Practice Nurses

The practice nurses are available by appointment on Monday to Friday from 8.40am to 11.30am and from 1.30pm to 6pm.

They work in a well equipped suite of office, treatment room, minor surgery room and recovery room.   You can make an appointment to see one of them for blood pressure checks, travel vaccinations, syringing of ears, all immunisations and ECGs. 

Removal of stitches and changing of dressings following discharge from local hospitals is provided by Harold Wood Polyclinic (telephone 01708 792000 to make an appointment).  Our nurses can only provide this service for procedures performed at the surgery. 

They will also give advice about general health matters, travel advice, dieting, diabetic control and family planning. You may see a healthcare assistant for some routine tests such as blood pressure checks.

Services

Maternity Care

Care is provided by all doctors for ladies both during and after pregnancy. If you think you are pregnant please make a twenty minute 'booking' appointment to see your doctor.

Family Planning

Our doctors and some nurses are trained to provide a range of contraceptive advice, including coil and cap fittings.

Minor Surgery

We have well-equipped treatment and minor surgery rooms with trained practice nurses, and all the doctors perform minor operations.

Cervical Smear Tests

This test is performed to check for cancer of the neck of the womb before it develops. All women are called for regular checks. You can book an appointment during normal surgery times but please tell the receptionist that you are booking a smear test so we can give you a longer appointment.

Immunisations

You should be advised by your health visitor about when your child's immunisations are due and you will receive an invitation from the practice. Flu injections are offered to all people considered at particular risk, such as the elderly, those suffering from long-standing chest complaints, heart disease, diabetes and asthma. The immunisation is available every year from October and you will receive a written invitation if you are considered to be at risk.

Diabetic Clinic

Regular follow-ups and annual screenings are important for prevention, early detection and treatment of the complaints which may arise from this disease. The clinics are led by practice nurses with GP support.

Chlamydia Testing

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI in England and rates are increasing.

You may not have been aware of this before, but we offer this test to everyone between 15 and 25 years old.  For most people, chlamydia has no symptoms, so  you probably won't know if you or your partner(s) have it without having a test.  If you are sexually active and under 25 years old, you should be tested for chlamydia every year, or when you change your partner.

Untreated chlamydia can have serious long term health implications and may lead to being unable to have children at a later time.  Any form of unprotected sex can put you at risk.

Please come into the surgery to pick up your kit.

The test for chlamydia is simple and confidential; you just need to pee in a pot.  This is a quick, easy and painless test that you do yourself.   YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE EXAMINED.  The results can take about 10 days but they can be texted to you directly.

For more information, please check  www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk

Travel Immunisations

The practice nurses will advise and arrange for foreign travel immunisations. There is a real risk of catching a number of serious diseases, even in the Mediterranean so check with the surgery in plenty of time before you travel to ensure you are protected.

Please note that not all travel vaccinations are available on the NHS and you may have to pay.  Payment will be collected at Reception BEFORE you receive the vaccination and you will be given a receipt to hand to the nurse.  Please ask when booking for current charges.

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

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible  - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations.  These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine.  Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge.  This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Non-NHS Services

The doctors are contracted to provide general medical services to their NHS patients but there are several instances where they are asked to provide services outside their contract. These include holiday claims, 'fitness to perform' letters, insurance medicals, signing of passports, signing of private insurance claims, sporting medicals and various other forms.

Up to ten working days must be allowed for the completion of these forms and letters by the doctors. Payment is due on collection of the completed document. The surgery will advise you when it is ready and details of the fees (charged at BMA recommended rates) are available from reception.

There is no charge for the Freedom Pass, Taxicard and Blue Badge forms. (Completed Blue Badge forms are sent directly to the London borough of Havering.)

You may need to make an appointment if you have not consulted with a GP in the four weeks prior to your request.

Infertility Treatment

The current policy of the Health Authority is to fund one cycle of IVF treatment only, including any medication, if you meet the criteria for treatment. If you decide to pay for this treatment please be aware that the practice is not funded to prescribe the medication and this cost will also have to be borne by yourselves.

Immunisations

Please note that not all immunisations are available on the NHS and you may have to pay.   Payment will be collected at Reception BEFORE you have the vaccination.  You will be given a receipt to hand to the nurse.  Please ask when booking your appointment for current charges.

Hepatitis B vaccination is chargeable.  However, we are unable to offer Hepatitis B vaccination for Occupational Health purposes at this time.  This is under review.

Travel vaccinations, including Yellow Fever, are available for registered and non-registered patients  Please enquire at the surgery for price list and appointment times.