Clinics

For details of specific clinic times, please contact reception.

Antenatal Clinic
Patients are seen by the midwife at the clinics by appointment and also by the doctors during normal surgery hours.

Baby Clinic
The baby clinics are run by Drs Silver, Patel, Griffiths and Pillai and one of our health visitors, for child developmental checks and to allow an opportunity to discuss other problems such as sleeping, feeding and child health worries with a doctor or health visitor.

Baby Immunisation Clinics
Our nurses provide advice and immunisations. You should be sent a note asking you to call the surgery to make an appointment for all routine baby immunisations at the appropriate times ie:

*As the Hib, Men C vaccination was only added to the programme in September 2006, some children will be invited to receive a booster at 4½ years combined with the other 4½ year booster as part of a catch-up programme.

If you do not receive a reminder for any of the above immunisations, an appointment can be made at reception; please state which vaccination is required and bring your child health (red) book. If in doubt, our nurse will advise.

Asthma Clinic
This is run by our nurses in conjunction with the doctors, by appointment only.

COPD Clinic
This clinic, for patients with severe breathing difficulties, is also run by our nurses, by appointment only.

Diabetic Clinic
This is run by the nurses in conjunction with the doctors, by appointment only.

Contraception And Sexual Health

All of our doctors provide contraceptive advice during surgery hours. Dr Patel and Dr Griffiths fit contraceptive coils, including the Mirena. They can also fit and remove Implanon, the contraceptive implant. If you would like to consider using one of these forms of long-acting reversible contraception, please arrange to see the doctors directly. Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods are more reliable and easier to use than traditional contraceptive pills. Please see the Family Planning Association website www.fpa.org.uk for more information on the wide range of contraception that is now available.

Emergency contraception tablets (Levonelle, the ‘morning after pill’) can be obtained from pharmacies without prescription, or through the surgery by telephone or by emergency appointment. It can be used up to three days after unprotected sex but is more effective the earlier it is taken. It may be possible to fit an emergency coil up to five days after unprotected sex. We can also advise on unplanned pregnancy.

Chlamydia screening (by self-taken swab for women and by urine test for men) is available at the surgery. Chlamydia is an infection that often has no symptoms but can cause infertility if left untreated. Screening is advised for all under 25s who have ever had sex.

Under 16s can be seen confidentially for all contraception and sexual health issues: we do not tell anyone you have attended.

Well Woman Clinics
Our practice nurses are pleased to see ladies for smear tests and discussion of women’s health issues.

Well Man Clinics
Appointments for a well man check can be made with Dr Shaunak and Dr Vaz. Testicular and prostate checks can be arranged as well as counselling on other male health issues.

General Health Checks
General health checks for men and women, including blood pressure, weight and cholesterol, can be arranged with the practice nurses. Patients who have not attended the surgery during a three-year period are encouraged to request such a check.

Phlebotomy (Blood Test) Clinics
These are run by the community nurse for the entire health centre. Appointments are limited and you may be asked to attend the hospital for your blood test if appointments are not available.

Minor Surgery Clinics
Dr Patel carries out minor surgical procedures and several of the doctors give some joint injections (by appointment). The doctors will be happy to advise you on this.

Non-NHS Examinations
The doctors are happy to carry out medicals, eg for insurance, scuba diving, racing driving or hackney-cab medicals, as well as pre-employment and employment medicals. These can be arranged by appointment outside normal surgery hours. Please telephone the surgery for an appointment. Please ask at reception for the charges for these services.

Patients Over 75
If you are aged 75 or over and have not seen the clinicians within the past year, you are welcome to attend for an annual health check. If you are housebound, a home visit may be arranged. Please request a check if you would like one.

Travel Immunisations/Vaccinations
We only supply travel vaccinations that are available under the NHS. For other vaccinations, you will need to attend a private travel clinic. Please enquire about travel vaccinations at least eight weeks prior to travel.

Flu Vaccination
An influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for patients with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes and residents of nursing and rest homes. Vaccination is currently available free-of-charge to all persons aged 65 years and over and to those under 65 years with the above conditions and is highly recommended. Clinics start in October and appointments or open clinic times are available at reception. The doctors are also able to provide ‘group’ vaccination at workplaces for which a charge is made. Contact Dr Silver or Dr Shaunak for details.

Smoking Cessation
We strongly advise all our patients to cease smoking and provide help and support to those wishing to do so. Smoking cessation groups are run regularly where the benefit of quitting can be shared with others. One-to-one smoking cessation sessions are also available with our trained smoking cessation advisors. Contact our nurses on the usual surgery number for details.
Advice on smoking cessation is available from all the doctors and nurses. Alternatively, access the Surrey Smoking Cessation Service direct on 0845 602 3608 or the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 917 6699, text 'support' to 63818 or go online to www.nhs.uk/gosmokefree

Coronary Heart Disease - Prevention Clinics
Our nurses run clinics to help patients with diagnosed coronary heart disease or those with an increased risk of disease, to monitor risk factors such as cholesterol, hypertension, weight and smoking. You may be invited to such a clinic; alternatively, see your doctor who will refer you if appropriate.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is characterised by redness and soreness of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. It is often caused by the same virus that causes coughs and colds. Antibiotic drops or ointments are not usually necessary. Latest research shows that children with infectious conjunctivitis (even if it is caused by bacterial infection) who are not treated with antibiotic eye drops recover just as quickly as children given antibiotics and are no more likely to develop serious complications.

Conjunctivitis is a self-limiting condition which usually clears up on its own within seven days. Bathing the eyes with cool clean water soothes the eyes and removes any sticky discharge. Wash hands regularly and avoid sharing towels. See a doctor if a baby less than four weeks old develops conjunctivitis. If there is pain in the eye (not just mild discomfort), if vision is affected, if there is redness or swelling or there is no improvement within a few days, you should make an appointment.

Threadworms

Threadworms are common in young children. They cause itching around the anus especially at night. You may see small white thread-like worms on wiping a child’s bottom, in the stool, or around the anus. Treatment can be obtained from the pharmacist. The whole family ought to be treated. Scrupulous hand washing and keeping nails short helps to prevent recurrence.