Clinics

Sister Moira Clements runs regular diabetic clinics, helped by Sister Carole Smart – usually on a Thursday afternoon. She is assisted by Mrs Angela Walker, Senior Dietician (BSC in Dietetics).

Mrs Julie Blythe is the staff member who organises these clinics and ensures that no one is missed. Any appointment queries should be directed to Julie.

For more information about diabetes you can visit the Diabetes UK Website

For some tips from Angela on how to lose weight click here

This is Angela:

Angela provides dietary education and advice on healthy ways of eating and living. She works with a range of patients including people who are overweight. People with diabetes will be seen as a priority.

Patients can be referred to see the Dietician by the GP and Angela offers appointments at Union Brae Surgery on Thursday afternoons.

Cervical Smear Clinics

Cervical smears are carried out by most of the practice nurses and you will receive a letter informing you of when your cervical smear is due. However, you are able to make an appointment at any time if you have any concerns or wish to have a cervical smear taken.

Asthma Clinics

All asthma patients are invited by letter to attend for a yearly check-up. This involves discussing symptoms, checking peak flow measurements and that the inhaler currently being used is suitable. It is also an opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about asthma. If you haven’t received a letter for a check-up you can telephone to make an appointment with the practice nurse at any time.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS that you need to be seen more than yearly are:

Waking at night coughing, wheezing or short of breath

You need to use your reliever (blue inhaler) more often than usual

Your reliever doesn’t get rid of your symptoms as effectively as normal

At your asthma appointment we can also discuss a management plan which helps you to recognise and treat symptoms before they develop into an asthma attack.

Well Man Clinics

Well Man Clinic appointments will take approximately 20 minutes of your time and will include blood pressure measurement, cholesterol levels and other factors relevant to the Prevention of Heart Disease. For more information about heart disease you can visit the British Heart Foundation’s Website .

Another site which could be useful is by the Institute of Cancer Research and is called Everyman - Action Against Male Cancer. This site was established to raise awareness and fund vital research within the UK's first centre dedicated to male cancers - their diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Click here to visit this site.

A very useful and readable 10 point guide to healthy living is taken from the Bandolier Website and re-printed here. This advice is generally sensible and often most agreeable (eg item 5!).

Heart Disease Clinics

These clinics are for all patients with a history of peripheral vascular disease, ischaemic heart disease or stroke. You will get a 30 minute appointment where your blood pressure, height, weight and bloods for cholesterol and blood sugar will be taken. Additional healthcare advice will also be given.

You will then be asked to make an appointment with your doctor three weeks later for any results and to review your medication.

Smoking Cessation Clinics

If you want to stop smoking but feel you need some help and support then make an appointment to discuss this with Practice Nurse Moira Clements. She runs the smoking cessation clinics regularly or will see you at other times on request.

For information on stop smoking courses you can telephone Northumberland Stop Smoking Service on 01670 813135. These courses are free and held locally. More information is available on the NHS Quit Line (0800 1690169).

Well Woman Clinics

We do not run well woman clinics in a separate clinic as usually these are included in the cervical smear clinics, however, if you do not want a cervical smear or no longer need one you are free to make an appointment to see the practice nurse at any time to have a well woman check.

Travel Health

If you are travelling abroad we will ask you to fill in a holiday vaccination form so that the nurse is able to check what vaccinations are necessary before you make an appointment. You should try to organise this six weeks before you travel. For more information on travel health and to fill in a travel health form click here

Flu Vaccine Campaign

Flu vaccines are available annually and usually start in September/October.
At risk groups include:

All aged 65 and over.

Anyone with diabetes.

Anyone with respiratory (lung) problems including asthma.

Anyone with long-standing kidney disease.

Anyone with heart disease.

People who live in nursing homes, residential homes or any long-stay facility.

Anyone whose immune system is not working well either because:

You were born with it not working
You are having a course of treatment such as steroids, cytotoxics ie cancer killing drugs, radiotherapy
You have a disease eg AIDS or HIV, no spleen or your spleen not working normally

Possible After Effects
After the injection the area around the injection site MAY become red, swollen, tender, bruised or painful. Occasionally, you may develop a Flu-like illness with headache, shivering etc. These effects usually settle within 24 to 48 hours.

Treat any flu-like illness by taking Paracetamol (as directed), plenty of fluids and rest.

If you are worried contact your GP or practice nurse.

Counselling Service

Gary Peters
Counsellor in Primary Care

Cert. Coun; Dip.Psych.Coun; ASIHR
Certificate in Human Relations and Counselling
Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling
Associate of the Scottish Institute of Human Relations (Edinburgh)
Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Faculty of Healthcare Counsellors and Psychotherapists

Mr Peters offers a confidential counselling service to patients experiencing emotional difficulties including: stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, bereavement and loss.

Patients can be referred to see Mr Peters by the GP and he offers appointments at Union Brae Surgery.

Gynaecology Clinics

We are fortunate in having Dr M Abdel-All, Consultant Gynaecologist from Borders General Hospital holding out-patient sessions at the Union Brae premises on a fortnightly basis. He also does obstetric antenatal work at these sessions including scanning. This excellent service means that no woman need wait more than two weeks for an out-patient gynaecology appointment.

Emergency Contraception

If you have unprotected sex and are concerned about pregnancy please telephone the surgery and ask for an urgent appointment, that day, with the doctor or nurse. You do not need to tell the receptionist what the problem is. For out of hours advice about emergency contraception contact the Accident and Emergency Department at Berwick Infirmary for advice.

Levonelle 2 is the name of the emergency contraception and is most effective if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It can be taken up to 72 hours afterwards. If 72 hours has elapsed please still make an appointment to discuss other options.

Sexual Infections

UNPROTECTED SEX CAN LEAD TO SEXUAL INFECTIONS

Chlamydia – this infection is on the increase and often has no symptoms. However, if untreated it is believed to lead to infertility in later life.

Herpes – this is cold sore type lesions on the genital area. Once infected this never goes away. However, the symptoms may be treated.

Other infections include genital warts, pubic lice (crabs), trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, Hepatitis B, HIV and AIDS.

CONDOMS GIVE PROTECTION AGAINST SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.

If you would like any information or advice on contraception or sexually transmitted infections please make an appointment to see your GP or the practice nurse. All information is strictly confidential.

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Debbie McLeman November 2009