Please see below our provided clinics we are offering at Netherton Practice:
Clinic | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri |
| Practice Nurse | 09.00 – 17.30 | ||||
| Health Care Assistant (HCA) | 08.00 – 18.00 | 08.00 -18.00 | |||
| Midwife | 13.00 – 14.30 |
Care Signposting
Care signposting what does it mean for patients?
Care signposting is a person centred approach to advise and guide patients to sources of help and advice, which are most relevant to their need as smoothly and quickly as possible. It is not intended to make a diagnosis or plan treatment.
When you next call the surgery for an appointment with a Health care professional or are perhaps seeking advice, one of our trained Receptionists will ask you for a brief description of your problem or ask you some questions about your request. This allows us to ensure that you are directed to the most appropriate person and in a way that is appropriate to the urgency of your request.
Signposting may direct you to Self-Care or Care at the Chemist or to one of our Primary Healthcare Team of Doctors, Practice Nurse, Health Care assistant and Pharmacist
All information including the telephone call is of course confidential. Our Salaried GP’s supports all frontline staff who Signpost.
Reviews and non-urgent appointments will be allocated appointment slots as availability permits. We will continue to offer telephone consultations where appropriate.
We are confident these changes will help you access services in a more timely and effective manner and at the same time help us better manage ever increasing pressures on primary care services.
Asthma Management
Our nurses are specially qualified to help you to understand your asthma, to give you advice on the use of your inhalers and how to vary the doses in different circumstances. They can monitor your health and refer you back to the doctor if necessary. If you need to use asthma medication you should be seen in this Clinic every year.
Blood Pressure Management
If you have been found to have high blood pressure this will probably be treated by a combination of lifestyle advice – weight control and exercise – and, if necessary, tablets.
Once your blood pressure is under control you will need to attend this Clinic for regular monitoring. At the Clinic we will check your:
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Weight and advise
- Urine specimen (annually)
- Smoking habit and advise
Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
High blood pressure, narrowing and hardening of the arteries, angina, heart attacks, strokes are very much inter-related. Our practice nurses are specially trained to carry out many of the tests and investigations as well as the routine care of people with these sorts of conditions.
When assessing the risk of coronary artery disease for an individual we look at five important factors:
- Blood pressure
- Smoking habit
- Cholesterol level
- Family history of coronary artery disease
- Weight/height
Cancer Screening and Prevention
- Cervical screening
- Breast screening
- Bowel screening
- Prostate cancer awareness
- Persistent cough/lung cancer
- Skin cancer awareness
Contraception Advice
You can ask for advice about contraception and the ‘morning after’ pill. Routine checks and prescriptions for the oral contraceptive pill and the contraceptive injection are given.
All of the doctors are fully qualified to offer family planning advice.
Child Health
We provide a full Child Health Surveillance service in co-operation with our Health Visitors. Appointments will be sent for all children under five registered with the practice to be seen at 6-8 weeks and 4 years for development checks. Please make an appointment with your doctor when your child is four years old for this pre-school check.
It is recommended that all children should be immunised against pneumococcal infection, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, tetanus, haemophilus influenzae (Hib), measles, mumps and rubella and meningitis C. Appointments are sent automatically by the Local Health Trust. Please contact reception if you think your child is overdue.
For more information on children’s immunisations visit the NHS Immunisation website.
Diabetes
In order to keep well and healthy every person with diabetes needs good and regular healthcare. The control of your diabetes and the early detection and treatment of any possible problems is very important. This Clinic is for everyone with diabetes, whether on tablets, insulin injections or dietary management alone. It aims to give people living with diabetes the information needed to manage their diabetes, from diagnosis to living with it on an every day basis.
Our practice nurses run the Clinic. Routine blood testing, checks on general health, foot care and circulation are made. Referral can be made for dietary advice and annual eye screening with local specially qualified opticians.
Menopause and HRT Management
Symptoms of the menopause and what to do about them are common problems. One of our nurses will be glad to talk to you and advise. Patients using HRT (hormone replacement therapy) should have a check with the nurse about once a year. All patients should make an appointment with the nurse to reassess the risks and benefits of HRT at least every five years.
Sexual Health
A confidential clinic at the hospital can be accessed directly by any patients who are worried that they may have a sexual health problem.
Smoking Cessation
If you smoke our specially trained nurse can help you find the best way for you to kick the habit. She can advise on how you can work through your own stop-smoking programme as well as how nicotine replacement therapy can be used appropriately to assist you.
Weight Control
If you would like help losing weight our practice nurses can provide support and advice. They can also help you to see a dietician.
