Services & Clinics

Clinics Available

The Practice has clinics for the following conditions. Please make an appointment by telephoning our Reception during the Medical Centre's opening hours.

• Diabetes
• Asthma & Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - that is "chronic bronchitis"
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Blood Pressure Monitoring
• Anti Coagulation Clinic
• Family Planning
• Cervical Smears
• Women's Health and Gynaecology
• Antenatal & Postnatal Care
• Child Health & Immunisations
• Minor surgery (please discuss with a doctor in a routine appointment first)
• Stop Smoking Support
• Sphere Sexual Health Clinic

Travel Vaccinations

Vaccinations need to be given at least 14 days prior to departure.

Please complete a Travel Form (available at reception) prior to making an appointment. Bring the completed Travel Form to the surgery where a vaccination appointment will be made for you.

Charges will apply for some vaccinations. These can be paid for using cash or cheque. We are unable to accept card payments.

Phlebotomy

A surgery based phlebotomy service is available to enable patients to have blood tests done in-house instead of going to the hospital. This is an appointment based service and an appointment can be made either in person or by telephone on 01234 319993.

Health Promotions

Health promotion aims to educate people to live healthy lives. This includes:

• The importance of a balanced diet and taking regular exercise.
• The dangers of smoking or excessive drinking.
• The risk of Coronary Heart disease and Cancers.
• Mental Health, Sexual Health and Drug Misuse.

Test Results

Please telephone the surgery on 01234 319992 between 2.00pm - 6.30pm to request the results of your tests.

In addition to your name and date of birth, you will also need to know the date of the test.

If the results are complex, the doctor or nurse may need to discuss them with you in person.

NHS Services

We have a team of District Nurses, Health Visitors, Counsellors and Social Workers, who form an important and integrated part of our Primary Health Care Team.

We can also offer access to other healthcare agencies including.

• Macmillan Nursing Services
• Physiotherapy
• Speech Therapy
• Chiropody

Non-NHS Services

The Practice reserves the right to charge patients if non-NHS work is done on their behalf. This would include items such as insurance reports, private sickness certificates, housing letters and holiday cancellation forms.

NHS Health Checks

What is a Health Check?

An NHS Health Check aims to help you lower your risk of four common but often preventable diseases: heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. It's for adults in England aged between 40 and 74 who have not already been diagnosed with any one of those four conditions. By identifying any risks early and taking steps to reduce this you can improve your chance of maintaining or improving your health as you get older.

This national programme is expected to prevent 1,600 heart attacks and strokes a year and save 650 lives.

We are writing to invite patients to attend but you are welcome to make an appointment with our Health Care Assistant for a check if you meet the criteria above. She will then check your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes and you'll be offered personalised advice and support to help you lower that risk.

Physiotherapy Self Referral

Do you think you need physiotherapy?

You can now see a physiotherapist without having to see your GP first. Just fill out the Physiotherapy Referral Form in full and send it to:

Physiotherapy Department
Gilbert Hitchcock House
Kimbolton Road
Bedford
MK40 2NU

If you have any concerns, you can always be referred for physiotherapy in the normal way by your GP - please make an appointment as usual.

Unfortunately, this service is not available if you are under 16 years of age or patients who require physiotherapy for neurological, breathing or gynaecological problems.

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