Our Services:
Blood Pressure
We have a Blood Pressure machine in our waiting room for your use. We will be happy to assist you with recording your BP and this will be logged on your medical record. If the reading is high then the Reception team will inform the GP, who will review your record and the GP may advise that you repeat the check or book an appointment to discuss. Patients who have high Blood Pressure should have their pressure checked at least every 6 months. We also have a 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor at the Practice for the use of our Patients. This will be fitted by our Nurse and needs to be monitored for six hours and then we ask that your return to the Practice the same day or the morning after so that we can download the results. These will be added to your Medical Record.
Blood Tests
We are able to take Blood Tests every morning Monday-Friday before 11.45 am. We also offer local weekend appointments via our Improved Access Service
Cervical Smear
The ideal time is midway between periods but this is not essential, as the technology for processing smear tests has advanced considerably over the years. So anytime during your cycle should be sufficient, unless you have started your menstrual cycle. If you’re menstrual cycle is very erratic and you find it difficult to know when to book an appointment, please talk to the nurse who will advise you when the best time would be.
The Primary Care Support Services will inform you when your next smear is due. The guidelines suggest every three years from the age of 25 to 50 and from the age of 50 to 64 it is five yearly; this is as long as the result is normal. HPV testing is included in all cytology samples and the result of this will be able to inform us whether you are negative, or positive and need further action.
Many women are very anxious about this procedure so if you have any questions or concerns regarding your cervical screening then you can book a telephone appointment with the Nurse and they will be able to help you with your concerns and inform you on what to expect.
The Nurses will be happy to make suitable adjustments to make you more comfortable and at ease before the procedure. If you would like someone to accompany you, or would like a longer appointment to discuss any concerns with the Nurse, then please let the Reception team know when booking.
If you do not wish to be invited for Cervical Screening, this may be for many reasons, then you will need to complete a disclaimer form.
When you'll be invited for cervical screening
- under 25 up to 6 months before you turn 25
- 25 to 49 every 3 years
- 50 to 64 every 5 years
- 65 or older only if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal
Child Development
If you have your baby in hospital, before you are discharged, a Paediatrician will carry out a newborn baby check. If you have a home birth, you will be asked to attend the hospital for an Out Patient appointment for a baby check. Once your baby is born you will be under the care of the midwife for ten days. After this time, you will be allocated a health visitor who will make contact with you directly.
Your baby will have a eight week check with the Doctor at the Practice. This can be booked at the same time as your check-up. For both of your checks, a double appointment (20 minutes) will be needed. At one, two and three years a questionnaire will be sent to you by the Health Visitor directly regarding your child.
Childhood Immunisations
We work closely with Community Child Health Information Service for any routine Immunisations that are due for any Children. We will invite Parents/Guardians to book an appointment with our Practice Nurse. We do not have specific Immunisation Clinics for children but you can make an appointment for your child with any of our Practice Nurses.
Please come a few minutes before your appointment time as you will need to go through a consent form with the Nurse and have a short discussion before she administers the Immunisation. The Nurse will ensure the consent form is completed fully and it’s been noted what Immunisations your child will be receiving.
We understand that many parents have concerns about Immunisations. The Nurses are happy to discuss these with you before you make any decision about immunising your child. We also have leaflets and resources to help you to make a decision.
Children’s Health Visitors
We notify the Health Visitors of all children under the age of five who join our list so that they can contact Parents /Guardians to introduce the service. Their prime function is the promotion of good health, health education, advice and support and the prevention and detection of ill health. They advise on matters relating to family and child health and also assess Children’s development and undertake parent craft teaching and health education work.
Community Midwives
Before you contact the Community Midwives that are linked to our Practice, you will need to Register online. Please follow this link to do so: https://www.bsuh.nhs.uk/maternity/your-pregnancy/
The Midwives are based at Hollingdean Children's Centre, Brentwood Road, Brighton. Maternity services are usually shared between your Doctor and the Community Midwife. You can do a home test or several of the local Pharmacies can do the test for you.
If you are Pregnant, please make an appointment to see your Doctor. This early appointment gives you an opportunity to discuss your hopes and fears and to plan the care you would like to receive. The Community Midwives are happy to support most women who would like a home birth. Your first antenatal appointment is usually at 8 weeks gestation.
Clinics are held at the Hollingdean Children’s Centre, Brighton.
Telephone: (01273) 295623 Email: hollingdeancc@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Community Services
Wellbeing Services
The aim of the team is to help you decide if a referral to the community mental health team would be appropriate.
Brighton & Hove Wellbeing for over 18 years of age self-referral: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WBAdultSelfReferral/
Brighton & Hove Wellbeing for Children and young adults aged 4-17 self-referral form: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WBCYPSelfReferral/
Health in Mind is a free NHS service for anyone in East Sussex experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties.
You can now refer yourself just visit the dedicated website - https://www.healthinmind.org.uk/contact for more information
Telephone: 0300 00 30 130 Email: spnt.healthinmind@nhs.net
Dressing & Post-Operative Care
The Nurses and Health Care Assistant can offer wound dressing appointments. We can also see you after an operation to remove your dressings, stitches, staples and provide you with follow up care during the post-operative period. For Patients requiring daily dressings we can offer you appointments with our Improved Access Clinic if we are unable to see you at the Practice or over a weekend.
Chlamydia Self-Test
We offer self-test kits for any Patients under the age of 25. You can pick up a kit from the Practice and complete the test at home. Please be assured, all results are confidential. Patients over the age of 25 can also have a Chlamydia test with the Nurse.
Ear Irrigation
Ear irrigation is to clear the ear canals of wax. If you are making an appointment for ear irrigation it is important to use softening drops in your ears (or olive oil is sufficient) at least five days minimum before your appointment. This makes the wax easier to remove and reduces the likelihood of damage to the eardrum.
If you have not seen the Doctor regarding your ear within one month of the appointment, you will need to see or speak to the Doctor before you can have your ear irrigated. This is to check your eardrum and until this has been done, we are not able to perform this service. Please also come a few minutes before your appointment time, as you will need to complete a Consent form.
Emergency Contraception
If you require Emergency Contraception, please telephone us and ask to speak to the Doctor during Surgery opening hours. This is more effective the sooner you take it so do not delay. If the Surgery is closed, then please contact our Out of Hours Service.
Alternatively, Emergency Contraception is available from Morley Street Family Planning Clinic, Practice Plus Brighton Station Health Care Centre and the Sexual Health Service times.
The Emergency Contraceptive pill is available free of charge without a prescription. You can get it from most Pharmacies, from your GP, or from the Sexual Health Clinic. This does vary as some Pharmacies do charge a fee for Emergency Contraception.
Sexual Health
Sexual Health Advice is available to all of our Patients. As with all our Patients we respect the need for confidentiality, please feel free to consult the Doctor or Nurse, whatever your age or social situation.
Should you have any general concerns about sexually transmitted infections you can contact SHAC. They offer both pre-bookable appointments and ‘drop in’ clinics and a Young Persons Clinic.
SHAC: Visit the website at: www.brightonsexualhealth.com
Family Planning
We offer advice, counselling and a range of methods of Contraception including the pill, patches, ring, injection and implant which are provided by the Doctor or Nurse or Clinical Pharmacist.
Our Nurse can fit Contraceptive implants and remove Coils. If you are having a Contraception Implant for the first time, you will need to book a telephone appointment with the Nurse to discuss this.
- Contraceptive Implant (30-minute appointment)
- Removal of Contraception Implant (30-minute appointment)
Fittings and Implants can be fitted also at Morley Street Family Planning Clinic. After you have seen the Doctor or Nurse at the Practice, you can self-refer to Morley Street Clinic by calling 01273 523388.
IUD
If your IUD is being removed, you will need to abstain from sexual intercourse or use a barrier method for a week before removal.
If you are having an IUD/Coil fitted, you will need to have screening swabs done before these can be fitted. For information and advice on Contraception go to www.fpa.org.uk. These can be done with your chosen provider either a local Practice or Morley Street Family Planning.
Health Checks
We like to see all our Patients on a regular basis. We offer the following Heath Checks:
New Patient Health Check
We like all Adult Patients registering with the Practice to fill in a Health Questionnaire and make an appointment with the Nurse for a Health Check when you register.
Routine Health Check
All Adult Patients who have not been seen within the last 3 years and Patients over the age of 75 who have not been seen in the last year are welcome to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse.
NHS Health Check
This check is for all Patients between ages of 40-74 with no history of heart disease. For Patients with BAME backgrounds, this is available from the age of 25 and onwards. The purpose is to screen for any early warning signs of heart disease. This is particularly important if you have a strong family history of heart problems.
Long Term Disease Health Check
If you have a long term condition such as Asthma, Diabetes or COPD, we would like to see you on a regular basis. If your condition is stable then we would like to see you every twelve months, if your condition is unstable then we would prefer for you to be seen six monthly.
Infertility Advice
We are available to discuss and arrange appropriate tests and referrals for advice on Infertility and IVF treatment. Please book an appointment with our GP to discuss.
Influenza, Pneumococcal & Shingles Immunisations
For Patients:
- Aged 65 years and over
- Children aged 2 years to 4 years
- Patients who are at risk example: chronic disease
- Pregnant Patients
The Practice runs Flu clinics annually, we will contact you by text, phone or letter if you fit into any of the above categories
If you are not classed in the ‘at risk’ group, you can have your Influenza vaccination at any community Pharmacy for a fee.
For children of school age, the Practice is no longer able to offer the Influenza vaccination; this is to be administered in the school setting. If your child is absent from school during this time, catch-up clinics are held and you will need to contact your child's school directly.
Travel Advice & Immunisations
Travel Vaccinations that are available on the NHS are provided free of charge to all our Patients but we cannot provide these services to any Patients that are registered as 'Temporary Residents'.
Please make an appointment six weeks before you are due to travel as you may need more than one visit for a course of Vaccinations.
Preventative medication for Malaria and Hepatitis B are not provided by the NHS as a service.
We have a Travel Vaccination Form which needs to be completed for each Patient who is travelling abroad. This will assist us with our assessment of what vaccines you may require. A copy of this is available on our Website to download or from the Practice and we would appreciate this form being completed before you attend your appointment with the Nurse.
Pregnancy Test
We can only offer pregnancy test before you have a procedure or for investigative reasons.
Stop Smoking
If you smoke, our specially trained Health Care Assistant or Nurse can help you find the best way for you to kick the habit. They can advise on how you can work through your own stop-smoking programme as well as how nicotine replacement therapy can be used appropriately to assist you.
Termination of Pregnancy
MSI are the provider of this service in Brighton and Hove You do not need a GP referral to access the TOP service
To self-refer, patients can call us 24/7 on 0345 300 8090 and they can offer same-day appointments and treatment
We have a free webchat service which patients can use to speak to one of our team quickly and confidentially. Our website has lots of useful information for patients, including video explainers and articles: www.msichoices.org.uk