Clinics & Services
Sexual Health and Contraceptive Clinics
Acorn Medical Centre provide contraceptive pill, however if you require any other Sexual Health / Contraceptive support please contact one of our local Sexual Health Clinic
Specialist Clinics
The Acorn Medical Centre provides specialist clinics covering a number of disease categories. These clinics are run by the doctors and the practice nurse. Patients are encouraged to attend these clinics so as to improve patients’ long-term care. This also provides an opportunity for patients to discuss any concerns regarding their treatment. The disease categories are:
- Heart disease
- Stroke and “mini strokes”
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- COPD (Chronic Bronchitis)
- Cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- Mental health
- Learning disabilities
- Dementia
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Enhanced Services
In addition, the practice also provides the following enhanced services for our patients:
- The vaccine to protect you from Influenza (FLU)
- The vaccine to protect you from pneumonia
- The vaccine to protect you from cervical cancer
- The vaccine to Protect you from Shingle
Travel Immunisation
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to contact surgery and request Travel Questionnaire and then submit back to us, Practice Nurse will then contact you to advise if you need Immunisations prior to your travel. It is important to to contact us well in advance as normally you would need Immunisation at least 6 weeks before you travel.
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Child Health Surveillance
The general development and progress of all children under five years old is monitored through regular checks. The doctor or health visitor carries these out, unless otherwise stated, at the following ages:
- Six weeks – doctor.
- Eight months – health visitor/community clinic (usually at Oak Farm Clinic or Uxbridge Health Centre).
- Three years – health visitors at local community clinic (usually at Oak Farm Clinic or Uxbridge health Centre).
Baby and Child Immunisations
- All these are provided by Acorn Medical Centre, with the exception of BCG, and are given in line with the national guidelines. For further information please refer to your child red health book or contact the surgery for advice.
The Practice Nurse
Our highly qualified practice nurse is able to offer the following by appointment:
- NHS Health checks
- Diabetic Review Clinics
- Pre- Diabetic Review Clinics
- High blood pressure monitoring
- Travel advice and immunisations
- Family planning checks
- Cervical smear tests
- Dressings
- Removal of sutures/Clips
- Wound care
- Routine adult and child immunisations
Screening Services
Cervical Screening: Smear Tests
Women aged between 24 and 64 should have a cervical screening every 3 to 5 years to help prevent cervical cancer. The screening is quick and painless and can be done here in the practice.
If you are aged over 24 and have never had a smear test, or if it has been more than 3 to 5 years since your last screening, you should arrange an appointment with our Practice Nurse. You should not have the test while you are having a period or in the 4 days before or after your period as this can affect the sample.
What is cervical screening?
Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman’s cervix (the neck of the womb).
A sample of cells is taken from the cervix for analysis. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (a speculum) to open the woman’s vagina and uses a spatula to sweep around the cervix. Most women consider the procedure to be only mildly uncomfortable.
Early detection and treatment can prevent 75 per cent of cancers developing but like other screening tests, it is not perfect. It may not always detect early cell changes that could lead to cancer.
Who is eligible for cervical screening?
All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five years. The NHS call and recall system invites women who are registered with a GP. It also keeps track of any follow-up investigation, and, if all is well, recalls the woman for screening in three or five years time. It is therefore important that all women ensure their GP has their correct name and address details and inform them if these change.
Women who have not had a recent test may be offered one when they attend their GP or family planning clinic on another matter. Women should receive their first invitation for routine screening at 25.
Why are women under 25 not invited?
This is because changes in the young cervix are normal. If they were thought to be abnormal this could lead to unnecessary treatment which could have consequences for women’s childbearing. Any abnormal changes can be easily picked up and treated from the age of 25. Rarely, younger women experience symptoms such as unexpected bleeding or bleeding after intercourse. In this case they should see their GP for advice.
Why are women over 65 not invited?
Women aged 65 and over who have had three consecutive negative results are taken out of the call recall system. The natural history and progression of cervical cancer means it is highly unlikely that such women will go on to develop the disease. Women aged 65 and over who have never had a test are entitled to one.
What about women who are not sexually active?
The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites all women between the ages of 25 and 64 for cervical screening. But if a woman has never been sexually active with a man, then the research evidence shows that her chance of developing cervical cancer is very low indeed. We do not say no risk, only very low risk. In these circumstances, a woman might choose to decline the invitation for cervical screening on this occasion. If a woman is not currently sexually active but has had male partners in the past, then we would recommend that she continues screening.
Non-NHS Services
Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:
- Medicals for fostering, adoptions, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
- Insurance claim forms
- Private sick notes
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability
Midwives
Midwives work in the community, providing care to women during and after pregnancy. Each woman has a named midwife or team of midwives who provide information that will help her understand some of the changes that may occur during her pregnancy. At various stages of your pregnancy you will be seen at the hospital (usually Hillingdon Hospital) or by the Midwife. If you are pregnant you should be on a vitamin tablet called folic acid which is taken until at least the 12th week of pregnancy. Please speak to your midwife or doctor about this.
Health Visitors
Health visitors are nurses who have additional qualifications in child health care and health promotion. Their aim is to promote healthy lifestyles and address concerns about physical and mental well-being, Every child under five years of age has a named health visitor, who works in partnership with parents to help each child reach their full potential.
