CLINICS

Provision Of Antenatal And Postnatal Care

Antenatal Clinic (Friday 9.00am - by appointment only)
Routine antenatal care is now covered by the community midwives who are attached to our practice. Our GPs are still available for any problems arising during pregnancy and will therefore be informed by the midwife if such problems arise. The community midwife works as the lead professional and educator to women and their families in all aspects of midwifery care. Women should refer themselves directly to the midwife where they will be given appropriate information on health and wellbeing. This will enable them to make informed choices about their care during pregnancy and delivery. She will then refer the patient to the hospital of her choice. All postnatal care will be individualised and tailored to the needs of the women and their families.

Patients are advised to make an appointment soon after they learn that they are pregnant. Following a positive pregnancy test, patients should pick up a pre-booking pack from reception prior to arranging an appointment with the midwife on Mondays at 2.00pm. Please bring a specimen of urine to every antenatal visit. Pre-conceptual care is offered by the midwife by appointment.

Child Health Clinics

(Tuesday and Thursday 2.20 - 3.00pm - by appointment only)
These clinics are run by Dr Wilson and Dr Law for child development checks for babies between six and eight weeks.

Child Immunisation Clinic

(Tuesday 1.30 - 4.00pm - by appointment only)
This clinic is run by the practice nurse. From the age of two months, all children should commence basic immunisation.
New immunisation programme (Sept '06) recommendations are:

2 months Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib and Pneumococcal injection
3 months Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib injection and Men C
4 months Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio, Hib, Men C and Pneumococcal injection
12 months Hib and Men C
13 months MMR and Pneumococcal injection
3 years 4 months - 5 years Pre-school booster, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Polio and MMR

Parents can register their children for child health surveillance checks which are carried out by our health visitors and occasionally Dr Wilson and Dr Law. Please ask for information at reception.

Chronic (Long-term) Disease

Asthma, COPD, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke.
If you suffer from any of the above conditions, you can arrange an appointment with our practice nurse who can offer support and advice on management and lifestyle. For further information, please contact reception.

Family Planning

Contraceptive care is provided by all the doctors during surgery hours. Intra-uterine contraception devices (the coil) can also be fitted, after discussion with either of the Drs Taylor on prior appointment. The practice nurse and health visitors are available for advice on contraception and sexual health. The practice nurse can now prescribe most contraceptive pills.

Minor Surgery

Dr Jillie Taylor will carry out minor surgical procedures by appointment. Joint injections and other procedures can be done by any of the GPs. Please ask at reception.

Non-NHS Examinations

The doctors are happy to carry out medicals eg for insurance and driving licence, by appointment. Please telephone the surgery for an appointment and ask at reception for the charges for these services.

Flu Vaccination

An influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for patients with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes and residents of nursing and rest homes and for all patients over 65 years and over.

Please contact the reception staff in October for details of the vaccination dates, especially our flu open day and to make an appointment. If you are unable to attend the surgery, a home visit will be arranged to undertake this facility.

Foreign Travel

Advice on appropriate measures to be taken prior to and during foreign travel including immunisations and malarial prophylaxis can be given by the practice. This advice is usually given by the practice nurse. It would be helpful if patients could initially consult some two months or so prior to their journey. In emergencies this may be speeded up somewhat.

Smoking Cessation Advice

Patients who wish to stop smoking can self-refer to our clinicians or local pharmacists for advice and support.
Our practice promotes a new free (smoking and prevention service) which has recently become available to patients in Ayrshire. This service is called Fresh Air-shire and offers:

• One-to-one support
• Group support
• Information and advice
• Access to treatments, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

Call free on 0800 783 9132 or email: freshair-shire@aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Other Services

Patients on Warfarin who have difficulty attending the hospital anti-coagulant clinic can have their anti-coagulant monitoring supervised by the practice.

Patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs can have the necessary blood and urine checks carried out by the practice.

Important Changes To A Service - Cervical Cytology (Smear Test)

Although our patients may still attend our practice for their cervical smear tests, please note that the recall and results will be handled by scotish Cervical Cytology Recall System. The main objective of this new national programme is to ensure delivery of the same cervical screening service to all women in Scotland irrespective of their location. If you require further information please contact the practice nurses.