The Arch Medical Practice

CLINICS AND SERVICES

The practice provides the following clinics and services. For further information or to book an appointment please ask at reception.

• Lifestyle Advice
• Overseas Travel
• Asthma Clinic
• Hypertension
• Vaccinations and Immunisations (travel, childhood)
• Diabetic Clinic
• Specialised Sexual Health Clinic
• Coil Fitting
• Minor Surgery (Certain procedures can be performed in the surgery. Your doctor will advise you.)
• New Patient Medical
• Cervical Smear
• Ischaemic Heart Disease
• Flu vaccination (available annually from mid-October) to those aged 65 and over and to 'at risk' patients.
• Pneumonia vaccinations are available all year for the same category of patients. One vaccination will provide lifetime cover.

Baby Clinic

This is held on a Wednesday morning by the practice nurse, from 10.10am - 12 noon.

There is a computer recall system and most children will receive an appointment by post at the appropriate time. If for any reason you do not receive an appointment please contact reception to make one.

The health visitor is available from 9.30 - 11.00am. No appointment is necessary but spaces are limited.

Coil Fitting

If you wish to have a coil fitted, please make an appointment with your doctor to discuss this.

Sexual Health Clinic

We facilitate a sexual health clinic where it is possible to book an appointment for sexual health screening for infection including blood tests for HIV. These tests cannot be done as part of a routine appointment. Therefore please book an STI screen or "9KF" at reception by either attending or telephoning the surgery.

Cervical Smear Tests

Cancer of the cervix can be prevented and all female patients between 25-64 years of age are advised to have regular smear tests. These tests are important because they can detect early signs of disease, which is easily treated.

The practice nurses run clinics throughout the week at various times for these routine tests to be carried out. This can also be done at family planning clinics (ask the receptionist for a leaflet).

NON-NHS SERVICES

Some services are not covered by the NHS contract and you will be charged a fee for these. They include insurance forms/claims, passport applications, photo driving licence applications, pre-employment medicals, HGV, fitness to drive or travel medicals, fitness to undertake certain sports and other non-NHS medical reports.

THE FAMILY MEDICINE CHEST

Here is a list of useful medicines and dressings with a description of their uses. All are quite cheap and worth stocking at home in readiness for minor illnesses. Keep them in a box or cupboard with a lock - or store them well out of the reach of children.

Soluble Asprin Tablets
Good for headaches, colds, sore throats (gargle with the solution), and pains in general. Asprin should NOT be given to children under 16.

Paracetamol
For relief of pain or fever in young children.

Sedative Cough Linctus
For dry or painful coughs - but not coughs caused by common colds.

Menthol Crystals
Add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs.

Vapour Rub
Again, for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on the chest and nose.

Ephedrine Nose Drops
For runny noses in children over one year old. Use before meals and at night but not for more than four days.

Antiseptic Solution
One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes.

Antiseptic Cream
For treating septic spots, sores in the nose, and grazes.

Calamine Lotion
For dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites, stings and sunburn.

Dressing Strips
For minor cuts.

3" Wide Crepe Bandage
To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints.

Cotton Wool
For cleaning cuts and grazes.

Thermometer
For fevers.

Tweezers
For removing splinters.

Remember that your local chemist can give you advice about medicines