Clinics & Services

Community Hospital

We are fortunate at Abingdon in having our own in-patient GP hospital with beds for care of the elderly, acute illness and convalescent patients. There are Consultant Clinics in most specialities and an X-Ray, Physiotherapy and Day Care facility. There is also a Minor Injuries Unit open from 10.00 am to 10.30 pm 7 days a week. There are no Casualty or Maternity facilities at the Community Hospital.

Carers

It is very helpful to have details of patients’ carers so if you are cared for or are a carer yourself please let us know then we can add the information to our records. If your name is given as a carer we will always check with you first to make sure that you are happy to have your contact details entered into our computer system.

Children’s Immunisations and Surveillance Clinics

The doctors and health visitors run clinics on Tuesdays between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm and on Fridays from 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm for developmental checks and child health surveillance. At the same time our practice nurses carry out children’s immunisations from 2 pm.

Cervical Smears

We recommend all female patients between the ages of 25 and 49 to have a smear every three years (for women between the ages of 50 and 64 the recommended recall is five years). We operate a recall system, which will send you a reminder. If you would like a smear, please make an appointment with the Practice Nurses. You may, if you wish, opt out of the recall but we will still need to invite you every 5 years.

Ante-natal appointments

Please always inform the Receptionist that you need an antenatal appointment as you need to be seen by the Nurse first followed by the doctor 15 minutes later. Our Midwife, Gail White, also sees antenatal patients by appointment. We do not do home confinements.

Post Natal appointments

All mothers and babies are checked at 6 weeks – please telephone and ask for an appointment for a post-natal check. If your baby does not have a newborn check in hospital, please telephone for an appointment when you get home from hospital.

Family Planning

All the doctors are Family Planning Association qualified and give family planning advice during general surgeries. Coil fitting is by prior arrangement.

Minor Surgery

We provide facilities in our Treatment Room for minor surgery, by prior arrangement with your doctor.

General Health Checks

We offer both Well Women and general health promotion checks for men, with our Practice Nurses, by appointment. Your doctor will also check your general health during consultations.

Disease Management Clinics

These are run by our practice nurses:

Medical Examinations

Medicals for Life Assurance, HGV licences, pre-employment etc, can be arranged by appointment with the Doctors. These will be charged at the standard rate for non-NHS services. A list of these prices is displayed in Reception.

Using Our Services

Make The Most Of Our Services

• Read the notices posted in the surgery.
• Make sure you know the opening times of the surgery
• Find out how to arrange home visits, repeat prescriptions and urgent appointments.
• You may not always need to see a Doctor; ask what services the Nurse can provide.
• Keep your appointment or cancel it.
• Take a friend or relative with you if necessary.
• Tell the Receptionist at the time of booking your appointment if you need more time to speak to the Doctor, she may be able to arrange this.
• Think twice before making an appointment: Do you really need to see a Doctor? Have you tried simple home treatments?
• Find out how your Practice deals with complaints.
• Know how to contact the out of hours service.

How Your Local Pharmacist Can Help

• Advise about choosing the right medicines for common ailments
• Advise you if you are unsure about seeing a Doctor
• Offer advice about a problem if you are not sure what is causing it
• Give you advice about staying healthy.
• Be sure to tell your Pharmacist if you are taking other medicines – some medicines are not compatible.