 |
 |
ClinicsSpecial Services And/Or Clinics Available
Minor OperationsThe doctors undertake minor surgical procedures:
Each individual case should be discussed with the doctor and following this an appointment will be offered. Family PlanningThis practice offers a full range of family planning services which includes fitting of caps, coils (IUCD), injectable and oral contraceptives. Emergency contraception is also available. These services are available to all our patients and for patients who are not registered with the practice. Please make an appointment for the family planning or well woman/man clinic. Vasectomies are performed under local anaesthetic at our Creekmoor surgery; for advice and counselling please see Dr Cole. Cervical Smear TestsSmear tests for women involve an examination of the cervix (neck of the womb) to check for changes which occur before cancer develops. This test can be performed by any of the doctors or practice nurse. We recommend that all women who are aged 25 to 50, whether sexually active or not, have a smear taken every three years. Those over 50 should have the test done every five years up to the age of 64. We normally notify abnormal results but please phone to check that your result has been received four weeks after it is done. Advice On ImmunisationsRoutine 10 yearly tetanus boosters are no longer required. However, you will need a booster injection if you have a deep, dirty wound and for travel purposes. You need to have had five tetanus injections in your lifetime. If in doubt please check with the surgery. If you have never had a tetanus injection it is important for you to have a course of three injections. Any woman who may be thinking of having children should consider having a blood test to check that they are still protected against German measles (rubella). Travel Immunisations/AdviceAnyone planning holidays abroad should check with us well before they are due to travel so that we can make sure that any necessary vaccinations are completed in time. If you have any questions about vaccinations, it is better to ask than just hope you are protected. Before making an appointment with the practice nurse please complete a travel health questionnaire which can be obtained from reception. Yellow Fever Vaccination CentreWe are a registered yellow fever vaccination centre. An appointment can be made with the practice nurse for this and a fee is charged to cover the cost of the vaccination plus a certificate. Well Person Clinic For The ElderlyAll patients registered with this practice who are over 75 years of age will be offered an annual health check. This will take the form of a clinic consultation with our practice nurse and any problems arising from this will be referred to the doctor or appropriate agency. Any patient unable to come to the surgery can be visited by our district nurse. 'MOT' ClinicThese clinics are run by the practice nurses. They offer a health 'MOT' which has particular emphasis on measures to reduce the risk of heart disease (the main cause of death in this country). This clinic is aimed at anybody aged 20-75. Appointments are made in the usual way. The nurse will check your current state of health by checking your height, weight and blood pressure and testing your urine (please remember to bring a specimen). Where appropriate she will take a blood sample to check your cholesterol level. She will then give you advice on how to reduce your risks of developing disease. She can also offer help to lose weight and give up smoking. At your appointment you will be given a thorough assessment and a treatment plan will be agreed. On completion of your treatment you will be discharged. Should another problem occur, a further referral will be required before you are able to gain access to the service. The Chiropody ServiceTo access the chiropody service you must have a medical chiropodial need which will be assessed by a member of
the practice. Self-referrals cannot be accepted.
Because they are at risk, the priority group patients will access appointments more quickly, than general patients. Clinic Times We also hold a footcare clinic for basic footcare needs eg toenail cutting, monthly at Creekmoor and once every three months at Oakdale, Friday 1.00-4.00pm. Referrals for the footcare clinic come from the chiropodist. Telephone enquiries and appointments are accepted on Tuesday between 12.30 and 2.30pm. CounsellingCounselling, with a trained counsellor, is available at Birchwood Medical Centre. Most of us experience periods in our lives when we feel anxious and confused. Counselling gives the space to explore the situations and behaviours which are causing concern and see more clearly the options for change available. Referral is through your doctor. Appointments Wednesday and Thursday morning with Madie Cloridor-Wood NHS Counsellor. David Boardman, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist offers private consultations for all individuals
and couples experiencing psychological/emotional difficulties. PhysiotherapyA senior chartered physiotherapist holds a clinic three times a week at Birchwood Medical Centre on Monday 11.00am-2.00pm, Tuesday 9.00am-12 noon, Friday 12 noon-3.00pm and at the Oakdale Surgery 9.30am-12.30pm on a Thursday. Referral to the service at the surgery is via the doctors. The clinic provides specialist treatment of all musculoskeletal problems including spinal pain, joint pain, sprains and strains etc. However, patients with neurological conditions (ie strokes/MS), obstetric conditions and those under 16 years old, will be sent for specialist physiotherapy at Poole General Hospital. A private physiotherapy service is also available at the Creekmoor surgery. Please telephone Alison Tarleton - Hodgson on 07817 550481. DieticianA registered dietician from the East Dorset Community and Poole Hospital dietetic service hold a clinic at Birchwood Medical Centre on two Tuesday mornings a month. Specialist advice is available for all medical conditions requiring dietary management as well as general advice on nutrition. Immunisation Record
For more information on immunisation, visit: www.immunisation.nhs.uk BereavementIn the unhappy event that you suffer a bereavement, there are certain practical steps that must be taken. The GP has to be notified as soon as possible so that they can certify the cause of death and arrange the necessary forms and death certificate. If the death occurred suddenly or was unexplained, and the doctor had not seen the deceased within the last 14 days, then they may refer the death to the coroner. If this is the case the coroner will arrange for the deceased to be moved to the mortuary. If the coroner is not called, a funeral director must be contacted. The doctor may visit the family/next of kin during the following few days for a bereavement visit. We offer a supportive, confidential bereavement counselling service with a health visitor or district nurse trained in this field. Please feel free to contact direct on 603868 or through the surgery. It Can Be Fun To Be FitWhy Exercise?Regular exercise is important to everyone. Yes, you have probably heard that a million times, but have you thought what this actually means in terms of your own health? It is now widely accepted that prevention is better than cure. In recent years we have seen an increasing popularity in GP referral schemes. This is where doctors work together with local leisure centres and health clubs to plan specific programmes of regular exercise for individual patients to help deal with ailments such as heart disease and osteoporosis. These schemes have proved very successful, but why wait until you have a medical need? Exercise not only rehabilitates, but contributes greatly to reducing the risk of a wide range of medical problems. What Exercise Can Do For You
Different types of exercise can help specific problems. For example, regular and repetitive weight-bearing exercise such as fitness walking can prove extremely beneficial for pre-menopausal women in that it reduces their risk of suffering osteoporosis in later life. Regular aerobic exercise can improve the working of the cardiorespiratory system (heart and lungs). Everyone can benefit from regular exercise taken at a moderate level, and while we don’t all have to become Olympic athletes, we ought to be aware of the dangers of inadequate exercise and diet. What Type Of Exercise?Depending on your age, condition and interests, anything from a work-out in the gym to swimming, cycling, walking or even dancing can provide significant benefits. As a general guide, you should do sufficient exercise to cause mild breathlessness and raise the pulse rate for 20 minutes at least three times a week. If you are in doubt, arrange an appointment with the practice nurse who can assess your general condition and discuss the most appropriate forms of exercise for you. Above all, exercise should be fun! Try to choose a form of exercise that both fits into your lifestyle and provides the healthy benefits you are looking for. Remember too, exercise is often very sociable, giving you the opportunity to make new friends and develop new interests. |
|
