In addition to standard practice services there are various special clinics and services

HEALTH PROMOTION
Many of the most serious diseases can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle without the need for drugs. We run several clinics where you may discuss general health and ask for advice. These include:-

Health Checks
The practice nurses can check your health and advise you about how to stay healthy. Please arrange an appointment with reception. If you are aged between 16 and 75 you can have a check once every three years. If you are over 75 a yearly check is recommended. Patients who are housebound and request a check will be visited at home.

Cervical Smears
We strongly advise regular smears (up to the age of 65). These can be done either with the practice nurse or at a normal appointment with the doctor.

Child Health
Tuesday afternoons from 1.00pm. A doctor, health visitor, and practice nurse are on hand for weight checks, immunisation, child development checks and feeding and other advice. No appointments needed. See new baby information letter.

OTHER SERVICES

Ante-Natal
Tuesday mornings at the surgery. Appointment needed. There is an information sheet about antenatal care.

Asthma Clinic
This is held on a Friday afternoon and run by the practice nurse, Sister Elaine Robinson. A doctor is also available for the clinic. Appointment needed.

Chiropody
This is available for people over 65 years. You may telephone 219 6871 or see the doctor. Private chiropody is available at the surgery for those not eligible for NHS treatment (fee payable per consultation).

Continence
Run by the district nurses, for all those with continence problems on a Wednesday morning. Appointment needed.

Contraception
We offer a fully confidential service for all age groups. All types of contraception are available.

Diabetes
This is held on Thursday mornings at the surgery and is run by the practice nurse, Sister Jeanette Best. A doctor is also available for the clinic. Appointment needed.

Minor Operations
Minor surgery, such as the removal of moles can be performed at the surgery if appropriate. Dr Scott and the Drs Hargreaves perform minor surgery. See the doctor to make the arrangements.

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can be arranged through the doctor. The physiotherapist sees patients who have been referred at the surgery for the first appointment and will arrange sessions at physiotherapy centres in Newcastle if further treatment is required.

Smoking Cessation
The practice nurses can give you advice and help with stopping smoking and our smoking cessation advisor also offers this service on Friday afternoons. Ask for an appointment. Further details...

Warfarin Clinic
Alternate Monday afternoons. Staff from the hospital laboratory come to the practice to check patients on warfarin. Appointments arranged by the hospital.

Complementary Therapies
Complementary therapies are now available on the NHS. Acupuncture, osteopathy and chiropractic treatments are available at various locations within the west of Newcastle. Please ask the doctor for further information.

Non-NHS Examinations
You can arrange HGV, taxi driver and insurance medicals with the receptionists. They will tell you the fee involved. Our current charges are detailed here.

Vaccinations
You can arrange to have any vaccination required, including vaccination for travel abroad (usually there is no charge for this service). Travel vaccination and health advice is available from the nurses or doctors and also at the Scottish NHS fit for travel site and the Department of Health travel site

FINALLY

The receptionists are there to help you. If you are unsure of anything please ask them - they are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the doctors. If you need to discuss anything which is of a confidential nature, please tell the receptionist and she will make arrangements to see you privately.

We would value your comments on the medical care we provide for you. You can leave suggestions in the box provided at reception. Use the feedback form for online suggestions.

If you are not happy with the service please tell us. Our practice manager, Mrs Gwen Taylor, will listen to any comments you may have. The practice adheres to the NHS complaints procedure. A leaflet about the Practice complaints procedure is available at the reception.

The practice operates a zero tolerance policy to violence. Any patient who is violent or threatening to doctors, staff or other patients will be removed from the practice list.