Surgery clinics

We offer a range of clinics and services at the surgery. There are some tasks you can do, such as health reviews, using our online forms.

Blood tests

Should your doctor feel that it is medically necessary for you to have a blood test they will give you a form for this.

We offer pre booked appointments with the phlebotomist for blood tests at the surgery. Please tell the receptionist it is for a blood test, when booking the appointment.

Alternatively you can choose to take the blood test form to have the test done at one of the local hospitals. Both St Helier and the Nelson Health Centre carry out tests – please visit the websites below to book an appointment:

Cervical Smear tests

  • Cervical Smear tests are performed by the practice nurse.
  • Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.
  • For more information about cervical screening, please see www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening.
  • All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 are invited for cervical screenings. The routine recall for cervical smear tests are every 3 years until the age of 50 and thereafter every 5 years.
  • During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix. This is a pain free process.
  • The sample is tested for changes to the cells of your cervix.
  • Finding abnormal changes early means they can be monitored or treated so they do not get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
  • You’ll get your results usually in about 2 weeks.

Children’s immunisations

Childhood immunisations are important for preventing infectious diseases. The practice nurse gives these immunisations and is able to discuss any concerns you might have. Please bring your baby’s red book with you to the surgery when attending for immunisations.

lf you are coming from overseas or another surgery, please provide any records that might show information about your child’s immunisations when you register with the practice.

Please note, immunisation schedules may differ from country to country, so it is important we check to ensure your child is properly vaccinated.

Chlamydia Screening

For more information about chlamydia and the national screening programme visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/chlamydia/diagnosis.

More information about our local sexual health clinics, can be found by visiting the Sexual health South West London website.

Chronic Diseases – Diabetes, Asthma

Routine monitoring takes place on a yearly basis at the surgery. If you experience any deterioration in your condition, please contact reception.

Please always let the receptionist know that you are having a check-up and the correct amount of time will be allowed.

Family planning

It is important to decide what sort of contraceptive is available and suitable for you.

We are able to provide a full range of contraceptive options at the surgery including:

  • Coil fitting
  • Contraceptive implants
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Depot injections

Please let the receptionist know the reason for your appointment and they will arrange it with an appropriate clinician. Please note, a telephone consultation may be required prior to a coil fitting or implant insertion.

General check ups / blood pressure / cholesterol / thyroid / medication

It is important if you are on blood pressure medication, or cholesterol controlling drugs and medication for thyroid problems to be seen regularly for a check-up.

If you have a blood pressure problem, you will be advised when you have to be seen. Cholesterol patients must have a check-up at least once a year and this will also involve a blood test. Thyroid medication patients will also need a yearly blood test to ensure they are on the correct level of medication.

One You Merton clinics

We are able to refer eligible patients to One You Merton for support and advice on a range of issues, including obesity and weight loss, reducing alcohol consumption and lifestyle advice for other problems including high cholesterol.

To find out more information please click on the link: www.oneyoumerton.org.

Mammograms

These tests are done on all female patients over the age of 50 years and you will receive a letter with an appointment inviting you to attend for a test. It is a special type of x-ray of the breast that can pick up abnormalities. Mammograms are done in a specially designated clinic at St Georges Hospital called Duchess of Kent Breast Unit.

Please think carefully if you decide not to attend for breast screening, and if you are worried or have questions, please speak to the nurse or doctor for advice and reassurance.

Medication reviews / certain medications

If you are on medication supplied by the hospital or the GP you will be requested to attend the surgery for reviews, the review period can be between 6 and 12 months.

Please attend, even if you are attending the hospital.

It is not the doctor at the hospital taking responsibility for signing your prescriptions, it is the doctor in the surgery. Blood tests or other monitoring is required for some medications and it is very important that you have this done when needed, otherwise it may delay or prevent prescriptions from being issued.

NHS health checks

These are currently being offered to patients over the age of 40 to assess and reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. To be entitled to an NHS Health Check you need to have received an initiation letter.

For further information, please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check.

Non-NHS examinations

Medical examinations for special purposes:

  • Elderly drivers
  • Pre-employment
  • Fitness to undertake sports
  • Travel, taxi drivers
  • Lorry drivers and bus drivers

These can be provided by appointment only and please note that there may be a charge, as these are non-NHS services.

Important:

There is a charge for this service. It is not done in the middle of our normal surgery. Do not book a routine appointment, as this will only cause embarrassment if the doctor has to turn you away. Please bring your forms with you.

Nurse practitioners and practice nurse services

The practice nurses and the health care assistants can be seen by appointment for a range of issues, including:

  • Asthma reviews
  • Diabetes
  • Blood pressure patients
  • Advice for general health care including weight/diet/smoking

In addition practice nurses can be seen for the following:

  • Nursing procedures such as dressings, removing sutures, injections
  • Family planning
  • Smears
  • Influenza, pneumonia and shingles vaccinations
  • Injections
  • Children’s immunisations

Pregnancy services

Planning a pregnancy or do you need a pregnancy test?

Do you plan to have a baby or do you think you are pregnant? If you are planning a pregnancy please come and see the nurse who will discuss your general health.

The practice does not routinely do pregnancy tests so if you think you are pregnant, please perform a home pregnancy test. If the test is positive you can self refer to your chosen to your chosen hospital for you antenatal care.

To self-refer for antenatal care and for more information, please visit the websites below:

If you have bleeding or pain in early pregnancy, this may be an emergency. Please contact the the early pregnancy unit or A&E.

Stopping smoking

A stop smoking service is available via One You Merton.

Travel immunisations and advice

If you are travelling abroad please make sure you contact us in plenty of time to arrange any vaccinations that may be necessary. To help the travel nurses assess your travel needs it is important that they are in receipt of the assessment form before your appointment.

Our practice nurses are available for advice and immunisations. An appointment should be made at least 8-12 weeks prior to travel.