First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) are highly trained physiotherapists, usually based in GP surgeries.
FCPs have extensive experience in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions – such as back or neck pain and see these patients without the need for a GP appointment.
If you have bone, joint or muscle pain, you can see an FCP.
What to expect when you see your FCP
Your FCP will assess and diagnose you.
Give you expert advice on how best to manage you condition.
Refer you onto a specialist service if necessary.
How do you book an appointment to see your FCP?
Simply contact your GP practice and request an appointment to see the FCP. The reception team will check that you’re suitable and book an appointment for you.
Contraception
Contraception is free for most people in the UK. With 15 methods to choose from, you’ll find one that suits you. Contraceptive methods allow you to choose when and if you want to have a baby, but they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms help to protect against STIs and pregnancy, so whatever other method of contraception you’re using to prevent pregnancy, use condoms as well to protect your and your partner’s health.
The methods of contraception There are lots of methods to choose from, so don’t be put off if the first thing you use isn’t quite right for you; you can try another. You can read about each of the different methods of contraception by visiting these pages:
Contraception & Sexual Health Service telephone number: 01325 952279 option 2 to make an appointment
Sexual Health
Both men and women need to look after their sexual health and take time to understand the issues that surround contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For instance there are some STIs, like chlamydia, that you could be carrying without having any symptoms. This infection can affect fertility, so it’s important to make use of the sexual health services available for free on the NHS.
You can also contact the GUM clinic 01325 743203 option 2
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, most commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. 75% of people infected with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. However, testing and treatment are simple.
Useful Links: SmokeFree NHS Free Smoking Helpline 0800 022 4 332 / 0300 123 1044 7 days a week, 7am to 11pm. Here to help you! The NHS have produced “Smokefree”, a dedicated service to inform everyone of the dangers of smoking, the benefits to giving up and how they can help you kick the habit.
You don’t have to spend lots of money to eat well. Watch this video to see dietitian Azmina Govindji explain how you can eat healthily for less.
Useful Links NHS – Good Food Guide Information on a healthy diet and ways to make it work for you.
Change for life
These days, ‘modern life’ can mean that we’re a lot less active. With so many opportunities to watch TV or play computer games, and with so much convenience and fast food available, we don’t move about as much, or eat as well as we used to. Which means that 9 out of 10 kids today could grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies. This can cause life-threatening diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease – so it’s really important that we do something about it.
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required. There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below:
It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible – at least 6 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.
Most travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because travel vaccination is not included in the services provided by the NHS and therefore is a chargeable service.
Female Health
Cervical Screen Test
Cervical screening is a method of preventing cervical cancer by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix (lower part of the womb). Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but it is a test to check the health of the cervix. Most women’s test results show that everything is normal. But for one in 20 women, the test will show some changes in the cells of the cervix. Most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer and the cells will go back to normal on their own. In some cases, the abnormal cells need to be treated to prevent them becoming a problem later.
Since September 2008 there has been a national programme to vaccinate girls aged 12-13 against human papilloma virus (HPV). There is also a three-year catch up campaign that will offer the HPV vaccine (also known as the cervical cancer jab) to 13-18 year old girls. The programme is delivered largely through secondary schools, and consists of three injections that are given over a six-month period. In the UK, more than 1.4 million doses have been given since the vaccination programme started.
Human papilloma virus (HPV)Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name of a family of viruses that affect the skin and the moist membranes that line your body, such as those in your cervix, anus, mouth and throat. These membranes are called the mucosa. There are more than 100 different types of HPV viruses, with about 40 types affecting the genital area. These are classed as high risk and low risk.
What HPV infection can do Infection with some types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth and other changes to cells, which can lead to cervical cancer. Infection with other forms of HPV can also cause genital warts. Other types of HPV infection can cause minor problems, such as common skin warts and verrucas. Around 30 types of HPV are transmitted through sexual contact, including those that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK. HPV infection is also linked to vaginal cancer and vulval cancer, although both are rare conditions.
If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. Do not give paracetamol prior to immunisations, however after Men B immunisations, a baby should have 2.5mls of paracetamol for babies aged two months within two hours of having had the immunisation and a further two doses four to six hours apart to prevent the baby having a fever, a common side effect of Men B immunisation.
Vaccination Schedule
Routine childhood immunisation programme from Spring 2018
Each vaccination, except rotavirus, is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm. Rotavirus vaccine is given as drops to be swallowed.
At Two Months Old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and Hepatitis B – Infanrix Hexa – one injection – Right Thigh
Rotavirus gastroenteritis – Rotarix (given by mouth)
Meningococcal group B (Men B) – Bexsero – Left Thigh
At Three Months Old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib and Hepatitis B – Infanrix Hexa – Right Thigh
Rotavirus gastroenteritis – Rotarix (given by mouth)
At Four Months Old
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib and Hepatitis B – Infanrix Hexa – Right Thigh
Pneumococcal disease – PCV – Prevnar 13 – Right Thigh
Meningococcal Group B (Men B) – Bexsero – Left Thigh
Between 12 and 13 Months Old – Within a Month of The First Birthday
Hib/MenC – Menitorix – Left Upper Arm
Pneumococcal disease – PCV – Prevenar 13 – Right Thigh
Measles, mumps, rubella (German measles) – MMR – MMRVax Pro or Priorix – Right Thigh
Meningococcal Group B (Men B) – Bexsero – Left Thigh
Between Two to Four Years
( In GP surgery) Age Four to Nine Years (in Primary Schools) All at risk children aged from Six months to Eighteen Years
Influenza – Live attenuated influenza vaccine – Fluenz Tetra – Given in both nostrils
Three Years and Four Months or Soon After
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio – DTaP/IPV – Repevax – Upper arm
Measles, mumps and rubella – MMR – MMRVaxPro or Priorix – Upper arm
Girls Aged 12 to 13 Years
Cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 – HPV (two doses 6 – 24 months apart) Gardasil – Upper arm
13 to 14 Year Olds
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio – Td/IPV – Revaxis – Upper arm
Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y – Men ACWY – Nimenrix or Menveo – Upper arm
Further Reading
There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.
The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK.www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/mmr-vaccine This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.
Specialist Clinics
We run the following special clinics for our own patients only – appointments are required:
Travel Appointments: Provides advice re immunisations, medication and general travel health precautions.
Clinics to which you must be referred by your own doctor:
Ante-natal Clinic Midwife run clinic with one of our GP’s on hand. New patients must have a positive pregnancy test (either hospital, pharmacy or home test) and must please advise the reception staff that they are a new patient. If your circumstances are not straightforward then please book into a normal surgery – preferably with your own GP.
Asthma Clinic This clinic is primarily for newly diagnosed asthmatics or those having problems. Run by the practice nurse and a GP.
Diabetic Managment All the diabetic patients in the practice are offered an annual review check to monitor the effectiveness of therapy and to check for the development of complications. Patients should attend the nurse for blood tests and their optician for a free routine eye check at least two weeks before their clinic appointment.
Counselling Run by qualified and experienced counsellors.
Minor Surgery Your doctor will advise you if one of the many minor surgical procedures available in this clinic are appropriate for your condition. .