NON-NHS CERTIFICATES, EXAMINATIONS AND REPORTS

There are certain services that patients request which are not covered by the National Health Service, eg private certificates, medicals for fitness to drive, pre-employment medicals, private health insurance claim forms etc for which we must charge. In accordance with this, we use the British Medical Association scale of recommended fees. You may find it useful to clarify with the receptionist whether a fee is involved.

MATERNITY SERVICES

Ante-natal clinics are held on Tuesdays/Wednesdays. Please telephone 01634 825188 to make an appointment with the midwife. We do not make appointments for the midwife at St Mary's Medical Centre.

MINOR SURGERY

Removal of small skin moles and lumps and other minor surgical procedures are carried out by the partners in the treatment room. You will need to see a doctor to arrange this.

SPECIAL SERVICES

The following services are available in the practice. Please ask your doctor or the receptionist for details.

Choose and book is available with all our doctors: if you are being refered to hospital you can choose where and when you want to go. See our leaflets in the waiting area ask our doctors or visit the website www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk

MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Many conditions such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, long-term mental health problems and epilepsy benefit from regular checks including medication reviews. Our practice nurse team is trained to manage stable, long-term conditions. The practice runs annual recall systems for these chronic conditions and offers clinical review with necessary follow-up when clinically indicated.

St Mary’s also has an anti-coagulant clinic for monitoring those patients on warfarin medication.

THE MEDWAY PRIMARY CARE TRUST

The introduction of Primary Care Groups (PCGs) in 1999 represented one of the biggest changes in primary care since the introduction of the NHS.

A key element of primary care groups is giving the professionals who provide health and social care, particularly doctors and nurses, more influence in shaping the delivery of local services - promoting the health of the local population in partnership with other organisations.

Rochester and Strood PCG is made up of 20 local practices, and the skills of these primary care professionals is shared and developed across all of the practices within the group.

In April 2002 the three Medway PCGs came together as a Primary Care Trust (PCT) with greater responsibility for organising Community Health Care Services.

Details of Primary Care Services in Medway are available from Medway PCT who can be contacted at 7 - 8 amberley ME8 0NJ (telephone no. 01634 382777).

CHAPERONES

There are occasions when patients may be involved in intimate examinations by a doctor.

This practice is committed to putting patients at ease whenever possible, and if you wish a chaperone to be present during your examination please do not hesitate to ask the doctor.