Appointment Reminder Service
If you choose to opt-in to receiving texts from the surgery, we will remind you of any appointments via text message. Our team also use the service to send follow up information on consultations, blood results and to get in touch with you when we have been unable to speak to you on the phone.
You will be asked to state your preferences on using the text service when you register with us, but can change your mind at any time by speaking to reception.
Chaperone Service
It is practice policy to offer a chaperone when intimate physical examination is necessary.
Contraceptive/Sexual Health Services
Our GP, Paramedic and Nursing Team include specialists in contraception and Sexual Health providing a confidential service for men and women.
They advise and facilitate for methods of contraception including implants and coils, while also being able to provide screening for sexually transmitted disease. If you need the “morning after pill” you can submit a request via the online system and a member of our team will contact you.
Chlamydia screening kits are freely available for women under 25 year olds in the toilet areas and at reception.
For general contraception advice follow the links below:
https://www.sexwise.fpa.org.uk/
https://www.sexwise.fpa.org.uk/where-get-help/help-during-covid-19
Flu & Covid Vaccination Booster Service
Flu and Covid-19 are highly infectious illnesses that spread rapidly through coughs and sneezes. They are caused by a virus and not bacteria, which means that antibiotics won’t treat them.
Flu & Covid-19 symptoms can hit suddenly and severely. They usually include:
– fever
– chills
– head-aches
– aching muscles
– coughs
Anyone can get flu or Covid-19, but some people are more at risk than others. The NHS offers free vaccinations to patients that are over 65 or considered ‘at risk’. At risk groups include:
– those who have a serious medical condition
– pregnant women
– some children
If you are over 65 and would like a flu vaccination, please book an appointment. If you are in one of the ‘at risk’ groups, we will contact you to book your appointment.
Our Vaccine Clinics take place between September – November each year, and are undertaken by our Nursing Team, primarily on Saturday mornings. If you are in an at-risk category, you will receive a letter from the surgery inviting you to make an appointment. If you are not in an at risk group, but are over the age of 65, you will also be able to book an appointment.
Home Visits
If you are too ill to attend the surgery, please request a home visit by calling Reception. Our GP’s will assess your symptoms over the phone prior to arranging a visit.
Please refrain from requesting a home visit unless absolutely necessary. Home visits are for genuinely housebound and end-of-life patients only.
Maternity Care
Doctors provide antenatal and postnatal care as well as six week development checks during afternoon surgeries.
Out of Hours
For non-emergency healthcare outside of surgery hours, please call 111 for non-emergency medical problems.
In case of emergency, please call 999
Advanced Practitioner Service
Kingswood Health Centre has four Advanced Practitioners available, Aleysha Proctor, Vanessa Smeardon, Jo Robb and Martin Davis. They can see a variety of urgent conditions on the day including urinary infections, headaches, ear/nose/throat problems and leg/back/shoulder/hip pain. They can also be undertake Home Visits. If your health problem can be assessed and treated by them you may be offered an appointment with them.
Pharmacist Service
Kingswood Health Centre has two clinical pharmacists available every day of the week. Their names are Laura Hunt and Mejebi Eyewuoma. They will be able to help with any queries you have over medications. They may also see you to undertake Medication Reviews and complete annual chronic disease reviews. If you feel you have a query that they may be able to help with, please submit it online or contact our Reception Team. The pharmacists are supported by our Pharmacy Technician, Clare Fear, who assists with medication queries, medication reconciliation and some medication reviews.
Private/Non NHS Services
Certain services provided by your doctor, such as private / sports medicals, private certificates, HGV medicals, some travel vaccinations and insurance claims, are not covered by the NHS and you will be asked to pay a fee. As this in non-contractual work, it cannot be prioritised over health problems so there may be a wait for an appointment if needed, or for completion of any report as this done outside of normal clinic hours.
The receptionists will help with any queries you may have.
Mode of Appointments
Our default mode of appointment is face-to-face. However patients are able to arrange a telephone appointment if this is preferred. We encourage any patient who has a problem that may require a physical examination to book a face-to-face appointment in order to reduce duplication of appointments.
Travel Advice and Immunisations
If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.
Please contact us at least 8 weeks before you’re due to travel as some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity and some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.
You can speak to one of our practice nurses or to a private travel clinic.
To find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these websites:
First Contact Physiotherapist
Pete Daffada is our First Contact Physiotherapist. He can see patients with new musculoskeletal problems, or acute flare-ups of an existing MSK condition. In his appointments he will assess, diagnose, treat and refer onto other services or for investigations where appropriate. He can also provide joint injections when clinically necessary. His working days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Enhanced Access
Early morning, evening and Saturday appointments are available at the health centre – including for medication reviews, vaccinations, blood tests, health checks, contraceptive implant fitting and screenings. Please book with the reception team.
Community Pharmacist Consultation Service – Pharmacy Referrals
The NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) was launched in October 2019 to ensure people are seen by the right healthcare professional by using the skills and medicines knowledge of our community pharmacists. CPCS helps to improve access to primary care services and provides more convenient treatment closer to patients’ homes.
Through the CPCS, patients can access a same day consultation with their community pharmacist for help with a minor illness following a referral from their general practice (or via NHS 111).
We want all patients to understand how to get the right care, at the right time, and with the most appropriate person. We also want to support all primary care staff in their roles.
- Our practices is working closely with local pharmacists to support you with certain minor health conditions.
- It may be more appropriate to have your NHS consultation with a pharmacist instead of the GP practice.
- You can choose to have your consultation with any pharmacy convenient to you.
- The pharmacist consultation will be confidential.
- Pharmacists are highly skilled healthcare professionals who have trained in medicines and can give health advice and help you manage your condition.
- If treatment for symptoms is required, the pharmacist may suggest an over the counter medicine.
- If the pharmacist thinks you need to see another healthcare professional, they will help arrange it.
- With your consent, the pharmacist will ensure your medical record is updated with the outcome of your consultation.
- Find out more about how pharmacies can help at:
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacies/
