Clinics

Antenatal Clinic

Patients are seen by the midwife at the clinics by appointment.

Child Health Checks

The child health programme in Scotland changed in 2006 to reflect the recommendations of Dr David Hall's report (Hall 4). Children are no longer routinely given appointments for child health development assessments apart from the 6-8 week examination which is usually carried out at the same time as mum's postnatal. The health visitor visits regularly in the first two months and most children are seen for routine immunisations at 2, 3, 4, 12 and 13 months. At 2 years, parents are invited to discuss any health or developmental concerns. Children are invited to the practice for booster immunisations in their pre-school year.

If you have any concerns at any time about your child's health or development, please contact the health visitor or GP.

The health visitor runs a child health clinic on Tuesday mornings (by appointment). Please contact her if you would like to be seen at a different time.

Child Immunisations

We recommend that all children receive a full course of routine immunisations as follows:-

Appointments for immunisations on a Wednesday morning are sent by the Health Board. If you have any questions about your child's immunisations, please speak to our Health Visitor.

Influenza

Immunisation is available annually and is appropriate for over 65s, those with chronic heart or lung problems and diabetics. Please enquire at reception around September each year.

Pneumonia

Vaccination is as above but is a once-only injection.

Immunisation For Foreign Travel

Please make an appointment for the practice nurse, preferably at least two months before travel. A pre-travel questionnaire is required to be completed before your appointment. There will be small charge levied for non-NHS injections.

Specialist Medical Examinations

A full range of medical examinations for insurance purposes, plus PSV, LGV and pre-employment is available.

When making an appointment, please specify, as extra time needs to be allotted.

Asthma Clinic

By appointment only.
Six month checks are recommended.

Diabetic Clinic

Monday 9.00 - 11.30am.

Cervical Smears

Cervical smears are simple tests and recommended for women aged 20 - 60, every three years. All ladies receive invitations if appropriate.

Regular times for cervical smear tests, which are undertaken by the practice nurse, are as follows:

If you are coming for a cervical smear test and also a medical problem, simply ask the receptionist for a double appointment with a female doctor.

Minor Surgery Clinic

Removal of minor skin lesions such as warts, skin tags and polyps can be performed by arrangement.

Family Planning

A full range of family planning is available. This includes the fitting of diaphragms and coils. Post-coital contraception (morning after pill) is available and effective up to 72 hours. If required, please ask for an urgent appointment or ask to speak to the practice nurse.

Family Planning

A full range of family planning is available. This includes the fitting of diaphragms and coils. Postcoital contraception (morning after pill) is available and effective up to 72 hours. If required, please ask for an urgent appointment or ask to speak to the practice nurse.

Self Treatment Of Common Illnesses And Accidents

Many common aches and pains can be simply treated at home without the need to consult a doctor.

Back Pain

Back pain causes 13 million working days to be lost in Britain each year. The spine supports the whole weight of the upper body so it is understandable that it sometimes goes wrong.

Because of the complex nature of the spine it is advisable to consult your doctor if back pain persists for more than a few days. If, as is usual, the pain has been caused by abuse ie lifting too heavy weights etc, be sensible and take things easy. Take care to sit as upright as possible with a support for the small of the back.

Take aspirin or paracetamol which will not only relieve the pain but will help to relieve inflammation. Your doctor may well prescribe stronger drugs, heat treatment, gentle exercise or some kind of supportive corset.

Sore Throats

Four out of every five sore throats are caused by viruses and therefore antibiotics are useless. If your throat is sore but you are otherwise okay there is no need to see the doctor. Simply give children paracetamol syrup and fluids (aspirin should NOT be given to children under 16).

For adults, gargling with soluble aspirin is the most effective remedy. Dissolve two aspirins in one inch of warm water in a glass. Take sips of the solution and gargle with each sip for as long as you can without swallowing.

If you are very hot and unwell and can see white spots on your tonsils you may have a true tonsillitis and therefore should come and see us at the surgery.

Burns

Apply large quantities of cold water to the affected area as soon as possible and maintain this until the pain subsides. This may take as long as 15 minutes! If the skin is unbroken but blistered, apply a loose, dry dressing.

If the burn is larger than four or five inches in diameter or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Colds

Even in this day and age there is still no magic cure for the common cold. Go to bed, take plenty of drinks. If you have a headache or are feverish, take aspirin or paracetamol. Do not bother to take antibiotics as these will have no effect!

Diarrhoea

In adults, diarrhoea is usually caused by a viral infection and is therefore unable to be treated directly. The symptoms can usually be eased by the traditional kaolin and morphine mixture or by medicines containing codeine.

Holiday diarrhoea is often due to bacteria. Again, kaolin and morphine can be taken.

Consult your doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a few days.

Diarrhoea in very young children and babies needs careful attention. Most babies have loose bowel action during their first six months due to their predominantly liquid diet. Sudden bouts of unusually watery diarrhoea should be treated by taking the baby off solids and feeding them a cooled solution of boiled water with a teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt to the pint. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, or are accompanied by vomiting or weakness, consult your doctor.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis describes a group of diseases affecting the stomach or part of the intestine. Symptoms are often diarrhoea, sickness and stomach ache. Because the lining of the stomach is likely to be inflamed medicines are often immediately vomited up.

Large quantities of water, orange juice, milk or thin soup should be taken to counter the effects of dehydration. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a day or, in the case of babies or young children, six hours.

Stomach Ache

Most attacks are not serious and are usually caused by indigestion or wind. A hot water bottle will often relieve the symptoms and, in the case of indigestion, a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in half a glass of water will help.

If the pain lasts for longer than eight hours or increases in intensity you should consult your doctor.

Sprains

Treat with a cold compress, containing ice if possible, for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce the swelling.

Then apply, firmly, a crepe bandage and give the sprain plenty of rest until all discomfort has subsided.

Further strain will inevitably lead to further swelling and a longer recovery period.

Nosebleeds

Sit in a chair, lean forward with your mouth open, and pinch your nose just below the bone for approximately 10 minutes, by which time the bleeding should have stopped. Avoid hot drinks or hot food for 24 hours. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

Minor Cuts And Grazes

Wash the wound thoroughly with water and a little soap. To stop bleeding apply a clean handkerchief or dressing firmly to the wound for about five minutes. Cover with a clean dry dressing.

Sunburn

Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol will also help.

Children are particularly susceptible to sunburn and great care should be taken to avoid overexposure to the harmful effects of the sun.