The South Wight Medical Practice

SERVICES AVAILABLE

The practice offers the following services to its patients:

These services are available at specific times. Please ask the receptionist for more information.
Three-year reviews for those who attend very infrequently, and annual reviews for those over 75 years are also available on request.

HEALTH ADVICE

We encourage all our patients to share the responsibility for their health, both in preventing disease and in treating existing diseases. Here are some of the ways in which we can help:

Smoking

This is the single largest preventable cause of ill health in this country. It is a major cause of cancer, heart attacks, angina and chest disease, it adversely affects pregnancies and young children who live with smokers, and aggravates numerous other problems. If you would like advice and help in giving up, please make an appointment with one of our specialist trained nurses who can offer support and nicotine replacement therapy to help you stop smoking.

Diet

A healthy diet not only helps control weight but also reduces cholesterol and helps prevent heart attacks. Ask the nurse for advice.

Exercise

Regular exercise helps prevent heart disease as well as reducing weight and making you feel better. If you are overweight or out of shape, please ask for advice before starting vigorous exercise, or talk to the practice nurse about attending a Look After Your Heart course.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can in the long term increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Reducing blood pressure can in turn reduce these risks. Treatment does not always require tablets. All adults are advised to have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you have not had yours checked recently, please ask the nurse or doctor.

Cervical Smears

The doctors recommend that all women between the ages of 25 and 50 have a cervical smear every three years, and women over 50 every five years in order to detect unhealthy changes in the neck of the womb. A routine letter explaining the options will be sent to you when you are due for a smear.

Pre-conceptual Advice

Patients who are considering pregnancy may consult the practice nurse for pre-conceptual advice. This consists of a review of lifestyle, assessment of any genetically inherited conditions, rubella status, and cervical smear.

Flu Vaccination

We recommend that anyone with heart or chest trouble or diabetes and everyone over the age of 65, especially if living alone, should have a vaccination to help prevent influenza every autumn. Watch for our posters in the surgery waiting rooms.

Tetanus Vaccination

It is recommended that, in a lifetime, everyone should have received a primary course of three injections against tetanus, followed up by two boosters at 10 yearly intervals. Adults up to the age of about 30-35 years will probably have received their five doses through routine childhood immunisation, but please ask the nurse or receptionist to check your records to make sure.

Travel Abroad

Our practice nurses are available to offer medical advice regarding travel and vaccinations where appropriate. Do plan ahead - don't leave your vaccinations until the last minute. Give details of your proposed journeys to a receptionist about six to eight weeks before you travel and the nurses will produce a personalised vaccination schedule for you. Please note: Yellow Fever immunisation has to be done at a designated centre.

General health advice is also available from NHS Direct - Tel: 0845 4647 - and online at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk