Women’s Health

Breast Screening

The National Breast Screening Programme was introduced in 1988 as an early detection service for breast cancer. It states that all women who are aged between 50 – 70 years of age will be routinely invited for free breast screening every three years. The programme is very successful and currently saves around 1,400 lives per year.

Breast screening aims to find breast cancer at an early stage, often before there are any symptoms. To do this, an x-ray is taken of each breast (mammogram). Early detection may often mean simpler and more successful treatment. When women are invited for their mammogram depends on which GP they are registered with, not when their birthday is.

The screening office runs a rolling programme which invites women by area. The requirement is that all women will receive their first invitation before their 53rd birthday, but ideally when they are 50.  If you are under 50 and concerned about any aspect of breast care, please contact the surgery to make an appointment with your GP.

Cervical Screening Test

Cervical screening, or smear test, is a method of detecting abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells in the cervix in order to prevent cervical cancer. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina. Cervical screening is recommended every three years for women aged 25 to 49 and every five years for women aged 50 to 64 or more frequently if smear results indicates abnormal changes.

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer; it is a test to check the health of the cells of the cervix. Most women’s test results show that everything is normal, but for 1 in 20 women the test will show some abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.

Most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer and the cells may go back to normal on their own. However, in some cases, the abnormal cells need to be treated to prevent them becoming cancerous.

Our nurses are qualified to carry out cervical screening and tests in the form of cervical smears. In order to have a cervical smear the patient must have received a letter requesting that they have a cervical smear and the appointment must please be made for when the patient is not menstruating.

These appointments typically take around 10 minutes. For any further information or to book an appointment, please call the surgery.

Useful links

Emergency Contraception

If you’ve forgotten to take your pill, your condom split or you’ve had unprotected sex in the last 72 hours then you may need emergency contraception, and the sooner you take it the better.

Emergency contraception is available free from Contraception and Sexual Health Services, some GPs (family doctors) and most pharmacies (chemists), even if you’re under 16.

If you’ve had unprotected sex or your condom failed, it is also really important to consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs. Please phone the surgery to book an emergency appointment.

If you miss the 72 hours it is still possible to have an emergency coil fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. You can have an emergency coil fitted for free at your local sexual health clinic.

Flu Immunisation

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.

The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.

You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.

We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.

You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:

  • over 65 years of age
  • pregnant

or have:

  • a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
  • serious kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
  • if you have ever had a stroke
  • If you have any queries please contact the surgery.

For more information please visit the websites below:

Useful links

Vaccinations

We administer the full range of travel vaccinations and advice. We are an authorised Yellow Fever centre.

For current vaccination recommendations and comprehensive travel advice, check the free NHS site Fit for Travel.

It is recommended you make an appointment to see the Practice Nurse at least 6 weeks before travelling. This gives a chance to have all the vaccines you need. If you are travelling at short notice, we can administer an accelerated programme though this is not so satisfactory. When booking your appointment, tell the receptionist you are coming for travel jabs.

People working abroad, especially aid workers, may require extra immunisations.

If you originally come from the country you are visiting, it is likely your immunity will have worn off so it is important to be vaccinated.

  • Diphtheria/Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, and Hepatitis vaccinations are all available free of charge.
  • Yellow Fever, Meningitis A&C or ACWY, Hepatitis B, and Rabies vaccinations are chargeable (see fees for private services). Certificates are included.
  • The Japanese B Encephalitis vaccine is only available privately from Masta.
  • Dip/Tet and Polio may require a booster every 10 years for travellers to certain areas
  • Heptatitis A requires a booster vaccine 6-12 months after the first with boosters every 10 years.
  • Hepatitis B requires a booster 5 years after the initial course of 3 injections. Typhoid lasts 3 years.
  • Yellow fever lasts 10 years

Don’t forget to take malaria tablets – these are not available on the NHS and need to be bought from a pharmacy. Some require a private prescription, some not. Our nurse will tell you which combination you’ll need – there may be seasonal changes.

Though vitally important, the tablets do not offer complete protection so also take mosquito protection measures (mosquito netting, repellents, long sleeves, sprays and vaporizers, all of which help to some extent). All children will require protection; reduced dose vaccines and malaria prevention are available.

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.

Examples include the following:

  • Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV, etc)
  • Insurance claim forms
  • Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
  • Private sick notes
  • Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.

Travel Vaccinations

We do not offer travel advice at Walm Lane Surgery.

Please contact a Travel Clinic prior to travel to discuss what vaccinations etc. may be needed.

We offer Tetanus / Polio, Typhoid & Hepatitis A Vaccinations only.

Supporting a Healthy Lifestyle

Alcohol Advice

NHS Advice on drinking recommends that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day and women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day, “Regularly” means drinking every day or most days of the week.

Useful links

NHS Choices – Alcohol Misuse
NHS Choices – Where to find alcohol support
Drinkaware

Chlamydia Screening

Chlamydia screening is available from the surgery.

Simply ask at reception for a kit. It is a completely confidential service where you can send a urine sample in the envelope provided and receive the results easily.

Sexual Health

A range of sexual health services are offered at the surgery including:

  • Contraception and contraception advice
  • Emergency contraception and emergency contraception advice
  • Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital warts
  • Testing and counselling for HIV and AIDS

If you need advice and support with a sexual health matter or you think you have a problem you would like to discuss, please call the surgery to make an appointment with your GP.

Sexual health services are freely available for everyone.

For more information please visit the websites below:

Useful links

Smoking Cessation

If you’re trying to give up smoking, we can help. Studies show that your chances of success will be greatly improved if you get advice and support from health care professionals to help you stop smoking and if you don’t pay for your prescriptions then giving up is free.

  • The services we offer from the Practice can:
  • Boost your willpower to stop smoking
  • Concentrate your efforts by getting advice from someone who knows your medical background
  • Help you feel that you’re not doing it alone
  • Help you to cope when you are tempted to smoke
  • Monitor improvements to your health so that you can see the benefits

Please call the surgery to arrange an appointment with our smoking cessation advisers.

Useful links

Weight Loss

If you would like to know more about weight and diet advice, we offer a weight management clinic giving you advice on how to lose weight and stay healthy.

A range of options are available to support people with weight loss. To understand which of them may be the best fit for you please arrange an appointment with your GP who will be happy to discuss them with you.

One suitable option may be our Health Trainers who offer 1:1 sessions for people wanting to improve their health and change their behaviour. They can support individuals with healthy eating, weight management and getting physically active.

Many doctors now believe that when it comes to your health, your waist measurement is important.

While knowing your body mass index (BMI) is a good way to decide if you’re overweight, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

BMI is a measure of how healthy your weight is for your height. You can work out what your BMI is by using the NHS Choices BMI healthy weight calculator.

If you have a high BMI, you’re likely to be carrying extra fat. But your health could be at greater risk depending on where you store that fat.

Having a large amount of tummy fat (compared to fat around your bottom or thighs) makes you more likely to develop diabetes and heart problems.

A healthy waist circumference for men is less than 94cm (37 inches), and for women it’s less than 80cm (32 inches).

Losing weight and keeping it off isn’t easy, but it has many benefits. You may only need to make small changes to your lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight.

If you’d like to find out more about how you can lose weight in a healthy way please book an appointment with one of our nurses.

For more general information about weight loss, please see the websites below:

Useful links

Self-Referrals

Did you know you can refer yourself for some local services, without seeing a GP? Please see below some organisations in your area:

MENTAL HEALTH

To refer yourself for counselling, please complete the form here. You can also call 020 8206 3924.

Emergency Crisis Number: 0800 0234 650 (open 24 hours a day)

RELATIONSHIPS

Bereavement:

Relationship Support:

Domestic Violence:

Drug and Alcohol Help:

Smoking Cessation:

PREGNANCY

Planning a Pregnancy:

Already Pregnant:

Unplanned Pregnancy:

SEXUAL HEALTH

Local Sexual Health Clinics in both the community and hospitals. These clinics can test and advise on sexually transmitted infections and give advice and start some contraceptives.

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

Private Services List and Fees

We offer a number of Non-NHS services to our patients or in other words there are a number of services that are run from these premises that are offered on a Private basis.

They are not part of the NHS, so fees are usually payable.

CERTIFICATES AND FORMS FEE
Private Letter / TWIMC
Private Sick Certificate
Private Prescription for Travel
Freedom from Infection Certificate
Sickness / Accident Insurance Form
Lighter Life Forms
Housing Letter (payable in advance)
Children Letter for Ballet / Stage etc.
Fitness to Fly Letter
Cancellation Holiday Form / Letter
Fitness to Exercise Certificate
Overseas Pension Form
Power of Attorney Form
Power of Attorney Form (Home Visit)
School Health Report
School Health Report (Ofsted)
Letter for taking Meds on Plane
Passport Form / Photograph
Firearms / Shotgun Licence
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND REPORTS FEE
HGV
All Taxi Medicals and Bus Medicals
Pre-employment Medical
(Including elderly driver fitness to drive)
TRAVEL VACCINATIONS FEE
Hepatitis B
Yellow Fever
Polio Certificate
Rabies (three injections)
Japanese Encephalitis (Adult – Two Injections)
Japanese Encephalitis (Child – Two Injections)
Tickbourne Encephalitis (Adult – Two Injections, 1 year cover)
Tickbourne Encephalitis (Child – Three Injections, 1 Year Cover)
Meningitis
MMR (Over 16s)

Planning a Family

Antenatal care

Antenatal care is the care and help you receive from health professionals during the course of your pregnancy. It is important you take good care of your own health and that of your unborn baby during pregnancy.

As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you should get in touch with us to find out more information on the services and support that are available to you.

Useful links

Family Planning

Our family planning clinics offer free, confidential advice and information about contraception and sexual health.

We provide a range of services including:

  • Confidential advice about contraception
  • The combined oral contraceptive pill
  • The Progestogen-only pill
  • Progestogen injections
  • Limited supplies of free condoms
  • Free emergency contraception
  • Confidential advice about STIs
  • Cervical screening
  • Unplanned pregnancy advice
  • Free pregnancy tests
  • Pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information
  • Fitting and checking of caps, diaphragms, and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs)

Please book an appointment (through reception or via our online services) with your GP to discuss any of the above in more detail.

For more information please visit the websites below:

Useful links

Emergency Contraception

If you’ve forgotten to take your pill, your condom split or you’ve had unprotected sex in the last 72 hours then you may need emergency contraception, and the sooner you take it the better.

Emergency contraception is available free from Contraception and Sexual Health Services, some GPs (family doctors) and most pharmacies (chemists), even if you’re under 16.

If you’ve had unprotected sex or your condom failed, it is also really important to consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs. Please phone the surgery to book an emergency appointment.

If you miss the 72 hours it is still possible to have an emergency coil fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. You can have an emergency coil fitted for free at your local sexual health clinic.

Neonatal Checks

Some newborn babies are released from hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks, either in the surgery, or in comfort of your own home, depending on which is easier for you.

In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.

Postnatal Care

Postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby’s recovery is monitored.

During your postnatal care you will find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.

Useful links

Preconception Advice

If you are planning to have a baby or you need to know more information about how to look after yourself and your unborn baby, please book an appointment with your GP.

We can provide you with all the information you need to know to have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Useful links

NHS Health Checks

Working together to improve your health

Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia. The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented – even if you have a history of them in your family. Have your free NHS Health Check and you will be better prepared for the future and be able to take steps to maintain or improve your health.

Visit NHS Choices – Health Checks for further information.

Why do I need an NHS Health Check?

We know that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia increases with age. There are also certain things that will put you at even greater risk. These are:

  • being overweight
  • being physically inactive
  • not eating healthily
  • smoking
  • drinking too much alcohol
  • high blood pressure
  • high cholesterol

Both men and women can develop these conditions, and having once could increase your risk of developing another in the future.

  • In the brain a blocked artery or a bleed can cause a stroke.
  • In the heart a blocked artery can cause a heart attack or angina.
  • The kidneys can be damaged by high blood pressure or diabetes, causing chronic kidney disease and increasing your risk of having a heart attack.
  • Being overweight and physically inactive can lead to type 2 diabetes.
  • If unrecognised or unmanaged, type 2 diabetes could increase your risk of further health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.

What happens at the check?

  • This check is to assess your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.
  • The check will take about 20–30 minutes.
  • You’ll be asked some simple questions. For example, about your family history and choices which may put your health at risk
  • We’ll record your height, weight, age, sex, and ethnicity.
  • We’ll take your blood pressure.
  • We’ll do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol level.

What happens after the check?

  • We will discuss how you can reduce your risk and stay healthy
  • You’ll be taken through your results and told what they mean. Some people may be asked to return at a later date for their results.
  • You’ll be given personalised advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Some people with raised blood pressure will have their kidneys checked through a blood test.
  • Some people may need to have another blood test to check for type 2 diabetes. Your health professional will be able to tell you more.
  • Treatment or medication may be prescribed to help you maintain your health.

Questions you may have

Why do I need this check? I feel fine!

The NHS Health Check helps to identify potential risks early. By having this check and following the advice of your health professional, you improve your chances of living a healthier life.

But don’t these conditions run in the family?

If you have a history of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease in your family then you may be more at risk. Taking action now can help you to prevent the onset of these conditions.

I know what I’m doing wrong. How can the doctor help me?

If you would like help, we will work with you to find ways to eat healthily, reach your healthy weight, be more active, cut down your drinking, or stop smoking.

If I am assessed as being at ‘low risk’, does this mean I won’t develop these conditions?

It is impossible to say that someone will or won’t go on to develop one of these conditions. But taking action now can help you lower your potential risk.

Will everyone has this check?

This check is part of a national scheme to help prevent the onset of these health problems. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who has not been diagnosed with the conditions mentioned will be invited for a check once every five years. If you are outside the age range and concerned about your health, you should contact your GP.