The NHS Health Check is a general health check-up with one of our nursing team. We ask you questions about your family history, your lifestyle, take measurements (height, weight and blood pressure) and a blood sample so we can measure your risk of developing certain conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Then, armed with your new knowledge and our support, you can then take any relevant actions needed to improve your health outlook, such as changing your lifestyle and/or taking medicines.

We send electronic invitations to patients we identify as being at higher risk first (this risk is based on the coded data we hold in your GP electronic medical record). If you have not been invited but would like a NHS Health Check and consider yourself to be eligible (see criteria below), please give the surgery a call. 

Eligibility criteria:

The check is for people who are aged 40 to 74 who do not have any of the following pre-existing conditions:

• heart disease
• chronic kidney disease
• diabetes
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• atrial fibrillation
• transient ischaemic attack
• inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
• heart failure
• peripheral arterial disease
• stroke
• currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol
• previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years

If you have quit or changed how much you smoke and would like to update your smoking status on your practice record, please complete and submit this Smoking review form.

If you still smoke but want to stop, there is help available. Local stop smoking services are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good. These services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help you quit. They’ll give you accurate information and advice, as well as professional support, during the first few months you stop smoking. 

Follow the link to Stop for Life OXON website or call 0800 122 3790

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Worker

One-to-one sessions for people who may be experiencing mental health issues or other social or lifestyle issues that are impacting on their wellbeing. Please state in the self-referral: full name, date of birth, phone number and registered GP practice. It would also be helpful to include a brief outline of the reason(s) for your self-referral. Please type ‘SELF-REFERRAL’ in the email subject so it can be easily seen.

01865 24 77 88

Email

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Oxfordshire Talking Therapies

We offer a range of FREE talking therapies to over 14,000 people a year across Oxfordshire. We are part of the NHS and offer services to patients registered with an Oxfordshire GP. Most adults refer themselves, but if you are aged between 16-18 you will need to be referred to us by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

01865 901 222

Website

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Talking Saves Lives

18 people die by suicide every day in England and Wales, but help is out there.

There’s always someone to listen.

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CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service) South Oxfordshire

Our aim is to make sure than no one goes without the support they need. In Oxfordshire we provide a wide range of mental health services for children and young people (CAMHS) and community services. If you need our services, you can request help via our self-referral form, or you can call us.

01865 902515

Website

Email

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The Abingdon Bridge

A wellbeing charity that supports young people aged 13-25. If you feel anxious, sad, confused, or just not right, let us know – we are here to support you! TAB provides support to those between 13 to 25 years of age. All our guidance and emotional support is free and confidential.

Call us (Monday to Friday) between 10:00 – 18:00 on 01235 522 375

Website

Email

Facebook

Twitter

If you have been asked by the surgery to submit home blood pressure readings, please use the link below. If possible, please submit morning and afternoon readings over 7 consecutive days so the doctor/clinical pharmacist has a good view of your blood pressure over time.

Our Health Information page, ‘Health A-Z‘ section contains useful information about Blood pressure tests, High blood pressure (hypertension) and Low blood pressure (hypotension). The information includes how to take home blood pressure readings and what the readings mean.

Weight management services for everyone:

• Patient webinars Overview of Weight Management | patientwebinars.co.uk – Recommended webinars on the dieting cycle, regular eating, triggers to eating, diet myths and balanced eating. 
• Change4life  Home | Change4Life (www.nhs.uk) – Ideas, recipes and games for families to help you lose weight and be healthy. Also Change4life Food Scanner App to scan foods and see how many cubes of sugar or fat it contains.
• NHS website The NHS website – NHS (www.nhs.uk) Lose weight-  12 week diet and exercise plan and weight management information. Also NHS Weight Loss plan App that includes a 12 week plan.
• OneYou www.nhs.uk/oneyou – information on diet, drinking, sleep, stress and more. 
• FoodSwitch App foodswitch.co.uk   -allows you to scan the barcodes of food and drink to identify if they are red, amber or green on the traffic light system and suggests healthier alternatives. 
• NHS 10 minute workouts 10-minute workouts – NHS (www.nhs.uk) 
• Couch to 5K App www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/couch-to-5k-week-by-week Move off the couch and run 5K in just 9 weeks. Grab your trainers and follow the step-by-step audio instructions. Free to download from the app store.
• Healthy ways to gain weight – NHS (www.nhs.uk) – Gaining weight can be difficult for some people. With a few changes, you can gradually reach a healthy weight.

When to book an appointment with your GP:

If you are concerned about the weight of your child or someone you care for.

If you are an adult with a BMI over 27.5 or 30 (depending on your ethnic group), pre-diabetes, diabetes or hypertension and would like to discuss a referral for more specialised weight loss services.

If you have lost weight suddenly or without changing your diet or exercise routine.

If you use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations.

For information about NHS vaccinations and when to have them click here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/.

For more information about vaccines, Vaccine Knowledge is a source of independent, evidence-based information about vaccines and infectious diseases. They provide clear information on complex topics and back it up with references to high-quality, reliable research.

The Vaccine Knowledge Project is managed by the Oxford Vaccine Group, an academic research group in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Oxford. The site is updated regularly to make sure information is as up-to-date and accurate as possible and is overseen by academic staff at the cutting edge of vaccine research.

Click here to go to their website: https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/home

Childhood

The Health Centre works with the Child Health Immunisations team to support the vaccination of all children against preventable diseases. We follow the UK Immunisation Schedule.

When a child registers at the practice, their parent/carer must show us their immunisation history. This includes details of any vaccinations the child has had in other parts of the UK or overseas. Our Nurses will then check the child is up to date and invite the child for catch up immunisations if needed.

If you are not accompanying your child for their vaccinations you will need to send a letter of consent confirming that you are happy for your child to be vaccinated in the care of the person attending with them. Please provide the name and address of the person you have sent your child with. A form of identification will also be required from the person attending with your child, i.e. driving licence, passport, etc. If this documentation is not available we will not be able to provide the immunisations at that time.

Seasonal flu

*Eligibility criteria applies. All children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2024, children who have certain health conditions and those who live with adults at risk are invited to have a flu vaccine at the surgery if they are not having it at school. We aim to invite all eligible patients by mid-October. If you think your child may be eligible but you have not received an invitation, please phone the surgery.

Adult

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

*Eligibility criteria applies. Please book a telephone appointment with a Nurse if you are female, under 25 years old, born in/after 2008 and have missed having the vaccine at school.

MenACWY

*Eligibility criteria applies. Please book a telephone appointment with a Nurse if you are under 25 years old, have missed having the vaccine at school and are going to college or university.

Pneumococcal

*Eligibility criteria applies. Patients are eligible from 65 years+. The practice will invite you when you reach 65. Please let us know if you are over 65 years and may have missed an invitation.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

*Eligibility criteria applies. The RSV vaccine is recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79. If you are 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine, please call the Wantage Maternity unit on 01865 904832. Patients between 75 and 79 years will be invited by the Health Centre in reverse age order so please check your email/mobile phones for messages.

Shingles

*Eligibility criteria applies. Previously patients between 70 and 79 years were eligible. From September 2023, patients will be eligible from 65 to 79. Patients aged 50+ with a severely weakened immune system are also eligible so please contact us if you think this applies to you.

Patients turning 65 and 70 will be invited to book 1 month following their birth month. Patients between 65 to 70 years will be invited over time as part of a nationally timetabled 10-year catch up programme. Patients between 71 and 79 years will be invited in reverse age order.

Seasonal flu – IMPORTANT UPDATE AUGUST 2024

Community pharmacies will be offering the NHS flu vaccine service from September. We will not be doing them at the surgery. To find details of your nearest pharmacy or manage a flu booking, please follow these links: Find a pharmacy / Book a flu vaccine. If you normally have your flu vaccine at home, please contact us if you would like this service again.

Travel vaccinations

Please use this form for advice on vaccinations when travelling abroad. Please contact us in plenty of time to arrange any vaccinations that may be necessary. NHS travel vaccines are provided. We are not a private travel clinic so some vaccines may need to be obtained privately if required.

We have a monthly clinic at the Health Centre for patients with dementia and their carers/families to meet a Dementia Adviser to get information and support on:

• What dementia is and how to support someone with dementia
• Local services to support you
• Staying independent and adaptations for your home
• Benefits and allowances for those with dementia and their carers
• Additional support and respite breaks for carers
• Activities and leisure opportunities
• Planning for the future and financial and legal issues

To book your 20-minute appointment with the Dementia Adviser call 01235 522602 (1.30 to 6.30pm).

If you want a referral for NHS physiotherapy, you can now refer yourself without making an appointment to see your GP.  The Connect Health PhysioNow service is for self-referral.  You can self-refer online or via telephone. Their website also has self-help guides (videos and information leaflets). The general physiotherapy service includes physio for pain in the lower back, knee, ankle, shoulder, neck, Achilles heel, plus pelvic health, bowel and bladder.

Tel: 01865 634 336