TREATMENT ROOM

Operates most mornings from 8.30am. Blood tests are carried out by appointment only. Appointments can also be made in the afternoon for other requirements, ie. Blood Pressure checks, dressings, vaccinations etc. 

CONTRACEPTION

Contraception - including emergency contraception and insertion and removal of contraceptive implants are available. When requesting any of the above please ensure you inform the reception staff of what you require.

SMEAR CLINIC

Is available at the moment on two Tuesday mornings a month from 9am - 12pm  and is carried out by Sr E Gibson.

Sr Gibson is also offering a Wednesday morning clinic at the minute from 8.45am - 12.45pm.

ASTHMA CLINIC

Are held two Tuesday mornings a month with our asthma nurse Sr D Skillen.  Appointments are booked in advance.

INR CLINIC  (for patients on Warfarin) 

Patients on Warfarin medications that require INR monitoring can book an appointment with the treatment room nurse. The nurse is able to check your blood and make any adjustments to your warfarin dosage based on the results, while at the surgery. 

POST-NATAL ASSESSMENT & CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

A regular clinic is held for children aged between 8 weeks and 4 years.  Your appointments for these services will be organised through the Health Visitor or a member of our administrative team. 

For parents giving medications to their children, there is a website available which provides easy to understand information on medicines that have been prescribed to your child by the doctor. It is full of tips on how to give the different types of medicine and simplifies the potential side effects so that it can be easily understood. 

Why not have a look yourself?http://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk

IMMUNISATIONS

Available to your child according to recognised and regularly updated guidelines.  The clinic is held on Thursday mornings. You will receive a postcard inviting you to arrange your appointment in advance.  Although immunisations can occasionally be fitted in during treatment room hours, for the safety of the procedure it is best if you bring your child to the scheduled Thursday clinic. When coming to this clinic please ensure you bring your child's red book. 

MINOR SURGERY

Patients should contact reception to speak with the GP for referral for minor surgery and liquid nitrogen requirements.  

OTHER CLINICS

We also carry out annual reviews for patients with IHD, Stroke and Epilepsy which are held with a Nurse and a Doctor

GP Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Travel Vaccinations

This practice offers a limited travel vaccination programme. Whilst we are able to offer some vaccinations, you may find it easier and more convenient to obtain your vaccinations from a Travel Clinic.

We are able to offer the following vaccines 

Hep A

Hep A&B combined

Hep A and Typhoid combined 

Typhoid 

Travel Clinics are currently in place in the following places:

Lecale Clinic Downpatrick

Lisburn Travel Clinic 

Boots Pharmacy Sprucefield

Boots Pharmacy Boucher Road

There is information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Carribean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

FOOTCARE

Caring for your feet can greatly assist in treating a foot health condition as well as leaving you with smooth and comforted feet.

Simply Feet offer an extensive range of foot care products which can be used to enhance the health, comfort and wellness of your feet along with easing pains in the lower legs, back and hips.

Simply Feet provide a wide range of tools for cutting toenails and hard skin for those who experience difficulties. This would save alot more time than waiting to be referred to Podiatry.

Follow the link below for more information

www.simplyfeet.co.uk

NEW DRIVING REGULATION

New driving guidance provided by the DVLNI states that patients who are on medication which contains morphine should not be driving as this can affect their driving ability.

Cocodamol 30/500mg fits this category. Doctors can provide an alternative drug for patients on this medication which contains a reduced dose of codeine.

Please check with reception for more information.

DRIVERS WITH INSULIN TREATED DIABETES WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR GROUP 2 LICENCE (LGV/PCV)

Entitlement qualifying conditions which must be met:

• no episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person has occurred in the preceding 12 months
• must have full awareness of hypoglycaemia
• must demonstrate an understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia
• will not be able to apply until their condition has been stable for a period of at least one month
• must regularly monitor their condition by checking their blood glucose levels at least twice daily and at times relevant to driving (a glucose meter with a memory function to measure and record blood glucose levels must be used)
• DVLA will arrange an examination by an independent hospital consultant who specialises in the treatment of diabetes every 12 months (at the examination, the consultant will require sight of their blood glucose records for the previous three months)
• must have no other condition which would render them a danger when driving Group 2 vehicles
• they will be required to sign an undertaking to comply with the directions of doctors(s) treating the diabetes and to report immediately to DVLA any significant change in their condition.

Alcohol Awareness 

Many people enjoy a drink without any problems. But binge drinking or drinking heavily over longer periods of time can have very serious consequences. Alcohol misuse not only harms the individual but is damaging to relationships and society in general in terms of violence and crime, accidents and drink driving.

http://www.knowyourlimits.info/AboutBingeDrinking.aspx

In Northern Ireland, the number of alcohol-related deaths has more than doubled since 1994. The most recent figures show:

• there were 283 deaths recorded as alcohol-related;
• there were over 8,000 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A) is a group which is made up of individuals who share their experiences with alcohol and how it has affected their lives. Members talk among themselves in the hope that their experiences and support of each other may help solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism also. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no fees for AA membership.

The AA provide a useful APP which can be downloaded onto your device via the App Store or through the Google App Store for any Android devices.

Alternatively all details and information can be found on the AA website, see the link below.

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Do you have a problem with Drugs?

People experiment with drugs for many different reasons. Many first try drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or in an effort to improve athletic performance or ease another problem, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. No matter how often or how little you’re consuming, if your drug use is causing problems in your life—at work, school, home, or in your relationships—you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem.

If you’re worried about your own or a friend or family member’s drug use, it’s important to know that help is available.

For more information please see the link below.

http://www.nanorthernireland.com/

Listed below are some more useful websites which provide free support and detailed information for anyone looking advice on Alcohol or Drug abuse.

http://dunlewey.net/                    02890392547

http://addictionni.com/                02890664434

http://www.gamcare.org.uk/        08456000133

http://www.daisy.uk.net/             02890435815

Minor Aliments

The Minor Ailments Service through local community pharmacies:

• Encourages patient ability to self treat minor ailments
• Supports the use of the pharmacy as a first point of call for health advice and allows the pharmacist to make more use of their professional skills
• Improves patient accessibility to treatment without the need of an appointment
• Provides an alternative to a GP consultation for patients
• Benefits other parts of the healthcare service particularly A&E Departments and Out-Of-Hours medical services.

All patients aged three months or over and registered with a GP practice can use this free scheme.

Do you have a minor ailment?

• Athlete’s Foot
• Cold Sores
• Diarrhoea
• Head Lice
• Jock Itch
• Mouth Ulcers and Inflammation
• Oral Thrush
• Removal of Ear Wax
• Threadworms
• Vaginal Thrush

Do you need to see a Doctor?

No, Because you can get advice and treatment if appropriate from a community pharmacist.

Why go to your pharmacist first?

Pharmacists are trained to deal with minor ailments.You will receive quick, expert advice without the need to see your GP.

Can you go to any Pharmacy?

Most pharmacies are involved in the service and they will display an arrow and cross sign to identify themselves.

What will the pharmacist ask?

The pharmacist will ask you about:

• Your symptoms
• Other medicines you take
• Illnesses you may have

  This will help them make an appropriate recommendation for treatment. In some cases the pharmacist may need to refer you to the GP but in the majority of cases the pharmacist will be able to treat you.

  If your symptoms persist you should seek further advice from the pharmacist or your GP

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is money paid by employers to their employees who satisfy the conditions for payments when they are ill and unable to work. Please fill in this form when you have been sick for 4 days or more in a row. This form will cover you for no more than 7 working days. If you require a further line after this, you will need to contact the GP. 

Please follow the link for a self cert form (SC2)

http://www.smartpaye.co.uk/SC2Form.pdf

DIABETIC PATIENTS

Within a healthy balanced diet, a man needs around 2,500kcal a day to maintain his weight. For a woman, that intake is around 2,000kcal a day.

The Diabetes.co.uk website has suggested a 30day meal plan for diabetic patients providing a detailed planner for 30 breakfast, 30 lunch and 30 dinner ideas.

To make it easy to see what you are eating and the number of calories it provides, they have made the serving sizes easy to divide.

For more information please check out the following link :

http://bit.ly/the30daymealplan

Alternatively please enquire at reception for a print out of these meal plans.

 WOULD YOU KNOW IF YOU WERE HAVING A HYPO?

Too many wouldn't!

Over time exposure to hypoglycemia can make the symptoms tricky to notice. This is called a loss of hypo awareness. Many episodes of severe hypoglycemia are caused by a lack of hypo awareness.

The Hypo Awareness Program is a completely free education course, focused on improving your knowledge of hypo symptoms. You can read through the modules - all written by Benedict an expert Hypo Awareness Mentor who has had type 1 diabetes for 22 years (since the age of 11)

It only takes 30 seconds to sign up. From there you can use the program at your own pace, wherever you go. It works on the web, IOS or Android.

Follow the link below for more information.  

http://hypoglycemia.uk/