Special Clinics

(* denotes clinics which require an appointment. See making appointments)

.....................................................................................Treatment Room, The Westgate Surgery

Coronary Heart Disease*

These are run by Jill, one of our Practice Nurses, who monitors patients with known heart disease and those "at risk" because of other illnesses. Patients attend by invitation, when they will be sent a full explanation of what is going to happen and why.

Asthma*

Run by the Practice Nurses, who monitor the condition and treatment of all asthmatics on regular medication.

Diabetes*

All diabetic patients are monitored routinely by Annie and Karen and one of the GPs. We liaise with St Richard's Hospital's Diabetic Centre and the local Diabetes Steering Group.

Cervical Smears*

Any of our Practice Nurses will provide this service for our female patients in any of their clinics. Smears are advised on a three-yearly basis from 25-65. Chlamydia screening can be carried out at the same time

New Patient Medicals*

An initial health check is offered to all patients registering with the practice, and we strongly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity.

Travel Medicine*

A full range of advice and immunisations is offered by all our Practice Nurses, who are regularly updated on World Health Organisation recommendations. Please book, at least for initial advice, as early as possible; travel to far-flung destinations can involve quite complex immunisation schedules over several weeks. Prescriptions for malaria tablets, where needed, and other travel medications, have to be issued on a private basis, with the payment of a small fee.

Cryotherapy*

Dr Wilson offers on a regular basis treatment by cryotherapy (freezing) of common skin lesions such as warts, verrucae, skin tags, keratoses etc... If you have any doubt as to whether something is suitable for this, please see him in Surgery beforehand. (Please note: over eight year olds only).

Minor Surgery*

Dr Wilson and Dr Chishick are both fully accredited for this service and will carry out the removal of lumps, blemishes, cysts etc... under local anaesthetic at mutually-convenient times. Please discuss in surgery first.

Ante Natal*

Clinics are run by our midwife, Sarah, and Dr Wilson or Dr Chishick. Sarah will often supervise confinements and carry out immediate post-natal visits. Post-natal examinations, at 6-8 weeks, are carried out by either GP.

Immunisation*

Clinics for babies and younger children are carried out by the Practice Nurses. Appointments are routinely sent out for these Clinics. If your child is too unwell to attend, please inform the Surgery and a fresh appointment will be arranged.

Paediatric Developmental Checks*

Routine baby/infant developmental checks are offered by the doctors by arrangement with the Health Visitor. Appointments are routinely sent out for six-week and six-month checks.

Smoking Cessation

We have access to a clinic in Chichester where fully-trained counsellors run series of sessions for those wishing/needing to give up smoking. This may involve the concurrent use of nicotine replacement therapy (e.g. patches or gum) or tablets. Please see the doctor to arrange an appointment.

Prescription for Exercise

Certain conditions, both physical and psychological, may be helped by an improvement in physical fitness. We have access to a scheme run in conjunction with The Westgate Leisure Centre to heavily subsidise a course of such therapy. Please see your doctor for details.

Family Planning

A full range of contraceptive services, including coil fitting and implants, is offered by all doctors or nurse Jill Jeater. Repeat prescriptions for the contraceptive pill can also be done by all the Practice Nurses.

Sexual Health Clinic

These are run in the Outpatient Department at St Richard's Hospital. Monday 9.00 - 11.30am and Thursday 2.00 - 4.30pm are "no appointment needed" clinics. At other times you need to arrange an appointment on their direct line - 01243 831609. You do not need to see your GP first.