Services
Health Check
We offer routine health checks and lifestyle advice from both the doctors and nurses, which are aimed at preventing illness. If required you will be offered a blood test, and in conjunction with a physical examination, we can discuss a joint strategy for remaining healthy. Healthy living applies to all ages, but as we age, intervention is more likely to be of benefit.
Smoking Cessation
We offer a service for smoking cessation, run by our nurses at all branches. You will be able to discuss reasons for smoking, and ways of stopping (and also reasons to why previous attempts have failed). You may be offered a variety of adjuncts, including nicotine replacement therapy which can help you to stop as part of a shared program.
Counselling
A counselling service, is operated by the PCT at the Rayleigh Road Branch. It can be accessed by yourself, by asking for a “Therapy For You” pack at reception. You may also wish to discuss your problems with a doctor. The counselling service specialises in CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and can address problems, such as anxiety, depression, health worries, and chronic pain, as well as many other problems.
Physiotherapy
Run from the Rayleigh Road Branch, as part of the Fortis Commissioning Group, we have developed a triage and physiotherapy service. This enables fast access to experienced physiotherapists, for diagnosis, management and self-help. If you have a problem that you feel may need a physiotherapist, you should contact your doctor whom can advise you on your best course of action.
Chronic Disease Management
We run specialised clinics for patients with a number of chronic illnesses. These include diabetes, chronic obstructive airways disease, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension and asthma, to name but a few. These conditions need annual review, requiring various test and examinations which can be performed in the branches. Click here for more information
Medication Review
Your medications are reviewed regularly by the doctors. Often this can be done purely from your clinic records, at other times, it is appropriate to speak to you in person. We endeavour to do this during routine clinic appointments, but often there is not time for this to be done. As a result you may be invited to speak to a doctor regarding your medications. Please view this as an opportunity to ask questions about your medications.
Family Planning
Both our doctors and nurses can provide advice and prescriptions regarding different types of contraception. We are fortunate to have a number of skilled female doctors whom can provide more specialised female services such as coil insertion and pessary fitting. If you have a question about contraception please feel free to speak to one of the nurses or doctors.
Phlebotomy
Organised with the PCT, we offer a phlebotomy service to our patients at the Belfairs and Kent Elms Branches. If you need a blood test, you will be given a number to phone (01702 422555) and can arrange a time and date suitable for yourself.
Travel Clinic
We offer a travel clinic service, run by the nurses, which provides specialised advice on travel destinations, routine precautions as well as drug and vaccine prophylaxis. Certain destinations require vaccinations which require several weeks to confer protection, so it is important to contact the Travel Clinic early to ensure you can be properly and safely prepared. Please note that there may be a private prescription charge for some tablets (such as anti-malarial tablets and most vaccines).
Child Health Surveillance
As part of child health surveillance, we provide regular checks (such as 6-week baby check) for young children, and closely liaise with the Health Visitor to screen for any potential developmental problems. We are also able to provide vaccinations as part of the routine vaccination schedule - please see below. Simply book in to see a nurse, informing of which vaccine you require.
| When to Immunise | Diseases protected against | Vaccine given |
|---|---|---|
| Two months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal infection | DTap/IPV/Hib + Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) |
| Three months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C |
DTaP/IPV/Hib + Men C |
| Four months old | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C + Pneumococcal infection |
DTaP/IPV/Hib
+ Men C + PCV |
| Around 12 months | Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C |
Hib/Men C |
| Around 13 months | Measles, mumps and rubella Pneumococcal infection |
MMR + PCV |
| Three and a half | Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio, measles, mumps and rubella |
DTap/IPV od dTap/IPV + MMR |
| aged 12 to 13 years | Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 | HPV |
| 13 to 18 years old | Diphtheria, tetanus, polio | Td/IPV |
Minor Surgery & Vasectomy
We have a dedicated surgical theatre based at the Belfairs Branch and have qualified surgeons whom can remove minor lumps and bumps. Please note that most cosmetic operations are not available through the NHS and these should be performed privately. We also offer cryotherapy, suitable for management of various skin lesions. Dr Zaidi also performs vasectomies privately.
Endoscopy & Colonoscopy
Opened in 2009, The Community Endoscopy Centre based at Rayleigh Road Surgery enables our patients access to local specialised investigations. At present we have Consultant Endoscopists performing endoscopies and colonoscopies, and in the new future we hope to be able to perform additional services.
Maternity Services
We provide full maternity services in conjunction with the local midwifery team, providing advice and regular checks. We are fortunate that based at Kent Elms Surgery, we have a midwife attached to our practice whom is able to provide antenatal classes for your patients. She will guide you through your pregnancy and be a useful source of information.
Ear Syringing
We offer ear syringing/suction at all of our branches. Ear syringing should only be referred by a doctor, as repeated syringing or suctioning can stimulate the glands in the ear to produce more wax and often make the problem with impacted ear wax worse. We recommend the use of sodium bicarbonate ear drops to be applied to the affected ear, three times per day for 2 weeks. If at this point your ears are still blocked (examined by a doctor) you will be referred for syringing.
Spirometry
We offer spirometry at all our sites, required in the diagnosis of obstructive airways diseases. If you have emphysema or Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COAD) then you will be required to perform spirometry once a year as part of your annual assessment. Spirometry takes a few minutes to complete, and requires you to blow into a handheld device as hard and as long as you can.
Investigations
As a practice we try to innovate and provide as many services as possible, to a high standard to our patient population. We are able to perform ear syringing (please see a doctor first), spirometry (A blowing test which gives information regarding your lung volumes), ECGs (electrical recordings of the heart) and Audiometry (hearing tests). We continually look to innovate and hope to be adding to these services in the future.
