Preventative Medicine

ADULT PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

Health Checks

• Health checks are available for patients over the age of 15 years who have not had a check in the last three years. This involves an assessment of your risks for developing heart disease and a simple examination, eg blood pressure, urine check and cholesterol level if appropriate. This is particularly important if you smoke, or have a family history of coronary heart disease at an early age (less than 60 years). Our practice nurses will give advice and follow-up support on giving up smoking, losing weight, lowering your cholesterol levels and following a healthy lifestyle.

Over 75 Health Checks

• Those over 75 years, who have not been seen during the year, will be offered an annual medical check up, at home where necessary.

Tetanus & Polio

• Protection against tetanus and polio should be kept up to date. A full primary course with a booster at 15 should be followed by at least two boosters at 10 year intervals to protect throughout life.

Influenza

• Annual protection against influenza is offered to senior citizens and those at high risk, eg with chronic heart, chest and breathing disorders, and diabetes.

Travel Immunisations

• The practice nurses will give advice on foreign travel and any other immunisations required. Click here for more information

Family Planning

• A full range of family planning is available at the surgery, including coil fitting and advice on safe sex.

Rubella

• All women of childbearing age should be checked to make sure they are immune to rubella (German measles), even if they have been immunised, and before contemplating pregnancy.

Pre-pregnancy advice

• This is offered by the doctors and midwife for those thinking of becoming pregnant. It is essential that you stop smoking, reduce your alcohol intake to a minimum, ensure an adequate daily intake of the vitamin folic acid in your diet, and check with your doctor about any medication you are taking. As a general rule don't take any drugs, including those bought over the counter, in pregnancy, unless advised by your doctor. All pregnant women should attend the antenatal clinic as soon as possible. We offer full antenatal and postnatal care.

Cervical Cytology

• All women will be offered a cervical smear at least every five years. Smears will be done more frequently where necessary.

Mammography

• Women aged 50 to 64 years will be offered a mammogram every three years by Somerset Breast Screening.

CHILD PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE

• All children should have the following basic immunisations, starting at two months old. You will receive invitations to attend our child clinics