PARTICULAR SERVICES OFFERED BY THE PRACTICE

MINOR ILLNESS

Sister Anne runs a “minor illness” clinic, Monday – Thursday mornings.  Minor illness covers a whole range of ailments from earache to urinary tract infections. If Sister Anne feels that you need to see a doctor she will refer you to the “duty doctor” that morning.  If a prescription is necessary, she is able to arrange this.  If you are unsure that Sister Anne will be able to deal with your illness, ask the receptionist who will be aware of what she can and cannot deal with.

CHILD HEALTH SURVEILLANCE (DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKS)

The doctors and Health Visitors work together to carry out the recommended developmental checks on children.  Drs Rogers and Alexander do 6-8 week checks, while Drs Harold and Rogers do 4 year old checks.  Please feel free to approach any of the doctors or Health Visitors if you have concerns about your child.

MATERNITY CARE

Drs Rogers and Alexander hold ante-natal and post-natal clinics.  We share ante-natal care with Judith Allen our Community Midwife

Pre conceptual advice is available in the surgery. If you are thinking of trying for a pregnancy, we would encourage you to start taking Folic Acid tablets and continue these until you are 13 weeks pregnant.  (These reduce the chances of your baby being born with Spina Bifida).  We would also encourage smokers to try to stop smoking before becoming pregnant.

CONTRACEPTION ADVICE

All the doctors and sisters Anne and Helen have specific training and qualifications in family Planning and are happy to offer contraceptive and emergency contraception.  Whatever you age, we would much rather offer you contraception than have you risking an unwanted pregnancy.

We know that teenagers particularly the under 16s worry that we will tell their parents, if they come requesting contraception.  We can assure you that all consultations are CONFIDENTIAL.  ALL PRACTICE STAFF are bound by the same rules. If you are embarking (or considering embarking…)  on sexual activity and don’t want a pregnancy, please come and see one of us to discuss contraception and safe sex.  Equally, if you just want information, we are more than happy to offer it and have some excellent leaflets.

Emergency Contraception needs to be started as soon as possible after unprotected sex.  We suggest that you telephone the surgery at 8.00am the following morning to arrange to be seen the same day.  All the doctors and Sisters Helen and Anne are happy to offer this service confidentially.  It will help the receptionist to arrange an appropriate appointment if you can tell her it is for emergency contraception

Dr Rogers has particular expertise in contraception and is one of Plymouth’s senior family planning doctors and trainers.  She fits all inter-uterine devices (contraceptive coils) in the practice.  The other doctors and nurses will discuss with her or refer to her if you have  complex contraception problems.

Sister Anne, Helen and Dr Rogers all work part-time in Plymouth Family Planning clinics, as well as working in the practice.  Dr Rogers and Sister Anne both train other doctors and nurses in Family Planning.

TRAVEL ADVICE AND IMMUNISATIONS

The practice nurses are the experts in this area.  They are happy to offer general advice to people travelling abroad, together with details about malaria protection and immunisation for particular areas.  It may take up to 8 weeks for a full course of immunisations, so please contact us well before you are planning to go abroad.

IMPOTENCE

This is a surprisingly common problem and will affect about 10% of men at some time in their lives.  Those with Diabetes are at particular risk.  There are several simple treatments that can help.  Please see Dr Alexander or Dr Harold if you want to discuss this problem.