Services
Asthma management
Run in nurse led clinics. Please make an appointment at a time convenient to you. Patients on this register will be automatically re-called every year. Please ensure to cancel in good time if you cannot make your appointment.
Blood pressure monitoring
This service is provided by all clinicians in the surgery.
Child health surveillance – the doctors and health visitors care for the under-fives and their families
Click here for a vaccination schedule for your child. After your baby is born you will be contacted to arrange an ‘8 week check’. Your baby will be examined by a doctor and will then be seen by a nurse who will give the first set of vaccines.
Clinics for diabetics, including dietary and podiatry advice, with access to eye screening
Run by Dr Ball and Sr Amanda Sheppard. Patients on this register will be automatically re-called every year. Patients will also be called annually for eye-screening.
Contraception
Advice on contraception is provided by all the clinicians in the surgery. If you are requesting the ‘pill’ for the first time please book an appointment to see the doctor. Subsequent ‘pill checks’ can be performed by the nurses.
Counselling (private)
We will provide you with an up-to-date list of approved private counsellors and voluntary services including some free options or options at a reduced charge. We cannot however recommend anybody specifically.
Dietary and lifestyle advice
Please book with one of our nurses or doctors. For parents of children with weight management issues, please click here for a free 8 week course. Overeaters Anonymous with its local subdivision OASouthEastEngland do local classes at Birch Hill Community Centre at 8pm. Please also compare our services under "smoking cessation".
District Nursing Service
The Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) district nurses work primarily with patients who are housebound – but not in nursing homes – or whose care is best provided away from the surgery for other reasons. It is not an emergency service and does not carry out ‘check visits’, collect prescriptions or help with straightforward personal care for which a referral should be made direct to social services.
If you or members of your family require help from the District Nursing Team, please contact Reception
ECG tests
ECGs are part of routine assessments in several chronic diseases, but also available to patient with acute heart conditions. They are usually ordered by a doctor.
General health checks
You receive a general health check when you first register.
Hearing tests & ear syringing
Our nurses and health care assistant can provide both. If you wish to have your ears syringed usually a doctor needs to make a diagnosis of ear wax first. You will then be advised to use either olive oil or commercial ear drops to soften the wax for at least 5 days prior to having them syringed.
Implanon insertion and removal
Dr Kittel and Dr Barter will insert and remove contraceptive implants which you may know as implanon. Please see a nurse or doctor for a prescription / discussion first, then book a double appointment with either Dr Kittel or Dr Barter to have the device inserted.
Joint injections
Mostly performed by Dr Rutherford and Dr Kittel. Please book a routine appointment
Maternity services
Run by our midwives in conjuntion with a number of doctors according to a schedule. Please click here for a guide to antenatal appointments. You will also be offered a 6 week post-natal check when booking your baby’s 8 week check.
Minor surgery
Dr Kittel runs minor surgery clinics on certain dates. If you have a mole, lump, rash, in-growing toenail or any other lesion that worries you please book a routine appointment with him for assessment.
Nursing care in the community
One of our nurses will provide home visits for older and infirm patients.
Nurse led clinics
The nurses will see you on a regular basis for a check-up if you suffer from asthma, heart disease or hypertension.
Out of Hours & NHS Direct
A doctor is always available for emergencies. If you require a doctor when the surgery is closed, please telephone 0118 936 5390. Advice may be offered or you may be asked to attend a Primary Care Centre. Please do not call out of hours unless it is an emergency which cannot wait until the next surgery. Remember that you will usually receive the best treatment from a doctor who knows you well and has access to your medical records.
Alternatively NHS Direct offers a 24 hour nurses led advice line. Please telephone 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Phlebotomy (blood samples)
Our phlebotomist (a health care assistant specifically trained to take blood) is available for you every day. Except for very few patient groups you do not need to travel to a hospital to have your blood taken.
Smear tests by the practice nurse for women aged 25-65, offered every three to five years in Berkshire.
Frequency depends on age and previous smear result, usually every 3-5 years, sometimes more frequently.
Smoking cessation
Please book with our nurses to utilise this service. You can receive nicotine replacement therapy (available on voucher or prescription) and low cost (prescription charge only) other therapies if you attend our smoking cessation clinics.
Treatment for minor injuries, including wound dressing and suture removal
Please book a nurse appointment.
Travel Clinics
Prior to booking your appointment with the nurse please complete a travel questionaire ideally 4-6 weeks before you are due to depart. Some travel vaccinations are free of charge whilst some you will have to pay for. We also offer advice on malaria. Please be aware that if you book a last minute holiday you might not have enough time to obtain the necessary vaccinations and travel advice. To find out about your fitness to travel, please go to www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk .
