Clinics

ANTENATAL CARE

When it has been confirmed that you are pregnant, the receptionist will take your name, address and telephone number and the midwife will contact you to arrange a convenient time for her to visit you. This is so that the various forms can be completed at leisure in your own home and you will have time to ask the midwife any questions.

The midwife will then arrange an appointment for you to attend the antenatal clinic at the surgery.

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FAMILY PLANNING CLINICS

These are held every Monday night from 7.00 until 9.00pm and are by appointment. If you are unable to attend the clinics, all of the doctors are happy to give contraceptive advice in their routine surgeries. We regret, however, that it is not possible to fit coils during ordinary surgery times - please ask your own doctor about fitting if you cannot attend the clinic times.

The family planning clinics are open to ALL women, not just our own patients, so please feel free to tell your friends about this service.

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EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (Post-Coital Pill/IUD)

The post-coital pill has to be given within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse (the earlier the better).

1. The sooner you take emergency contraception after unprotected sexual intercourse the more effective it is.
   • Within first 24 hours - 95%
   • Within 48 hours - 85%
   • Within 72 hours - 58%
2. If you are given emergency contraception pills these will be called Levonelle if you request them from a pharmacy, or Levonelle 2 if you receive them from a surgery or young people's clinic.
3. If you have left it more than 72 hours, you can still have a coil (IUD) fitted up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse. Contact either your own doctor or the young adult clinic, as soon as possible, to make arrangements.
4. It is important to see a health professional (doctor or nurse) for family planning advice as soon as possible after taking emergency contraception to arrange a method of regular contraception.

NB - IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PERIOD WITHIN TWO TO THREE WEEKS AFTER TAKING EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION YOU MUST SEE A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL (DOCTOR OR NURSE) AS YOU MAY BE PREGNANT.

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BREAST SCREENING

This service is offered to all ladies between the ages of 50 and 65 by The Somerset Breast Screening Service every three years and is available on the NHS. Appointments will be sent to you from The Somerset Breast Screening Service, telephone (01823) 342425. If you have any queries please contact the surgery or The Somerset Breast Screening Service.

Ladies aged over 65 are entitled to FREE screening three yearly on request, but will not automatically be recalled. Please ask at reception or contact The Breast Screening Service on (01823) 342425 for further information.

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CHILD DEVELOPMENT CLINIC

Contact the health visitor who will advise when your child is due for a development check.

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CERVICAL SMEARS

The doctors recommend that all women between the ages of 20 and 65 have a cervical smear at regular intervals in order to prevent cancer of the neck of the womb. Currently it is recommended to have a smear every five years. We operate an automatic recall system for women whose smears are due. If you are aged between 25 and 64 and have never had a cervical smear, please make an appointment with the practice nurse in the cervical smear clinic.

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OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE

Asthma Clinic

Run by our Asthma nurses Mrs Chris Rutter and Mrs Cherry Durston, this clinic encourages asthmatic patients to be responsible for their own condition and it will assist with information on self-management. Please ask for further details at reception. The clinics are usually on Tuesdays.

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinic

Patients who are found to be suffering from COPD and not simple asthma are advised to attend this clinic. The asthma nurse Mrs Cherry Durston will advise you if you need to attend this clinic. Again, clinics are usually on Tuesdays.

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Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Clinic

Run by our practice nurse Mrs Karen Moore, this clinic is for patients who have coronary heart disease (previous heart attack, heart bypass operations, or angina). Clinics are usually on Monday mornings.

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Diabetic Clinic

This is run by our practice nurse Mrs Annie Chadburn who reviews and manages diabetic patients. If you are diagnosed as being a diabetic you will receive an appointment. Please ask at reception if you are diabetic and wish to attend the clinic. Clinics are usually on Friday afternoons.

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Hearing Tests For Children

Please contact the health visitor.

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Hypertension Clinic

Run by the practice nurses, this clinic is for patients who have been seen by the doctor and have been found to have high blood pressure, or patients already taking tablets for high blood pressure.

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Immunisation For Children

These clinics are usually held on the third Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of every month and is undertaken by two of our practice nurses. Somerset Health Authority will send out all the invitations.

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Minor Operations

A GP referral will be needed for minor operations and you will need to complete a consent form. The procedures take place when required but there is usually a short waiting list. Enquire at reception for further information.

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Parenthood Classes

Please contact the midwives or the health visitors (fathers welcome!).

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Patients Aged 75 And Over

These patients are invited to make an appointment with the doctor to discuss their health if they have not been seen for over one year.

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Stop Smoking Clinic

If you wish to cease smoking and would like some support from the medical centre please ask at reception for further details. Mrs Karen Moore is our specialist nurse trained to help you stop smoking.

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VACCINATIONS

Holiday.

Other.

If you require a vaccination not available on the NHS there will be a charge and you will be made aware of the fees when you attend the clinic.

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