Minor Illness Clinics

Due to the success of our MINOR ILLNESS CLINICS, we are increasing the amount of clinics led by our MINOR ILLNESS NURSES.

If you or your child (aged over two) is suffering from any of the following:

Coughs Sore Throats Diarrhoea Vaginal Discharge Emergency Contraception

Conjunctivitis Ear Infections Flu Symptoms Vomiting Minor Skin Infections

the GPs will book these appointments as necessary.

Community Pharmacy Minor Ailment Scheme

Most people know that their local community pharmacy is a good source of advice on minor illnesses and can supply an over-the-counter medicine to treat the problem if required. You can access this service by simply walking into a pharmacy involved in the scheme, during their normal opening hours, and asking to speak to the pharmacist.

Amongst the minor illnesses covered by the scheme are:

Cystitis Impetigo Hayfever Thrush Athlete's Foot Ringworm

Earache Headaches Fever Cough Sore Throat

Please ask for a leaflet from reception or from your pharmacy.

Children And The Waiting Room

We feel that very unwell or fractious children should be seen as quickly as possible out of courtesy to all parties concerned. If you feel that your child falls into this category, please let the reception staff know and they will ask the doctor to see your child as soon as possible. We have a small unsupervised play area in the downstairs waiting room. We do try to keep a selection of toys available which all are welcome to use. Please help us by ensuring that these are put back after use. We also keep a small selection of toys are available in our upstairs waiting room. We do invite parents to bring (and take away again!) toys to amuse their own children.

A child gate is in use at the top of the stairs to prevent accidents and we would ask parents not to let their children play on the gate.

Antenatal Care

When it has been confirmed that you are pregnant, the receptionist will take your name, address and telephone number and the midwife will contact you to arrange a convenient time for her to visit you. This is so that the various forms can be completed at leisure in your own home and you will have time to ask the midwife any questions.

The midwife will then arrange an appointment for you to attend the antenatal clinic at the surgery.

Family Planning Clinics

These are held weekly and are by appointment only, apart from every third Wednesday of the month when we have a drop-in clinic from 5.30-7.00pm. If you are unable to attend the clinics, all of the doctors are happy to give contraceptive advice in their routine surgeries. We regret, however, that it is not possible to fit coils during ordinary surgery times - please ask your own doctor about fitting if you cannot attend the clinic times.

The family planning clinics are open to ALL women, not just our own patients, so please feel free to tell your friends about this service. Cervical smears, however, are only available to patients registered with us.

Emergency Contraception (Post-Coital Pill/IUD)

The post-coital pill has to be given within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse (the earlier the better).

1. The sooner you take Emergency Contraception after unprotected sexual intercourse the more effective it is.
   
   

   Within first 24 hours	95%
   Within 48 hours	85%
   Within 72 hours	58%



2. If you are given Emergency Contraception pills these will be called Levonelle if you request them from a Pharmacy, or Levonelle 2 if you receive them from a Surgery or Young People's Clinic.
3. If you have left it more than 72 hours, you can still have a coil (IUD) fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sexual intercourse. Contact either your own doctor or the young adult clinic (if you are under 20 years of age, as soon as possible to make arrangements).
4. It is important to see a health professional (doctor or nurse) for family planning advice as soon as possible after taking Emergency Contraception to arrange a method of regular contraception.

NB - IF DO NOT HAVE A PERIOD WITHIN TWO TO THREE WEEKS AFTER TAKING EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION YOU MUST SEE A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL (DOCTOR OR NURSE) AS YOU MAY BE PREGNANT

Young Adult Drop-In Clinic (Aged under 20)

This session is held every Thursday (late afternoon/early evening) and young adults are invited to call into the medical centre to see either Sally Holl, David Gauld, Nicky Matthews (GPs) or Claire Stringer (PN) for confidential advice on alcohol, smoking, family planning, stress, drugs or any other health problems.

We understand that many young people may experience anxiety when discussing health services or that any service may not be confidential, but by displaying the RESPECT logo, we understand that we are promoting our commitment to an accessible, appropriate and confidential service that will provide skill and knowledge in relation to particular needs of young people.

BMC YAC wishes to maximise access and promote an inclusive service for all young people. We will not make any judgements regarding the young people who attend the clinic. Posters and literature displayed in the clinic waiting room relate to a diverse range of issues which can affect young people under 20 including sexual health, abuse (physical, mental and substance), eating, bullying, disability, lesbian and gay issues, relationships, stress and depression.

Cervical Smears

The doctors recommend that women between the ages of 25 and 49 have a cervical smear at three yearly intervals and between the ages of 50 and 64 every five years in order to prevent cancer of the neck of the womb. We operate an automatic recall system for women whose smears are due. If you are aged between 25 and 64 and have never had a cervical smear, please make an appointment with the practice nurse in the cervical smear clinic.

Breast Screening

This service is offered to all ladies between the ages of 50 and 64 by The Somerset Breast Screening Service every three years and is available on the NHS. Appointments will be sent to you from the service. Please contact them direct on (01823) 342425 if you have any queries. All women of screening age, even those new to the area, are automatically called for screening when due (even if this means coming to the hospital). Ladies aged over 65, ie above routine screening age, are entitled to FREE screening three yearly on request, but will not automatically be recalled. Please ask at reception or contact The Breast Screening Service on (01823) 342425 for further information or to make a convenient appointment.

Other Services Available

Asthma Clinic

Run by the practice nurse. This clinic encourages asthmatic patients to be responsible for their own condition and it will assist with information on self-management. Please ask for further details at reception. We will recall patients to attend this clinic.

Child Development Clinic

Contact the health visitors who will advise when your child is due for a development check.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Clinic

Patients who are found to be suffering from COPD and not simple asthma are advised to attend this clinic. The asthma nurse will advise you if you need to attend this clinic.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Clinic

Run by the practice nurse. This clinic is for patients who have coronary heart disease (previous heart attack, heart bypass operations or angina). We will recall patients to attend this clinic.

Diabetic Clinic

Run by the practice nurse to review and manage diabetic patients. If you are diagnosed as being a diabetic you will receive an appointment. Please ask at reception if you are diabetic and wish to attend the clinic. We will recall patients to attend this clinic.

Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (Diabetic Eye Test)

The BMC sends the Somerset Primary Care Trust a list of our diabetic patients and the PCT will then call patients directly for an appointment to have an retinal screening at Bridgwater.Your optician no longer provides this service during a routine eye check. Full information will be sent with the appointment.You may not be called immediately if you have had this done recently.

Hearing Tests for Children

Please contact the health visitors.

Hypertension Clinic

Run by the practice nurses for patients who have been seen by the doctor and have been found to have high blood pressure or patients already taking tablets for high blood pressure. Patients should be seen usually every nine months, but we do not recall patients to attend this clinic and ask patients to remember their own review dates.

Immunisation for Children

This clinic is held weekly and is undertaken by one of our practice nurses. Somerset Health Authority send for all children who are due.

Minor Operations and Cryo Clinics

A GP referral will be needed for the minor operations and cryo clinic. This clinic is held weekly and there is usually a waiting list for procedures. Enquire at reception for further information.

Parenthood Classes

Please contact midwives or health visitors (fathers welcome).

Patients Aged 75 and Over

Patients are invited to make an appointment with the doctor if they have not been seen for over one year to discuss their health.

Stop Smoking Clinic

If you wish to cease smoking and would like some support from the medical centre please ask at reception for further details.

Vaccinations for Foreign Travel

If you are thinking of travelling abroad, you may require advice on vaccination.

To enable our Practice Nurse to compile your personal plan, please follow the hyperlink Travel risk assessment form .doc and download, complete and submit the Travel Risk Assessment Form to the Surgery as soon as possible for assessment.

For your information, best clinical practice suggests that vaccinations should be completed by one clear month before your trip. Please note that if you have to go overseas unexpectedly or have left your arrangements a little late, you will still be required to complete the travel risk assessment form to enable the nurse to compile your personal plan. We must advise you, however, that in these circumstances the vaccinations might not be completely effective before your trip. In addition, we would ask that you try to accept the appointment we are able to offer wherever possible in these circumstances.

You are required to complete a fresh Risk Assessment form for each trip abroad.