Minor surgery procedures

Lumps, bumps, skin tags, cysts and other skin lesions which cause you problems can be surgically removed or frozen (cryotherapy) at the surgery. You will first need to see the doctor to assess the suitability and discuss the procedure. Minor surgery takes place is specially booked sessions in our well-equipped Minor Surgery room, so there is usually a short waiting list. We also carry out procedures for patients from other local surgeries.

Warts and Cryotherapy (Freezing)

Warts and verrucas are caused by viruses. They are very common and can be picked up from the general environment. Most people develop immunity to them eventually and they will go away but they can be troublesome.

We use Liquid Nitrogen spray to deep-freeze these. In combination with a little homework from yourself, this is the most effective method for getting rid of them. When you book an appointment for cryotherapy, tell the receptionist this is what you are coming for so the spray-gun can be filled.

Please read our Wart Leaflet before you come for this treatment; it explains what to expect and the preparations you need to make.

Joint Injections

Injections of steroid solution into or around joints or tendons can help a number of painful musculoskeletal conditions such as trigger fingers, shoulder pains, arthritis of the knee, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. Please read this useful information if you are considering having an injection – it covers everything you will need to know and will ensure you can give fully informed consent for the procedure.

Drs Selwyn, Kataria and Ghani are accredited to give steroid injections (though not all of them perform all the procedures so please check first with a receptionist).

Routine Child Vaccinations

Child immunisations

Full details on the current child vaccination programme – when to have what jabs, what they all are, side effects, how to book etc

Annual Flu vaccinations 2021

The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS for:

• children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2021 – born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2019 (done at GP surgery)
• all primary school children (reception to year 6) (done at school)
• all year 7 to year 11 children in secondary school (done at school)
• children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions (done at GP surgery or school)

If your child is aged between 6 months and 2 years and has a long-term health condition that makes them at higher risk from flu, they’ll be offered a flu vaccine injection instead of the nasal spray (done at GP surgery) . This is because the nasal spray is not licensed for children under 2 years.

The nasal spray vaccine offers the best protection for children aged 2 to 17 years. They will be offered the flu vaccine injection if the nasal spray vaccine is not suitable for them.

Full details of child flu vaccinations on NHS website

Routine Adult Vaccinations

Annual Flu vaccinations 2021

The Flu Vaccination campaign runs each autumn and winter and is calling up patients in ‘at risk groups’ and all patients aged 50yr and over by SMS. If you receive the SMS message you will need to reply that you are coming or we’ll rebook you. Those not using SMS will be phoned.

Our first big clinic this year will be October 7th (delayed due to supplier’s transport problems).

We shall arrange suitable physical distancing and all precautions and ask you to bring a face covering and follow instructions to ensure a rapid and safe service. We shall not be able to do anything else at this visit (so please don’t ask for test results or anything!).

Having flu vaccine for those in the risk groups has never been more important due to Covid 19. Having flu and Covid together could be very serious and going down with one infection makes you more susceptible. We also need to avoid a big rise in flu at a time when the services are going to be stretched dealing with Covid.

Will you qualify for a free flu jab?

• All pregnant women
• 50yr or over (by 31st March)
• All children aged 2-10yr on 31 Aug 2021
• Any age ‘at risk’ groups:

Diabetes

• Chronic lung disease
• Chronic heart disease 
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic neurological disease such as Parkinson’s, Motor Neurone Disease,  or Multiple Sclerosis
• Weakened immune system  eg steroids, cancer, HIV/AIDs, no spleen , Sickle Cell Disease
• Close contacts of immunocompromised people
• Severe obesity  (BMI =/>40 or 35 with obesity related health problem)
• Learning disability
• People in long-stay residential care homes
• Carers or close contacts of frail people in the above categories or receiving carer’s allowance
• Health and social care workers employed by a registered care/nursing home, registered care provider or a voluntary managed hospice provider (at registered practice)
• Locum GPs (at registered practice) frontline health and care staff (by employer)

Who should not have the flu jab?

Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past (this is not simply a red swelling at the vaccine site or feeling ‘fluey’ for a day or two – it means you were unwell with an anaphylactic or widespread allergic response)

You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have a severe egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs. Ask a GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine.

If you’re ill with a high temperature, it’s best to wait until you’re better before having the flu vaccine.

The flu vaccination: who should have it and why – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Further details on flu vaccination from NHS website

Travel vaccines and advice

We administer the full range of travel vaccinations and advice. We are an authorised Yellow Fever centre.

For travel vaccinations or advice:

• Please complete the Travel Vaccination Questionnaire on PATCHS.
• You will be contacted for your appointment once the Practice Nurse has checked your requirements.

For current vaccination recommendations and comprehensive travel advice check the excellent free NHS site Fit for Travel

Aim for an appointment to see the Practice Nurse at least 6 weeks before travelling if you can. This gives a chance to have all the vaccines you need. If you are travelling at short notice, we can administer an accelerated programme though this is not so satisfactory.

• When booking your appointment, tell the receptionist you are coming for travel jabs or book online in the correct slot.
• People working abroad, especially aid workers, may require extra immunisations.
• If you originally come from the country you are visiting, it is likely your immunity will have worn off so it is important to be vaccinated.

Which jabs are free?

• Diphtheria/Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis : are all available free of charge.
• Yellow Fever, Meningitis A&C or ACWY, Hepatitis B and Rabies are chargeable (see fees for private services). Certificates are included.
• Japanese B Encephalitis vaccine is only available privately from Masta.

How long do they last?

• Dip/Tet and Polio may require a booster every 10 years for travellers to certain areas.
• Heptatitis A requires a booster vaccine 6-12 months after the first, then lasts 25 years.
• Hepatitis B is an initial course of 3 injections and health workers will need a booster after 5 years. a blood test indicates protection level
• Typhoid lasts 3 years.
• Yellow fever lasts a lifetime.

Don’t forget to take malaria tablets – these are not available on the NHS and need to be bought from a pharmacy. Some require a private prescription, some not: there is a fee for any necessary private prescription.

The Nurse will tell you which combination you’ll need – there may be seasonal changes. Though vitally important, the tablets do not offer complete protection so also take mosquito protection measures (mosquito netting, repellents, long sleeves, sprays and vapouriser, all of which help to some extent). All children will require protection and reduced dose vaccines and malaria prevention are available.

Taking medication with you on holiday

It is the your responsibility to establish the rules for your destination, airline and any country they are travelling through. These may all be different and can be surprising!

Please remember to check both prescribed AND over-the-counter medications. (In some areas, common over-the-counter medications such as nasal decongestant inhalers (eg VICKS) and cough linctus are banned.)

You should check well in advance:

• Local regulations (e.g. in Turkey, China and Singapore) may require you to get a licence for carriage of ANY personal medication.
• They may need you to get a signed doctor’s letter and to get this translated by an authorised body for any medication to be carried.

Controlled drugs:
Even travelling within Europe may require some care if you are using controlled drugs:

• Government advice is that a patient MUST be able to prove controlled medication belongs to them to travel into or out of the UK.
• This requires a letter outlining use and countersigned by ‘the person who prescribed the drugs’.
• If carrying more than 3 months’ supply, you will also need a Home Office licence.

Essential advice on travelling with controlled drugs.

If you require a letter for travel, this is not an NHS service and is chargeable (see current fees).
Please request this from reception. You must provide the following information:

• The name of the patient/s travelling and passport number/s (each person will require a separate letter).
• Travel plans – dates of travel to each destination, including flight details and the return date to the UK.
• The prescribed medication required (the names of the prescribed drugs, the dose and total quantity needed for the duration of your travel.
• Whether the medication will be required DURING the flight.

Requests for extra supplies of regular medication

We are allowed to supply NHS medication for a maximum of 3 months’ travel, so if going for longer, you will need to ensure a source of medication whilst away, so please let us know in good time. The NHS entitles you to a supply of enough of your regular medication to get to the destination and then you must find an alternative supply of that medication abroad. GPs are not responsible for the prescribing of ‘just in case’ items for conditions which may arise while abroad or traveling.