Services
West green surgery offers a range of medical services including but not limited to:
Asthma clinic
The asthma clinics are run by both the nurse practitioners as well as doctors. your breathing is assessed at least yearly with a peak flow meter which you blow through to check the function of your lungs.
You may be offered an inhaler and be assessed on your inhaler technique. A good source of information can be found on the asthma website.
Blood pressure clinics
Patients with high blood pressure can visit the nurse or their doctor. All our clinicians will carry out blood pressure checks on you. Please make sure that you are reviewed at least once a year regarding your blood pressure. We aim to control your blood pressure to below 140/90 to prevent the risk of heart attacks or strokes in the future. At the clinic we will review risk factors, discuss lifestyle changes, review medications and arm you with the knowledge you need to manage your condition.
Prior to your appointment you will need to have a blood test. This will mean that your cholesterol and other blood tests will be available for discussion at the clinic. The cardiac monitoring clinic also sees patients who have a high risk of heart disease, but have not actually had a heart attack. They do this through a one off appointment in the clinic and then with support via the practice nursing clinic with any ongoing lifestyle issues. To access this clinic you need to be referred by your GP or practice nurse. For more information regarding high blood pressure can be found here.
If you are interested in accessing further information on heart disease and how to manage it the British Heart Foundation offers a wealth of information to help you. Cardiac Risk Calculator - This will help you to calculate your risk of heart disease, but cannot be used if you have already had a cardiac event (Heart attack/Stroke)
Antenatal clinics
If you have already self referred yourself to the hospital and require a review you can see our practice nurse who will talk with you through what to expect during your pregnancy. Also your midwife will recommend to see our nurse for routine appointments for check ups through your pregnancy Please take a urine sample for testing whenever you visit the clinics. Blood pressure checks and foetal monitoring will also be performed at these clinics.
The website Emma's Diary offers detail information as to what you should be experiencing and is a wealth of information. Here is more information as to what to experience in pregnancy, the tests involved as well as labour - pregnancy. Here is a guide of the maternity services in Haringey
Contact
- North Middlesex Hospital - Telephone: 020 8887 3055
- Whittington Hospital - Telephone: 020 7288 5586
Cervical smear tests
To pick up early signs of cervical cancer, we carry out routine smear tests once every 3 years on our female patients aged between 25 and 49 years. For those between 50 and 65 years smears will be done once every 5 years. However, tests will be performed more frequently if the results call for this. Vaginal swabs and tests for Chlamydia are not routinely carried out during cervical screening. But, you can ask for separate appointments to have this done.
Cervical smears are routinely performed by our practice nurse. Attempt to time your appointment to be mid cycle of your period to ensure the best smear results. For more information regarding cervical smears please visit the NHS cervical screening programme.
Some women may decide to 'opt out' of the programme and not wish to have a smear performed. We recommend that you have read about cervical screening prior to completing the withdrawal form. If you decide please complete the form and return it to the surgery for your medical notes. Contact the surgery for your Cervical smear withdrawal form
Diabetes clinic
The diabetic clinic is jointly run by the doctors as well as nurse practitioners or HCAs. We look after the vast majority of patients with diabetes at the surgery however there is a small minority who have significant complications who are referred to the local hospital.
We routinely assess your feet for sensation and circulation and have your blood test and urine sample checked regularly to look for complications of diabetes. If your diabetes is not under controlled you may be offered a change to your medication or referred to see a dietician. A wealth of information can be found at Diabetes UK or Diabetes.co.uk or even Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation.
Childhood immunisations
Childhood immunisations are routinely offered by the nurse practitioners. Currently they are given to babies and toddlers at 2, 3, 4, 12, and 13months and to preschool children between the ages of 3 and 5. However, some immunisations may be given in hospital soon after birth or at school between the ages of 10 and 14. Please check the UK immunisation schedule for more information on immunisations. BCG vaccinations can be given at birth by the hospital as done at North Middlesex hospital.
It is important that your child is up to date with their immunisations as it prevents them from commutable disease can be caught at their age group. If you have any worries or concerns about the immunisations, please speak to your doctor or nurse who will be happy to discuss this with you.
Dressing and wounds
Dressings and ulcers are routinely managed by our adept nurse practitioner. The wound site may be swabbed to look for signs of infection. If there are signs of infection you will be offered to see the doctor for review and possibly antibiotics. The nurse will prescribe addition dressing and offer you advice and support in how to self manage them.
Removal of stitches
It is the contracted responsibility of the provider who inserted your stitches to take them out, however the practice does remove them if provided the correct information by the health professional who inserted them.
Please book to see a nurse for the removal of stitches. Generally stitches should be removed after 5-7 days on the face, 10-14 days for skin over a joint and 7-10 days for all other skin. These times may vary according to the advice given by the clinicians and absorbable stitches do not need to be removed.
Bring clinical letter before booking an appointment with the nurse
If you have had stitches put in you will require to bring a letter from the hospital stating which stitches were put in, what type - dissolvable or non-dissolvable and how long they should be insitu. Failure to do so, for clinical safety and risk of complications, may result in you being redirected back to the provider who inserted them
Ear microsuction
If you believe that you have impacted wax in your ear then the surgery would recommend considering using olive oil / otex drops to treat it. It may take a period of time of daily use to resolve. If your symptoms persist you can have ear syringing at the local ENT clinic where microsuction is performed.
Family planning & contraception
All the doctors offer contraception advice and can address family planning or contraception issues. They are able to prescribe contraceptive tablets and our nurse offers depo-injections. The surgery also offers emergency contraception via the doctors which can be issued within 72 hours. The practice can guide you to local family planning clinics for those requiring coils or implanon insertion.
Other useful links
Flu & pneumococcal vaccines
Flu and pneumococcal vaccines are routinely given by the nurses. We offer them to those who are over 65 and to those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, kidney or liver disease or cancer.
Flu vaccines for the year tend to become available in the late autumn and are only effective for that season. So, every year we run special flu clinics to vaccinate all those who need it during this season. Your doctor might also give you this during your routine appointment. Pneumococcal vaccinations are available all year round and are again offered to patients who are over 65 with chronic diseases.
NHS Health checks
NHS Health Checks are being offered to people aged between 40 and 74 once every five years. The check is to assess your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or diabetes. By taking early action, you can improve your health and prevent the onset of these conditions. There is good evidence for some interventions to support you taking early preventive action.
The check should take about 15 – 20 minutes and is based on straightforward questions and measurements such as age, sex, family history, height, weight, blood pressure, smoking status and alcohol intake. You will be asked to have a blood test done to measure your cholesterol level, unless you have had one done recently. Following the check, you will receive personalised advice about what you can do to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes. Further information can also be obtained from www.nhs.uk/lifecheckx and www.bhf.org.uk
Men's health Clinic
If you feel that you have a private medical problem or concern that you feel more comfortable to speak with a male doctor you can book an appointment and your issue can be dealt with in confidence.
Mental health review
You can now refer yourself directly to a local psychologist (IAPT) if you feel you require to speak to one. If you feel comfortable you can discuss your problem in confidence with your GP. Your GP may decide to refer you to the mental health team if there are concerns about the severity of your illness. For more information regarding mental health care in haringey please visit Haringey's website
Obesity/overweight clinic
The obesity and overweight clinic is nurse as well as doctor led. We check your BMI and compare your height against your weight offering you targets as to what your ideal weight should be. We offer dietary advice, step by step exercise programmes as well as access to a dietician. We also are able to initiate medication that can help you loose weight along with a exercise programme.
NHS Choices: Healthy eating advice
5 A Day - NHS web site on eating more fruit & veg
Pain Management clinic
All our clinicians prescribe pain relief for acute and chronic pain. Our pain management clinic is for patients who have poorly controlled and complex pain that have been struggling with simple analgesia that can be found over the counter.
Teenage services
Our doctors and nurses are happy to discuss contraception, sexual health and other issues relevant to teenagers. Anything you tell them will be confidential just as they would for an adult. For more information visit the 4YP website
Women's clinic
Our female doctors and nurses give advice on any issues affecting women and this includes contraception, the menopause, prenatal counselling or any other problems.