Diabetes Clinic 

Annual

We have two nurses trained in the care of patients with diabetes, Rebecca Walker and Emily Pettett, Rebecca has completed the ENB 928 course and is trained to initiate insulin therapy in general practice.

The clinic nurses are able to diagnose, plan treatment and monitor patients with Type I and Type II diabetes, and also diagnose and monitor patients with 'pre-diabetes'.  A care-plan is agreed with the GP. 

Stable patients are usually seen twice yearly (unless otherwise agreed).  This involves an annual appointment with a Health Care Assistant, in the month of the patient's birthday.

Monitoring includes:

• Yearly weight & urine check
• Foot Checks
• Blood pressure/pulse check
• Discussion on diet and exercise
• Smoking/Alcohol levels
• Discuss any patient concerns
• Annual Blood Test

This is followed up with a Face to Face appointment or Telephone review with the Diabetic Nurse.

Follow up

• blood test

The Diabetic Nurse will review your blood test results, and will be in touch with you either by phone or SMS message.

Appointments for diabetic clinic are usually booked in advance via Reception on 01271 329004.

Housebound patients are seen by the OPIC and their care shared with the GP or Rebecca. If necessary patients care is shared by specialists at the hospital. The nurses are constantly updating to provide up to date evidence-based care, attending regular courses for diabetes and diabetes related care.

For more information on starting a low carb diet please click here.

COPD Clinic

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is an umbrella term for a collection of chronic diseases which affect the small airways of the lung, where airflow is obstructed and not fully reversible. These conditions include chronic asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The respiratory nurse and your GP provide a service for diagnosing COPD, they provide support and advice on reducing risk factors such as smoking and managing the condition with medication, breathing techniques, exercise, diet, treating infections and sputum clearance.

Many patients with COPD are given long term oxygen therapy at home. These patients are usually managed by the hospital respiratory consultants and specialist nurses. However the clinic nurses here will still be available to support these patients. They can provide information on what to expect at a hospital visit, telephone support and advice to benefits which may be available.

Influenza and Pneumococcal vaccinations are recommended to patients with COPD.  Medication is tailored to meet the needs of the individual patient and may include inhalers, oral medication, nebulisers or oxygen therapy. Treatment follows the British Thoracic Society Guidelines.

Information can be provided about benefits which may be available for some patients with COPD.

In addition to these clinics a respiratory nurse is available everyday (except during annual leave) for telephone advice.

It is important that you are seen annually, you will be invited to book an appointment in the month of your birth.

Well Woman Clinic

We have four nurses who are trained in the taking of cervical smears, pill checks and pessary changes.

Desri Dyer holds the Marie Curie breast and cervical cytology certificate, ENB 321 fertility and fertility control, ENB232 family planning in practice.  Desri is also trained in implant fits and removals.

All four nurses attend cytology update courses every three years.

The clinic is supported by Dr Suzanne Smit, Dr Louise Bond and Dr Clare Hollister who have a specialist interest in Woman's Health.

Patients may book for cervical screening, repeat prescriptions for the oral contraceptive pill or HRT (alternating with the patient's GP) intra - uterine contraceptive device checking, changing of ring pessaries, emergency contraception, testing for infections (STI's) or general advice.

A service for fitting inter-uterine contraceptive devices, hormonal implants and fitting of ring pessaries is provided.

You can find out about the different methods of contraception available on the NHS, together with where to get them and how to decide which method might work best for you. Your contraception guide

Opening Times

Flu Vaccination Clinic

All eligible patients will be contacted via text message or letter with details on how to book your annual vaccination appointment. There is no need to contact the surgery about your flu vaccination, as we will contact all eligible patients nearer the time. 

People who should have a flu vaccine

The injected flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are at risk. This is to help protect them against catching flu and developing serious complications.

You should have the flu vaccine if you: 

• are 50 years of age or over   
• are pregnant 
• have certain medical conditions 
• are living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility 
• receive a carer's allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill
• live with someone who's at high risk of coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list) or you expect to be with them on most days over winter.

Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible to receive the flu vaccine. It's your employer's responsibility to arrange and pay for this vaccine.

For more information on the free NHS vaccination please visit www.nhs.uk

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? This question raises a great deal of discussion. To find out what a group of international scientists and experts of the immune system have to say about it, take a look at this short and informative animated video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRyDSqlnaBY