To see Maureen you will need to let the receptionist know what you are coming for as we need to book the appropriate time-slot for you and it also enables the nurse to prepare any equipment she might need. The following times apply.
Healthcare Assistant Clinics (Monday and Tuesday)
Sue Aisbitt is our Healthcare Assistant. Sue was the community midwife so has years of nursing experience.
Sue will perform phlebotomy (blood letting), blood pressure checks, simple health checks including well man/woman, NHS health checks, Over 75 health checks, ECG's and pre diabetic clinic checks.
District Nurse Clinics
The district nurses work between Wooler and Belford and mainly visit patients in their own homes but they also carry out some clinics in the surgery. Appointments are made via the district nursing team.
Clinics
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 12 – 12.30pm
- eg dressings, removal of stitches, B12 injections.
Normally Thursday once or twice a month
- ear syringing (ON HOLD DURING COVID) Please contact the chemist to get an at home ear syringe kit.
Wednesday afternoon
The District Nursing Team can be contacted on 01668 280040/41.
Child Health
The practice nurse carries out the immunisations on babies and children under 5 during her normal clinics, the doctors carry out the 6 week baby check during normal surgery hours.
The health visitor and nursery nurse hold routine child health checks in their clinics which are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month between 9.30am and 11.30am in the Health Education Room on the first floor. These days and times may change during Covid.
If you have any queries about your child’s health, please contact the surgery or the Health Visitor, Heather Bruce on 01668 280042.
The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) is an important programme to tackle obesity in the population. As part of this programme, children in reception year (aged 4–5 years) and Year 6 (10–11 years) have their heights and weights measured during the school year. Each child’s result is based on a BMI centile, which provides information as to whether a child is a healthy weight for their height, age and sex. It is not a perfect measure, but it is one of the best ways to tell if a child is a healthy weight.
Change4Life is a programme which promotes positive lifestyle changes to children and families. To learn more, click on the link to their website http://www.nhs.uk/change4life
Midwifery
Midwifery services are provided by Northumbria who provide care from early pregnancy until your baby is approximately 10 days old.
At antenatal appointments during pregnancy, the midwife plans your care with you, discussing your choices and arranges scans and consultant referrals as needed. She advises on all aspects on pregnancy, labour, delivery and postnatal care.
She also provides antenatal classes as a group or on a one-to-one basis with yourself or with family members. covering topics such as labour and pain relief, delivery of baby, infant feeding and caring for your new baby.
As soon as you think you are pregnant and would like an appointment, please leave a message at reception and the midwife will get in touch with you to arrange a suitable time.
If you are just at the pregnancy planning stage, they are also happy to discuss any queries you may have and give advice.
Minor Surgery (may be suspended during Covid)
The doctors perform minor surgical procedures in the surgery for the removal of warts, cysts, skin tags and some skin lesions and suturing following injury. Cryotherapy (freezing) is used to remove skin tags and warts and a pre-clinic appointment should be made with Dr Miller to examine the lesion and decide if cryotherapy is suitable.
You will need to see the doctor for an initial consultation prior to surgery. An appointment will then be made with the doctor and the Practice Nurse to carry out the procedure.
Results are normally back within 2 weeks and you will be informed as soon as possible.
Counselling
Counselling provides a one-to-one service in the practice with a trained counsellor. Patients can talk about their problems in a relaxed and confidential environment.
The doctors normally offer counselling to patients who they think might benefit from talking to someone or patients can ask to be referred when they see the doctor.
Smoking Cessation
Smoking is one of the main risk factors of heart disease. We are here to help you give up and can offer a range of products to help reduce the craving for nicotine you experience when trying to give up smoking. Please make an appointment with the practice nurse.
Weight Reduction
If you are obese or overweight, you have an increased risk of developing various health problems. Even a modest amount of weight loss can help to reduce your increased health risks. The best chance of losing weight, and keeping the weight off, is to be committed to a change in lifestyle. This includes eating a healthy diet and doing some regular physical activity, walking is a great way to keep fit, and we have some of the most beautiful walks in and around Wooler.
How can I lose weight?
Some people lose weight by strict dieting for a short period. However, as soon as their diet is over, they often go back to their old eating habits, and the weight goes straight back on. Losing weight, and then keeping it off, needs a change in your lifestyle for life. For advice visit the Change4Life website
The practice nurse will offer advice on weight reduction and exercise and can help with monitoring your weight. We also have the Northumberland Health Trainers in the surgery on a weekly basis who can advise on health matters.