Antenatal Services (during pregnancy)
If you have a positive pregnancy test, you can make a booking appointment with the midwife by calling 0141 232 4005. We recommend that most pregnant women take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid and 10mcg of vitamin D during pregnancy. These are available from most chemists.
There are no midwives attached to our surgery. Maternity services are provided by the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital and the midwives are based in some of the bigger local health centres.
The flu vaccine is offered to women at any stage of pregnancy, whereas the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is offered between 28-32 weeks of pregnancy. These are given by appointment with our practice nurse.
Blood Tests and other results
Please phone for blood results after 2pm, one week from when the tests were taken.
Child Health
Our Health Visitor is Sharon Gavigan. She is based at Townhead and can be contacted on 0141 531 6531.
New babies usually see the GP at 6 weeks for a routine check-up. Sharon will tell you when to book this appointment.
Childhood vaccinations are organised by the Health Board, who send appointment letters to your home address. Vaccinations are given at our surgery by Sister Jade McGinley and Sister lorna Harrison
www.immunisationscotland.org.uk is an excellent website that lists and explains all the routine childhood vaccinations and answers lots of common questions for parents and carers.
Chronic Disease Clinics
Patients with long-term conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia are invited to the surgery once a year for a review. This is usually done by the nurse, but sometimes a GP check is required too. These appointments take 20-30 minutes and may involve blood tests. Please let us know if you cannot make your appointment.
Diabetes
Dr Fife is the lead GP for diabetes. He works alongside Sister Harvey to monitor those diabetic patients who do not attend the hospital clinic. Diabetic patients also see a dietician after they are diagnosed. Once a year they attend for a foot check, either by the GP if they are ‘low risk’ or by the podiatrist if they are higher risk. Higher risk patients usually have problems like numbness or ulcers. It is essential that all diabetic patients attend their yearly foot check as well as their specialist eye check at the hospital.
Flu Vaccine
Once a year, the surgery offers the flu vaccine to certain patients. The Health Board tells us which patients should get this jag. This depends on age, long-term health problems and medications. We telephone or send a letter to those patients who are eligible. Many of these patients will also be offered a pneumococcal vaccine. This protects against certain types of pneumonia and most people only need it once in their lifetime. The surgery offers flu appointments but sometimes the doctor or nurse can give you your vaccine when you are seeing them about something else.
Methadone
Patients in Glasgow on the methadone programme are now all seen through the Addiction Services team. We do not prescribe methadone at the surgery.
Minor Illness
Lots of common illnesses like colds, sore throats, sore ears and sticky eyes will go away without treatment. Sometimes antibiotics can cause more harm than good. Consider asking for a telephone appointment before you come to the surgery with these symptoms. This helps us keep waiting times down and use appointments better.
Smear Tests
Routine smear tests are done by Sister Florence. If you have any concerns about abnormal bleeding, discharge or pain, even if your smear is not due, please see Dr Morris
Smoking
Nicotine replacement patches and gum are now available through many local chemists, free of charge. GPs no longer prescribe these items. Champix (varenicline) tablets must come from a GP prescription.
Travel Clinic
If you are travelling abroad and think you might need vaccinations or anti-malaria medication, our nurses offer specialist travel advice. If your trip is more than 6 weeks away, you can arrange a telephone appointment to discuss the details of your journey. Many vaccinations can be done for free at the surgery, but certain vaccines are only available from specialist Travel Clinics at a charge. Our nurses can advise you. Anti-malarials are only available on private prescription and are not free.
Warts
Warts and verrucas can be treated with paints and gels, but can also be ‘frozen’ with liquid nitrogen. Please tell the receptionist if you wish to make an appointment to have this freezing treatment done.