We offer a range of clinics and services at the surgery.
Well baby clinics and childhood surveillance
Our health visitors are not based at the Underwood Surgery. They do meet however with the clinical team once a month.
Family planning and cervical smears
All doctors provide routine contraception during Surgery. Dr Kate Philpot is qualified to fit intra-uterine contraceptive devices (coils). If you have been told you can have a coil inserted or changed then please read this information before attending.
Dr Philpot also fits and removes subcutaneous implants (Nexplanon). If you are considering this method of contraception then please make a face to face or telephone appointment with your usual GP or Dr Philpot for detailed discussion.
Women between the age of 25 and 65 years should have a cervical smear test. Women aged between 25 and 49 are invited for testing every three years and women older than this are invited every five years. The Surgery is not primarily responsible for these invites but we do have a back up system for reminding non-attenders which is coordinated by one of our staff. You can make a routine appointment with the practice nurse for a smear. Please note that the appointment should be booked when you are in the middle of your menstrual cycle.
Breast screening
All women aged 50 to 70 are invited for breast screening every 3 years. However in Gloucestershire this is done every 3 years in rotation by Surgery so that we can check that it is appropriate for an invite to be made.
If you are over 70, you are still at risk of breast cancer. Although you will no longer automatically get screening invitations after you are 70, you can still have breast screening every three years. You will need to contact Gloucestershire Breast Screening Service, Thirlstaine Breast Centre, Thirlstaine Road 0300 422 3786 for an appointment.
Bowel cancer screening
NHS bowel cancer screening is only offered to people aged 55 or over, as this is when you’re more likely to get bowel cancer:
- If you’re 60 to 74, you’ll automatically be invited to do a home testing kit every 2 years.
- If you’re 75 or over, you can ask for a home testing kit every 2 years by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
- If you’re too young for screening but are worried about a family history of bowel cancer, speak to your GP for advice.
Aneurysm screening
Men aged 65 and over are eligible for AAA screening. The NHS invites men for AAA screening during the year they turn 65. Men over 65 who have not been screened previously can arrange a screening appointment by contacting their local programme directly on 0300 422 4285. Screening takes place every year and involves an ultrasound scan that takes around 10 minutes. The NHS AAA Screening Programme aims to reduce deaths from ruptured AAA amongst men aged 65 and over by up to 50%.
NHS health checks for 40yrs – 75yrs
The NHS health check programme aims to help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74, who has not already been diagnosed with one of these conditions or hypertension, will be invited (once every five years) to have a check to assess their risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes and will be given support and advice to help them reduce or manage that risk. You may receive a postal invite for blood tests and then a follow- up appointment with one of the practice nurses.
Asthma clinic
If you have Asthma you will occasionally be invited for an asthma review with one of our respiratory nurses.
COPD clinic
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung condition encompassing diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema. Patients suffering from this condition are usually over 40 years of age, get breathless on exertion, may have a chronic cough and usually (but not always) have a history of smoking.
All patients who have COPD are invited to the COPD Clinic yearly in their birth month. We run a specialised service to help patients with COPD. Please try and avoid using your inhalers on the day of your attendance.
Vascular clinic
All patients who have had angina, a heart attack, a stroke, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure. kidney failure or who have hypertension alone are invited to the Vascular Clinic yearly in their birth month.
Diabetic clinic
All diabetics are invited to the diabetic clinic yearly in their birth month. Patients are encouraged to have a blood test a week before the clinic. In addition non-insulin diabetics who are not under hospital care are invited six months later to see any practice nurse for a second review. Diabetics need to remember to bring an early morning specimen of urine to their annual review.
Smoking clinic
To access this service you will need to make an appointment with a practice nurse. She may suggest the use of patches or medication such as Champix to aid success in quitting.
Anti-coagulation therapy
Clinics are held daily for patients on anti-coagulation therapy. We test your INR by a finger prick test which gives an immediate result.
Vaccinations
For more information about vaccinations we offer, please visit our vaccinations page.
Travel vaccination clinic
Ideally your travel consultation with the nurse should be undertaken 6 weeks prior to travel.
Whilst the travel health consultations will advise on all aspects of travel and administer vaccinations under the UK schedule and Hep A and typhoid, we are not able to offer rabies, cholera, yellow fever, hep B, BCG or Japanese encephalitis vaccinations or anti malaria tablets.
Advice for all aspects of travel can be found on the national website which you may choose to view prior to your consultation.
Minor surgery
Dr Timothy Davis undertakes minor operations at the surgery. An appointment can be made after the condition has been discussed with a doctor.