We offer a range of clinics and services at the surgery. There are some tasks you can do, such as health reviews, using our online forms.
Some of the clinics and services outlined below have been suspended due to COVID-19. We hope to be able to reintroduce some routine health checks for long term conditions over the next few weeks, but in the meantime please do get in touch if you have an urgent concern.
Maternity services
All the doctors, working with the community midwives, offer full maternity care.
Parent craft classes are held locally. Telephone enquiries and contact with midwives can be made through the enquiry office at the front of the building, their telephone number is 0300 421 6711 (10am to 1pm).
Registering for midwife services and booking antenatal clinic appointments, however, is carried out through the surgery reception rather than the enquiry office.
Ante-natal clinics are usually run at the health centre on Monday afternoon and Thursday afternoon. An emergency out of hours midwifery triage service for patients over 16 weeks pregnant can be contacted on 0300 422 5541.
Contraception
Contact the practice initially for advice as we offer a contraception service including the fitment of coils and implants.
If you have been advised by the surgery to submit a contraceptive pill review please complete our online form.
Family planning and sexual health clinic
Forest Health Care now offers a contraception and sexual health clinic on alternate Tuesdays for patients registered with any Gloucestershire GP practice.
For enquiries or to make an appointment please telephone 01594 820820
Home testing kits and further advice can be found at www.hopehouse.nhs.uk.
Cervical smear tests
Smear tests involve an examination of the cervix (neck of womb) to check for changes that occur before cancer develops. These changes can be treated and cancer prevented.
We recommend that all women up to the age of 65 years have regular smears unless advised otherwise by the doctor. Smears are very important, do not just ignore the invitation letter.
Results are confirmed in writing direct to you by the Cytology Health Department within 4-6 weeks.
Child health surveillance
The practice in conjunction with health visitors, provide regular health checks for children under the age of 5. This gives us the opportunity to check that your child is making normal progress.
We hope to maintain all our children in the best possible health, and for this reason we recommend all routine immunisations.
Minor surgery
The practice provides a minor operations service, which can save patients having to travel to hospital.
Book a routine appointment with your doctor initially to discuss your concerns. If your doctor recommends a procedure your name will be added to our waiting list.
Asthma and diabetes
We encourage our patients with these conditions to be actively involved in their own care.
We supply advice and monitoring of the disease and teach you how to alter your treatment to achieve the best control of your symptoms.
If you have been advised by the surgery to submit an annual review of your asthma symptoms please complete our online from. If your symptoms are deteriorating or you are having any concerns please make an appointment with our nurse.
Coronary heart disease – care and prevention
We aim to identify the major risk factors for coronary heart disease, the main cause of death in this country. We will advise you on how to minimise these risks, and will monitor your progress. Where specific problems are identified, we will offer advice on the best forms of treatment.
Diet
It is well recognised that your diet plays an important role in your health; the practice aims to give general advice on the best types of food for you and your family to eat.
Specific dietary advice is also available to patients who are over weight, diabetic and for those with high levels of cholesterol in their blood.
Smoking cessation
Smoking is a major cause of cancer, heart attacks, angina and chest disease. It is the single, largest preventable cause of ill health in this country.
We all recognise that giving up smoking is very difficult indeed. Many smokers make several attempts before they are successful.
The practice provides support and advice to patients who seriously wish to give up smoking.
Dental emergencies
You should have regular check ups with your dentist. Dental care and advice is not the responsibility of your doctor.
Practice doctors are not trained to provide dental advice and care.
Once you have registered with a dentist an out of hours emergency service should be available.
A dental helpline is available on telephone number (0300) 421 0505 for anyone not registered with a dentist. An out-of-hours emergency service can be contacted on (08451) 207 179.
NHS health checks
Even though you might be feeling great, if you’re over forty you may be at risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes or dementia.
The surgery will be in touch with eligible patient to be invited for an NHS Health Check.
At this appointment a Health Care Assistant will take your height, weight, blood pressure and a blood test. This blood test will be checking your Cholesterol and HbA1c. You will also be asked some questions about your lifestyle.
This information will be put into a calculator to predict your chance of developing a cardiovascular disease. It is important to know if you are at risk so you can be supported to take action to improve your health. You may be advised to have further test and follow up appointment after your NHS Health Check.
For more information on NHS health check’s please visit www.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck.
