We offer screening to detect bowel cancer when it is at an early stage in people with no symptoms. This is when treatment is more likely to be effective. Screening can also find polyps. These are abnormal clumps of cells in the bowel. Polyps are not cancers, but may develop into cancers over time. Polyps can be easily removed, which reduces the risk of bowel cancer developing.

Regular bowel cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer.

We offer bowel cancer screening using a home testing kit to everyone in England from the age of 60. Your GP practice gives us your contact details so please make sure they always have your correct name, date of birth and address. Many GPs also like to have your mobile number and email address.

If you have been invited to take part in the bowel cancer screening program below you will find a link to a video which is available in multiple languages which will explain how to use the FIT kit.

If a GP or another member of our health care team believes you need hospital treatment or specialist care elsewhere, they will ask you where and when you would like to go. They can then book your appointment electronically while you wait.

If you would prefer to have some time to think before deciding where and when to have treatment, you will be offered the option of calling the Choose & Book referral centre later and they will be able to book your appointment then.

Both men and women need to look after their sexual health and take time to understand the issues that surround contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For instance there are some STIs, like chlamydia, that you could be carrying without having any symptoms. This infection can affect fertility, so it’s important to make use of the sexual health services available for free on the NHS.

Useful Links

• Sex and Young People
• STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
• Sexual Health FAQs
• Netdoctor – Sex & Relationships

Chlamydia

This test can be done at the practice for people aged 15-25yrs old – see the Practice Nurse or Health Care Assistant for more information.

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, most commonly spread through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex.

75% of people infected with chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. However, testing and treatment are simple.

Useful Links

• The National Chlamydia Screening Programme (under-25s) has more information on chlamydia.
• NHS Choices – Focus on Chlamydia

As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment. Before you do, remember that you can treat many minor ailments such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home. We suggest you keep the following:

• Paracetamol and aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin)
• Mild laxatives
• Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
• Rehydration mixture
• Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids)
• Travel sickness tablets
• Sunscreen – SPF15 or higher
• Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine)
• Tweezers and sharp scissors
• A thermometer
• A selection of plasters, non- absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings.

Remember

• Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children.
• Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
• Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
• Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy

Your Local Pharmacist

Your local pharmacist will be able to give you free health advice at any time – you don’t need an appointment. Many pharmacies operate extended hours on a rota basis. Call NHS Direct for details.

Pharmacy First Scheme

Selected pharmacies have trained professionals who can prescribe for minor ailments free of charge. Ask at reception for a list of pharmacies and the ailments they can treat. Oldham NHS Walk-in Centre – You can also see an experienced nurse for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, seven days a week, 7am until 10pm at Oldham NHS Walk-in Centre, this is based in a new ICC (Integrated Care Centre) which is on New Radcliffe Street in the centre of Oldham. You do not need an appointment.

NHS 111

NHS 111 offers free expert health information and advice 24-hours a day on 111 or at their website, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk which also offers an enquiry service. For deaf people and those heard of hearing, a telephone service is available on 0845 606 4647. If English is not your preferred language, you can choose to use a confidential translation service.

Accident and Emergency/999

Whatever the day or time, if you or someone else experiences severe chest pain, loss of blood or suspected broken bones, go to your nearest Accident and emergency department or call 999. Accident and emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can assess serious injuries and provide emergency treatment.

Walk in Centre

The WIC no longer exists.

The ICC now houses a COVID Assessment Centrewhich is open 8am until 8pm 7 days a week and cares for patients with potential COVID-19 symptoms. It also houses a Digital Hub which provides support to Oldham Care Homes and provides urgent care (within 2 hours) to patients referred to the service by a health and social care professional. Both services are by appointment only following a referral from a healthcare professional or NHS111. 

If we are unable to offer you an appointment but you require urgent medical attention, you should contact NHS111 and, depending on your situation you will:

• Find out what local service can help you
• connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP
• Get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
• Be given an arrival time if you need to go to A&E – this might mean you spend less time in A&E
• Be told how to get any medicine you need
• Get self-care advice

Cervical Screening 

Cervical screening is for women and people with a cervix. We offer screening every 3 years from age 25 to 49 and every 5 years from age 50 to 64.

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It looks for abnormal cells in the cervix. Abnormal cells can develop into cancer if left untreated.

You can speak to your nurse or doctor if you are nervous about screening. They can talk through any questions or concerns you have. If you decide to go ahead with screening, they can make arrangements to help you feel more comfortable. The actual test only takes 1 to 2 minutes. The whole appointment usually takes about 10 minutes. Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer. Cervical screening saves thousands of lives from cervical cancer every year in the UK. 

Please contact the practice if you have any concerns regarding this and we can support you further. 

Cervical screening is a free health test available on the NHS as part of the national cervical screening programme. It helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes. It is not a test for cancer. 

It is your choice whether to go for cervical screening. We hope this information helps you make the best decision for you and your health.

If you have symptoms, contact your GP surgery about having an examination. Cervical screening is not for people who have symptoms. 

Read about symptoms >

For more information visit the link below:

Contraception is free for most people in the UK. With 15 methods to choose from, you’ll find one that suits you.

Contraceptive methods allow you to choose when and if you want to have a baby, but they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms help to protect against STIs and pregnancy, so whatever other method of contraception you’re using to prevent pregnancy, use condoms as well to protect your and your partner’s health.

The methods of contraception

There are lots of methods to choose from, so don’t be put off if the first thing you use isn’t quite right for you; you can try another. You can read about each of the different methods of contraception by visiting these pages:

• Combined pill
• Condoms
• Contraceptive implant
• Contraceptive injection
• Contraceptive patch
• Diaphragms and caps
• Intrauterine device (IUD)
• Intrauterine system (IUS)
• Natural family planning
• Progestogen-only pill
• Vaginal ring
• Emergency contraception

Please note, some clinicians may have a conscientious objection to providing emergency contraception.  They are within their rights to do this as long as they are able to give you an alternative service to access.  Please see the above link for free and confidential alternative services.

Termination of pregnancy

Please see the below website for details if you have decided you want to terminate your pregnancy

Abortion

PLEASE RING AND BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT THE PRACTICE WHEN YOU RECEIVE AN INVITE LETTER FOR YOUR CHILD’S VACCINATIONS.  The date/times you are given on the invite may not coincide with our clinic times

All new babies are invited for regular check-ups from eight weeks old. (A letter with a date and time invite will be sent for this appointment)

If a vaccine is given when a baby still has antibodies to the disease, the antibodies can stop the vaccine working. This is why routine childhood immunisations do not start until a baby is two months old, before the antibodies a baby gets from its mother have stopped working. This is also why it is important for parents to stick to the immunisation schedule, as a delay can leave a baby unprotected. A delay can increase the chance of adverse reactions to some vaccines, such as pertussis (whooping cough).

Vaccination Schedule

At two months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection

At three months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) – one injection

At four months old:

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) – one injection
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection

At around 12 months old:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Meningitis C (Hib/MenC) – booster dose in one injection
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection

At around 13 months old:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) – one injection

Three years four months to five years old (pre-school):

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) – one injection
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) – one injection

13 to 18 years old:

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) – one injection

Further reading

There are some excellent websites that will answer all your questions and queries about immunisation and vaccination. If you are worried about giving the MMR vaccine, you should access the MMR site.

www.immunisation.nhs.uk The most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK.

www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/MMR This website has been put together to answer any questions you might have about MMR. You can look for information and resources in the MMR library, ask an expert panel a question, and read up on the latest news stories relating to MMR.

Are now working within your GP practice. They are clinicians whose expertise is in dealing with bone, joint or muscle pains. 

You can book an appointment with them directly through your GP reception staff without needing to see your GP first.

They have the knowledge and ability to assess you and diagnose what’s happening.

They can advise on how to best manage your condition and refer you onto specialist services if necessary.

For further information please view the following video:

You can self refer to the smoking cessation clinic by calling 0300 123 1044

SmokeFree

NHS Free Smoking Helpline 0800 022 4 332 7 days a week, 7am to 11pm. Here to help you! The NHS have produced “Smokefree”, a dedicated service to inform everyone of the dangers of smoking, the benefits to giving up and how they can help you kick the habit.

QUIT

QUIT is the independent charity whose aim is to save lives by helping smokers to stop. Smokers wanting to QUIT should call 0800 00 22 00 or email stopsmoking@quit.org.uk for free, individual, same-day advice from our trained counsellors.

Useful Links: NHS Choices – Stop Smoking, NHS Stop Smoking Tracker

This desktop application will help you to stop smoking successfully by providing a 30-day course of daily messages, information and tips straight to your computer.

Our lead GP (Dr Butt) and Practice Nurse are our clinical leads for Asthma

All patients with asthma, as well as the ability to see a Clinician urgently, can have an annual review with the practice nurse. Patients who are under 19 can also expect

• A structured review of Asthma control every 6 months (or 3 months if control is poor)
• An assessment of their inhaler technique and training
• A Personalised Asthma Action Plan
• General information about self-management

Invitations will shortly be made to all appropriate patients