The practice can offer advice on a range of sexual health issues including contraception, erectile dysfunction and sexually transmitted diseases. As always, these issues are dealt with in strict confidence no matter which age group is involved.

We can offer advice and provide a range of contraception including oral, topical, barrier and injectable methods. We have one doctor who is trained to fit IUD’s (coils) and two Doctors who are trained to fit the contraceptive implant.

You are welcome to approach this practice if you have concerns about sexually transmitted diseases. We can test for many of these conditions which can often be treated within the practice. However, as with other illnesses, it may sometimes be necessary to refer you to a hospital outpatient clinic to confirm the diagnosis and to provide treatment for your condition.

If you are aged between 16 and 24 years, we also provide Chlamydia screening service. You do not need an appointment but can simply request a testing kit from reception. All that is required is a urine specimen and the result will be sent to you by text message from the hospital.

We can also offer assessment and treatment to men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (impotence). Treatment is available for this distressing condition although the NHS is not usually able to provide this free of charge.

The practice nurses are also able to help you with your quit attempt. Ask for a ‘stop smoking’ appointment.

You will need to be ready to set a quit date, allowing for organisation of nicotine replacement as necessary. Also be prepared to make at least one further appointment a month after the quit date.

Further appointments, or telephone contact, will be arranged over approximately a two to eight week period.

Take the first step to becoming ‘smoke free’, call the NHS Stop Smoking Service on free phone 0800 013 0553 or check the website at www.smokefree.nhs.uk.

Our nursing team have set up a new area in the surgery waiting area where you will find a blood pressure machine, weighing scales and height measure.

Feel free to pop in at anytime the surgery is open and use this area to check your blood pressure or weight without the need for an appointment.

There will also be informative leaflets and information available in this area.

Please let us know what you think of this area and any suggestions you may have to improve it.

Patients aged 40 – 74 who have not received a basic medical check within the last 5 years are entitled to make an appointment with the practice nurse.

Patients aged 75 and over are able to request a similar appointment annually.

Please contact the surgery in early October if you are entitled to an NHS flu vaccine.

Those eligible:

• Age 65 years and over
• Pregnant women
• Carers
• In long stay care home
• Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment

Also Chronic disease including:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Respiratory disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Neurological disease

Please ask at the surgery if you are unsure.

Your doctor will look after you in conjunction with our practice nurses for diabetes, chronic lung or heart disease and high blood pressure.

The practice has access to counselling. Your doctor or other practice professional can refer you to the relevant service and they will contact you.

The services are confidential and will in some circumstances require a commitment of some weeks.

Comprehensive, confidential advice is available regarding all forms of contraception, including emergency contraception.

If you are aged between 16 and 24 years, we provide Chlamydia screening service.

You do not need an appointment but can simply request a testing kit from reception.

All that is required is a urine specimen and the result will be sent to you by text message from the hospital.

The nurses carry out cervical smears. An appointment should be made in the usual way.

Please tell the receptionist the reason for your appointment so that an appropriate length of time can be allocated for this.