Treatment Room

The treatment room is open Monday - Friday both mornings and afternoons and is staffed by the community nursing team. An appointment system is in operation. To make an appointment please ring 01282 668080.

Please note that ears are no longer syringed routinely. Further details are available in the self-help section of this website.

Chriopodist /Podiatrist

Available at the health centre but you must fit certain criteria to be seen and you will need a referral which your doctor or nurse can arrange if appropriate.

Childhood Immunisations

The practice offers the current recommended immunisations and child health checks for children up to the age of five years. These are given either at the baby clinic or by the practice nurse. Immunisations for older children are usually given at school.

Minor Surgery

The practice offers a minor surgery service including removal of small skin lumps, freezing warts, joint injections etc.Patients should make an appointment in the usual way and, following their initial consultation, will be invited to have the minor operation performed. We also offer this service for patients from other practices following a referral from that patients own GP.

Near Patient Testing

The practice offers a service for patients who are taking certain drugs which require regular monitoring, where the monitoring is not being provided by the hospital. Your doctor or consultant will inform you if your medication warrants this monitoring.

We no longer take blood for Warfarin / anticoagulant monitoring. This service is now arranged by the PCT at the Pharmacy at Burnley General Hospital, their telephone number is 01282 804343, although there are clinics held locally.

Contraceptive Services

The practice offers a wide range of contraceptive services and the doctors will be happy to discuss these on an individual patient basis.

Patients requiring an IUCD (coil) should request an appointment with Dr Barsby. We also offer coil fitting for patients from other practices following a referral from that patients own GP. Emergency contraception can be obtained on prescription; patients should make an appointment with the doctor. Alternatively, emergency contraception is now available to buy over the counter from certain pharmacies.

Influenza And Pneumonia Vaccine

In accordance with Department of Health guidelines, the practice recommends and offers the influenza vaccine annually and a one-off pneumonia vaccine for patients aged over 65, those with diabetes, chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease, those who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person and residents of nursing and residential homes. Please speak to reception staff for further details as recommendations change regularly.

Smoking Cessation

Referral to this service can be arranged. Although you can self refer by telephoning 01254 380424 further details can be found on the PCT website at www.eastlancspct.nhs.uk. Please ask if you have difficulty in accessing the service.

Practice Nurses

We have two practice nurses who are trained to provide the following services:

Care of patients with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other long term conditions.

Patients with chronic diseases need to be seen at least annually by the practice nurse - if you think you may be due or overdue a review, please contact us. This is also the case even if you are also being seen by another specialist - if the practice is prescribing medication for you, it is likely that you will still need to be reviewed by the practice too.

Health Care Assistant

We have a health care assistant who is trained to take blood, perform ECGs and check blood pressure, give flu vaccinations and see patients with chronic diseases for their intermediate checks (you will see the practice nurse for your annual check).

Cervical Smears

Current guidance suggests that all women between the ages of 25 and 49 years should have a smear test once every three years. Those aged 50 to 64 should be screened every five years and those aged 65 and over should only be screened if they have not been screened since aged 50 or have had a recent abnormal result. These tests are to detect the early signs of cancer of the cervix which can be successfully treated at this stage. Please note that the test also picks up other ‘non-cancer’ conditions. We have a recall system and women are invited by letter or telephone call to attend when their smear test is due. Results are usually available in four to six weeks.

Diabetic Eye Screening

Previously, diabetic patients were able to see their optician for their annual eye screening. This is no longer possible; diabetic patients now need to be seen by the centralised service, currently at St Peter's although with plans to see patients more locally. You will still need to see your optician if you have any other eye problems.

Non NHS Services

Not all the services that we provide are done so under the NHS and some services may incur a fee. These include medicals for occupational reasons, passport applications, private sick notes and insurance forms. Please ask at reception for details if you think you may incur a fee.

Vaccinations For Travel Or Occupation

Not all vaccinations can be given free of charge under the NHS. For some vaccinations, there may be an administration charge, you may have to pay a prescription charge or you may have to pay the cost of the vaccination. The practice nurse will give you details at the time of your appointment. Please give the receptionist at the time of making your appointment as much information as possible about why you need a vaccination.

If you are planning a trip abroad and think you may need vaccinations, you should contact use at least eight weeks before your date of travel. You should see a pharmacist about anti-malaria treatment if appropriate. Some vaccinations may need more than one dose. The Fit for Travel website has plenty of useful information at: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk including advice on sun exposure, animal bites, children travelling, travellers diarrhoea as well as vaccinations needed for every country in the world. It is also advisable to look into obtaining a 'European Health Insurance Card' which can be done online at www.ehic.org.uk

Dental Problems

It is not appropriate for patients with acute dental infections to be treated by a GP with antibiotics as this can often lead to further more severe problems. If you think you have a dental problem, you should make an appointment to see your dentist. If you are not registered with a dentist you should ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Same day appointments can be arranged for urgent cases. Dental abscesses or decay need treatment by a dentist as does toothache. Whilst you are waiting for treatment for toothache, you could take over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and you should avoid hot or cold foods which will probably make the pain worse. Temporary relief may be obtained from biting on a cotton ball soaked in oil of cloves.

To avoid dental problems, you are advised to limit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume, brush your teeth, gums and tongue twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, change your toothbrush every three months, use a mouthwash that kills bacteria, clean between your teeth using dental floss, not smoke (ask if you need help in giving up) and visit your dentist regularly.