Specialist Clinics
Mental Health
Stressed, anxious, depressed?
The practice have a team of Mental Health Practitioners who are able to provide patients with support when going through a difficult period in their life.
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, depressed or feel you are unable to cope please ask a member of the appointment team to make you an appointment with our Mental Health Practitioner.
For more information please refer to the 'Working it Out' leaflet.
At the Health Centre we are constantly looking at ways to improve our service for all our patients but we are particularly aware of the need to support those with mental health conditions, an area which hasn’t necessarily been well supported in recent years. Working with four other practices locally, we are part of a two-year national programme looking at how we may develop a primary care mental health service in our area.
We are assessing individual needs and building resources to enable us to refer you to the appropriate service.
We have a number of leaflets to give you which will help direct you to find the right support. We can offer exercise on prescription and books on prescription.
Computer cognitive behavioural therapy is also available, currently through MIND in Trowbridge.
Child Health Clinic
This Health Visitor led clinic is for all parents and their children under the age of 5 to seek advice and information about every aspect of their child's development. Children can be weighed and/or measured at this clinic.
It runs from 9:30 am to 11:30 am every Wednesday at The Health Centre and is a drop in clinic so no appointment necessary. Please bring your red child health record with you and put it in the health visitor baskets that are located to the right of the main desks.
Diabetic Clinic
The Diabetic Clinic is for all patients over 18 years to attend who have Type I or Type II diabetes. This is both a jointly run clinic (GP and Practice Nurse) where an annual check is performed and a six monthly (interim) check with one of the Practice Nurses.
Patients benefit from these clinics as there will be time to discuss diet, lifestyle and general management of their diabetes and any complications. Referrals may be made following attendance at these clinics to the Dietician, Podiatrist, Ophthalmologist or Retinal Screening (which takes place at The Health Centre) or Consultant, or Diabetes Specialist Nurse if required.
Patients may access this clinic by making an appointment through the Receptionist or by discussion with their GP or Practice Nurse.
The Bath, Wiltshire and North Somerset Diabetes Service are pleased to announce the launch of the Bath, Wiltshire and North Somerset website. It has been designed to give advice on all aspects of diabetes care, and is based on national guidelines with local information.
Hypertension Clinic
The hypertension clinic began at the end of 2005 specifically for people with Hypertension (raised blood pressure). Most of these people will already be on medication for their condition, which is hopefully helping them to attain the required target of 140/85 and below.
Attending this clinic will ensure that your blood pressure is checked twice a year, once by a nurse and once by your GP to keep it within the required target for good health. If your blood pressure is not in target, action may be taken, with your agreement, to improve the result. At this clinic you will have your weight and height measured and your lifestyle will be discussed with you, such as diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol habits plus discussion on your medication for your blood pressure.
You will be sent an invitation by The Health Centre to attend this clinic around your birth date, if you have been diagnosed with hypertension in the past
Leg ulcer clinic
The leg ulcer clinic is with the district or practice nurses. Clinics are on Tuesday mornings between 8.40 and 12.00 at St Margarets. A leg ulcer is a chronic (long-lasting) non-healing wound on your leg or foot that takes longer than six weeks to heal. Symptoms of a leg ulcer include pain, itching and swelling in the affected leg. Venous leg ulcers are uncommon in the general population, affecting an estimated 1 person in 500 in the UK. However, rates of venous leg ulcers rise with age. It is estimated that 1 person in every 50 over the age of 80 is affected by venous leg ulcers.
The outlook for small ulcers is generally good. With appropriate treatment, 70% of small ulcers will heal within 12 weeks. Larger ulcers may take longer to heal.Treatment usually involves cleaning and dressing the wound and using compression bandages to control the blood pressure inside the legs better.
Warfarin Monitoring
This nurse led clinic is for patients who take anticoagulant medication such as warfarin who need to have their blood monitored regularly. At this clinic a simple finger prick test is performed. An immediate result is given and the warfarin dose adjusted or continued as necessary, and a follow-up appointment is given.
Patients benefit from this clinic as it is important to maintain regular checks on the clotting rate of their blood while taking anticoagulants. This can done at the first attendance. Patients do not have to wait for their results to come back from the hospital laboratory and then be contacted again with dosage instructions.
Patients can access this clinic by making an appointment through Reception staff or Practice Nurses at The Health Centre.
Adolescent Drop-In Clinic & No Worries
This clinic is run by the Health Visitors and is available to all young people who would like information or advice on any health, personal or sexual health issues eg skin care, diet, contraception, bullying and relationship problems. It is completely confidential.
The Health Centre is a 'No Worries' surgery which means we offer free, condidential advice on sexual health issues and contraception to all young people whatever their age.
It is held on Mondays during term time from 3:45 - 4:45 pm and no appointment is necesssary. It is not necessary to be registered with the surgery. If you would like to speak to us by phone please call 01225 865660 and leave a contact number.
When you arrive for the clinic, please tell the receptionist you are here for the young people's drop in clinic and they will contact the health Visitor.
Specialist Services
All services are provided free of charge unless clearly indicated.
ANTE-NATAL AND FULL MATERNITY SERVICES
If you are, or think you may be pregnant, your GP will refer you to our team of midwives based at the Health Centre
AUDIOLOGY
An audiologist visits the Health Centre on a regular basis; your GP can refer you if required
CERVICAL SCREENING CLINICS
Appointments can be booked directly at reception as part of the national screening programme
CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATIONS AND ADVICE
A service primarily provided by our Health Visitors
CHIROPODY
You may self refer – please ask at reception for further details
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
On referral from your GP
DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION
On referral from your GP
FAMILY PLANNING
A free, confidential service
HEALTH CHECKS
These are offered when you register with The Health Centre if you have specific medical needs and are carried out by a healthcare assistant
MINOR SURGERY
A number of minor surgical procedures can be undertaken by your GP or a specialist doctor that visits The Health Centre
PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES
On referral from your GP
SOCIAL WORKERS
The adult care team for this area is based at the Health Centre, telephone 01225 867795
SPEECH THERAPY
This service is available for children on referral from a health care professional