Services

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening is a simple ultrasound scan that checks for a bulge or weakness in the main blood vessel in your abdomen (aorta).

In England, men are routinely invited for AAA screening during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not previously been screened can contact the NHS AAA screening programme to request a scan. Women are not routinely invited for AAA screening as part of the NHS programme.

The scan is quick, painless and free, and can help identify an AAA before it causes symptoms. If you receive an invitation, we strongly encourage you to attend.

For more information about AAA screening, including what happens during the scan and how to arrange an appointment, visit the NHS website

Please note – the AAA screening clinics are run by an external service, not the practice team.

Our baby clinics are run by our practice nursing team, alongside the wider practice team to provide a friendly and supportive environment for you and your baby. They offer an opportunity to check your baby’s health and development, discuss any concerns you may have, and make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date.

Our healthcare team can provide advice on feeding, development, sleep, immunisations and other aspects of your baby’s health and wellbeing. You are welcome to ask questions or raise any concerns you may have.

Please bring your baby’s Red Book to appointments where possible, as this helps us keep a record of their health, development and vaccinations.

You can view the current NHS vaccination schedule on the UK government website

Blood tests are used to help diagnose conditions, monitor your health and check how well a treatment is working. If a blood test is needed, our clinical team will let you know and arrange the appropriate appointment.

Our GPA’s and other trained members of our practice team carry out routine blood tests at the practice. When booking your appointment, please let us know if you have any specific requirements or concerns about having a blood test.

Please remember to attend your appointment on time and let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend, so we can offer the appointment to another patient.

If your blood test was requested by a hospital or another healthcare provider, please contact the service that requested it for information about your results.

For information about your results, please see our Test Results section.

Cervical screening (often called a smear test) is a simple test that checks for high-risk types of HPV that can cause changes to the cells of the cervix. It is an important way of helping to prevent cervical cancer.

If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation from the NHS when your screening is due. Our practice nursing team carries out cervical screening appointments in a private and supportive environment.

The test only takes a few minutes. It may feel uncomfortable, but it should not be painful. You can ask questions or let the nurse know if you are worried or would like them to explain anything before or during the appointment.

Please don't ignore your invitation, attending cervical screening regularly can help prevent cervical cancer.

Further information can be found on the NHS website

Our Clinical Pharmacist is an important part of our practice team and is specially trained in medicines and how they can be used safely and effectively.

They can help with a wide range of medication-related needs, including medication reviews, new medicines, ongoing prescriptions, side effects, interactions and questions about how to take your medicines. They can also support the management of some long-term conditions and provide advice on getting the most benefit from your treatment.

If your query is best suited to our Clinical Pharmacist, our total triage system may direct you to them rather than a GP. This means you can be seen by a healthcare professional with specialist expertise in medicines, while helping to keep GP appointments available for patients who need them.

For more information on our Clinical Pharmacist see our meet the team page

Our First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) is a highly experienced physiotherapist who specialises in assessing and treating musculoskeletal (MSK) problems, such as back, neck, joint and muscle pain.

You may be offered an appointment with our FCP rather than a GP if your symptoms are more suited to physiotherapy. They can assess your problem, provide advice and exercises, recommend appropriate treatment, and arrange onward referral or investigations where needed.

Seeing our FCP means you can access specialist MSK expertise directly, helping you get the right support without needing to see a GP first.

For more information on our FCP see our meet the team page

Our GP Assistants (GPAs) and Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) are an important part of our wider practice team, supporting both our GPs and patients with a range of routine clinical tasks.

Depending on their role and training, they can provide services such as blood pressure checks, blood tests, ECGs, health checks, measurements and other routine assessments. They also support our clinicians by carrying out specific tasks, helping our GPs to focus their time on patients who need their expertise.

If your request is suitable for a GPA or HCA, you will be directed to book an appointment with them.

If you have a long-term health condition, such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, it is important to have regular reviews to make sure you are receiving the right care and that your condition is well managed.

Our practice offers annual reviews for a range of long-term conditions. Depending on your condition, your review may involve checks such as blood pressure, blood tests, weight, medication reviews and discussions about your symptoms, lifestyle and general wellbeing.

You may be asked to attend more than one appointment or see different members of our healthcare team as part of your review. This allows you to receive care from the professional with the right expertise for your needs.

If you are invited for your annual review, please make every effort to attend. Regular reviews help us spot changes early, review your medication and work with you to keep your condition under control.

You will normally be invited to book for your annual review on or around your month of birth.

Our Mental Health Practitioner is a specialist member of our practice team who can support patients experiencing a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, stress and other common mental health concerns.

They can offer assessment, advice and support, help you understand what you are experiencing, and signpost or refer you to other services where appropriate. They can also work with you to develop a plan to support your mental wellbeing.

If your needs are better suited to our Mental Health Practitioner, you may be offered an appointment with them rather than a GP. This means you can access someone with specialist expertise in mental health and wellbeing, while ensuring GP appointments are available for patients who need them.

For more information on our Mental Health Practitioner see our meet the team page

Patients can also self-refer to NHS talking therapies

The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (Healthier You) supports people who are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes to make healthy, sustainable changes that can reduce their risk.

The programme provides free support over 9 months, including advice and guidance on healthy eating, physical activity, weight management and other lifestyle changes. You will receive support from trained coaches and can access the programme in a way that fits around you.

If you are eligible, we may refer you to the programme following your blood test or health check. Taking part can help you make positive changes now and reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.

Please see the NHS website for further information 

Sometimes the things affecting our health and wellbeing cannot be solved with medication or medical treatment alone. Social prescribing connects you with local services, activities and practical support that can help you improve your health and wellbeing.

Our Social Prescribing Link Worker will take time to listen to what matters to you and help you find the right support.

Social prescribing may be able to support you with:

• Loneliness or social isolation
• Low mood, stress or anxiety
• Getting more active
• Finding local groups, activities or volunteering opportunities
• Housing or financial worries
• Benefits, debt or employment support
• Carer support
• Bereavement and loss
• Building confidence and independence
• Managing a long-term health condition
• Making positive lifestyle changes
• Connecting with community organisations and support services

Who is social prescribing for?

Social prescribing is available to adults registered with the practice who would benefit from additional practical, social or emotional support.

You do not need to have a particular medical condition to benefit. It can be particularly helpful if you are feeling isolated, experiencing changes in your circumstances, living with a long-term condition or simply need some help finding the right support.

Social prescribing is not an emergency or crisis service. If you need urgent medical or mental health support, please use the appropriate urgent care service.

Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect you, your family and our wider community from serious infectious diseases. We offer a range of routine and seasonal vaccinations for eligible patients, including childhood immunisations, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as other vaccines depending on your age, health and circumstances.

If you are invited for a vaccination, please make every effort to attend. If you are unsure whether you are due a vaccine or think you may have missed one, please contact us and we can check your vaccination record.

Some vaccinations, including certain travel vaccines, may not be provided by the practice and may need to be arranged through a pharmacy or specialist travel clinic.

You can find the latest information about vaccinations, including the NHS vaccination schedule and who is eligible, on the NHS website

Vaccinations we provide:

Childhood vaccinations

We provide routine childhood immunisations in line with the NHS vaccination schedule. These protect against a range of serious illnesses, including measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, meningitis, whooping cough, polio, tetanus and diphtheria.

If your child has missed any of their routine vaccinations, please contact us. In most cases, vaccinations can still be given as part of a catch-up programme.

Flu vaccination

The seasonal flu vaccination is offered each year to patients who meet the NHS eligibility criteria. This includes older people, pregnant women, people with certain long-term health conditions and some children.

Children aged 2 and 3 can usually receive their flu vaccination through the practice. Most school-aged children are vaccinated through the School Age Immunisation Service.

Shingles vaccination

The shingles vaccination is available to eligible older adults and to some younger adults with a severely weakened immune system.

Pneumococcal vaccination

The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious infections such as pneumonia and meningitis. It is offered to eligible older adults and to younger people with certain long-term health conditions or other risk factors.

RSV vaccination

The RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccine is offered to eligible older adults and during pregnancy to help protect newborn babies. Some people aged 65 to 74 who are at increased risk are also eligible.

Vaccinations during pregnancy

Vaccination is an important way of protecting both you and your baby. Depending on the stage of your pregnancy and the time of year, you may be offered vaccinations including:

• whooping cough (pertussis)
• RSV
• seasonal flu

COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 vaccinations are offered seasonally to people who meet the current NHS eligibility criteria. Eligibility can change between vaccination programmes, so please check the latest NHS guidance if you are unsure whether you qualify.

Catch-up vaccinations

If you think you or your child may have missed a routine vaccination, please contact us. We can check your vaccination record and advise whether any vaccinations are outstanding.

Travel vaccinations

If you are travelling abroad, you may need additional vaccinations depending on your destination and planned activities.

The NHS provides some travel vaccinations free of charge, including hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio where clinically indicated. Other travel vaccinations are not routinely funded by the NHS and may need to be obtained privately.

Please contact us as early as possible before travelling, ideally at least 6 weeks before your departure date, so that there is enough time to assess what you may need and complete any necessary vaccination courses.

Please see our travel information page

Am I eligible?

Vaccination eligibility can depend on your age, medical history, pregnancy, medications and other individual risk factors, and NHS vaccination programmes are updated from time to time.

If you are unsure whether you or your child is due a vaccination, please contact our reception team. They can arrange for the nursing team to check your vaccination record and advise you.

You can also view your vaccination history through the NHS app.