Keeping Healthy

Cervical Smear Tests

The practice nurses provide a cervical cancer screening service. See national guidelines.

The test involves the nurse doing a vaginal examination and taking a sample of the cells on the surface of the neck of the womb (the cervix). The sample is then examined under the microscope at the lab.

The aim is to look for and identify cancer warning cells. If these are found then treatment can be organised to prevent cervical cancer ever developing.

To have your smear simply book an appointment with the practice nurses.

External Links

NHS Choices – for further information

Videos from NHS Choices

A smear test is a screening method to detect pre-cancerous cells. A gynaecologist explains what the test involves, why you should have it and how often.

Flu Immunisation

Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.

The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.

You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.

We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.

You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:

• over 65 years of age
• pregnant
• or have:
  • a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
  • serious kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
  • if you have ever had a stroke

If you have any queries please contact the surgery.

For more information please vsiti the websites below:

External Websites

Flu and the Flu Vaccine – NHS Choices

Smoking Cessation

If you’re trying to give up smoking, we can help.

Studies show that your chances of success will be greatly improved if you get advice and support from health care professionals to help you stop smoking.

The services we offer from the Practice can:

• Boost your willpower to stop smoking
• Concentrate your efforts by getting advice from someone who knows your medical background
• Help you feel that you’re not doing it alone
• Help you to cope when you are tempted to smoke
• Monitor improvements to your health so that you can see the benefits

Please contact the surgery if you wish to join our stop smoking clinics.

External Websites

For more information about quitting smoking visit:

No Smoking Day  – Information to help you to kick the habit.
Gosmokefree – This website contains detailed information about the free NHS support services.
Smoking Cessation – NHS Choices Site – if you smoke, giving up is probably the greatest single step you can take to improve your health.
Quit Org. – Quit is the independent charity whose aim is to save lives by helping smokers to stop.
Smoking Quitters Cost Tool – Calculate the money you will save with NHS Direct quitters cost calculator and plan how to spend it.
ASH – Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

Videos from NHS Choices

The stop smoking package is an NHS Choices initiative to inform on the health effects of smoking cigarettes. Articles and helpful hints and tips on stopping smoking.

Travel Services

Before travelling overseas, it is important to be aware of the possible health risks and how to prevent problems, or minimise the chances of them occurring. Most importantly, you should know:

• whether there are any specific health risks in the country you are travelling to for which you need to take precautions – for example, malaria
• how to avoid becoming ill when you are abroad
• what to do if you do become ill when you are abroad
• how to get emergency medical treatment when you are abroad

Our travel services offer advice on travel illnesses and a full range of vaccinations. In order for you to prepare for travel, call reception to make a travel appointment.

If you are travelling abroad please allow at least 6-8 weeks before you are due to leave as some vaccinations can take time to become effective; please be aware that nurse appointments may not always be available at short notice.

Please note that we are unable to provide vaccinations against Rabies.

For more information please visit the websites below:

External Websites:

Travel Illnesses and Vaccinations – NHS Choices

Fit for Travel

Travel Health

FCO Travel Advice

MASTA

Videos from NHS Choices:

A simple guide to health precautions when travelling abroad, including vaccinations, taking condoms and a first aid kit, and being careful about drinking water.

Weight Management

If you would like to know more about weight and diet advice, we offer a weight management clinic giving you advice on how to lose weight and stay healthy.

Please contact the surgery if you wish to join our weight management clinics.

For more information please visit the websites below:

External Websites

Make your weekly shop healthier with this handy Supermarket Health Checker tool – NHS Choices

Check your BMI – NHS Choices

8 tips for healthy eating – NHS Choices

Videos from the NHS

Exactly how much is one portion of fruit or vegetables? Dietitian Azmina Govindji explains.