Research has demonstrated that 'routine general health screening' is of very limited value so we do not recall patients for (or offer) routine checks. We will, however, make opportunistic checks of your blood pressure etc as part of your normal health examinations. In addition we offer the following health tips (with the proviso that you should not make your life a misery through trying to be healthy!).
Smoking
We strongly advise our patients to avoid smoking but we do not discriminate in any way
against smokers. If you need help to stop smoking then please discuss this with your
doctor / practice nurse.
Alcohol
The current recommended maximum 'healthy' intake of alcohol is 28 units per week for a
man, or 21 units for a woman. 1 unit = ½ a pint of beer or 1 glass of wine or 1 single
measure of spirits.
Exercise
We advise sufficient exercise to cause mild breathlessness for 20 minutes, 3 times a week.
Diet
Avoid 'crash' diets but try to develop a healthy eating pattern that avoids weight gain,
is high in fibre and low in animal fats.
We believe it is essential for all children to be fully protected from certain infectious diseases. Our immunisation schedule is:
Routine childhood immunisation programme
Each vaccination is given as a single injection into the muscle of
the thigh or upper arm
| When to immunise | Diseases protected against | Vaccine given |
| Two months old | Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Pneumococcal infection |
DTaP/IPV/Hib and Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) |
| Three months old | Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) |
DTaP/IPV/Hib and MenC |
| Four months old | Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Meningitis C Pneumococcal infection |
DTaP/IPV/Hib, MenC and PCV |
| Around 12 months | Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Meningitis C | Hib/MenC |
| Around 13 months | Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) Pneumococcal infection |
MMR and PCV |
| Three years four months to five years old |
Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio Measles, mumps and rubella |
DTa/IP or dTaP/IPV and MMR |
| Thirteen to eighteen years old |
Tetanus, diptheria and polio | Td/IPV |
Non-routine immunisations
| When to immunise | Diseases protected against | Vaccine given |
| At birth (to babies who are more likely to come into contact with TB than the general population |
Tuberculosis | BCG |
| At birth (to babies whose mothers are hepatitis B positive) |
Hepatitis B | HepB |
Those patients over 75 can request an annual check-up. They should contact surgery and ask reception for an appointment. They may be seen at home or in the surgery.
| Women aged 20-65 |
All women are strongly recommended to have a three yearly cervical smear test. This may be carried out by the doctor or practice nurse. Women aged 50-65 will be offered mammography (breast x-ray screening) three yearly at the local screening clinic.