Clinics & Services
Immunisations
We run a full immunisation and vaccination service including childhood immunisations, tetanus, influenza, pneumonia and travel immunisations, all by appointment only. It is essential to book a nurse appointment for your first consultation regarding travel advice.
Vaccines work by making us produce antibodies to fight disease without actually infecting us with the disease.
If the vaccinated person then comes into contact with the disease itself, their immune system will recognise it and immediately produce the antibodies they need to fight it.
Newborn babies are already protected against several diseases, such as measles, mumps and rubella, because antibodies have passed to them from their mothers via the placenta. This is called passive immunity.
Passive immunity usually only lasts for a few weeks or months. In the case of measles, mumps and rubella, it may last up to 1 year, which is why the MMR jab is given to children just after their first birthday.
Cervical smear test
There is a “call and recall” system in operation across Lancashire on behalf of the GP surgeries to remind you about cervical screening, or “smear tests”. They are carried out by the practice nurses.
The aim of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme is to reduce the number of women who develop cervical cancer and the number of women who die from the condition. Since the screening programme was introduced in the 1980s, the number of cervical cancer cases has decreased by about 7% each year.
All women who are registered with a GP are invited for cervical screening:
- aged 25 to 49 – every three years
- aged 50 to 64 – every five years
Being screened regularly means any abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix can be identified at an early stage and, if necessary, treated to stop cancer developing.
If you are worried about attending for screening, please speak to or book an appointment with our practice nurse, she can answer any questions you may have.
For further information on the Cervical screening programme please click here.
Contraception
The practice nurses undertake contraceptive checks once you have been settled on your regular pill by the doctor or Family Planning Clinic. We also offer coil and Implanon insertions.
NHS Health Checks
These are run by the Health Care Assistants, who carry out general screening and give lifestyle advice. You may receive an invitation to attend a health screening, but you can also refer yourself directly through the receptionist. All new patients automatically receive a check-up when they register with the practice.
Chronic disease management
These are run by the practice nurses. They are for patients with diseases in which properly devised management plans can reduce the risk of complications, and they include: asthma, diabetes, hypertension, COPD and heart disease.
Weight Management
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme could help you if you are living with obesity and also have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both. If this is you, you could benefit from this 12-week programme. It’s free and easily available via a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
- You must be 18 or over.
- You must have a BMI greater than 30. The BMI threshold will be lowered to 27.5 for people from black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, as we know people from these ethnic backgrounds are at an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI.
- You must have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both.
- You must have a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access.
If you do not have diabetes or high blood pressure, you may still benefit from the NHS Better Health programme.
Travel Vaccinations
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. When booking your appointment you will need to let the reception staff know which countries and areas within countries that you will be visiting so that the practice nurse can determine what vaccinations are required. There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below
| Europe & Russia | North America |
| Central America | South America |
| Caribbean | Africa |
| Middle East | Central Asia |
| East Asia | Australasia and Pacific |
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.
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
