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Services Included In Our Health Care

Health Checks

We encourage all our patients to share responsibility for their health - both in the prevention and treatment of disease.

The following topics are covered by either the doctors or the practice nurses.

ADVICE ON HEALTHY EATING	many medical problems are due to being overweight. We can tell you what your ideal weight should be and how to achieve it.
EXERCISE	helps prevent heart disease and control weight.
SMOKING	is still the largest preventable cause of ill health in this country, especially cancer, heart and lung disease. The Practice Nursing Team offers smoking cessation advice on a one-to-one basis, supplemented by nicotine replacement therapy where appropriate.

NONE OF THE DOCTORS OR NURSES IN THIS PRACTICE SMOKES

REGULAR CLINICS

Regular monitoring is offered to patients to assist them in the management of their condition, with the aim of keeping in good health.

Coronary heart disease
Stroke
Hypertension
Asthma and chronic respiratory disease
Diabetes
We also offer annual reviews for patients with epilepsy, thyroid or mental health problems.

Minor Surgery

This is undertaken on Friday mornings and can avoid long waits at the hospital.

A large variety of conditions can be dealt with quickly using modern sterile equipment. Make an appointment with your own doctor or the practice nurse first.

Child Development Checks

A six week check is carried out at the same time as a postnatal check. Health visitors carry out 2 - 21/2 year developmental check (parental choice).

Contact your health visitor for details on Tunbridge Wells 01892 530855.

Antenatal Clinics

Most antenatal care is now carried out at the surgery, shared by your GP and our midwife, who also runs the relaxation classes and arranges hospital visits. We offer midwife-centred care, or shared care with the hospital consultant.

Family Planning

This work is shared between the doctors and practice nurses who are able to advise on all methods of family planning, including pre-conception advice, in confidence. Dr Averill offers coil and implant fitting on a Wednesday afternoon. Consultation and provision of emergency contraception is also available.

Cervical Smears

Depending on the result and the patient's age, these should be done every three to five years. A reminder will be sent when you are due. As a routine procedure, smears are normally done by the practice nurse.

Childhood Immunisations

The following schedule is recommended and endorsed by the doctors and health visitors.
2 months	Diphtheria, Tetanus & Perussis (whooping chough), Polio, Hib and Pneumococcal.
3 months	2nd dose of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio and Meningitis C
4 months	3rd dose of Diphtheria, tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, 2nd dose of Meningitis C and 2nd dose of Pneumococcal.
12 months	Booster Hib / Meningitis C
13 months	MMR and 3rd dose of Pneumococcal
3 years & 4 months (Or soon after)	MMR and booster Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Polio
13 - 18 years	Booster Tetanus, Polio and Diphtheria
up to 24 years	Meningitis C if not previously vaccinated

The surgery supports the national HPV vaccination programme and provides the vaccination for girls who miss the immunisation at school.

Adult Immunisations

Tetanus - make sure you are up to date. If in doubt check with the practice nurse. Hepatitis B vaccine is sometimes given to registered patients for travel purposes and a charge will be made for vaccination given for this purpose. Occupational health risks are the responsibility of patients' employers.

Travel Vaccinations

The surgery offers a comprehensive Travel Clinic service through the Practice Nursing Service. Nurses offer individual assessments of travel risks and offer appropriate vaccinations including antimalarial. There are charges for some vaccinations and travel certificates provided, based on fees recommended by the BMA and NHS. Please make an appointment with the nurse up to six weeks before travel.

To enable our practice nurse to compile your personal plan, please download and complete our travel risk assessment form (Word format). This should be returned as soon as possible for assessment.

Influenza And Pneumonia Vaccinations

Free vaccinations are available to all our eligible patients, protecting the over 65s and those at particular risk from heart, chest, diabetic and age-related conditions. Ask for details.

Medicals

We carry out private Medical Examinations for those who require them for personal/insurance reasons, and we also work with various local businesses.

Non-NHS Services

Certain services are not covered by the NHS. These include private medical certificates, private prescriptions, completion of private health cover claim forms, holiday cancellation claim forms and 'to whom it may concern' letters etc. Doctors no longer deal with passport matters.

Fees are charged by the practice in line with BMA recommendations.

Non-NHS Medical Examinations

Private medicals (which can be requested by a third party) including electrocardiograph and blood tests, for insurance, HGV and PSV and pre-employment are carried out at specific times. These are not covered by the NHS and are charged at BMA-recommended rates. Ask at reception for details.