How to see the Doctors or Nurses

* All Surgeries are by appointment. You will normally be seen within two working days. Urgent problems will always be seen the same day, but please, only one patient per appointment.When you ask for an appointment, the receptionist will ask if you would mind explaining briefly what the problem is. This is not nosiness! It will make sure you see the right person. For instance, it is possible to speak to a nurse over the phone. This is called "triage" and is to make sure that those who need to see a doctor actually get seen. It isn't to stop people seeing a doctor! It is often possible to sort things out more quickly without having to see a doctor.
Also, it may be better to see the Nurse Practitioner than a doctor, as she has longer appointments.

If you have several problems, please ask for more than one appointment. You may see any doctor in the practice, but it is better to see one doctor consistently. Children under 16 years should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Speaking to the Doctor by Telephone

It is usually possible to speak to the doctor, but this is at different times each day.The receptionist will arrange this for you but she may need to ask for some details in order to help you.

Repeat Prescriptions

Please do not telephone for prescriptions as this can block the phone for emergencies or be misunderstood. If you are on long term medicines and need regular prescriptions, tick the boxes next to the items you need on the right hand side of the previous prescription. Please allow 48 hours if collecting or four days if enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. Feel free to fax prescription requests to us on 01254 844561. If you wish to order repeat prescriptions through this website, please ask at reception and we can set this up for you.

Home Visits

Please try to save time by only requesting home visits if you are too ill to come to the surgery. *Please ring before 10.30am and give the receptionist as much information as possible. This helps to make sure that the most urgent visits are made first.

Results of Tests

These can be given over the phone when this has been authorised. Please allow 3 days for urine tests, a week for most blood tests and 6-8 weeks for smears. Please telephone if possible, after 2pm.

Shadsworth Ante Natal Clinic

There are two Ante Natal Clinics based at Shadsworth.
The main ante natal clinic is on Wednesday mornings. This is run by Midwives from the same team (the "Riverside" team of Midwives). The Health Visitors also try to be available on these mornings.
The booking clinic is on a Tuesday morning at Shadsworth Children's Centre, because the Wednesday morning clinics can be quite busy. It is designed to give plenty of time for support and explanation.

Shadsworth Well Baby Clinic

The Well Baby clinic is on a Wednesday morning, mainly by appointments for development checks and vaccinations, as these clinics tend to be very busy.

Help for Obesity

The practice nurses offer a regular weighing service. There are several people who are successfully losing weight this way.
We can also offer a referral to "Fitness for Life", which are subsidised sessions at a local gym supported by a Fitness for Life Instructor.

Asthma Clinic

Come and get regular check ups with the asthma nurse. Four of our nurses have the Asthma Diploma, and they are very keen to help you look after your asthma as well as possible.

Diabetic Clinic

This is as "one stop" as we can make it without immediate blood test results. If you have diabetes, you will have your (fasting) blood tests done 1 week before the clinic date. On the day, first stop is the nurse, for general discussion about your diabetes, your diet, your lifestyle, and for taking some routine measurements (weighing, blood pressure etc). She will also give you a full check up on your feet. The final stop is to go and see the doctor to discuss medication, blood pressure and anything else. We think the clinic is working quite well - please tell us what you think.

You should be having your annual eye check at Larkhill Health Centre, Blackburn. If not, please let us know. Although we can insert eye drops and examine your eyes, we do not have a retinal camera (camera for the back of the eye).

Cardiovascular Disease Clinic

We have started nurse-run clinics for all those that we know have heart disease, or who have circulation problems, or have had a stroke. If you are on the right tablets, they could save your life! The people who come really appreciate the clinic, so do come when you are sent for - or let us know if you think you should be coming to the clinic.

Cervical Cytology

Nearly all the nurses take cervical smears, which means that appointments are available at any time of day as appropriate. They're all really nice, so don't be put off.

Minor Operations

Most of the doctors are on the "Minor Surgery list" at the Health Authority. The full range of joint injections are undertaken, as this often prevents a visit to the hospital. Most other lumps and bumps can be removed.

Stop Smoking!

We have our own smoking cessation service: specially trained people visit the practice once every fortnight - just ask to see them! They have extensive training in helping people who want to stop smoking and in nicotine replacement etc. The "Quit rate" from this service is excellent, and even those who don't quit at the time often do so later.

Counselling

There is now a new Primary Mental Health Team in place. This means that both counselling and other therapies may now be available.

Family Planning

We offer confidential, supportive and comprehensive services to all who require contraception. We perform Implanon implants, "depo" injections and prescribe the usual range of oral contraceptives, as well as advising on other forms of contraception. Several of the nurses have had training in family planning, and are happy to answer questions over the phone. We provide confidential counselling and contraception to girls of any age, while encouraging good communication with their parents where possible. We will not refer for abortions, but we aim to provide special support to women with unwanted pregnancies.

Wound Management and Terminal Care

We have an excellent team of District Nurses, led by Sister Ursula McDonough. They are well trained in wound care management, and have a special interest in palliative care. Our practice is determined to provide excellent care to the dying, whether of cancer or any other serious illness. The MacMillan Nurses ably assist us in this.

Drug Clinic

Dawn Huggard, from the Community Drug Team, runs the weekly clinic for those with substance abuse difficulties.

Community Matron

We have a linked Community Matron. She focuses on those people who are so ill that they often are admitted to hospital. For more details on her services, please contact the Practice.