Clinics
Antenatal Clinics - Held at Hoo
Patients are seen by the midwife at the clinics by appointment and also by the doctors during surgery hours.
The community midwife provides women-centred care in the ante- and post-natal periods with birthing care as appropriate.
Child Health Surveillance
Routine checks on the development of babies and children are undertaken in the surgery in conjunction with the health visitors. Please remember to bring your child's 'Red Book' with you.
Disease Monitoring Clinics
We feel that patients should be free to see us at times convenient to themselves rather than being confined to rigid special clinics at set times. It is important that patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, epilepsy, history of ischaemic heart disease and stroke/heart failure are seen at least annually.
Family Planning
Contraceptive care is provided by all the doctors during surgery hours.
Well Woman/Well Man Clinic
Please make an appointment to see the practice nurse.
Periodic Health Checks
All patients aged between 16 and 74 are entitled to a "well person" health check every three years.
Minor Surgery
Drs Davies, Durowoju, Sharief and Mahandru carry out minor surgical procedures at
our Hoo, Lower Stoke and Gillingham surgeries by appointment.
Non-NHS Examinations
The doctors are happy to carry out medicals eg insurance and driving licence by appointment outside surgery hours. Please telephone the surgery for an appointment. Please ask at reception for the charges for these services.
Counselling
Counselling services for bereaved and severely distressed or agitated patients are available by referral after consultation with the doctor.
Patients Over 75 Years
If you are aged 75 years or over, you should be seen annually either by your doctor, the practice nurse, district nurse or health visitor. This can be arranged at the surgery, or, if that is not possible, a home visit will be arranged.
Immunisations
It is very important that all children are fully immunised against all childhood illnesses. Routine vaccinations (other than those given at school) are given during any normal surgery. The PCT operates a computerised recall scheme supplemented by our computerised system.
We can give vaccinations necessary for foreign travel. Do not forget that more than one injection may be necessary and you should discuss your plans at least eight weeks prior to travel. Travel vaccine clinics are held once a fortnight during the spring/summer months and then monthly over the autumn/winter months. Please note that if you are requesting emergency vaccinations you may be redirected to an emergency vaccination clinic elsewhere.
Tetanus booster injections will be offered following open wounds and during consultations on an ad hoc basis. If you have never had a tetanus injection we strongly recommend that you have a full course of three prophylactic injections to fortify you if you injure yourself.
Flu Vaccination
An influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for patients with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes and residents of nursing and rest homes.
Please contact the reception staff in October for details of the vaccination dates and to make an appointment. If you are unable to attend the surgery, a home visit will be arranged to undertake this facility.
Dental Problems
We recommend regular dental care; however, we do not practise dentistry and would urge you to make sure that you are registered with a local dentist.
If you develop toothache or any other dental problem, you should contact your dentist. If you are unable to do so there is an emergency dental service called Dentaline (by appointment only) on 01634 890300.
Laboratory Specimens
Specimens requiring analysis are sent to the hospital laboratories daily by regular collections which leave the medical centre at approximately 12.30pm from Hoo and 9.30am from Gillingham. Please ensure that samples are properly labelled, secured and handed in well in advance of this time in order that our staff can prepare them for transit. Please avoid sending samples on a Friday afternoon.
New Patient Medicals
All new patients who register with our practice should make an appointment with one of the nurses so that their general state of health can be assessed and any ongoing medical problems reviewed. This also gives an opportunity to meet you personally and put 'names to faces' and so that you know where to find us. Please bring a sample of urine with you. Those patients who take medication on a repeat basis must make an appointment to see a doctor before asking for any repeat medicines.
Pregnancy Testing
If you think you may be pregnant, please speak to your local pharmacist, who may provide a pregnancy testing service or can recommend one of the commercial testing products. Once you have your pregnancy confirmed by a doctor, please speak to the receptionist who will arrange for the midwife to contact you.
Cervical Smear Tests
It is important that all women aged 25 to 49 years have a cervical smear every three years, and those aged between 50 to 64 every five years. The Health Authority Recall Scheme will send you an invitation for a test on our behalf. We feel it is preferable for smear tests to be taken by our nurse or doctor at the surgery. Please let us know if you have had a smear elsewhere, eg at the hospital or family planning clinic.
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