All patients registered for GP online services (online appointment booking and prescription ordering) and eligible to receive a free NHS flu jab, can book your flu jab online!
Download the myGP app now click MyGP
Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.
PLEASE
DO NOT ATTEND FOR YOUR FLU VACCINATION APPOINTMENT If you have a new continuous cough OR high temperature OR loss / change in your normal sense of smell or taste then you should self-isolate as per government advice
STAY AT HOME AND ARRANGE TO TAKE A TEST CLICK BELOW
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/
CHANGES MADE TO OUR CLINICS TO KEEP OUR PATIENTS AND STAFF SAFE
- In order to adhere to social distancing guidelines
- There will be no car parking facilities at the surgery LIMITED SPACE AT LIBRARY
- Arrive on foot where possible
- Only those having the vaccination should attend, unless you require a carer to support you
- IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU ARE BRINGING HAS SPECIFIC ACCESS NEEDS THEN PLEASE LET OUR CAR PARK MARSHALL KNOW
- Queuing will take place in our car park in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines
- Please prepare for inclement weather however loose fitting clothing should be worn for easier access to your arm for vaccination
- A face covering must be worn when entering the surgery, unless you are exempt in accordance with the government guidelines
- Vaccinations will take place at open vaccination stations within the waiting room
- You will be guided out of the building via the rear of the surgery using our one way system
Who is eligible to have the flu vaccine?
The full NHS eligibility criteria for this year's flu campaign can be found here.
If you are a carer, or live with or have regular contact with someone who has a weakened immune system or a long-term condition, please read on here.
Housebound and can’t get to the surgery to get your flu jab during the flu vaccination season?
If you are housebound and receive visits from the District Nursing team then they will be administering your flu vaccination this year if you are
Contact us on 01772 214500 please be patient as our telephone lines continue to be very busy as we are working with skeleton staff during COVID19
Patients or carers are welcome to book an appointment for someone who is genuinely housebound who we may not be aware of, e.g. they may have just come out of hospital and are temporarily unable to leave their home.
Please note, housebound does not mean that someone does not have transport or access to transport.
A housebound patient is someone who is bed or chair bound, either temporarily, or permanently.
Why have your vaccination at YOUR GP Surgery and not elsewhere?
We offer a setting where we can check your medical records and make sure you get the most suitable vaccine
We offer a safe, fast, efficient and friendly flu clinic service with your local surgery team
We have already ordered a flu vaccination for all eligible patients registered with us for the 2020 flu vaccination season.
We have to do this in advance and assure NHS England we have enough vaccines for everyone.
We have to buy the vaccines for you and we can only return limited numbers that go unused, and the rest have to be paid for by the surgery.
So please book your appointment during flu vaccination season to receive your vaccination at Longton Health Centre, we have bought your vaccine and want to protect you!
FLU VACCINATIONS
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE
CHILDREN'S FLU VACCINE
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE
If your records show that you may be due a
Pneumococcal vaccination or Shingles vaccination then this may be done at the same appointment during flu vaccination season or you can book this sooner if you prefer
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK HERE
CARERS - information regarding flu vaccinations click here
Longton Health Centre are proud to support the @lancsquitsquad #SmokeFreeLancashire campaign and promise to keep our workplace smoke free Make your #SmokeFreePromise at www.smokefreelancashire.co.uk #BeeSmokefree
CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATIONS
Guidance to keep you safe when attending your vaccination appointment
While coronavirus has put limitations on all our lives, it is important that you or your baby or child still have routine vaccinations. They protect against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community. We recommend that you [attend/book in for] your next scheduled appointment – see www.nhs.uk/vaccinations for details on when they are due.
Travelling to and from your appointment
When travelling to and from your appointment, please follow guidelines which include travelling by car, bike or on foot if possible, keeping a safe distance from others and washing your hands regularly. For more details, go to www.gov.uk and search ‘staying safe outside your home’.
When attending your appointment
When attending your appointment, we will be putting in place a range of measures to minimise any risk of COVID-19:
• social distancing measures will be observed;
• we may have asked you to attend your appointment at a clinic that is not at your usual venue;
• the appointment may take longer than usual.
Due to the ongoing response to COVID-19, our service may have a reduced number of appointment slots available. If you choose not to attend your appointment, please contact your GP practice. It is always helpful for us to know why so we can help you with any concerns you might have. If you still don’t wish to attend the appointment, it can be offered to someone else.
You must NOT attend an appointment if you or any member of your household are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or are self-isolating. If this applies to you, please contact your GP practice so that you can reschedule your appointment for a different time.
If you are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable and have been shielding, please contact your GP practice for the latest advice on what to do.
DUE TO CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH VISITOR LED WELL BABY CLINICS WILL NEED TO BE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
WE APOLOGISE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THIS CREATES.
IF YOU NEED ANY ADVICE OR WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO A HEALTH VISITOR
PLEASE RING THE SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS NUMBER
0300 247 0040
PLEASE CONTINUE TO BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO THEIR ROUTINE VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS
Test Results
You can now access your test results when signed up for GP online services
When you take your test you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice.
It is your responsibility to check back for your results and to make the necessary follow up arrangements to discuss them with your doctor if you are advised to do so
If you need to telephone the surgery for the results of a test, please do so after 2.00pm on 01772 214500 selecting Option 2
Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior consent for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.
If you have already given us your mobile number we may contact you regarding your results by way of text message with further health related information including links to sources of patient health information leaflets
Blood Test Clinics
URGENT NOTICE
Due to COVID-19, there are some changes to how we deliver your phlebotomy service, all Blood Tests are now by appointment only.
Please telephone your local clinic to book an appointment to complete your blood test, as listed below.
REMEMBER Don’t forget to fast if this type of test which is required or the blood test cannot be performed, and please remember to take your blood form with you if you have been given one
NB: Usually Closed Bank Holiday however during CORONAVIRUS PLEASE CHECK ARRANGEMENTS
SERVICE SUSPENDING DURING CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Non-NHS Medical Examinations
The doctors carry out medical examinations e.g. for driving licence, medical reports, sports etc. Please note there may be a charge for this service. Please ask at reception for further information regarding fees and time allocation for these examinations or completion of medical reports.
SERVICE SUSPENDED DURING CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
LONGTON HEALTH CENTRE PROVIDES FREE NHS TRAVEL VACCINATIONS.
IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING TO A COUNTRY THAT REQUIRES NON NHS VACCINE YOU WILL BE ASKED TO ATTEND A PRIVATE TRAVEL CLINIC AS WELL
PLEASE NOTE THAT NON NHS VACCINES ARE CHARGEABLE AND CAN BE EXPENSIVE - PLEASE REMEMBER TO ADD THESE TO THE COST OF YOUR TRAVEL PLANS
PLEASE BOOK YOUR TELEPHONE APPOINTMENT UPTO 6 WEEKS IN ADVANCE WITH OUR TRAVEL NURSE, IN ORDER THAT COURSES OF VACCINATION CAN BE COMPLETED
PLEASE NOTE - IF SURGERY APPOINTMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR REQUESTED TIMEFRAME YOU WILL NEED TO ATTEND A PRIVATE TRAVEL CLINIC INSTEAD AND ALL VACCINES ADMINISTERED WILL BE CHARGEABLE AT A COST TO YOURSELF
IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WE MAY NEED TO CANCEL THE TRAVEL CLINIC AND THEREFORE WE WOULD LOOK TO REBOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT. HOWEVER IF THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE IN THE TIMEFRAME BEFORE YOUR HOLIDAY STARTED WE WOULD HAVE TO DIRECT YOU TO A PRIVATE TRAVEL CLINIC
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you will need to make a TELEPHONE assessment appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and certain areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.
There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below
It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Travelling in EuropeIf you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.
On behalf of the Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust the DESMOND Team deliver the DESMOND Type 2 Diabetes Structured Education course in our area.
They currently receive many referrals from our surgery and we already encourage patients to attend this free service.
Our patients can contact DESMOND directly and self-refer.
Enquire further about DESMOND by speaking to the DESMOND Team or click on the link below for more information;
It is an NHS DESMOND: Getting to Grips with Type 2 Diabetes, available in 5 languages.
Meet DESMOND patient leafletDESMOND poster More about DESMOND
MY DIABETIC REVIEW
Due to COVID-19, we have made some changes to your diabetic reviews.
The first step in the process is to book an appointment for your Diabetic Bloods and General Health Check. This appointment will last up to 20 minutes and will be with one of our GP Assistants. (GPA)
The appointment is called Diabetic Bloods And Obs
This will be followed up with a telephone call from one of our diabetic GP's.
You can do this online by downloading our app
All people with diabetes should undergo a diabetes care review at least once annually. Your diabetic review will allow your doctors to monitor your health.
They will also use your annual review to assess aspects such as your long term blood glucose control, cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Some people, such as those newly diagnosed children, or those with complications present may have a diabetic review more often than annually.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING/PREPARE
If you are booking your appointment online, the appointment you need to book is called;
Health Monitoring Annual Review
You will be asked to wear a face covering when you enter the building.
If you monitor your Blood Pressure at home, please bring a record of the last 7 days' readings
Click here for BP Diary Monitor Sheet
A urine sample will need to be brought to the appointment.
If you have not been provided with a specimen pot, they are available at reception.
AT YOUR FIRST DIABETIC CHECK APPOINTMENT
At your diabetic bloods and obs appointment the GPA will:
Take your height and weight (to check if you are under or overweight)
Take your blood pressure
Take a Blood Sample
WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THE GP ON YOUR REVIEW CALL
During your Telephone review with the GP will:
Review your blood glucose control
Review your HbA1c and cholesterol levels
Discuss any issues you have with your diabetes or health in general
Advise any change in regimen, lifestyle or medication – including any side effects
Your annual diabetes review is a great opportunity to ask about different aspects of your diabetes regime and control. You may also be asked whether you are suffering from depression or sexual dysfunction, as these tend to be more common in people with diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes will also have the chance to ask about medications and people with type 1 have the chance to discuss going onto a different regimen, such as insulin pump therapy.
You can also discuss the possibility of taking an education course such as;
DESMOND
X-PERT
DAFNE
Be sure to ask your doctor if anything they have said is unclear.
Diabetic Eye Screening
You will be invited for Diabetic Eye Screening see below link for template letters;
Diabetic eye screening: invitation and result letter templates
MY HEALTHWISE REVIEW
Patients are invited in to attend for a review annually, usually around their birth month.
This review is for the benefit of patients with existing heart conditions and for those who may, because of previous medical history, be at risk in the future. We therefore recommend you take full advantage of this important yearly screening opportunity.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING/PREPARE
The first step in the process is to attend for a Health Monitoring Annual Review. This is a 20 minute appointment with one of our GP Assistants (GPA). At the appointment the GPA will take a non-fasting blood sample as well as check your blood pressure. You may be asked to provide a urine sample, please collect a specimen pot from reception, prior to your appointment
You can book this online by downloading our app
If you monitor your Blood Pressure at home, please bring a record of the last 7 days' readings
Click here for BP Diary Monitor Sheet
Next is a follow up telephone appointment for your test results. This will be arranged by the GPA during your first appointment
This appointment will last for 20 minutes
At your annual health monitoring review the GPA will:
Take your height and weight (to check if you are under or overweight)
Take a blood sample
Take your blood pressure
Test your urine sample
AT MY TELEPHONE REVIEW
Our Surgery pharmacists will;
Discuss any issues you have with your health in general
Advise any change in regimen, lifestyle or medication – including any side effects
If you are under the hospital for your check or recently seen a GP regarding your condition please inform the practice in order that we can amend your records.
MY HYPERTENSION REVIEW
This review is for the benefit of patients with high blood pressure.
We therefore recommend you take full advantage of this important yearly screening opportunity.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING/PREPARE
The first step in the process is to make an appointment with one of our GP Assistants (GPA)
for a Health Monitoring Annual Review
The appointments can be booked online by downloading our app
If you monitor your Blood Pressure at home, please bring a record of the last 7 days' readings
Click here for BP Diary Monitor Sheet
The appointment will last up to 20 minutes
AT YOUR ANNUAL HYPERTENSION REVIEW
At your annual Hypertension review the GPA will:
Take a blood sample
Take your height and weight (to check if you are under or overweight)
Take your blood pressure
Discuss positive lifestyle changes
AFTER YOUR HYPERTENSION REVIEW
After your annual Hypertension review, our surgery pharmacist will:
Review your results and contact you if any there are any changes to your medications
MY COPD REVIEW
** Due to COVID-19, we are conducting these reviews either by Telephone or Video Consultation **
All patients with COPD should be seen by the Practice Nurse for an annual review. This includes spirometry testing. It is very important that you have regular reviews to check your medication and compliance.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING/PREPARE
On the day of the test you must be well and not have had any oral steroids or antibiotics or a cold in the past 4 weeks.
Please take your regular inhaler treatment on the day of the test including your blue inhaler.
On the day of your appointment please bring all your current medication with you.
The appointments can be booked either online by downloading our app
or by calling the surgery on 01772 214500
AT YOUR ANNUAL COPD REVIEW
The COPD appointment takes approximately 30 minutes
At your COPD Review the practice Nurse will;
Check your symptom control
Review inhaler technique
Check your lung function with a breathing test called a Spirometry
Check oxygen saturation if required
Check that you are up to date with your vaccinations
Take your blood pressure
Discuss positive lifestyle changes
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic = it’s a long-term condition and does not go away
Obstructive = your airways are narrowed, so it’s harder to breathe out quickly and air gets trapped in your chest
Pulmonary = it affects your lungs
Disease = it’s a medical condition
Two of these lung conditions are long-term (or chronic) bronchitis and emphysema, which can often occur together.
Bronchitis means the airways are inflamed and narrowed. People with bronchitis often produce sputum, or phlegm.
Emphysema affects the tiny air sacs at the end of the airways in your lungs, where oxygen is taken up into your bloodstream. They break down and the lungs become baggy and full of bigger holes which trap air.
These conditions narrow the airways. This makes it harder to move air in and out as you breathe, and your lungs are less able to take in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide.
The airways are lined by muscle and elastic tissue. In a healthy lung, the springy tissue between the airways acts as packing and pulls on the airways to keep them open.
With COPD, the airways are narrowed because:
the lung tissue is damaged so there is less pull on the airways
mucus blocks part of the airway
the airway lining becomes inflamed and swollen
MY NHS HEALTHCHECK
The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you're at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as:
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Kidney Disease
Stroke
WHAT WILL I NEED TO BRING/PREPARE
The first step in the process is to attend for a NON-FASTING BLOOD TEST.
You can book this either online by downloading our app
or by calling the surgery on 01772 214500
Next is a follow up appointment for your test results in the NHS Health Check. This appointment will be with one of our GP Assistants (GPA) and should be made at least a week after your blood test. This is to ensure that your blood test results are back for your review appointment.
AT YOUR NHS HEALTH CHECK REVIEW
The review appointment will last for up to 20 minutes
At your appointment the GPA will;
Ask you some questions about your lifestyle and family history
Measure your height and weight
Take your blood pressure
Your blood test results can show your chances of getting heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.
If you're over 65, you will also be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.
You will then receive personalised advice to improve your risk. This could include talking about:
how to improve your diet and the amount of physical activity you do
taking medicines to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol
how to lose weight or stop smoking
You will have your individual cardiovascular risk (risk of getting conditions related to the heart or circulation) calculated and explained to you.
MY ASTHMA REVIEW
Due to COVID-19, we are currently conducting your Asthma review either by Telephone or Video Consultation**
Please complete your asthma control test before your appointment by following the link below.
https://www.asthmacontroltest.com/en-gb/welcome/
Please have your responses to these questions available during your appointment
Why have an Asthma review?
All patients who have a diagnosis of Asthma are invited to an annual Asthma review with a clinician. Asthma guidelines recommend this as an important way to stay on top of your asthma symptoms.
It is very important that you have regular asthma review, as this can help you keep free of asthma symptoms and cut your risk of an asthma attack.
What to expect during your asthma review
The clinician will discuss your current asthma control and any symptoms which you may be experiencing. They will also review your inhaler technique, peak flow levels and also make sure you are prescribed the most appropriate medication.
The clinician will also provide you with your Asthma Management Plan which details what medicines you take each day to control your asthma, how to spot if your asthma is getting worse, and what to do if you think you are having an asthma attack.
How to prepare for your asthma review
Before your asthma review appointment please:-
· Complete the Asthma Control Test, this is a really useful questionnaire to help measure your asthma control over the last 4 weeks.
· Keep a note of any asthma symptoms which you may be experiencing
· If you have a Peak Flow meter please measure your peak flow. You can keep a diary for 7 days before the appointment, which can be discussed at your review. If you do not have a peak flow meter and wish to monitor at home, please contact the surgery and they can provide a prescription for one.
· Have your inhalers to hand so you can discuss these with the clinician
Further advice about Asthma
During your review the clinician can provide links to Asthma websites which contain useful information about Asthma and its management.
However if you wish to have further information about asthma, please look at the links below for advice and videos about how to use your inhaler correctly and also peak flow monitoring.
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/
https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/manage-your-asthma/peak-flow/
Asthma Review appointments are available to book either online bu downloading our app
https://www.mygp.com/ or by ringing the surgery on:- 01772 214500
VERY IMPORTANT
If your asthma symptoms are deteriorating - follow your asthma management plan and make an urgent on the day appointment at the Practice- DO NOT WAIT until your routine Asthma review appointment
What is cervical screening?
Cervical screening is a free health test available on the NHS as part of the national cervical screening programme. It helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes. It is not a test for cancer.
If you have symptoms, contact the surgery about having an examination. Cervical screening is not for people who have symptoms.
Who is invited for cervical screening?
You should be invited for cervical screening if you have a cervix. Women are usually born with a cervix. Trans men, non-binary and intersex people may also have one.
In the UK, you are automatically invited for cervical screening if you are:
between the ages of 25 to 64
registered as female with a GP surgery.
You may get your first invite up to 6 months before you turn 25.
You can book an appointment as soon as you get the invite either online by downloading our app
or by
calling the Surgery on
01772 214500
How often will I be invited for cervical screening?
Your cervical screening result will help decide when you are next invited for cervical screening.
You may be invited:
every year
every 3 years
every 5 years
Straight to colposcopy for more tests.
What will I need to bring/prepare for the test
Do not book a cervical screening appointment if you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms. You can book an appointment for after you have self-isolated for 7 or 14 days. If you start having coronavirus symptoms after booking, you should cancel your appointment if it falls within the 7 or 14 day self-isolation.
Please bring along a face mask or face covering to your appointment.
It is best not to book a cervical screening when you have your period because it can make it harder to get a result.
You should try not to use spermicide or oil-based lubricant (lube) for 24 hours before the test, as they can affect the results.
At your Cervical Screening Cytology Test
At your cervical screening (smear test) appointment, a nurse takes a sample of cells from your cervix using a small, soft brush. The test only takes a few minutes. If you feel worried about going for cervical screening, you are not alone.It may help to know as much as possible about what going for cervical screening is like. You could ask someone you trust about their experience, or speak with our nurse or doctor for more support.
For further information around Cervical Screening, please visit the Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust website on the link below