Cervical
Smears
Smears
are usually performed by the Practice Nurse or by the Doctor; the
choice is yours. The test can detect cell changes in the cervix (neck
of the
womb), that can sometimes lead to cancer in the future. If the changes
are
present, treatment is nearly always simple, effective and of a minor
nature. Local
policy suggests a smear every 3 years for women under 50 years old
and
every 5 years once you are aged over 50 years. We would especially
encourage women between 25 and 65 years of age to have this done.
Patients
who have had a total hysterectomy do not need a smear. Ask your Practice
Nurse if you are unsure.
Immunisations
The Practice Nurse immunises
children under 5 years of age by appointment.
| Child
immunisations (effective from September 2006):
2
months - Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus
Influenzae Type B (DTaP/IPV/Hib),
Pneumococcal (PCV)
3
months -
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus Influenzae
Type B (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Meningitis
C (MenC)
4
months -
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus Influenzae
Type B (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Meningitis
C (MenC)
Around
12 months - Haemophilus
Influenzae Type B,
Meningitis C (Hib/MenC)
Around
13
months
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Pneumococcal
(PCV)
3
years 4 mths to 5 yrs - Diphtheria,
tetanus, pertussis and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTap/IPV),
Measles,
mumps and rubella (MMR)
13
to 18 years - Tetanus, diphtheria and polio (Td/IPV)
|
We
strongly advise that you allow your child to have the injections
unless there
is a sound medical reason not to do so. Children who are behind in
this
schedule should catch up as soon as possible. Ask your Health Visitor
for advice.
Adult Immunisations
Adult
immunisations are available by appointment with a Practice Nurse
in her
normal surgery time.
Travel Immunisations
We
offer the full range of foreign travel immunisation, including Yellow
Fever.
However, you may need time to have a course (a series of vaccines works
better if spread out in time), so try to come at least eight weeks
in
advance of
your travel date. The Practice Nurse can give you up-to-date advice
enabling
you to make appropriate appointments.
A
charge is payable for some travel immunisations. Please see our Travel
Clinic Noticeboard in our main reception area for the latest charges
or ask at
reception.
Following
an NHS ruling, doctors are no longer able to prescribe anti-malarial
tablets on an NHS prescription. The Practice Nurse can advise you
on
which
type is appropriate and it can then be purchased at any chemist. The
usual
course is taken at least one week prior to travelling, during your
stay, and for
four weeks after your return. Make sure you give plenty of notice.
The
most important measures to prevent malaria are to avoid mosquito
bites.
Use an effective insect repellent and in the evening cover yourself.
While
sleeping use mosquito coils or burners and impregnated mosquito nets.
In
any hot country, it is important to protect your skin against burning
by
following the Australian advice of ‘slip’ on a shirt, ‘slap’ on
a hat and ‘slop’ on
plenty of protective sun cream.
Well Person Clinic
If
you are an infrequent visitor to the surgery, we suggest you may like
to make an appointment with one of the nurses for a ‘well person
check’. This will involve a check of your blood pressure, height
and weight, and family history, also a urine test for diabetes.
Women are advised about breast self examination. You may be asked
to complete a form before attending these appointments. Please ask
the receptionist when booking.
