CLINICS

Asthma, COPD & Diabetic clinics

Our practice nurses hold weekly asthma, COPD and diabetes clinics. Advice from the practice nurses may be obtained at any time by appointment.

 

Cervical cytology

Cervical smears can be arranged with a doctor or nurse, in conjunction with the Somerset CCG we operate a computerised system to call women between the ages of 24 and 49 for a smear every three years and women between 50 and 64 every five years.

 

Child health

Assessment, and advice is carried out by both doctors and health visitors. The key checks are as follows:

• 6 weeks developmental check with the doctor.
• 6 to 9 months developmental assessment and hearing test with your health visitor.

Your health visitor will advise you about further routine checks.

 

Child immunisations

Clinics for school-leavers, pre-school children and babies are currently held six times a month.

You will receive notification of an appointment direct from the health authority. Please bring with you to the appointment your Personal Child Health Record (red booklet), your appointment card and your signed consent form.

If you are unable to keep the appointment please let reception know in good time beforehand.

Click the following link for up to date information on child and other immunisations.

 

Counselling service

We offer an in-house counselling service under contract to Taunton Deane Primary Care Trust. If you need the services of a counsellor please ask your doctor to arrange an appointment.

 

Family planning / Contraception

We offer a complete service during routine appointments with your doctor. This includes arranging for the fitting of intra-uterine contraceptive devices.

Emergency and confidential advice is available at all times.

Information and leaflets below:

Having a Coil fitted at College Way Surgery

IUD (Copper) Information Leaflet

IUS (Mirena) Information Leaflet

 

Foreign travel

We are able to arrange most vaccinations required for foreign travel. Please consult the practice sufficiently early.

We need at least six weeks' notice prior to departure in order to carry out the mandatory checks required, allow an
appropriate interval between vaccinations if needed, and ensure that you are offered appropriate advice.

Please note that although many travel vaccinations are available from the surgery at no cost some drugs such as for malaria prophylaxis have to be purchased by the patient from a pharmacist (some on a private prescription).

Our practice nurses will give advice where required.

For further information click the following link to see our Travel Advice

We regret that we cannot offer travel vaccinations to temporary residents or overseas visitors.

 

Health promotion

Although all members of the primary healthcare team are involved in different aspects of health promotion, the health visitors offer individual counselling and support, both face to face and by telephone, as well as a range of group activities and exhibitions designed to help patients help themselves by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Topics covered Include:

• stopping smoking advice
• weekly dietary advice
• sexual health
• dental health
• mental health
• advice on alcohol consumption
• accident prevention
• exercise
• skin cancer prevention.

 

Influenza & pneumococcal immunisations

We run a flu vaccination programme in October each year and encourage patients aged 65 or over or those of any age suffering from a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, or immmunosuppression to attend for an annual vaccination.

We will be sending invitations to these patients to attend a flu clinic and will make special arrangements for those in nursing or long-stay residential homes.

 

Maternity

Doctors see patients for antenatal care during normal surgery appointment times.

Antenatal care is provided by the midwife with GP support. 

The midwife also arranges postnatal care of patients at home as required.

 

Minor surgery

Our treatment room is fully equipped for minor procedures carried out under a local anaesthetic. Your own doctor will arrange minor surgery for you if required.

We also offer a minor surgery service for patients referred to us from other GP practices.

Each week Dr Hesford and Dr Alkadhi conducts a specialist dermatology clinic and Dr Badham holds a vasectomy clinic.

 

Other services

The practice also provides the following:

• Anti-coagulation monitoring (warfarin dose monitoring)
• Near patient testing (drug monitoring by blood testing)

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinics provide free testing & treatment. These are held at Musgrove Park Hospital:

• Taunton (Appointments) - 01823 252222
• Health Advisor - 01823 332182

 

Test results

Our reception staff are able to advise you whether a result is satisfactory or whether you should consult your doctor.

Please telephone reception on 01823 259333.
All laboratory tests results are dealt with in strictest confidence.