CLINICS
Antenatal Care
When it has been confirmed that you are pregnant, the receptionist will take your name, address and telephone number and the midwife will contact you to arrange a convenient time for her to visit you. This is so that the various forms can be completed at leisure in your own home and you will have time to ask the midwife any questions. The midwife will then arrange an appointment for you to attend the antenatal clinic at the surgery.
Family Planning Clinics
These are held across Somerset and are by appointment (please call 0300 124 5010 to arrange an appointment). If you are unable to attend one of the clinics, all of the doctors are happy to give contraceptive advice in their routine surgeries.
- Emergency Contraception (Post-Coital Pill/IUD)
The post-coital pill has to be given within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse (the earlier the better).
1. The sooner you take emergency contraception after unprotected sexual intercourse the more effective it is.
• Within first 24 hours 95%
• Within 48 hours 85%
• Within 72 hours 58%
2. If you are given emergency contraception pills these will be called Levonelle if you request them from a pharmacy, or Levonelle 2 if you receive them from a surgery or young people's clinic.
3. If you have left it more than 72 hours, you can still have a coil (IUD) fitted up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse. Contact either your own doctor or the young adult clinic, as soon as possible, to make arrangements.
4. It is important to see a health professional (doctor or nurse) for family planning advice as soon as possible after taking emergency contraception to arrange a method of regular contraception.
Note: If you do not have a period within two to three weeks after taking emergency contraception you must see a health professional (doctor or nurse) as you may be pregnant.
Breast Screening
This service is offered to all ladies between the ages of 50 and 65 by The Somerset Breast Screening Service every three years and is available on the NHS. Appointments will be sent to you from The Somerset Breast Screening Service, telephone 01823 342425. If you have any queries please contact the surgery or The Somerset Breast Screening Service.
Ladies aged over 65 are entitled to FREE screening three yearly on request, but will not automatically be recalled. Please ask at reception or contact The Breast Screening Service on 01823 342425 for further information.
Cervical Smears
The doctors recommend that all women between the ages of 25 and 65 have a cervical smear at regular intervals in order to prevent cancer of the neck of the womb. Currently it is recommended to have a smear every three years (ladies aged 25-45 years of age) or five years (ladies 46 – 65 years of age). Somerset PCT operates an automatic recall system for women whose smears are due. If you are aged between 25 and 64 and have never had a cervical smear, please make an appointment with the practice nurse in the cervical smear clinic.
Other Services Available:
Asthma Clinic
Run by a practice nurse, this clinic encourages asthmatic patients to be responsible for their own condition and it will assist with information on self-management. Please ask for further details at reception.
Child Development Clinic
Contact the health visitors who will advise when your child is due for a development check.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinic
Patients who are found to be suffering from COPD and not simple asthma are advised to attend this clinic. The asthma nurse will advise you if you need to attend this clinic.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Clinic
Run by our Practice Nurse, this clinic is for patients who have coronary heart disease (previous heart attack, heart bypass operations, or angina).
Diabetic Clinic
This is run by our Practice Nurse who reviews and manages diabetic patients. If you are diagnosed as having diabetes you will receive an appointment. Please ask at reception if you wish to attend the clinic at any other time.
Hearing Tests For Children
Please contact the health visitor.
Hypertension Clinic
Run by the practice nurses, this clinic is for patients who have been seen by the doctor and have been found to have high blood pressure, or patients already taking tablets for high blood pressure.
Immunisation For Children
This clinic is held the third Tuesday of every month and a catch up clinic every fourth Wednesday. The clinic is undertaken by two of our practice nurses. Somerset Health Authority will send out all the invitations.
Minor Operations
A GP referral will be needed for minor operations and you will need to complete a consent form. The procedures take place when required but there is usually a short waiting list. Enquire at reception for further information.
Parenthood Classes
Please contact midwives or health visitors (fathers welcome!).
Patients Aged 75 And Over
These patients are invited to make an appointment with the doctor to discuss their health if they have not been seen for over one year.
Stop Smoking Clinic
If you wish to cease smoking and would like some support from the medical centre please ask at reception for further details. Mrs Karen Moore and Mrs Christine Rutter are currently our specialist trained nurses to help you stop smoking.
Vaccinations
Holiday. Make an appointment well in advance of your holiday and one of our practice nurses will organise a personal holiday vaccination plan. If you are going away to some exotic destination we may not have the appropriate vaccine in stock and, for some destinations, more than a month's notice is required to order vaccines. If you leave it too late you can attend a specialist private travel clinic in Bristol or Bath.
Other. We conduct clinics at various times for flu etc and these are advertised in our reception. If you require a specific vaccination please ask our nurses.
If you require a vaccination not available on the NHS there will be a charge and you will be made aware of the fees when you attend the clinic.
