Ripley Medical Centre

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Useful Resources

BBC Health News

Whorlton Hall: Hospital 'abused' vulnerable adults22 May 2019 17:02Undercover BBC filming shows staff swearing, mocking and taunting patients with learning disabilities.
Two female loos for every male one, experts recommend23 May 2019 01:21With more urinals than cubicles, men - unlike women - rarely queue, a report says.
Colluding drug firms 'cost the NHS millions of pounds'23 May 2019 09:09The competition regulator says that four drugs firms forced the price of an anti-nausea tablet up by 700%.
Aspirin 'safe' for brain-bleed strokes22 May 2019 11:12Patients can take aspirin without raising their risk of another stroke, a study suggests.
I lost my arms and legs - stop it happening to others22 May 2019 01:06Sepsis survivor Tom Ray wants better awareness and faster diagnosis of the potentially deadly disease.
'Broken' care system for most vulnerable21 May 2019 02:19Patients with mental health problems, autism and learning disabilities are being let down, a report says.

Clinics

All the doctors are eligible to provide child health surveillance services, contraceptive services, maternity services and minor surgery services.

Minor Surgery (Currently not provided)

We are happy to undertake minor operations such as:

• Injections/aspirations of joints, cysts and bursae (small fluid-filled sacs of fibrous tissue)

• Incisions of abscesses and cysts

• Excisions of sebaceous cysts

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 2, 3 and 4 months followed by boosters at 12 and 13 months. The pre-school booster is usually given around the age of 3 and a half years and the final booster is at age 15. The programme covers infections such as tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough, Hib, Meningitis and pneumonia.

To see the most up-to-date childhood immunisation programme click the following link:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation

Tetanus

Every adult should be protected and re-immunised every 10 years. Any adult who has received 5 booster doses is likely to have a lifelong immunity.

Pneumovax

Recommended as a single immunisation in patients over 2 years old with chronic heart/lung/liver/kidney disease, coeliac syndrome, immune suppression due to disease or treatment, diabetes, post-splenectomy cases and all patients over 65.

Influenza

Recommended annually 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. Young children are now also invited for a nasal flu spray.

Other Services

Our practice hosts the following services and clinics:

Private Work

Additional InformationWe offer a range of private medical services. Current fees are displayed at reception.

Services For Children

Additional InformationFrom 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

Additional InformationFor 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, so we will always provide an appointment at short notice if considered urgent.

Parentcraft Classes

Additional InformationThese are held regularly throughout the year. For further details contact the health visitor or midwife at the surgery.

Thinking Of Starting A Family?

Additional InformationIf you are thinking of starting a family it is:
• Rrecommended that daily supplements of vitamin D and folic acid be taken during pregnancy. Pregacare is formulated for this.
• 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.
• 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.
• Please ask at reception for information about local support groups whatever the problem.
• Cut down on your alcohol intake before and during pregnancy, for a healthier baby.
• Try and give up smoking.
• 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/vitamin D (eg Pregacare) should be taken before and during early pregnancy, and for as long as you are breastfeeding too.

Rubella Immunity

Additional InformationHave 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

Additional InformationIt 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.

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.

Weight

Additional InformationTry 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

Additional InformationPlease ask at reception for information about local support groups whatever the problem.

Alcohol

Additional InformationCut down on your alcohol intake before and during pregnancy, for a healthier baby.

Smoking

Additional InformationTry and give up smoking.

Diet

Additional InformationEat 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 / vitamin D (eg Pregacare) should be taken before and during early pregnancy.

Periodic Health Checks

Additional InformationAny 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

Additional InformationWe 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

Additional InformationThe doctors with the help of our community midwife and health visitor provide comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care.

Medication Reviews

Additional InformationPatients 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 form 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

Additional InformationReviews for patients with asthma, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, dementia and mental health checks are also held in the practice. Invitations are usually sent out for these problems. Other conditions are monitored by using blood tests, the health pod and completing a questionnaire.

Social Services

Additional InformationIt 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 0845 605 8058.

Citizens Advice

Additional InformationA CAB counsellor attends the practice on Wednesday afternoon. Please contact reception if you wish to make an appointment.

Dental Services

Additional InformationThe practice DOES NOT deal with dental cases. If you have a dental problem you will need to seek advice from your dentist. If you are not registered with a dentist, please speak to PALS on 0800 783 7279.

Carers Clinics

Additional InformationThe practice will be accommodating the Carers Association in practice every 2nd Tuesday of each month. If you are a carer and require advice or support ask at reception to book you an appointment on the Carers Clinic.

To attend one of these clinics please ring our reception on (01773) 303591.