Available to all patients who have asthma. The clinics are run by qualified nurses with doctor support and aim to help the patient understand and achieve better self-management of this common complaint. An annual review is recommended with appropriate follow up as needed.
The healthy heart check (HHC) aims to lower the risk of common but preventable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and certain types of dementia. Premature mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) is preventable. There is a strong evidence base that demonstrates if we can identify those at risk early enough, support them to make lifestyle changes and improve access to treatment, we can have a dramatic effect on the health of the population.
To qualify for a HHC, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Aged 40 plus
- Have no existing cardiovascular disease-this includes high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or stroke.
- Not be on medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol
- No previous HHC within the last 5 years
If you would like to have this check speak to one of our receptionists.
Available to all patients who have COPD this clinic is run by qualified nurses with doctor support. Patients will be given an annual appointment with appropriate follow up as necessary depending on the severity of COPD.
Lung function monitoring, education regarding this chronic disease and inhaler management can improve quality of life. Self management is encouraged with the nurse helping to tailor your treatment according to your symptoms.
This clinic is for all patients who have diabetes or who are at increased risk of developing diabetes. You will be seen for a full check-up at least once a year by nurses who have received extra training in diabetes care and who are supported by the doctors. The aim is to achieve the best possible diabetes care to keep you healthy. Health monitoring includes blood tests, blood pressure, urine testing, weight and dietary advice. Annual screening by the retinopathy and podiatry service is also recommended and accessed through the diabetes clinics in the surgery.
Contraceptive Coils, Nexplanon (arm contraceptive implants) and caps are fitted by Teesside Sexual Health Services, based at North Ormesby Health Village; their contact details are tel: 0300 330 11 22 www.thesexualhealthhub.co.uk. Clinics are held at the surgery by our practice nurses which are for coil checks, the contraceptive pill and help with general enquiries regarding family planning.
As you will have seen/heard in the media; the Government is expanding this year’s flu vaccination programme to include people aged 50 to 64.
In order to protect those most vulnerable, the ‘at-risk’ groups will be prioritised and vaccinated first.
Once the ‘at-risk group’ phase is well underway, those aged 50 to 64 will then receive an invitation to be vaccinated (they will not be vaccinated prior to receiving an invitation)
We also offer:
- Joint Steroid Injections
- Audiograms
- Cryo Surgery (treatment of the affected area by freezing)
All by appointment only.
Calling for Results
The practice staff can advise when the test result should be available at the surgery – usually within 2-5 working days – but this can take longer depending on the test.
To obtain test results, patients should telephone 01642 631766 or call into the surgery only between 2pm - 4pm weekdays.
In the interest of confidentiality, results can only be given to the patient. We cannot discuss the results of any tests unless we have the consent of the patient in writing.
All returning test results are screening by your own doctor. The length of time a test results takes to come back varies depending on the test. If the result is abnormal we will always contact you, either by text or email or otherwise by letter instructing you to please make an appointment with a doctor to discuss the result.
The surgery will endeavour to contact you urgently in the event of a significantly abnormal result. However, we rely on having up-to-date contact details so please ensure that you have informed us of any change of details including mobile number and/or email.
Suspended due to COVID-19
We have one minor surgery practitioner, Sr Hennessy.
She is able to remove certain skin lesions under local anaesthetic injection. If you have a skin lesion which you are worried about or would like removed then first make an appointment with a GP who will be able to assess whether it could be removed in the minor surgery clinic. You will then be put on a waiting list for the next minor operation clinic to be held at the surgery and will be contacted with an appointment when one becomes available.
Common lesions which are removed are problematic moles, lipomas and sebaceous cysts.
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Our phlebotomy department is open every weekday morning from 8.30am for patients who are fasting or who will be continuing on to their work and from 9.00am for everyone else.
Phlebotomy finishes at 12.30pm but the doors may close before then if it is busy.
Additionally phlebotomy is also open every Monday and Tuesday afternoons between 1.00pm and 3.00pm.
A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:
- assess your general state of health
- confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
- see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning
A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The child's hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.
You can find out more about blood tests, their purpose and the way they are performed on the NHS Choices website.
Please allow at least 2 working days before telephoning for blood test results.
Confidential Chlamydia screening is available through the surgery. Please speak to our Nurse Practitioner.
We feel it is very important for all children to be fully immunised against potentially serious illnesses.
Appointments for these immunisations are usually sent out to parents. If you do not receive an appointment please ring the surgery to make one.
For further information you can visit NHS Choices - Vaccinations or click here for the MMR Facts
Annual heart disease clinics are run by our nurses with doctor support and aim to monitor your chronic condition and assess your risk of developing further complications. Advice regarding cholesterol levels, diet, weight and smoking are essential elements of this clinic. Follow up is arranged as apporpiate.
This covers all aspects of leg ulcer management and prevention. Patients can self refer to the nursing team for advice and management of chronic leg ulcers. Other specialists referrals can be made as necessary.
Sick Notes / Statement of Fitness for Work
General guidance for patients:
Doctors providing general medical services under the National Health Services Acts are required, under the Social Security Acts, to issue free of charge a Form Med 3 (Statement of Fitness for Work) to patients for whom they provide clinical care.
Doctors may also issue the Statement of Fitness for Work after consideration of a written report from another doctor or registered healthcare professional ( for example, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists), if they consider it appropriate.
Please Note:
You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.
For patients who are on long-term sick, we require three working days notice to renew their sick notes.
Contact the surgery here woodlands.enquiries@nhs.net
The practice provides appointments for smears. Please check with reception.
It is advisable that all women between the ages of 24 and a half to 49 years have a smear test every three years; and women from 50 to 64 have a smear every 5 years. If you would like to discuss the smear test or require any further information, please contact one of the practice nurses. Patients are welcome to bring a friend or relative with them to their smear appointment.
Please ask at reception for details of local clinics.
You may also be interested in Stop smoking - Live well at NHS Choices
Or either of these two direct links:
www.nth.nhs.uk/stopsmoking
www.nth.nhs.uk/services/stop-smoking-service/referral-form/
Travel advice
We no longer offer specific travel clinics for patients travelling abroad. However we will continue to provide vaccinations for certain conditions as advised by Public Health England.
Use the link to access advice on the different vaccinations : NHS Choices travel vaccinations
Free travel vaccinations
The following travel vaccinations are usually available free on the NHS:
- diphtheria, polio and tetanus (combined booster)
- typhoid
- hepatitis A – including when combined with typhoid or hepatitis B
These vaccines are usually free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.
Private travel vaccinations
We do not provide the following vaccinations and you will be required to go to a specialist travel clinic and pay for these vaccinations:
- hepatitis B when not combined with hepatitis A
- Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis
- meningitis vaccines
- rabies
- tuberculosis (TB)
- yellow fever
When you book an appointment for your travel vaccinations it would be a massive help to our nurses if you could provide a print out of the vaccinations you require for the country you are visiting. You can use the following websites for advice and to provide a print out: