BLOOD TESTS
Our Practice Phlebotomist carries out blood tests for patients at the Surgery.
AN APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED
Please book an appointment for your blood test with a receptionist. (If the test includes an INR venous blood test, it needs to be before 10.45am)
Please be sure to bring the relevant blood test form when you attend the Surgery, unless you have been told that one will be waiting for you in Reception. This new service is creating pressure on parking space so if you live locally, please consider walking to the Surgery. For results, please telephone Fairford Surgery (01285 712377) four working days later, after 2.00 pm.
INR Clinics
This practice operates a 'near-patient testing' service for patients who are on Warfarin. This means that the INR test is done by pricking the finger and using a CoaguChek machine at the Surgery. The doctors will decide on your dose of warfarin. Tests can be booked through Reception.
HOSPITAL CONSULTANT CLINICS
A monthly clinic is held in the surgery by a visiting Psychiatrist. A number of specialist Out-Patient Clinics started at Fairford Hospital in September 2006; your GP will advise you on these clinics.
SPECIAL SERVICES AND CLINICS
Baby & Pre-School Checks
These are run by the health visitor, practice nurse and Dr Pauline McCleary. Your child will be asked to come along at the appropriate time. You can discuss the immunisation programme with your health visitor and also at the 6 week baby check.
Immunisation
The practice patients have a high uptake of immunisation and all the doctors are very keen to continue this. Immunisation can prevent several distressing illnesses and some life threatening conditions. If you have any doubts, please discuss them with us so that we can help you to assess the possible risks. Vaccinations are carried out by our Practice Nurses.
The Health Authority's Child Health Department will write to parents with reminders when vaccinations are due. Please make an appointment with a practice nurse when the time comes. Please do feel free to contact the health visitor or a practice nurse if you feel your child’s vaccinations are not up to date or you have any other concerns.
We also recommend influenza immunisation to all patients over 65 and those with chronic diseases such as chronic bronchitis and respiratory problems, diabetes and heart disease in accordance with Department of Health guidelines. These are normally done from early October each year. Pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended for patients with chest problems and patients who have had their spleen removed, those with diabetes or coronary heart disease and those over 65 years old.
Whilst we are unable to offer fully comprehensive travel advice for patients travelling abroad, the practice nurses can provide all the necessary immunizations and anti-malaria tablets. If further advice is required this can be obtained from other sources, such as http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
There are charges for certain non-NHS vaccinations, eg Yellow Fever, Rabies etc. Ideally travellers away for more than one month should start their immunisations at least two months before departure. For holidays less than one month in duration three to four weeks is usually sufficient. Please complete a Travel Form available from reception and hand it back one week prior to your appointment with the practice nurse. Alternatively click on the link to the top left of the screen, Foreign Travel Advice, for further information and an on-line travel questionnaire.
Patients working in certain professions may require special immunisations. For example, health workers, police and firemen may need hepatitis protection. If in doubt, please ask the practice nurse.
FAMILY PLANNING SERVICE
Dr Sabourin and Dr Fletcher can fit coils. Please remember to ask for a double appointment for this and mention that it is for a coil fitting.All GPs can remove coils, if needed.
Dr McCleary can perform Implanon fitting (contraception).
Family planning prescriptions are free.
All the doctors are happy to provide contraceptive advice. All GPs provide the ‘morning after pill’ but this must be taken within 72 hours, preferably within 24 hours so please tell the receptionist that you need to be seen that day.The GPs can also generally arrange for a coil to be fitted for emergency contraception.
SCREENING FOR CANCER OF THE CERVIX
All the practice nurses and treatment room nurse are trained to take cervical smears.
Women aged 25 to 49 will be called at three yearly intervals and those aged 50 to 65 at five yearly intervals. If you have had a hysterectomy, you do not need a smear, except in special cases.
You should be informed by post if you are due for your smear. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to ask a doctor or nurse. The report generally takes 2-3 weeks, The laboratory then writes to you with the result.
Information leaflets on the screening programme have been produced by the Public Health Department and are available, on request, from the practice secretary.
SCREENING SERVICES
These services are provided by the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. There is mammography, ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm and diabetic retinopathy screening. Appointments will be sent as appropriate by the service. We strongly encourage all patients offered screening to attend.
If your doctor considers that you may benefit from counselling you can be referred to the in-house counsellor.
This service is not supported by the NHS. At present, it is partially funded by generous support of The League of Friends of Fairford Hospital, and a contribution will be required from the patient.
LET'S TALK -
Let’s Talk is a new service from the NHS. It offers information, guidance and therapy during times when someone feels stressed, anxious or depressed. Visit www.talk2gether.nhs.uk or call them between 8.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday on: 0800 073 2200
MATERNITY SERVICES
All the doctors, in conjunction with the midwife, provide maternity services, with the maternity hospitals at Cheltenham, Swindon and sometimes Oxford. The midwife’s Antenatal Clinic is held on Fridays at the surgery. Parentcraft classes are held periodically at the surgery by the midwife. This practice does not offer home delivery (intrapartum) care. All GPs encourage breast-feeding if possible.Please ask at Reception if you need baby-changing facilities.
NEW PATIENT CHECKS
We consider this to be part of the process of new patient registration. All new patients should see the nurse for the health check . In addition patients on repeat medication or with ongoing health issues should book to see a GP.
MINOR SURGERY
We perform a variety of small operations to treat lumps and bumps on the skin, ingrowing toenails and joint injections.This service can take up quite a bit of GP appointment time so there is a limit on how many things the GPs can do. Ask your GP who will advise you accordingly.
HEALTH PROMOTION CLINICS
We aim to provide a wide range of health promotion clinics. These include: Diabetic Clinic, Coronary Heart Disease ,Asthma, Well Woman Clinic, Well Man Clinic, Diet, Help with Stopping Smoking, Exercise on Prescription and Continence advice. If you wish to attend any of these clinics, please ask at Reception
NON-NHS SERVICES
Patients should be aware that fees may be charged for services not covered by the NHS. These include private certificates, reports for private health insurance claims and other non-NHS reports.
Fees may be charged for examinations for special purposes such as HGV and PSV licences, elderly fitness to drive, fitness to travel, letters for examination boards, fitness to undertake certain sports and pre-employment medicals. The fee scale is recommended by the BMA (British Medical Association) and details are displayed in the surgery.
The practice has been required to register for VAT, which may be chargeable on certain services.