GREAT LUMLEY SURGERY
SERVICES WE OFFER
NIGHT AND WEEKEND COVER
Provided by Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust at the Out of Hours Centre at the University Hospital of North Durham. General Practitioners and the Partners of this practice, are committed to work several sessions every month for the Out of Hours.
To contact us when the surgery is closed telephone the normal surgery number 0191 3885600 when an answer machine will inform you of the number to ring in the case of an emergency. For medical advice you can contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
ANTENATAL CLINIC
This clinic is held every Wednesday afternoon by the Midwife and Health Visitor. Pregnant ladies are seen regularly throughout their pregnancy and are encouraged to attend antenatal classes which are held locally. Advice is also offered to those wishing to become pregnant.
WELL BABY CLINIC
This is held every Monday between 1.30pm an 3.00pm by the Health Visitor and Practice Nurse. Every child should be immunised against whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, haemophilus infection (Hib), polio and meningitis C at 2, 3 and 4 months and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) at 13 months. At 3 ˝ years boosters should be given for diphtheria, whooping cough, polio and MMR. You will be given an appointment for these immunisations. If an appointment is missed another appointment will be sent.
No appointment is necessary to have your baby weighed or if you require general health/feeding advice. However, as this is a Well Baby Clinic we ask you not to bring poorly babies or children to this clinic. If you think you need to see a doctor please make an appointment at reception.
The Health Visitor will also offer home visits for routine development checks or to discuss any health problems that you or your family may be experiencing.
YOUNG PERSONS SEXUAL HEALTH
Appointments can be made on any day of the week with either the doctor or the nurse. Appointments are confidential and you do not need to explain why you need an appointment.
CERVICAL SMEARS
Every female over the age of 25 and who is sexually active should have a cervical smear test every 3 years up to the age of 49 then every 5 years up to the age of 64 years old . To arrange a cervical smear test you should make an appointment with one of the Practice Nurses. A reminder that your smear test is due will usually be sent to you by the Cytology Department at the Local Health Authority.
CONTRACEPTION
A full contraceptive service is available for all methods of contraception. A doctor’s appointment will be necessary with follow-up by the Practice Nurse, each time you require a repeat prescription.
ASTHMA CLINIC
We run our asthma clinic on a Wednesday afternoon. The clinic is run by the Nurse Practitioner , Alison Hand, who holds the Advanced Diploma in Asthma Management.
In this clinic we see both children and adults suffering from asthma and chronic lung disease. We strongly advise that all patients using inhalers are seen at least once a year within the clinic.
DIABETIC CLINIC
The District Nurse runs a Diabetic Clinic on a Thursday afternoon between 3.00pm and 5.30pm providing, information and advice on diabetes. She provides care and support for patients who are newly diagnosed and regular monitoring checks thereafter. She also provides a link between the Doctor, Podiatrist and Dietician in the provision of diabetes care.
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE CLINIC
We run our C.V.D. clinic on a Monday and Tuesday morning. This clinic is run by our nurse practitioner, Alison Hand, practice nurse Joanne Varga and our health visitor, Anne Burnip, both of whom hold the Diploma in Coronary Heart Disease Prevention. Patients, aged between 35-74 years suffering from heart disease, circulation problems or stroke are invited by letter, to attend this clinic at least once a year.
HYPERTENSION CLINIC
Our hypertension clinic is run on a Thursday afternoon by practice nurse Joanne Varga. Patients receiving treatment for high blood pressure are asked to attend this clinic at least once every three months and have an ‘Annual Review’ once a year with the doctor.
INFLUENZA IMMUNISATION
This immunisation is offered each year to patients who are at particular risk. This includes the elderly and patients with chronic conditions such as Asthma, Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease. We commence immunisation in October and generally continue till December.
BLOOD TESTS
Blood tests are performed by our Phlebotomists who have a regular morning clinic between the hours of 8.30am and 10.00am.
MINOR OPERATIONS
If the Doctor considers, after consultation, that you require a minor operation or cryosurgery and that this procedure can be carried out at the surgery you will be offered a minor operation appointment which is normally at 2.30pm. Cryo appointments are given when there are enough names on the list to arrange a clinic.
DISTRICT NURSE CLINIC
The District Nurse has a general treatment session on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday between 11.00am and 12noon providing clinical care to patients able to access the surgery. The clinic provides specialist wound care advice and treatment, administration of injections, minor injuries treatment and advice on any health care issues.
ADULT AND TRAVEL IMMUNISATION
The Practice Nurse offers travel vaccination information and advice and should you require immunisation for your holiday you should make a 10-minute appointment with the Practice Nurse at least 6 weeks before your holiday is due. The Practice Nurse also carries out other adult immunisations.
PRIVATE FEES
With the exception of overseas patients who normally reside in a country that does not have a reciprocal agreement with the NHS we do not have private patients. Some services however fall outside the NHS and for these a charge will be made. This is because these services are undertaken in the doctors "own time".
For a list of the private fees click here
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
For
the first seven days of not being able to work due to illness or injury, you
do not need to provide your employer with a doctor's medical certificate
(sick note). However, you should fill in a 'self-certification' form to
provide evidence of your inability to work for your employer or the
Department of Social Security. The forms are SC1 for the unemployed or
self-employed, which is sent to the Benefits Agency, and SC2 for those in
employment, to pass to your employer.
Your employer may ask you for a doctor's certificate (sick note) during the
first seven days of your inability to work. As this is not legally
necessary, your doctor may charge a fee to the employer for providing it.
If you see your doctor during the first seven days of your inability to
work, and the opinion is that your condition is likely to last for more than
seven days, you may be given form Med 3 (although your doctor is not obliged
to do so), which can cover time off work from the examination for a period
not exceeding six months.
There is one exception to the general rule that doctors are not required to
issue a certificate during the first seven days of your inability to work.
If you are claiming a state incapacity benefit and you have had one or more
short spells of incapacity totaling more than seven days within an eight
week period, your doctor is required to issue a certificate for any further
short spell of incapacity within that period. The Benefits Agency will tell
you that a doctor's certificate is required.
NORTH EAST CENTRE FOR OFFSHORE MEDICALS (NECOM)
The practice has built, over several years, strong links with South Tyneside Marine College and both Dr Fletcher, Dr Gooding, Dr Thoppil and Dr Portergill are approved medical examiners of the UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) Medical Advisory Committee, The Norwegian Board of Health, British Gas are consequently able to perform medicals for offshore workers who work or hope to work in the Norwegian or UK sectors of the offshore industry.
For a list of the fees click here
CARERS
Who are
carers?
A carer is a person who looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who is
finding life difficult to manage without help. This may
be because of illness,
disability or old age. The time spent caring ranges from a few hours per
week to 24-hour attention.
What problems does this bring the carer?
- Lack of time for living their own lives.
- Competing demands of other responsibilities.
- Financial.
- Isolation.
- Stress.
- Resentment.
What help
is available for carers?
Some or all of the following may be useful to contact:
- Your G.P. (for help with those who are being cared for).
- A Social Worker for possible help with things like home help, meals on wheels and respite care.
- A Welfare Rights Officer for advice about possible financial help.
How can a
carer help himself or herself?
In general, increasing the opportunities for self care.
This may take the following forms:
- Sharing the caring, which makes time for the carer's personal enjoyment.
- Writing a 'menu' of enjoyable activities which the carer can choose from when the opportunity arises.
- Eating well.
- Suitable physical activity.
- Learning to relax and rest.
- Developing a support network based on friends and family as well as using any of the contacts below.
Useful
sources of Information:
Carers National Association, 20/25 Glasshouse Yard, London EC1A 4JS
Carer's line tel: 0345 573369 (10.00 - 5.00p.m. weekdays) Fax: 020 7490 8824
Website:
www.carersuk.demon.co.uk
Also:
A Resource for Carers
A website page dedicated to the Carer and Carer Organisations
Website address:
http://maxpages.com/Herefordshire/the_carers_page/
CHIROPODY
The Podiatrist holds a clinic at the surgery once a week on a Thursday for patients who have been referred to her by the Practice and for patients over 65 years of age who have made an appointment with her by telephoning the Chiropody Department Chester-le-Street Health Centre on 3876355.
DIETICIAN
The Dietician holds a clinic at the Surgery on alternate Thursday afternoons for patients who are referred to her by the Doctor.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
The Physiotherapist holds a clinic at the Surgery on a Wednesday morning for patients who are registered with the practice and who have been referred to the Physiotherapy Department by the Doctor.