SERVICES PROVIDED
All the doctors are eligible to provide child health surveillance services, contraceptive services, maternity services and minor surgery services.
MINOR
SURGERY
We are happy to undertake minor operations such as removal of moles, ingrowing toenails, warts and joint injections. Please speak to the receptionist to advise which doctor you will need to see for different conditions. The doctors will be able to advise you on what can be done and arrange a suitable appointment.
IMMUNISATIONS
Childhood
This is a standard programme
and includes the initial courses at two, three and four months, pre-school booster is usually given aound the age of 3 1/2 years and the final booster is at age 15. The programme covers infections such as tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, Hib, meningitis and pneumonia.
Parents should receive immunisations
at the same time as their baby's first immunisation if they are not
up to date (within ten years) of their last polio booster.
Tetanus
Every adult should be protected
and re-immunised every ten years. Any adult who has received five booster
doses is likely to have a lifelong immunity.
Pneumovax
Recommended in patients over
two years old with chronic heart/lung/liver/kidney disease, coeliac
syndrome, immune suppression due to disease or treatment, diabetes and
post-splenectomy.
Influenza
Recommended for patients
over 65 years old and patients with chronic heart, liver and kidney disease,
chronic respiratory diseases including asthma, diabetes, immune suppression
due to disease or treatment and post splenectomy. You may also be eligible for this if you are a registered carer.
Travel
Immunisations/Vaccinations
Please make an appointment
with our practice nurse at least eight weeks in advance of your holiday
to ensure adequate cover. You will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire
on your proposed travel which will assist the correct vaccinations. Some of these vaccines are chargable.
OTHER
SERVICES
Private
Work
We offer a range of private
medical services. Current fees are displayed at reception.
Services
For Children
From the day you return home
from hospital with your baby we provide a complete programme of child
health surveillance, immunisation and health care. This will involve
at various stages the doctors, midwives, health visitors and practice
nurses. Doctors from our practice carry out developmental checks at
specified stages. Your health visitor will provide full details.
Child Health Clinic
For children under five years
of age. This is held each Monday between 1.30 and 3.15pm. No appointment
is necessary. We appreciate that small children may become unwell rapidly.
We will always provide an appointment at short notice.
Parentcraft
Classes
These are held regularly
throughout the year. For further details contact the health visitor
or midwife at the surgery.
Thinking
Of Starting A Family?
If you are thinking of starting
a family it is better to check the following items first:
Folic Acid
A daily supplement of folic acid should be taken before and during early pregnancy. It is recommended that you take a daily dietary supplement of 0.4mg of folic acid Before becoming pregnant.
Rubella
Immunity
Have a blood test to ensure
you are immune to rubella (German measles). If you are not protected
and you have contact with rubella, your baby may be severely affected.
It is worth a blood test to save a lot of heartache later.
Cervical
Smear
It is best to have a smear
to ensure the cervix (neck of the womb) is healthy before pregnancy
as it might be difficult to treat some conditions of the cervix during
pregnancy.
Weight
Try and get to your correct weight as you will have fewer problems with conditions such as backache during pregnancy and it will be easier to regain your figure afterwards. Help is available from our practice nurses.
Support Groups
Please ask at reception for information about local support groups whatever the problem.
Alcohol
Cut down on your alcohol
intake before and during pregnancy, for a healthier baby.
Smoking
Try and give up smoking.
Diet
Eat healthily - avoid unpasteurised
soft cheeses etc. Liver should be avoided because of high vitamin A
levels. Folic acid, which is thought to prevent spina bifida, can be
found with other vitamins in green leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts, bread
and rice. A daily supplement of folic acid should be taken before and
during early pregnancy.
Periodic Health Checks
Any patient who has not attended the surgery in the preceding three years may request an appointment with the doctor or nurse.
Patients aged 75 and over who have not attended the practice in the preceding 12 months may request a 'Well Person' appointment with the nurse for an 'Over 75 check'.
Contraception
We offer a full range of
contraceptive advice. This facility is also available to patients who
are not registered with the Ripley Medical Centre.
Maternity
Services
The doctors with the help of our community midwife and health visitor provide comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care.
Cervical
Smears
We recommend that females from age 25 years up to the age of 50 should have regular smear tests, every three years, then every five years to age 65. Please make an appointment at reception with one of the nurses for this.
Medication
Reviews
Patients are usually given a two month supply of their repeat prescription and are allowed a number of issues of the medication, after which time they will be asked to attend for a medication review with the doctor either after 6 months or 12 months, depending on the types of medication.
When the repeat prescription from indicates that the medication review is due, patients should should make an appointment with the doctor for the next prescription. It is important that all patients' medication is reviewed periodically. If the patient is housebound, we will endeavour to visit to complete the medication reviews at home. Please let reception know if this is required.
Long-term Condition Reviews
Reviews for patients with asthma, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity are also held in the practice. Invitations are usually sent out for these checks.
Social
Services
It is national policy to
provide care in the local community whenever possible. If you think
your problem is more social than medical then Amber Valley Social Services
will be pleased to help you. Telephone - 01773 728000.
Citizen Advice
A citizens advice counsellor attends the practice on Wednesday afternoon. Please contact reception if you wish to make an appointment.
Emergency
Dental Services
All patients should be registered with a dentist who should be contacted in the first instance. NHS Direct or your local casualty department will be able to provide the number of a dentist in an emergency.
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