Not all services in General Practice are available under the NHS. Where patients request non-NHS items or services, a private fee may be payable in accordance with British Medical Association (BMA) guidance and in line with charges applied by other local General Practices. Fees and charges for these services are shown below and are payable in advance. Any questions in regards to these services, you can contact us on 020 8578 1244.
Private Services List and Fees
Updated October 2023 – 1st June 2017 – This list is not exhaustive, if your request does not fall into any of these categories please speak to us.
Medical/Employers examination and report
£125
Sickness/Insurance medical examination, no report
£80
Medical report with no exam
£90
Holiday/Health insurance forms
£40
To Whom It May Concern letter (including for Gym, health cub etc.)
£40
Amendments to letters/reports already completed
£25
These prices are a guideline; please speak to our patient advisors for further information if needed
Copies of Letters or results
As you are able to view most of your record online, and most hospital letters are copied to patients, we do not normally provide copies of letters or results. Check your NHS app or other online service before approaching reception. Your NHS hospital consultant can view all your pathology results on their system so there is no need to provide them with copies.
How to request
All requests must be in writing, self-explanatory and signed by the patient requesting the information.
All forms must be accompanied by a letter of explanation and signed by the patient requesting the information.
If the patient is under the age of 16, the written request will only be accepted from a parent or guardian.
If you are acting on behalf of a patient aged 16 or over, a signed letter of consent must be given by the patient requesting the information.
You will need to contact the surgery to see if your request is ready. Please allow at least 15 working days.
Most requests will incur a charge. See price table above.
It is the responsibility of the patient to collect and post any forms that are brought in to the surgery for completion, even if there is a pre-paid envelope.
All requests must be handed into reception. Please do not pass your request directly to the GP as this will only cause a delay.
Reports can only include factual information.
Passports
We no longer sign any passport forms or photos at this practice.
Further Information on Non-NHS Work
What is non-NHS work and why is there a fee?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951 and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged.
Sometimes the charge is because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example, providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies, solicitors or employers.
The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients but not non-NHS work. It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc. – in the same way as any small business.
In recent years, however, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their own NHS patients are:
accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes
school fee and holiday insurance certificates
reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
private prescriptions for travel purposes
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
Reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with
Disability living allowance and attendance allowance
Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering
Copies of records for solicitors
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
With certain limited exceptions, for example a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients. Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.
Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?
The British Medical Association (BMA) suggest fees that GPs may charge their patients for non-NHS work (i.e. work not covered under their contract with the NHS) in order to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees suggested by them are intended for guidance only; they are not recommendations and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates they suggest.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of our patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of our time. Our GPs can only do non-NHS work at times that mean that NHS patient care does not suffer.
I only need the doctor’s signature – what is the problem?
When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s ENTIRE medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical Council (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the Police.
If you are a new patient we may not have your medical records so the doctor must wait for these before completing the form.
What will I be charged?
It is recommended that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and what the fee will be. It is up to individual doctors to decide how much they will charge. The surgery has a list of fees based on these suggested fees which is available above.
What can I do to help?
Complete all your parts before handing it in to use. Read the information that comes with the forms carefully before requesting your GP to complete them.
If you have several forms requiring completion, present them all at once and ask your GP if he or she is prepared to complete them at the same time to speed up the process.
Do not expect your GP to process forms overnight: urgent requests may mean that a doctor has to make special arrangements to process the form quickly, and this may cost more. Usually non-NHS work will take 15 working days.
Doctor’s Letters
You may require a doctor’s letter for various reasons e.g. fitness to travel or confirmation of medical conditions. Please contact reception to make your request which will be dealt with in the most appropriate way. There will be a fee for these letters as stated in the table above.
We do not provide letters to support housing applications. This is on advice from Ealing Council and you can read this by clicking the link below:
If you are pregnant and require a doctor’s letter as proof of ‘permission to travel’ please be aware that many airlines require your doctor’s letter to be signed within 48 hours of international travel. We may not be able to provide the letter in such a tight timescale.
Please note that you will not be provided with a doctor’s ‘permission to travel’ letter if you are due in less than 30 days or if your pregnancy is considered high-risk.
Planning a Family
We offer a range of clinics and services here at Eastmead Surgery to support you when planning a family, from preconception advice to postnatal care.
Antenatal Care
Your Pregnancy, Your Choice
When you first learn that you’re pregnant you can either contact your GP, Midwife or self-refer to a maternity unit of your choice. Each maternity unit has a website with details on how to self-refer, advice and further information.
Useful Information, Advice, Resources and Contact Details:
Maternity Booking Service, QCCH, 4th Floor, Hammersmith House, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS – For general enquiries
Community Midwifery Contact Details
West Middlesex University Hospital (WMUH) Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6AF Tel: 020 8321 2581 Fax: 020 8321 6823
The Hillingdon Hospital (THH) Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6AF Tel: 01895 279472 Fax: 01895 279 589
London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Northwick Park Hospital (LNWHT – NPH) Address: Community Midwifery Office, 5th Floor, Maternity Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ Tel: 020 8869 2871 or 020 8235 4252 Fax: 020 8869 5153
Imperial College Healthcare Trust (ICHT) – Queen Charlotte’s Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS Tel: 020 3313 5185
Imperial College Healthcare Trust (ICHT) – St Mary’s Hospital Address: Community Midwifery Office, Maternity Unit, St. Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY Tel: 02033126605 (Antenatal) or 02033121158 (Post-natal)
Family Planning
Our family planning clinics offer free, confidential advice and information about contraception and sexual health.
We provide a range of services including:
Confidential advice about contraception
The combined oral contraceptive pill
The Progestogen-only pill
Progestogen injections
Limited supplies of free condoms
Free emergency contraception
Confidential advice about STIs
Cervical screening
Unplanned pregnancy advice
Free pregnancy tests
Pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information
Fitting and checking of caps, diaphragms, and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs)
Please book an appointment (through reception or via our online services) with your GP to discuss any of the above in more detail.
If you’ve forgotten to take your pill, your condom split or you’ve had unprotected sex and you don’t wish to be pregnant we would advise emergency contraception. The sooner you take it the better; ideally within 3 days of unprotected sex but sometimes up to 5 days after ovulation.
Emergency contraception is available free even if you’re under 16 from
If you’ve had unprotected sex or your condom failed, it is also really important to consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs.
Emergency contraception is available as a tablet or a ‘coil’ (Intrauterine Device – IUD). The IUD is more effective. The healthcare professional you see will be able to advise you, depending on your preference, risk or pregnancy, medical conditions, medication and when your last period was.
More information about your choices is available from:
Some newborn babies are released from hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks in the surgery. Please make an appointment online, or contact reception on 020 8578 1244.
In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.
Postnatal Care
Postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby’s recovery is monitored. This is in the form of a 6-8 week baby check and a 6 week postnatal check for the mum. Please make appointments to see the Doctor for these. Once completed, you can book appointments with the nurse for your baby’s vaccinations. Please read our childhood immunisations page for more information.
During your postnatal care you will find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.
If you are planning to have a baby or you need to know more information about how to look after yourself and your unborn baby, please book an appointment with your GP.
We can provide you with all the information you need to know to have a happy and healthy pregnancy.
We offer a range of clinics and services here at Eastmead Surgery to support you when planning a family, from preconception advice to postnatal care.
Antenatal Care
Your Pregnancy, Your Choice
When you first learn that you’re pregnant you can either contact your GP, Midwife or self-refer to a maternity unit of your choice. Each maternity unit has a website with details on how to self-refer, advice and further information.
Useful Information, Advice, Resources and Contact Details:
Maternity Booking Service, QCCH, 4th Floor, Hammersmith House, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS – For general enquiries
Community Midwifery Contact Details
West Middlesex University Hospital (WMUH) Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6AF Tel: 020 8321 2581 Fax: 020 8321 6823
The Hillingdon Hospital (THH) Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6AF Tel: 01895 279472 Fax: 01895 279 589
London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Northwick Park Hospital (LNWHT – NPH) Address: Community Midwifery Office, 5th Floor, Maternity Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ Tel: 020 8869 2871 or 020 8235 4252 Fax: 020 8869 5153
Imperial College Healthcare Trust (ICHT) – Queen Charlotte’s Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS Tel: 020 3313 5185
Imperial College Healthcare Trust (ICHT) – St Mary’s Hospital Address: Community Midwifery Office, Maternity Unit, St. Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY Tel: 02033126605 (Antenatal) or 02033121158 (Post-natal)
Family Planning
Our family planning clinics offer free, confidential advice and information about contraception and sexual health.
We provide a range of services including:
Confidential advice about contraception
The combined oral contraceptive pill
The Progestogen-only pill
Progestogen injections
Limited supplies of free condoms
Free emergency contraception
Confidential advice about STIs
Cervical screening
Unplanned pregnancy advice
Free pregnancy tests
Pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information
Fitting and checking of caps, diaphragms, and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs)
Please book an appointment (through reception or via our online services) with your GP to discuss any of the above in more detail.
If you’ve forgotten to take your pill, your condom split or you’ve had unprotected sex and you don’t wish to be pregnant we would advise emergency contraception. The sooner you take it the better; ideally within 3 days of unprotected sex but sometimes up to 5 days after ovulation.
Emergency contraception is available free even if you’re under 16 from
If you’ve had unprotected sex or your condom failed, it is also really important to consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs.
Emergency contraception is available as a tablet or a ‘coil’ (Intrauterine Device – IUD). The IUD is more effective. The healthcare professional you see will be able to advise you, depending on your preference, risk or pregnancy, medical conditions, medication and when your last period was.
More information about your choices is available from:
Some newborn babies are released from hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks in the surgery. Please make an appointment online, or contact reception on 020 8578 1244.
In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.
Postnatal Care
Postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby’s recovery is monitored. This is in the form of a 6-8 week baby check and a 6 week postnatal check for the mum. Please make appointments to see the Doctor for these. Once completed, you can book appointments with the nurse for your baby’s vaccinations. Please read our childhood immunisations page for more information.
During your postnatal care you will find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.
If you are planning to have a baby or you need to know more information about how to look after yourself and your unborn baby, please book an appointment with your GP.
We can provide you with all the information you need to know to have a happy and healthy pregnancy.
CarePlace is London’s centralised source for care and community services, information and guidance. The directory contains thousands of useful services in London and beyond and gives you direct access to information about care and community services. It also contains a wealth of information and guidance on how to source local services and pay for them. Website: www.careplace.org.uk
CAMHS
CAMHS are the NHS services that assesses and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. CAMHS support covers depression, problems with food, self-harm, abuse, violence or anger, bipolar, schizophrenia and anxiety, to name a few. The Ealing Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is delivered by West London Mental Health NHS Trust. Website: www.westlondoncamhs.nhs.uk
CGL Easy Project
The CGL EASY Project is a support service for young people using drugs and/or alcohol. Our team is made up of experienced drug and alcohol workers who specialise in working with young people. Website: www.changegrowlive.org
Children and Family Directory
The Ealing Council directory will help you access a wide variety of local services, as well as advice to help you and your family make the most out of life in the borough Contact Details For further information and to access the directory please visit the Website: www.ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk
ChildLine
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Whether it’s something big or small, their trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night and you don’t have to give your name if you don’t want to. Free Telephone: 0800 1111 Website: www.childline.org.uk
Connexions
Ealing Council’s Youth and Connexions Service provides services to empower and inspire young people to make positive life choices. Our services are designed for young people in Ealing aged 13-19 years and up to 25 years for those with additional needs. The services provide opportunities for young people to:
Ealing 135 Group are a friendly local network run by and for parents and carers in the Borough of Ealing. They organise fun play sessions, action, song and rhymes classes, family fair days and open houses, nearly new sales and more! Website: www.ealing135.org.uk
Ealing Music Therapy
Ealing Music Therapy provides a music therapy service to children in the Borough of Ealing who have special needs or any kind of difficulty. Website: www.ealingmusictherapy.org
Emergency Duty Team
An emergency out of hours service operates across Children and Families and Adults Services providing a social work service through evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Telephone: 020 8825 8000 or 5000 (after 5pm and before 9.00am Mon-Fri and at weekends/public holidays)
ESCAN
Services for children with disabilities in Ealing are provided by a multi-agency service, ESCAN (Ealing Service for Children with Additional Needs). This is a joint initiative between London Northwest Healthcare Trust and Ealing Council. The service acts as a single point of information, providing improved access to referral, assessment and appropriate help for children and young people with disabilities in the borough.
Who can apply for these services? Access and eligibility for the above services vary. For more information on how to contact the individual services telephone the customer contact centre.
Emergency referrals All referrals must be made to the customer contact centre.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but where there’s no medical reason for this to be done. It’s also known as “female circumcision” or “cutting”, and by other terms such as sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others. FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts. It is illegal in the UK and is child abuse. It’s very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health. Help and support is available if you’ve had FGM or you’re worried that someone may be at risk. Website: www.nhs.uk
PESTS
PESTS (Parents of Ealing Self-Help Training Scheme) is a play and support group for families with children with additional needs. Telephone: 020 8571 9954 Website: http://www.pestscharity.org.uk
SAFE
SAFE can give you information and advice and help you to access the appropriate services and support to help before a manageable problem becomes bigger and more difficult to resolve. The team is made up of psychologists, therapists, counsellors, pupil/ school workers, family workers and other experts. They also have links with other support groups and services in Ealing to ensure you are given support within your community and the area where you live. Website: www.ealing.gov.uk
SEND (Local Offer)
Every Local Authority must publish information about services they expect to be available in their area for children and young people from birth to 25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); and also services outside of the area which they expect children and young people from their area will use. This is referred to as the ‘Local Offer’.
The Local Offer will put all the information about education, health and care services, leisure activities and support groups in one place.
It has two main purposes: • to provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities that are available; • to make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations.
Ealing’s Local Offer includes:
• Early years and childcare provision • Links to SEND provision within all schools • How to request an Education, Health & Care (EHC) Assessment & Plan • Health services • Leisure activities • Social care services, including short breaks • Other educational provision • Training opportunities • Travel for children and young people to places of education • Preparing for adulthood (inc. housing, employment, support)
By registering for the online services you will be able to complete a variety of different tasks online rather than having to come in to the practice:
Book an appointment & access Online consultations
View past and future appointments
Order recent and regular repeat medications
Change your chosen pharmacy
View your health records & Access test results (if you request access to your records)
Airmid app: Use to request your full records, Add your own data & access Video Consultations
These online services are as safe as online banking as long as you keep your passwords secure, and you can access these services 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
How to Register for Online Services
Download two apps onto your phone: NHSApp & Airmid
Use the NHSApp first to create your NHSLogin . You need a UK mobile phone number, email address and Photo ID (Passport, UK/European Driving License or European ID card). It can help to have your NHS number at hand.
Use the same NHSLogin to access the Airmid app, which is linked to our practice’s healthcare IT system (called SystmOne) . The Airmid app has some functionality not currently in the national NHSApp (e.g. video consultations) and vice versa is true too, which is why we recommend you download both Apps. For more guidance on using Airmid, visit https://airmidcares.co.uk/
You will not automatically be able to see your records (e.g. blood test results). For access to your records, please use the Airmid app and follow the additional steps explained in the next section.
How to Request Online Access to your Full Medical Records
If you want full online access to your records, you can request this via the Airmid app. Please select “Organisations” and then click on “Eastmead Surgery”. Next to “Full Clinical Record”, you can click on “Request access” (see video above). We will then receive your request and please allow upto 30 days for us to review your records and process your request. For children, there are restrictions and you need to discuss it further with us.
Both the NHSApp and Airmid app will enhance your digital experience as a patient at this practice.
Already Registered?
If you are already registered to use the online services, please use the NHSApp or Airmid app or visit Airmid / Systm Online.
At a children’s centre, children under the age of five and their families can access information and services to ensure they get the best start in life. Services include:
Early education and childcare
Support and information for parents including, parenting, local childcare options and access to specialist services
Child and family health services
Help into work with links to Jobcentre Plus and training
The council’s community centres are home to educational, social and recreational groups and cater for all ages. Telephone: 020 8825 6066 Website: www.ealing.gov.uk
Supporting a Healthy Lifestyle
We offer a range of clinics and services here at Eastmead Surgery to support and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Alcohol Advice
NHS Advice on drinking recommends that men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day and women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day, “Regularly” means drinking every day or most days of the week.
Chlamydia screening is available from the surgery.
Simply ask at reception for a kit. It is a completely confidential service where you can send a urine sample in the envelope provided and receive the results easily.
Sexual Health
A range of sexual health services are offered at the surgery including:
Contraception and contraception advice
Emergency contraception and emergency contraception advice
Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital warts
Testing and counselling for HIV and AIDS
If you need advice and support with a sexual health matter or you think you have a problem you would like to discuss, please call the surgery to make an appointment with your GP.
Sexual health services are freely available for everyone.
If you’re trying to give up smoking, we can help. Studies show that your chances of success will be greatly improved if you get advice and support from health care professionals to help you stop smoking and if you don’t pay for your prescriptions then giving up is free.
You can refer yourself to the Ealing Smokefree Service for help to: :
Boost your willpower to stop smoking
Concentrate your efforts by getting advice from someone who knows your medical background
Help you feel that you’re not doing it alone
Help you to cope when you are tempted to smoke
Monitor improvements to your health so that you can see the benefits
Go to Ealing Smokefree Service :: West London NHS Trust. You will arrive on the homepage, Click on “Refer yourself to the smokefree support service” and fill out the form. Once submitted you will get al the help you need to stop smoking.
Walking is great for both physical and mental health. Eastmead is proud to promote this with our walking group.
Weight Loss
If you would like to know more about weight and diet advice, we offer a weight management clinic giving you advice on how to lose weight and stay healthy.
A range of options are available to support people with weight loss. To understand which of them may be the best fit for you please arrange an appointment with your GP who will be happy to discuss them with you.
One suitable option may be our Health Trainers who offer 1:1 sessions for people wanting to improve their health and change their behaviour. They can support individuals with healthy eating, weight management and getting physically active.
Many doctors now believe that when it comes to your health, your waist measurement is important.
While knowing your body mass index (BMI) is a good way to decide if you’re overweight, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
BMI is a measure of how healthy your weight is for your height. You can work out what your BMI is by using the NHS Choices BMI healthy weight calculator.
If you have a high BMI, you’re likely to be carrying extra fat. But your health could be at greater risk depending on where you store that fat.
Having a large amount of tummy fat (compared to fat around your bottom or thighs) makes you more likely to develop diabetes and heart problems.
A healthy waist circumference for men is less than 94cm (37 inches), and for women it’s less than 80cm (32 inches).
Losing weight and keeping it off isn’t easy, but it has many benefits. You may only need to make small changes to your lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight.
If you’d like to find out more about how you can lose weight in a healthy way please book an appointment with one of our nurses.
We offer a range of clinics and services here at Eastmead Surgery for all your vaccination needs and advice.
Childhood Immunisations
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.
Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.
Find out which jabs your child needs, when they need them, and what the benefits of each jab are.
Please call the surgery on 020 8578 1244 to make an appointment.
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.
The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.
You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.
We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.
You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:
over 65 years of age
pregnant
or have:
a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
serious kidney disease
diabetes
lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
if you have ever had a stroke
Non-urgent advice:
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.
If you have any queries please contact the surgery.
For more information please visit the websites below:
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination because they are at higher risk of complications. These include:
all children under the age of two
adults aged 65 or over
children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
Babies receive the pneumococcal vaccine as three separate injections, at 2 months, 4 months and 12-13 months.
People over-65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab.
People with a long term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem.
Travel Advice & Vaccinations
In order to assist us to make a full assessment of the potential risks to your health from your planned travel, we would ask that you make a Travel Clinic appointment with our Practice Nurse around the time of booking your holiday, at least 6 weeks before you travel. Before your appointment please download our travel form and return it completed to reception at least one week before your appointment.
It is important we know the answers to the following questions to help you plan for your trip:
When are you departing and for how long?
Where are you going, including the destinations within a country?
Where are you staying, e.g. backpacking, camping, hotels?
Are you planning to undertake any high risk activities?
Have you taken out travel insurance and have you informed the company of any existing medical condition?
If female and of child bearing age, is there any possibility you could be pregnant, or are you planning a pregnancy?
Do you have any medical conditions, or a history of significant medical illness? (these can influence the choice of malaria tablets we recommend)
It would help us greatly if you had some awareness of the travel problems that you may be at risk from on your trip before you come for your appointment.
There may be a charge for your vaccinations as some are not available on the NHS. The practice Nurse will advise you.
We offer a range of clinics and services here at Eastmead Surgery to support women’s health and help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Breast Screening
The National Breast Screening Program was introduced in 1988 as an early detection service for breast cancer. It states that all women who are aged between 50 – 70 years of age will be routinely invited for free breast screening every three years. The program is very successful and currently saves around 1,400 lives per year.
Breast screening aims to find breast cancer at an early stage, often before there are any symptoms. To do this, an x-ray is taken of each breast (mammogram). Early detection may often mean simpler and more successful treatment. When women are invited for their mammogram depends on which GP they are registered with, not when their birthday is.
The screening office runs a rolling program which invites women by area. The requirement is that all women will receive their first invitation before their 53rd birthday, but ideally when they are 50. If you are under 50 and concerned about any aspect of breast care, please contact the surgery to make an appointment with your GP.
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening, or smear test, is a method of detecting abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells in the cervix in order to prevent cervical cancer. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina. Cervical screening is recommended every three years for women aged 25 to 49 and every five years for women aged 50 to 64 or more frequently if smear results indicates abnormal changes.
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer; it is a test to check the health of the cells of the cervix. Most women’s test results show that everything is normal, but for 1 in 20 women the test will show some abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.
Most of these changes will not lead to cervical cancer and the cells may go back to normal on their own. However, in some cases, the abnormal cells need to be treated to prevent them becoming cancerous.
Our nurses are qualified to carry out cervical screening and tests in the form of cervical smears. In order to have a cervical smear the patient must have received a letter requesting that they have a cervical smear and the appointment must please be made for when the patient is not menstruating.
These appointments typically take around 10 minutes. For any further information or to book an appointment, please call the surgery.
If you’ve forgotten to take your pill, your condom split or you’ve had unprotected sex and you don’t wish to be pregnant we would advise emergency contraception. The sooner you take it the better; ideally within 3 days of unprotected sex but sometimes up to 5 days after ovulation.
Emergency contraception is available free even if you’re under 16 from
If you’ve had unprotected sex or your condom failed, it is also really important to consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs.
Emergency contraception is available as a tablet or a ‘coil’ (Intrauterine Device – IUD). The IUD is more effective. The healthcare professional you see will be able to advise you, depending on your preference, risk or pregnancy, medical conditions, medication and when your last period was.
More information about your choices is available from:
Your employer can ask you to confirm that you’ve been ill. You can do this by filling in a form yourself when you return to work. This is called self-certification and applies to the first 7 days of sickness.
Self-certification forms usually include details such as:
information about your sickness or illness
the date your sickness started
the date your sickness ended
Some employers have their own self-certification forms. If your employer doesn’t have their own form, you can use HMRC’s form SC2: Employee’s Statement of Sickness.
Sickness of more than seven days
If you are unwell and unable to work for more than seven days, in a row (including non-working days such as weekends and bank holidays) your employer will normally ask you to provide a Fit note.
Fit notes are usually provided by GPs or Hospital Doctors (for example following an operation or hospital stay).
Additionally, the following healthcare professionals may be able to provide a fitnote if they have completed the necessary training and the reason for the fitnote falls within their scope of expertise:
Registered Nurse
Occupational Therapist
Pharmacist
Physiotherapist
Your GP, or other healthcare professional, must assess your fitness for work before giving a fit note. Therefore, if you require a fitnote for a new issue, please book a routine appointment with a GP.
Fit notes can be back-dated to the start of your illness, so urgent appointments will never be given for the purpose of a fit note.
Fit notes can state that you are not fit for work, or that you may be fit for work, for example if you are returning to work on a ‘phased-return’ or on amended duties.
Additional Fit Notes
If your Fit Note runs out and you are still unable to return to work, you will need to request an extension to your fit note. If a GP at the practice issued your first fit note (or we have received a letter from the hospital about your sickness) you many not need a further consultation. You can request an additional fit note online using eConsult, or telephone reception to put in a request that will be passed to the doctor to review.
Please allow up to 5 working days for the fit note to be completed. Please note, we are not legally able to provide an additional fit note before your existing fit note expires. Please request your fit note extension on or after the date your existing note expires. The GP can back-date your fit note extension to ensure there is no gap between notes. Urgent appointments will not be given for fit note requests.
In cases of extended sickness the GP will periodically ask to assess you to ensure that you are still unfit for work. You will be asked to book a routine telephone call or face to face appointment on or after the date your fit note expires.
NHS Health Checks
Working together to improve your health
Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia. The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented – even if you have a history of them in your family. Have your free NHS Health Check and you will be better prepared for the future and be able to take steps to maintain or improve your health.
We know that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia increases with age. There are also certain things that will put you at even greater risk. These are:
being overweight
being physically inactive
not eating healthily
smoking
drinking too much alcohol
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
Both men and women can develop these conditions, and having once could increase your risk of developing another in the future.
In the brain a blocked artery or a bleed can cause a stroke.
In the heart a blocked artery can cause a heart attack or angina.
The kidneys can be damaged by high blood pressure or diabetes, causing chronic kidney disease and increasing your risk of having a heart attack.
Being overweight and physically inactive can lead to type 2 diabetes.
If unrecognised or unmanaged, type 2 diabetes could increase your risk of further health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
What happens at the check?
This check is to assess your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.
The check will take about 20–30 minutes.
You’ll be asked some simple questions. For example, about your family history and choices which may put your health at risk
We’ll record your height, weight, age, sex, and ethnicity.
We’ll take your blood pressure.
We’ll do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol level.
What happens after the check?
We will discuss how you can reduce your risk and stay healthy
You’ll be taken through your results and told what they mean. Some people may be asked to return at a later date for their results.
You’ll be given personalised advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Some people with raised blood pressure will have their kidneys checked through a blood test.
Some people may need to have another blood test to check for type 2 diabetes. Your health professional will be able to tell you more.
Treatment or medication may be prescribed to help you maintain your health.
Questions you may have
Why do I need this check? I feel fine!
The NHS Health Check helps to identify potential risks early. By having this check and following the advice of your health professional, you improve your chances of living a healthier life.
But don’t these conditions run in the family?
If you have a history of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease in your family then you may be more at risk. Taking action now can help you to prevent the onset of these conditions.
I know what I’m doing wrong. How can the doctor help me?
If you would like help, we will work with you to find ways to eat healthily, reach your healthy weight, be more active, cut down your drinking, or stop smoking.
If I am assessed as being at ‘low risk’, does this mean I won’t develop these conditions?
It is impossible to say that someone will or won’t go on to develop one of these conditions. But taking action now can help you lower your potential risk.
Will everyone have this check?
This check is part of a national scheme to help prevent the onset of these health problems. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who has not been diagnosed with the conditions mentioned will be invited for a check once every five years. If you are outside the age range and concerned about your health, you should contact your GP.
Minor Surgery
Certain small surgical operations can be performed at the surgery. With minor surgery the recovery time is usually short and you will be back to your usual activities fairly quickly (depending on your procedure).
Before attending for minor surgery you will need to see a doctor for the diagnosis and then you will be given an appointment to attend for your procedure.
Please note we do not offer minor surgery for cosmetic purposes.
Men’s Health
We offer a range of clinics and services here at Eastmead Surgery to support men’s health and help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Male Pattern Baldness
Male-pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss, affecting 6.5 million men in the UK.
It generally starts with a little thinning of the hair, followed by wider hair loss, allowing more of the scalp to become visible.
For a few men, this process starts as early as the late teens. By the age of 60, most men have some degree of hair loss.
Some men aren’t troubled by this at all. Others, however, suffer great emotional distress associated with a lack of self-esteem and, in some cases, depression.
Information regarding contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infection (STI), HIV and blood-borne viruses is available via the link below:
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with over 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year.
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs you have it for many years.
Symptoms often only become apparent when your prostate is large enough to affect the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis).
When this happens, you may notice things like an increased need to urinate, straining while urinating and a feeling your bladder has not fully emptied.
However, these signs do not mean you have prostate cancer. It is more likely they are caused by something else, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as BPH or prostate enlargement).
If you are concerned about any of the symptoms above please book an appointment with a GP either online or contact reception on 020 8578 1244.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis found only in men. About the size of a Satsuma, it is located between the penis and the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis.
The main function of the prostate is to help in the production of semen. It produces a thick white fluid that is mixed with the sperm produced by the testicles, to create semen.
Testicular Cancer
Although still rare compared to other cancers, testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged between 15-45 years with around 2,200-2,300 men being diagnosed each year. It is more common in Caucasian males.
If found at an early stage a cure rate of 98% is usually possible and even when testicular cancer has spread to other areas of the body cure can still be achieved. In fact according to recent research overall 96% of men diagnosed with any stage testicular cancer will be alive 10 years after treatment.
It is important to visit your GP as soon as you notice any lump or swelling on your testicle. Your GP will examine your testicles to help determine whether or not the lump is cancerous.
Symptoms
The earliest warning signs of testicular cancer usually include the following:
A change in size or shape of a testicle.
Swelling or thickening of a testicle.
A firm, smooth, initially painless, slow-growing lump or hardness in a testicle.
