Please see below for more information regarding some of the clinics and additional services we have at North Thoresby Practice.
Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability.
It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.
It’s perfectly normal for your blood pressure to fluctuate, depending on what you’re doing, for instance it’s lower when you’re asleep and higher when you exercise. Some people have low blood pressure, which can cause dizziness, but many millions of Britons suffer from high blood pressure – hypertension – which, if not treated, can lead to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke or kidney damage. Hypertension is treated with medication.
We recommend all patients over the age of 45 to have their blood pressure checked at least every 18 months. If you are diagnosed with hypertension, we will ask you to attend for more regular blood pressure monitoring every six months. To do this, book an appointment with a healthcare assistant.
If you have diabetes we need to see you at least once a year for a review of your symptoms and medication. If your diabetes is kept well controlled you should be able to lead a normal and healthy life. A week or two before your review you will be asked to have a blood test with a phlebotomist to check your thyroid, liver and blood count. The results from this blood test will be discussed with you during your review with the nurse. At a diabetes review the nurse will:
- Check your blood glucose control
- Check your kidney function
- Check your cholesterol
- Review the results of your blood tests
- Measure your weight
- Examine your legs and feet
- Check your blood pressure
- Conduct a questionnaire to monitor symptoms of depression
- Discuss and possibly adjust your medication
In addition, your eyes will be checked annually at the hospital or at a mobile screening unit (retinopathy testing). You should also ensure that you have the annual flu vaccination and the one-off pneumococcal vaccination. To book an appointment for a diabetes review, contact the surgery and ask for a diabetes review appointment with a nurse. Diabetes care is with Viv, Christine and Shayna.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an increasingly common disease and one which many people suffer from without knowing. It is predicted that over the next ten years the number of people with diabetes will double. Diabetes occurs because the body can’t use glucose properly, either owing to a lack of the hormone insulin, or because the insulin available doesn’t work effectively.
There are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 usually starts in childhood or young adulthood.
Type 2 is the more common disease and tends to affect people over 40. Both are serious conditions which require regular monitoring and treatment in order to prevent further health complications.
For further Information visit - Diabetes UK - Know diabetes. Fight diabetes. | Diabetes UK
We strongly recommend that children are immunised in accordance with current government guidelines, which change from time to time and which can be found at the NHS website Vaccinations You will be sent an appointment when your child is due to have their vaccinations.
Caring for someone is an important and valuable role which can be isolating and demanding. Carers are often ’hidden’ – looking after a family member, friend or neighbour with day to day tasks – and may not think of themselves as carers.
They may care for people with a variety of conditions, including:
- frailty in old age
- mental health problems, including dementia
- physical disability
- learning disability
- chronic childhood disease
- dependency on drugs and/or alcohol.
We know this can be a difficult job and would like to try to ensure you and the person you care for get all the support needed, such as information on benefits, respite care and a listening ear when things get too much.
If you do care for somebody, be it a friend or family member, please fill out a carer’s referral form which can be obtained from the reception desk or downloaded from here and return it to reception.
There is a network of different professionals and organisations providing a wide variety of services and support, which can help carers. These include:
- community nursing services
- occupational therapy, equipment, and other services available via social services
- home care services provided by the Red Cross, Crossroads, the Women’s Royal Volunteer Service and other voluntary organisations
- advocacy and counselling services
- local carers’ groups, which range from small self-help groups to larger local organisations offering a range of support such as information, advice, training for carers such as stress management, advocacy and social activities.
Further Information
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) an umbrella term for people with chronic bronchitis, emphysema or both, when the airflow to the lungs is restricted (obstructed). COPD is usually caused by smoking. Symptoms include cough and breathlessness. The most important treatment is to stop smoking. Inhalers are commonly used to ease symptoms. Other treatments such as steroids, antibiotics, oxygen, and mucolytic medicines are sometimes prescribed in severe cases, or during a flare-up (exacerbation) of symptoms.
If you have COPD we need to see you at least once a year for a review of your symptoms and medication. To book an appointment for a COPD review, contact the surgery and ask for an COPD review appointment with Paul and Kerry and bring along your current inhalers. These clinics are held on a Tuesday afternoon at Holton le Clay.
A spirometry test to assess your lung function will normally be carried out at your review. You will also be invited for a flu vaccination every year. If you have been admitted to hospital or attended out of hours it is important that you contact the surgery for an appointment as soon as possible.
For further Information you can visit the British Lung Foundation
If you suffer from chronic heart disease we need to regularly monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. You may need medication as part of your treatment. We will need to see you at least once a year in our cardiovascular clinic to conduct a review and you should ensure you have a flu vaccination each autumn. A week or two before your review you will be asked to have a blood test with a phlebotomist.
At the cardio-vascular clinic your blood pressure, weight, height will be checked and a discussion of your symptoms, lifestyle, medication and blood test results will take place. As a practice, we encourage you to take a proactive attitude to all aspects of your health care and will encourage you to stop smoking and consider other lifestyle changes.
If you have high blood pressure we request that, as well as your annual review, you make an appointment for a blood pressure check at least every six months. A fasting blood test is usually requested at your annual review, as this gives us the opportunity to review your blood cholesterol and glucose (sugar) levels.
Other blood tests look at the function of your kidneys, liver, thyroid and a full blood count to ensure you are not anaemic. Other investigations may be organised following your annual review. Good control of your blood pressure, stopping smoking, lowering your cholesterol, lifestyle changes, medication compliance are all important factors in controlling your disease symptoms and preventing symptoms from worsening.
What is Heart Disease?
One of the commonest diseases to affect the heart is coronary heart disease (CHD). It’s usually caused by atherosclerosis, a build up of fatty materials within the walls of the arteries.
Further Information
Almost 3000 local patients are eligible to receive the vaccination, which is provided free of charge to all patients registered with the practice who are aged 50 or over and to patients with certain chronic diseases including:
- Diabetes
- COPD
- Chronic heart disease
- Stroke
- Some asthmatic patients
- Liver disease
- Central nervous system diseases
- Chronic renal disease
Other eligible patients include:
- Carers
- Those with lowered immunity
- Those living in long-stay nursing or residential homes
The NHS runs a national screening programme for women aged 25–64 to check the health of the lower part of the womb. It is not a test to diagnose cervical cancer, but a test to show changes in cells which can be caused by many things, most of which will not lead to cervical cancer. Early detection and treatment can prevent around 75% of cancers developing but, like other screening tests, cervical screening is not perfect and may not always detect early cell changes that could lead to cancer.
How Often Should I Have a Smear Test?
After your first cervical screening test at 25, you will be automatically invited every three years until you are 49, when you will then be invited every five years between the ages of 50 and 64.
Where Do I Have the Test?
You can either have the test here at the surgery with a practice nurse, or you can go to a community clinic, such as a family planning clinic. NHS Direct can give you details of local clinics.
How is the Test Carried Out?
We use a method called liquid based cytology, where a practice nurse will take a sample of cells using a spatula which brushes cells from your cervix. The test cannot be carried out during menstruation, so you should ideally book your appointment for when you are mid-cycle.
Results
- Your results will be posted to your home address. You should receive them within eight weeks of having the test.
- If your results are negative, you will be invited again in three or five years’ time.
- If the results are abnormal, you will be invited to have the test repeated and, if they remain abnormal, you may be referred for colposcopy.
For further information you can visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
We all have problems from time to time and mostly we solve them by talking to someone close to us such as a husband, wife or friend. But sometimes that’s not enough or possible and we suffer some emotion, stress or loss so great that professional help in the form of counselling is needed.
You can be referred to a counsellor by your GP and all appointments are made directly with the counsellor. As with many things the waiting list for NHS counselling is long so if you wish to see a qualified counsellor sooner the GPs also have access to local private counsellors. Information on private counsellors is available in the surgery.
What is a D-dimer test?
A D-dimer test looks for D-dimer in blood. D-dimer is a protein fragment (small piece) that's made when a blood clot dissolves in your body.
Blood clotting is an important process that prevents you from losing too much blood when you are injured. Normally, your body will dissolve the clot once your injury has healed. With a blood clotting disorder, clots can form when you don't have an obvious injury or don't dissolve when they should.
What Is a Health Check?
The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health, for people who are aged 40-74.
It can tell you whether you're at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as:
• heart disease
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• stroke
During the check-up you'll also discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions and dementia.
If you're over 65, you will also be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.
The check will take about 20 minutes with the Health Care Assistant.
We have clinics on a Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings.
You can call the practice and speak to the Care Navigation team to see if you are eligible and to book an appointment.
Who is the health check for?
The check is for people who are aged 40-74 who do not have any of the following pre-existing conditions:
• Heart Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Transient Ischaemic Attack
• Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
• Heart Failure
• Peripheral Arterial Disease
• Stroke
• Currently been prescribed statins to lower cholesterol
• Previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years
You should have regular check-ups if you have one of these conditions. Your care team will be able to give you more information about this.
What happens at the check?
You’ll be asked some simple questions.
For example, about your family history and choices which may put your health at risk.
We’ll record your height, weight, age, sex, and ethnicity.
We’ll check your blood pressure and cholesterol.
You can find further information at:
Additional services offered at North Thoresby Practice:
- Contraceptive services including coils and implants
- Depot contraceptive injections and pessary insertions
- Joint injections; Carpal tunnel, tennis and golfers elbow, tenosynovitis plantar fasciitis, bursitis injections
- Removal of lumps and bumps including sebaceous cysts
- Removal of basal-cell cancers
- 24 Hour ECG and 24 Hour blood pressure measurements
- Ear syringing and domiciliary visits for anticoagulation monitoring
- Community care of elderly and frail patients
- Regular Covid boosters and travel vaccinations
- Onsite Physiotherapy Practitioner assessment and treatment
- Full time advanced clinical pharmacist service for minor illnesses
- Smoking cessation clinics
- Pharmacy Technician dealing with medication requests promptly
- On site Occupational Therapy including home visits and frailty clinics
- HGV and Taxi licencing services
- Private fitness reports