Minor Illness Appointments:  everyday

Our nurse prescribers offer Minor Illness appointments everyday throughout their clinic time. They can help with many conditions: cystitis, earache, thrush, rashes, sore eyes, sore throats, for example. They can also arrange prescriptions although many common conditions do not need antibiotics.

Asthma/COPD

Sister Claire Muir and Sister Lynn Paice (asthma only)

Both sisters have a diploma in Asthma Care. The clinic aims to provide help, support and education for patients and families of those with asthma and is run in close liaison with the doctors in the practice.

We encourage all of our asthmatic patients on regular medication to attend the asthma clinic at least annually and for some, more frequently, as their condition dictates.

There is good evidence that regular attendance at clinic for monitoring and education of patients regarding their condition reduces the risk of emergency admission to hospital. By controlling symptoms well, the impact of asthma on everyday life can be significantly reduced.

We strongly advise all asthmatics to have an annual ‘flu jab’. They should also be immunised against pneumococcus (a type of pneumonia).

Diabetes Clinic

Sister Alison Frater

The diabetic clinic is for education, support, monitoring and treatment of patients with diabetes.

We encourage all patients with diabetes to attend the diabetic clinic at least annually and for some, more frequently, as their condition dictates. The clinic is run in close liaison with our GPs. Dr Andrew Fellows is our diabetes clinical lead. There is good evidence that regular attendance at clinic for monitoring and education of patients regarding their condition reduces the risk of complications. By controlling symptoms well, the impact of diabetes on everyday life can be significantly reduced.

Many patients have diabetes which can be controlled by diet alone or with medication. Some patients require insulin. Insulin-dependent patients are usually seen, at least initially, in hospital outpatients.

From the diabetic clinic you may be directed to the chiropodist, dietician or optician to obtain more specialist information on various aspects of your care.

We also strongly advise all diabetics to have an annual ‘flu jab’. They should also be immunised against pneumococcus (a type of pneumonia).

If you have any queries about diabetes, as a patient or a family member of a patient with diabetes, please contact reception to make an appointment with Sister Frater.

Heart Disease Clinic

Sister Alison Frater

The Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) clinic provides monitoring and advice for anyone who has had a heart attack or an episode of angina (chest pain). There is good evidence that treating blood pressure, cholesterol and changing lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of future heart attacks. Alton is lucky to have an excellent cardiac rehabilitation unit. Once they have finished with you this clinic takes over!

We aim to see all 'heart patients' annually for blood pressure and blood tests. If everyone stopped smoking, lost weight and did more exercise we would all live longer!

We also strongly advise patients with heart disease to have an annual ‘flu jab’. They should also be immunised against pneumococcus (a type of pneumonia).

Hypertension (high blood pressure) Clinic

Sister Lynn Paice  and Healthcare assistants Mary Barnsley and Wendy Gagen      

This clinic offers a number of different facilities. In the early days, when you or your doctor suspect that you may have raised blood pressure, you may be offered several appointments for blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle advice and possibly to initiate some baseline investigations, such as blood testing, urine testing and an electrocardiogram (an electrical recording to assess your heart). Many of these visits will be with one of our healthcare assistants; you may also be encouraged to take readings yourself and pass these to reception for inclusion in your medical records.

Later on, if your blood pressure remains raised, you may be started on medication to lower it. Once you are stabilised on the medication, we recommend you have a hypertension review with one of our healthcare assistant team, ideally in the month in which you were born; you will be encouraged to check your blood pressure either at home, if you have the facilities, or in the waiting room at the Health Centre, and log the result with reception for inclusion in your medical records, six months after your review.

Well Woman

Sister Alison Frater and Sister Julee Cherakattu

This nurse-led service offers cervical smears, HRT reviews, health screens and breast awareness education. Several of our doctors also offer well woman checks and family planning advice.

We offer a full range of family planning services including contraceptive pills, injections  and implants, coil and cap fitting and counselling for sterilisation and vasectomy.

The Family Planning Association has a very helpful website with lots of information and advice on all forms of contraception:  http://www.fpa.org.uk/

If you have been invited for a cervical smear and want more information about cervical cancer or what to expect at your test, the Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust website (www.jostrust.org.uk) is a great place to look. Their 5 minute video about the importance of regular smears and what to expect at your appointment is excellent - so take a look: you can find it on their website under the 'Information' tab or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=7knyPlT4DXU

The Wilson Practice Pregnancy Advice Sheet March 2016.pdf can be found here.

Flu Vaccination (nasal spray for children)

Influenza is a nasty disease that puts fit people in bed for 10 days and can kill the elderly or infirm; the 1918/19 epidemic killed more people than the whole of the First World War! Many people get the common cold and say they have had "flu" but once you have had the real influenza you will know the difference!

The flu vaccination is given annually. It is designed to protect against whatever is thought to be the most prevalent strain of the disease in a given year, so whilst it offers a great deal of protection, we cannot guarantee you won't be unlucky enough to catch another strain.

Every autumn we run Flu Clinics offering free flu vaccination for patients over 65 years and others with an illness that puts them more at risk (see below). We publicise the dates of the flu vaccination clinics (generally two Saturday mornings and one Thursday afternoon in the early autumn) on this website and in the surgery and encourage at risk patients to attend.  Others are welcome to have the vaccine, but we aim to do the 'at risk' groups first.

Patients eligible for NHS flu jab

People: over 65, or aged 2 - 5 years old

People with:

• asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, kidney or liver disease
• history of stroke/transient ischaemic attack, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's or Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
• weak immune system, no spleen/splenic dysfunction, HIV or cancer

and those who are:

• pregnant
• taking high doses of steroids or having radio- or chemo- therapy
• the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who may be at risk if you fall ill
• health or social care professionals directly involved with patient care

Pneumonia Vaccine

We also vaccinate against pneumococcal pneumonia. It can occur at any time, although is more common over the winter months especially in smokers. As with flu, it can put a fit person in hospital and kill people who are elderly or infirm. The vaccine is a single injection that gives life-long protection. We recommend it to the same 'at risk' groups as for flu vaccine.

Meningitis B vaccination

A new factsheet is available:  Questions about the Meningitis B vaccination Feb16.pdf

Childhood Vaccines

Sisters Alison Frater and Tina Palmer

The practice offers and encourages a full range of vaccines. (see the Your Health tab below (then click child age group) for the current national immunisation schedule.) These routine immunisations are offered at our regular Tuesday clinics. If someone other than your child's parent/legal guardian brings your child for his/her vaccination, please note that we require written consent.

Travel Vaccinations

STOP PRESS: AUGUST 2017

There is currently a global shortage of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccine. Until this situation is resolved we are unable to offer these vaccinations

TRAVEL CLINICS: Sister Lynn Paice 

Many countries that we visit for work or leisure have very different health problems than we are used to in England. Some countries require certain vaccinations before they permit entrance. For many more vaccination is recommended.

If you are planning to travel, please contact reception to make an initial travel medicine appointment in plenty of time (ideally 2-3 months) before your departure, because some vaccines take weeks to work, some need several doses, spread over weeks, and not all can be given at the same time.

Reception will give you a questionnaire to complete to assist our travel nurse in preparing for your consultation. You can also download our Travel Appointment details and questionnaire Apr16.pdf  here. The practice has access to the very latest advice on epidemics, malarial resistance and travel requirements, but we do need to know exactly where and when you are travelling.

Once we have received your completed questionnaire, either pop it in the post to us, fax it (01420 543430) or e-mail: nhccg.wilsonpractice@nhs.net, you will be contacted with a travel clinic appointment to plan your immunisations and anti-malarial advice if appropriate.

Not all diseases have vaccines. Simple precautions can prevent you bringing home an unwanted souvenir. Our nurse will be able to advise you.

Many activities within the travel clinic are not funded by the NHS so you may be charged for immunisations and prescriptions. There are other private clinics offering a similar service, but we try to provide a competitive price.

Immunisation charges (reviewed July 2016)

Information about countries and vaccinations required can be found on the links below:

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Carribean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

Minor Injury Service

Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 6.30pm

We run minor injuries unit for the local area; it is open to anyone, regardless of which GP practice they are registered with.

We can care for most 'walking wounded' injuries sustained within the previous 48 hours. Major fractures, bleeds or head injuries will be quickly sent to the full A&E department in Basingstoke.

Once registered at reception, most patients are seen within 10 minutes by a duty nurse, who can deal with a wide range of problems.  If your condition is more complex you will see our duty doctor. The time you wait will depend on other casualties, but you will be seen as soon as possible and kept informed if there is likely to be a wait. We have a great deal of trauma care experience within the practice. We have access to x-ray facilities at our local hospital (9.00 - 5.00).

Contraception

The practice offers a full range of contraception services; confidentially, free and to all ages. Unplanned pregnancies are extremely stressful and it is always difficult to decide what to do. Whether you choose to keep the baby or go for a termination (BPAS), your life will be changed for ever. This is one instance when "prevention is better than cure".

Your doctor, and Sisters Thoma and Frater in the Well Woman, clinic will be happy to discuss any of the options (find out about contraception options here).

Emergency Contraception

If you have had unprotected sex and may be at risk of unwanted pregnancy please ask for help within 72 hours or, ideally, as soon as possible.

Emergency contraception prevents conception after sex without causing an abortion. This can be done by taking tablets or by fitting an intrauterine contraceptive device (coil). There are two types of tablet available. The most recent advance is Levonelle which is the safest, easiest to use and remarkably free of side effects. You can only use tablets if you take them within 72 hours of unprotected sex and you have not had any other episodes of unprotected sex since your last period. Occasionally, it may be more appropriate to offer to fit an intrauterine contraceptive device (coil) and if so, this will be discussed with you.

Like all consultations, requests for emergency contraception are completely confidential. Please never be put off consulting if you are told that your doctor is fully booked. A polite but insistent request for a same day appointment with our practice sister or doctor is all that is required.

Local chemists can also provide free emergency contraception for under 25 year olds. To find other local services try www.ruthinking.co.uk  or NHS111 on 111. Following treatment we would like to see you again to discuss ongoing contraceptive care or if you have any worries after taking emergency contraception.

Chlamydia Screening

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection, most people not realising they have it. It is easily treated. In women, if left untreated, it can make future pregnancy difficult or impossible.

The practice is part of a chlamydia screening programme for young people (men and women aged 16–25 years). You can be tested, whether or not you have symptoms. The test is either a urine test or, if female, a self-taken vaginal swab.

If the result is positive they will be contacted confidentially to arrange treatment. You can obtain a test pack from a GP, a nurse or from reception.

Wound Care (ulcer) Clinic

This is run by the Community Nursing team based at Alton Community Hospital, but our practice nursing team is the first port fo call if you have an ulcer or other non-healing wound developing.  Many wounds can be healed quite quickly without the need for this specialist clinic.

The clinic provides a full assessment, help, support, advice including educational material, treatment and, if necessary, referral to a vascular consultant.

Non NHS Charges (revised November 2017)

Not everything your doctor does comes under the provision of the NHS. NHS care cannot be charged for, but other things you ask your doctor to do have to be paid for. This is a list of current charges, as recommended by national agreements between government, the British Medical Association and insurance companies.

HGV Medicals: NEW information on SIGHT test

The vision test element of the HGV medical had changed and should, ideally, be conducted by an optician/optometrist. If you require an HGV medical, please book an appointment with an optician to complete this section of the form, before booking a GP appointment for the rest of the assessment.

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