Surgery clinics

The diabetic clinics are run by our practice nurses.

The purpose of these clinics is to support, educate, monitor and review people with diabetes thus reducing possible long term complications. Clients are usually reviewed every 6 months unless they are experiencing problems when earlier review will be advised.

At each session the nurse will:

• Review your yearly blood test results : Kidney/liver function cholesterol results thyroid test blood count
• Review your 6 monthly blood test: HBA1c
• Ensure you are registered with a state registered podiatrist
• Review your annual retinal screening report (diabetic eye check)
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Record your weight
• Discuss your smoking, alcohol and exercise routine
• Advise you about diet and refer you to a dietician if necessary
• Provide continuing education and up to date information on your condition
• Liase with your doctor about possible and appropriate medication

At Saltash Health Centre we continually strive to maintain our high standards of care. We follow the national guidelines set by the National Service Framework, NSF, and Diabetes UK. We routinely audit our practice to ensure these standards are met.

Diabetes video library

As part of its on-going commitment to support the growing number of people across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly with diabetes, NHS Kernow has made over 50 health information videos freely available via a specialised online video library.

The bespoke video library covers topics including general self-care, looking after your feet, getting your eyes checked and preparing for pregnancy when you have diabetes, as well as top tips for healthy eating and much more.

You can take a look at the videos by visiting the Kernow Website www.kernowccg-diabetes.healthandcarevideos.com.

If you have been advised by the surgery to submit an annual review of your asthma symptoms, please contact us online.

If your symptoms are deteriorating or you are having any concerns please make an appointment with our nurse.

The nurses are all trained to see patients who suffer from asthma on a regular basis. The idea of the appointment is to check inhaler technique, take peak flow readings when the patient is well, assess control of the asthma, discuss possible triggers and give help and information to the patient and their family.

It is an opportunity to change treatments and inhaler devices as appropriate. It is hoped that the more the patient and their family understands asthma the better their control, and the fewer acute episodes they will experience.

The frequency of clinic appointments varies depending on how the patient feels and their degree of control but we hope you feel free to make an appointment to see an asthma nurse at any time between regular checks.

If you have any concerns about the safety of immunisations, please talk to your GP or practice nurse.

Babies receive the following immunisations with the first being given at their 8-week check:

Triple (DTP) and Hib and Polio immunisations (due at 2, 3 and 4 months)

The side effects are almost always mild. Your baby may become fretful and slightly feverish within 24-48 hours of the injection. Sometimes, the skin becomes red, sore or swollen around the place where the injection was given or a small lump appears and may take a few weeks to disappear.

Rotavirus (due at 2 and 3 months)

This is a given by mouth to prevent Rotavirus. Some babies can become restless and tetchy and some may develop mild diarrhoea.

Meningitis C vaccination (due at 3 months)

Redness, swelling and tenderness around the site are common but usually mild. A fever is common in younger children.

Pneumococcal vaccine (due at 2, 4 and 12 months)

Swelling and redness where the injection was given which may last up to 24 hours. Another side effect maybe a slight fever and a little unwell.

Hib/Men C (due at 12 months)

Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site. A fever, sleepiness, loss of appetite and irritability are also side effects.

MMR (due at 12 months)

A fever can develop. A week to ten days after the injection a rash can develop which should only last for 2 or 3 days. Some children get swollen faces or a mild form of mumps about 2-3 weeks after MMR. Any swelling will gradually go down, however none of these reactions are infectious, serious reactions to these vaccines are extremely rare. You might find it useful to keep this information with your child’s health record booklet.

For more information regarding immunisations please visit the NHS website.

If you have been advised by the surgery to submit your blood pressure readings on a regular basis, please contact us online.

If you have been advised by the surgery to submit a COPD assessment, please contact us online.

This assessment will help us measure the impact of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is having on your wellbeing and daily life. Your score will be used by us to help improve the management of your COPD and get the greatest benefit from treatment. This is run by Lisa Taylor, practice nurse.

Young people may come and discuss any worries they have regarding:

• alcohol
• smoking
• drugs
• contraception (including ‘morning after’ pills)
• pregnancy tests

or anything else, in confidence, with our practice nurse.

To request an appointment, visit our appointments page.

The practice offers a full family planning service. If you wish to take the “pill” any of the doctors or nurses in the practice will be happy to prescribe this for you if there are no medical conditions.

For other methods of contraception such as coils and caps please make an appointment via the practice nurse to discuss these.

If you have been advised by the surgery to submit a contraceptive pill review, please contact us online.

We hold regular children’s support meetings as it is our aim to pick up issues early and support children and parents.

These meetings are attended by the GPs and other members of the primary care team, eg practice nurses, health visitors, school nurse and midwives.

We are able to refer women to hospital services for investigations/care if medically indicated for high risk pregnancies and births, or if the woman’s choice is to give birth to her baby within a hospital setting.

At all times we endeavour to ensure the care and advice offered is based on up to date research based evidence. We work with a further five midwives (Green Team) to provide a 24 hour “on call” facility giving advice for urgent midwifery problems and concerns, and to undertake home births. Within East Cornwall a “midwifery advice” line is also available from 9am to 11am each weekday to answer any issues a women might have regarding pregnancy, birth, or issues during the post natal period. Services we provide are:

• Preconceptual advice
• Care and support during the ante natal period
• Care and support during the post natal period
• Care in labour for wishing to have their baby at home
• Parent education

You will normally be referred to the midwifery service by your general practitioner but are welcome to make direct contact if you wish (via the children’s centre on 01752 847419). You will normally meet your “named midwife’ when you are approximately 8 weeks pregnant.

At the first consultation which will last between 1 to 2 hours you will have the opportunity to discuss with your midwife any aspects or concerns you consider are relevant to your pregnancy, which might be medical, social or emotional, to enable you to become confident in your pregnancy, health and wellbeing. We will give you various literature related to pregnancy and discuss the care and appointments recommended for your specific pregnancy. You will be provided with contact telephone numbers to enable you to contact a midwife at any time if you have midwifery concerns or problems. (Medical concerns should be discussed with your doctor).

Antenatal clinics are held at the Children’s Centre. Appointments are necessary and can be booked by calling on 01752 847419. We hope that you will enjoy your pregnancy and the early days with your baby and if you have any worries or concerns would encourage you to discuss them with your midwife.

We believe very strongly that prevention is better than cure and with this in mind, we run an active system of immunisation and vaccination, cervical smear testing etc.

We encourage patients over the age of 65, and those with asthma, heart or chest problems to have a flu immunisation each Autumn. Elderly patients and those at risk are also offered immunisation against pneumonia.

If you are going abroad and require vaccination before travelling, you should consult the practice nurse who will arrange this and all necessary certificates.

For patients over 40 with no other serious conditions, we offer NHS health checks.

We have a Maritime and Coastguard Agency approved doctor qualified for ENG1 medical certificates.

To arrange an appointment, please complete our Shipping Medicals form and the practice will be in contact within 3 working days. Appointments last up to an hour.

Medical fees

Please note that medical fees have increased.

A £30 deposit is required to secure the appointment and the balance settled on the day of the appointment:

• ENG1 – £115.00
• ML5 – £85.00
• Drug and alcohol screen with ENG (45 min appointment £35.00 arrangement and £72.00 lab fee) – Total £212.00
• Danish medical & ENG1 – duration 45 minutes – (£105.00 + £15.00) – £120.00
• Danish medical – duration 30 minutes – £105.00

Please avoid exposure to loud noises for 16 hours prior to the appointment.

Please bring with you:

• A discharge book, passport or other certified photographic proof of identity and a driving licence.
• The old or current ENG1 – a new one cannot be issued without this.
• Spectacles or contact lenses if worn, plus spares. Those who wear contact lenses should not wear them on the day of the examination as they will need to remove them while they are tested.
• Any medications.
• Recent letters or discharge notes which relate to medical treatment since the last medical examination.
• A dental examination forms part of the medical and you will have needed to have visited a dentist within the last year or are advised to do so.
• Should the examination require an interpreter please bring them with you.
• On arrival please report to reception and complete the consent form. You will be given a urine pot – you will not need to produce a sample until you have seen the doctor.

We do not do wind turbine examinations – please look at the MCA website or contact Dr Gaston at St Levan Surgery.

A specialist counsellor from We are with you attends the Health Centre on a regular basis and works with the GP to manage medication for patients with drug problems.

Please self-refer to Healthy Cornwall https://www.healthycornwall.org.uk/

There is a physiotherapy department at the Health Centre. Services provided include the assessment of acute and chronic soft tissue lesions for example:

• Sports injuries
• Special mobilisation and manipulation
• Pain control

We review any regular medication on a repeat prescription annually and wherever possible the doctor will do this without you having to attend the surgery.

If you have been advised by the surgery that your medication review is due, please contact us online.

If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.

It’s important to know that support services are available for you to access, whatever you’re going through.

If you require an appointment to discuss your mental health please contact us.