Clinics and Services

Please see below our list of services and clinics, for more information select the name of the clinic or service you are interested in:

Other clinics and services we provide

We run many clinics for the management of chronic diseases and offer a wide variety of medical services.

Our Practice has an extensive Health Care Preventative Medical Service, run by the Practice Nurses and the Doctors.

These include:

  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Heart
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease(Chest problems)
  • 24 hour blood pressure monitoring
  • Epilepsy
  • Family Planning
  • Free NHS Health Check
  • Well woman clinic
  • Child Immunisation
  • Joint injection clinic
  • Vaccinations
  • General lifestyle advice

Non-NHS Services

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority of people free of charge, but there are exceptions. GPs are self-employed and are contracted to provide NHS general medical services for their patients.

Sometimes, GPs are asked to provide additional services which fall outside their contract and in these circumstances, they are entitled to make a reasonable charge for providing them.

Your questions answered

Isn’t the NHS supposed to be free?

The National Health Service provides most healthcare to the majority people free of charge, but there are exceptions: for example, medical reports for insurance companies.

Surely the Doctor is being paid anyway?

It is important to understand that GPs are not employed by the NHS, they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc – in the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.

In recent years, more and more organisations have been involving Doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked to do non-medical work is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to be sure that information provided is true and accurate.

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their NHS patients are:

  • accident/sickness insurance certificates
  • certain travel vaccinations
  • private medical insurance reports
  • statements of fact relating to general health e.g. for children’s dance classes
  • Letters requested by, or on behalf of, the patient
  • Holiday cancellation claim forms
  • Referral for private care forms

Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:

  • medical reports for an insurance company
  • some reports for the DSS/Benefits Agency
  • examinations of occupational health

Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?

Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload – the majority work up to 70 hours a week – and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time, so many GPs find they have to take some paperwork home at night and weekends.

I only need the Doctor’s signature – what is the problem?

When a Doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the Doctor might have to check the patient’s entire medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the Doctor with the General Medical Council or even the Police.

What can I do to help?

  • If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once.
  • Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight

Examples of Non-NHS Services include the following:

  • Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
  • Insurance Claim Forms
  • Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
  • Private Sick Notes
  • Vaccination Certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and Practice Reception Staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.

Hepatitis B Immunisation

GPs do not provide an occupational health service as part of their NHS responsibility nor can they provide this service to you even if you are willing to pay for it.

Under Health and Safety Regulations, your employer or University/College has a duty to provide a safe working environment and therefore, appropriate health advice for those at risk of infection from Hepatitis B.

We advise you to contact your employer or University/College and refer them to this page on our website. They will be able to make arrangements with an occupational health provider for the provision of any immunisation which you may require following an appropriate assessment.

Patient Transport Service

The Patient Transport Service provides ambulances to patients who need support to reach their healthcare appointment, or for their admission to and discharge from hospital, due to their medical/clinical needs. For more information about using this service please visit: www.scas.nhs.uk/our-services/non-emergency-patient-transport-service/.