Well-Person Clinic
All patients may arrange a medical and/or lifestyle check with one of our practice Nurses. Please telephone your surgery for an appointment. An assessment and advice on weight reduction, exercise, healthy eating, stress control, smoke and alcohol cessation can be given.
Smoke Stop
We are able to refer patients to visit our Stop Smoking Advisor for patients committed to giving up. Patients who sign up to the programme may be offered help in the form of Zyban or Nicotine Patches. Success rate of these clinics is encouraging and our receptionists will be delighted to give details.
Antenatal Clinics
Full pregnancy care is offered, in conjunction with our community midwife. If you are pregnant, please inform the surgery promptly so that a booking appointment for the antenatal clinic can be given. If possible, please have the date of your last period to hand.
Family Planning
All aspects of family planning including barrier methods, hormone implants, IUDs (Intra Uterine Devices or ‘coils’) and hormonal contraception as well as pre-conception and sterilisation counselling. Complete confidentiality is assured. Vasectomies are offered and performed in the surgery at no cost; please make an appointment for this with Dr Atkinson.
Cryotherapy and Minor Surgery
A qualified surgeon (FRCS), two well-equipped treatment rooms and a purpose built operating theatre enable us to offer an extensive range of procedures within the surgery including :Vasectomy, ingrowing toenails, removal of lumps and bumps.
Foreign Travel Vaccinations
Please complete the travel questionnaire and return to the surgery.
After 4 days please telephone the surgery for a Travel Appointment where one of the practice Nurses will then advise which vaccinations are recommended for the area you wish to visit. It is best to enquire at least six to eight weeks before departure as some destinations require several courses of vaccinations to be given at monthly intervals. We stock most travel vaccines including yellow fever and have up to date health and immunisation information on computer that is accessed on-line.
Useful Travel Websites:
www.8weekstogo.co.uk
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
www.nathnac.org
www.malariahotspots.co.uk
www.immunisation.nhs.uk
Breast Checks
Breast cancer kills more women than any other form of cancer and becomes more common with increasing age. If the small changes are discovered early there is a better chance of successful recovery. Please consult your Doctor about any concerns you may have.
Mammography
From the age of 50 you will be invited to attend for a routine mammogram every 3 years under the national screening programme. Evidence is now showing a significant improvement in death rates since the introduction of this service and we would urge all our female patients to take up the invitation that will arrive in the post.
Influenza Vaccine
Flu jabs are available in the autumn each year for those at particular risk, for example those over 65. For those below 65 who suffer from a defined range of conditions considered by the Department of Health to put them at extra risk are also entitled to vaccination. People who fall into these categories will be sent their customary reminder in the post.
This year, all patients receiving the flu jab will automatically receive protection against the H1N1 ‘Swine Flu’ strain. Please contact reception for further details.
Pre Conception Advice
If you are thinking of starting a family, check the following items.
- Rubella immunity. A blood test will ensure that you are immune to German measles, which, if contracted in early pregnancy, can severely affect your baby.
- Alcohol. Cut down on alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy.
- Smoking. Give up! Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of premature babies and still births and subsequently increases the risk of cot deaths, childhood cancers and impaired lung and possibly intellectual development.
- Diet. Eat healthily and purchase a 0.6mg. daily supplement of folic acid from the chemist. Continue this to the 12th week of pregnancy. Avoid soft cheeses, raw eggs, unpasteurised milk, pate, raw meat and excess liver.
- Drugs. No drugs except those authorised by a Doctor.
Asthma Clinic
Asthma affects 1 in 10 children and 1 in 20 adults. The appointments are run by the Nurses aim to provide consistent and organised care. The emphasis is on better education, monitoring of peak flow, management plans, checking inhaler technique, choosing the best device to suit the patient, etc. Telephone your Surgery for an appointment. It is practice policy that all asthmatics should have their asthma assessed at least once a year.
Diabetes Clinic
This disease affects 1 in 500 patients and good control by the patient with the Doctor as background supervisor is the favoured approach. To this end, your GP and the Nurses will carry out annual checks and monitor disease control and advise on complications for patients who are not under hospital supervision. Dr Gadd has a special interest in Diabetes and will advise on or personally manage the more difficult cases. Once again practice policy requests all diabetics to be reviewed at least once a year. Appointments can be made at your Surgery.
Blood Pressure Clinic
Once blood pressure has been stabilised by lifestyle and/or drug therapy then your Doctor may recommend that the Nurse monitors your blood pressure within preset limits. This is more convenient for most patients as an appointment can be given and this frees up the Doctor’s time. It is recommended that all patients have their blood pressure taken at least once every five years as raised blood pressure initially produces no symptoms. The is a Weight/Height/Blood Pressure machine in the waiting room at Mitchell Road Surgery and is available for patient use.
Cervical Smear Clinic
The Department of Health recommends that all women should have a cervical smear every three to five years to exclude cancer. This is completely painless and the Health Authority will write to you when your cervical smear proceufre is due. Unfortunately we are unable to perform smears without the request of the Health Authority.
Child Development Clinics
The Health Visitor and GPs will carry out regular checks to make sure young children up to five are growing and developing normally. The GPs carry out Baby checks at eight weeks. The Health Visitor will then monitor your child regularly up to school age. It is important that you attend for these checks and an appointment will be sent to you. Please let the surgery know if you are unable to keep this and an alternative will be offered.
Physiotherapy
The Practice has a team of experienced physiotherapists. There are sessions most days and our intention is to provide an easily accessible, efficient service to the whole practice. You will be referred by your Doctor if appropriate.
Chiropody Service
If you suffer from certain medical conditions, it may be possible for you to receive treatment on the NHS at our Mitchell Road surgery. You will be referred for an appointment by your Doctor or a Nurse if appropriate.
Psychology (Adult and Child)
We now offer practice based psychologists to help patients understand and come to terms with inner conflicts. You may be referred by your Doctor.
Blood Taking
This is a popular service and can be arranged by appointment at both the Mitchell Road and at the Neighbourhood Centre surgeries for most blood tests including those requested by hospital specialists provided you have a request form. A few special tests will require a visit to the hospital however.
Ultrasound Scanning
We are able to offer ultrasound tests at the Mitchell Road Surgery for certain procedures. These tests may help your Doctor diagnose internal disease.
Additional Services
We host a number of privately offered complimentary and conventional services including:· Chiropody· Hypnotherapy· CBT· CounsellingDetails are available in the leaflet racks present in the waiting rooms.
http://www.BournemouthHypnotherapy.co.uk