crepe Bandage
• Rehydration solutions such as Dioralyte, Anti diarrhoeal e.g. lmodium
• High factor sunscreen
• Anti malarial tablets, Water purification tablets, Insect repellent
• Condoms and other contraceptives
• Sunhats for yourself and children

Mosquito Bite Avoidance for Travellers

In many tropical countries, mosquitoes can spread diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, West Nile, Malaria, Yellow Fever and Zika. Here are five simple rules you should follow to reduce your risk of infections spread by mosquitoes.

Mosquito Bite Avoidance for Travellers Leaflet.

Useful Travel Information Websites

The Travel Health Organisations section on this website has lots of useful links to help you.

Travel Vaccination Charges

We offer most of the travel health service at no additional charge to the patient. However the NHS does not cover the cost of all the treatments you may need. Therefore, for some services you may need to pay.

Malaria Tablets are NOT provided on the NHS and sometimes can be bought over the counter or may require a private prescription. The nurse can advise regarding this, or you could discuss with your pharmacist. REMEMBER some tablets have to be started at least one week before you travel, and you need to continue to take them when you return to the UK for the advised length of time.

Please speak to your chemist regarding the prescription charges.