Meadowbridge Surgery - The clinics and other services offered by our doctors surgery

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Antenatal Midwife Appointments.

Patients are asked to contact reception to arrange an initial appointment at the Practice with the Midwife between 16-18 weeks gestation. This appointment can be brought forward if pregnancy complications occur or if the patient requires assistance with self referral to the Hospital.

However the practice midwives need no longer complete hospital referrals and patients can now self refer to the hospital of their choice themselves using one of the following links:

Antrim Area Hospital Maternity Referral, Lagan Valley & Ulster Hospital Maternity Referrals & Mater or Jubilee Hospital Referral

Referral can be posted or emailed directly to the hospital (details available on the form) and upon receipt of a referral the hospital will offer an initial booking appointment between 10-14 weeks gestation.

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Annual Review Appointment are available by contacting reception for patients diagnosed with any of the following:

Asthma
CKD
COPD
Coronary heart disease
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Epilepsy
Hypertension
Mental Health
Osteoporosis
Primary Prevention - CVD
PAD
Stroke
Thyroid

EYECARE ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL SERVICE (NI PEARS) NI Pears is a service provided by most optometry practices for patients who develop a sudden eye problem such as: Red eye (s) Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, or around the eye area - Sudden reduction in vision in one or both eyes - Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes - Suspected foreign body in the eye. If you are unsure whether your symptoms qualify you for an NI PEARS examination please contact one of the practices who provide NI PEARS for advice. A full list of optometry practices who provide the service can be found at link below :- http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/nipears.htm (a list as of July 2020 in northern area is attached – access online for full/ updated list). SELF REFERRAL.

Minor Injuries Service is provided with treatment for the following:

a) Cuts capable of closure by simple technique
b) Minor dislocation of fingers/toes
c) Removal of foreign bodies
d) Non-penetrating eye foreign bodies
e) Following recent injury, not amenable to simple First Aid
f) Partial thickness burns or scalds, but not involving hands, feet, neck face or genital area
g) Minor soft tissue injuries which can be managed without need for X-ray amenable to simple First Aid
h) Any circumstance where medical intervention required to stabilise an injured patient prior to transfer to A&E.

Other Services

Cervical smears
Child health surveillance
Contraceptive services
Dermatology Specialist
Depression Counsellor
IUD Fitting / Implanon Implants & Removal
Maternity Services
Minor surgery
Travel Clinic
Treatment Room
Vaccinations and immunisations.

Contact Reception to arrange appointments or for further information on services available.

TRAINING PRACTICE

Meadowbridge Surgery is a training practice a patient may be offered an appointment with a GP Student Trainee or a Medical Student from Queens University in their 5th or 4th year. Patient's are assured that they will only see students with their consent, and will not be disadvantaged by refusing to have medical students involved in their care.

Travel Vaccinations

Meadowbridge Surgery no longer offers a Private Travel Vaccination Service.

There are various clinics in Northern Ireland offering this service, the most local at Carrick Health Centre Pharmacy, Taylors Avenue, (contact information can be found on line for other clinics in Belfast/Bangor).

An appointments at Meadowbridge Surgery can then be arranged for any NHS Travel Vaccines outstanding following your attendance at the Private Travel Clinic. Patients will receive writing information to bring to the Practice Nurse indicating any outstanding NHS free Travel Vaccines required. Our Practice Nurse will not give Travel advice regarding private vaccines.

You can find information on vaccines you may require from the links below. We cannot vouch that the information on the links is up to date. You should contact a travel clinic to confirm vaccinations required.

• Allow plenty of time for a pre-travel consultation at least 6-8 weeks before you travel.

• A dental check-up before you travel may prevent problems while you are away.

• Take out adequate insurance for your destination and activities. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to free or reduced rate medical care in most EU countries. You can apply for one free of charge online (www.dh.gov.uk), by phone (0845 606 2030), or by post using a form from the Post Office

• Pack a first aid kit (a sterile kit of emergency equipment may be a good idea if you are going somewhere remote).

• Find out about the place you are travelling, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website www.FCO.gov.uk contains information and up to date advice on travelling abroad, including information about risks in specific countries. There is further information about countries and vaccinations on the links below

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

Travelling in Europe

If you are travelling to Europe a very useful booklet has been published with advice and guidance to help you get the most out of your holiday. To visit please click:- http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/eu_glance/86/en.pdf (this is a large document and may take a minute or two to view)

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. The Doctors are regularly asked to complete forms and prepare letters for patients. Examples include the following:

Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
Insurance claim forms (sickness, holiday cancellation, etc.)
Solicitor Reports
Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
Private sick notes
Health Declaration Forms
GP Letters (non NHS.)

Please leave your form at reception ensuring you have completed any consent or declaration forms. If you do not have a form it will be necessary to submit your request in writing. The receptionist will ask you to complete a short information form at reception which will help to action your request as quickly as possible. You may be contacted by the practice by telephone regarding applicable fees, if further information is required or to arrange medical appointments etc.

Just like other professionals, such as accountants and solicitors, a charge is made for the Doctors time and also professional responsibility. Charges for private work is as follows and payment is expected in advance:

Blood Grouping £20

Blood Tests £15

Copies (immunisations, tests, hospital letters) from £5

Driving Medical (HGV/PSV/Taxi) £95

Employment Medicals £164.50

Forms (Health Declarations, Insurance, Travel Cancellation etc from £15 - £25

Private Prescriptions £15

Travel Prescription non NHS per item £15

Non EU Temporary Patients £50 consultation fee & from £15 per blood test

Receipts available

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to help you with any queries. Please be aware that the Doctors always prioritise their NHS work first which means that the completion of private forms and letters may sometimes be delayed and no time scale is available.

Meningococcal ACWY vaccine programme

Anyone up to the age of 25 years and starting university for the first time (not those returning to university in second or subsequent years), are eligible for vaccination and can make an appointment with the Practice Nurse.

Patient information leaflet: http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/publications/are-you-aged-14%E2%80%9318-years-old-protect-yourself-against-meningitis-and-septicaemia

Pertusis (whooping cough) vaccination for pregnant woman will now be offered from 16 weeks gestation.

Self Care for Life – be healthy this winter

Am I using my inhaler correctly? (Inhaler Technique). If you don’t use your inhaler correctly it won’t work properly. These videos show you how to use your inhaler.

Did you know that it is usual for adults to have two to four colds a year while children are likely to have three to eight as their immune system is more susceptible to viral infections? That’s why, during winter, when seasonal illnesses are more frequent, it is important to take extra measures to stay well.

The Self Care message is "Self care for life – be healthy this winter" which we are supporting.

What are the Fact Sheets for?
The Self Care Forum Fact Sheets cover 13 common ailments and are aimed to inform patients on issues around self care and on how to best handle the symptoms. They provide patients with information around:

Useful facts
What patients can expect to happen (the natural history)
What people can do to help themselves – now and in the future
When to seek medical help (the ‘red flags’)
Where to find out more

Download the fact sheets below:

1. Low Back Pain

2. Eczema

3. Heartburn and indigestion

4. Fever in children

5. Constipation

6. Headache and migraine

7. Coughs

8. Acne

9. Sprains and strains

10. Sore throat

11. Otitis media

12. Common cold

13. Sinusitis

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CERVICAL SMEAR PROGRAMME RECOMMENCING JUNE 2020 If due, women will soon be invited by letter to attend for their cervical screening test at the Practice and when contacting the Practice will be triaged remotely before any face-to-face appointment is booked. Patients without symptoms of COVID-19 who are booked for a face-to-face appointment will be advised to inform staff if they develop symptoms, and will be asked again before entering the Practice for their consultation. Please wear personal facemasks if available.

Cervical Screening

A new video below shows women what to expect when they attend for cervical screening. It has been produced by the Public Health Agency and covers the complete screening journey including the invitation, the smear test, laboratory processing, results and attendance for colposcopy. The video is primarily aimed at women attending screening for the first time aged 25, as uptake is lower in this age group. Further accessible versions of the video are in production (ie. signed in British and Irish sign language, subtitled version) and will be uploaded onto the website when available.

It is hoped the video will promote informed choice among women about attending for cervical screening and seek to reassure those who are called for colposcopy.

The video is on the Northern Ireland Cancer Screening Programmes website at the following link:

http://www.cancerscreening.hscni.net/2179.htm

Please contact reception to arrange a smear appointment with the Practice Nurse.

Practices in the Northern area who provide core diabetes services do not currently have a structured education programme to refer newly diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes too. We are therefore providing the following leaflets from Diabetes UK for your information.

Please click the following links for information:

Understanding Diabetes (Diabetes UK)

Eating well with Diabetes (Diabetes UK)

What care you should receive (Diabetes UK)

Education Checklist

If you are a newly diagnosed Diabetic please contact reception and arrange an appointment with the Practice Nurse or Health Care Assistant and they will be happy to cover the above main areas of education with you.

SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION PROGRAMME 2019/20

Click the following link for a list of eligible ‘Clinical At Risk Groups’.

There are different Flu Vaccines available to 3 groups of patients: 1) Children from 2y - under 18 yrs 2) At Risk patients from 6m to under 65 years & 3) Over 65 years olds.

Open Flu Clinics will run through October & November on Wednesdays. No appointments required at these clinics. Clinic Times 9.00am to 4:30 pm excluding 12.30 -2pm

Patients attending for annual COPD/Asthma reviews can receive their influenza vaccine at their appointment.

For children 2 - 4 years (pre-school), appointments can be booked through reception once vaccine has been received.

All pregnant women (at all stages of pregnancy) are invited for vaccination as a priority group. Flu is the most frequent single cause of death in pregnancy. Pertussis vaccine will still be offered from 16 weeks gestation.

Priority Group: Chronic Neurological Disease patients including children and young people with any chronic neurological disease and includes Multiple Sclerosis and related conditions and hereditary and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system are invited for vaccination.

Priority Group: Vulnerable children and adults with complex medical healthcare needs such as (but not confined to), those attending special schools for severe learning disability and day care centres are particularly vulnerable to influenza infection are invited for vaccination unless P1-P7 and vaccinated in school.

All pre-school children aged two years or more on the 1 September 2019 (D.O.B range 02/07/15 – 01/09/17) are invited for vaccination. Appointments can be booked for children by contacting reception or once registered for Patient-Facing-Services can be booked through the appointments section from mid September.

A live attenuated influenza vaccine (Nasal vaccine) will again be available and is strongly recommended as the vaccine of choice for children aged two years up to less than 18 years in clinical risk groups (except those with contraindications such as immunodeficiency or with severe asthma, active wheezing).

Children under the age of 9 years who are being vaccinated for the first time will NOT require a second dose unless they are in an ta risk group or they require the injected vaccine.

In offering influenza vaccine to people in the clinical risk groups, GPs will take into account the risk of influenza infection exacerbating any other underlying disease that a patient may have as well as the risk of serious illness from influenza itself.

Patients who do not meet the criteria to receive influenza vaccination can obtain private vaccine through many local Pharmacies.

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