Clinics & Services
Baby Assessments & Vaccinations
One of the GPs will carry out all 6 week baby checks and you will be contacted to arrange an appointment. Our Practice Nurses, Gill Slater and Lesley Bunting, give all the baby vaccinations which we try to coincide with the 6 week baby check and the Mum's post natal appointment however this is not always possible. An appointment will be sent to you directly from Child Health and not from our nurses, but please feel free to re-arrange with us if this is inconvenient.
NHS Health Checks (well person checks)
The practice nurse will discuss with you your current lifestyle including your family history and will take your blood pressure and possible blood tests if necessary. She will offer you advice regarding a healthy lifestyle. The consultations take 30 minutes.
Immunisations / Foreign Travel
If you are travelling abroad and think you may need vaccinations for the country you are travelling to, then you will need to make an appointment for a telephone consultation with the Practice Nurse in the first instance. The Nurse will ask you some questions and will determine what vaccinations, if any, are needed, and an appointment will be made for you to attend for the vaccinations to be given.
Travel vaccination appointments are 30 minutes per person and it is important to advise the Surgery if you cannot attend for the appointment. Please ensure you leave enough time before you travel for any vaccines to be given - appointments may not readily be available depending on the time of year!
Maternity Care
The midwives are now based at the Oldhams Childrens Centre in Belmont, and ladies can now self-refer rather than seeing a Doctor first. Once you know that you are pregnant, you can call the midwives on 01204 334992 and they will arrange your future appointments for ante-natal care.
You can still see or speak to the Doctor at any time if you have any concerns or issues, this is just to speed up the booking in process and ensure that ladies are given the earliest opportunity to speak with a midwife.
Family Planning
All family planning methods can be discussed at the surgery with the doctors or nurse practitioner. Any ladies who are wishing to have a removal of the IUD will need to contact the Family Planning Centre at Royal Bolton Hospital on 01204 390771. They can offer appointments both at the hospital and at Lever Chambers. However, you can still discuss any contraception methods with the nurse or the Doctor.
Cervical Smear Tests
The practice nurses carry out the smear tests within the surgery unless a doctor is specifically requested. The practice follows the National policy of carrying out smear tests every three years unless there is a previous history of abnormal smears. Reminder letters that smear tests are due are sent out centrally and not from this practice. Please do not make an appointment for a routine repeat smear test until you have received the letter as the laboratory will not test smears taken before the 3rd anniversary of your last smear (unless there have been previous abnormal smears).
Blood Tests and X-rays
You will need to be referred for a blood test or X-ray by either a doctor or a nurse. They will discuss this with you and provide the required paperwork for the procedure needed. You will need to speak to the Doctor before attending for a blood test so a form can be completed for the type of test needed for your symptoms. Please do not make an appointment with the Nurse if you do not know what tests are needed, or if you want a blood test to check for symptoms not discussed with a clinician.
You must be referred by the doctor for an x-ray, and a signed form must be taken to your appointment. If you do not have the form, or this is not signed by the doctor, then x-ray most likely will not be carried out. Please ensure you have the right information before you attend so there are no problems when you get to your appointment.
Blood tests are carried out at the surgery by our phlebotomists and Practice Nurses. They are usually carried out in the morning so they can be collected at midday and taken straight to the hospital. However, if you are unable to come at these times, please ask at reception who will advise you further. Please note, phlebotomists cannot provide any advice on medical conditions or carry out any other tests other than the ones stated on the blood form. For any other medical issues, please speak to the Practice Nurse or make an appointment with a GP.