Walford Mill Medical Practice - The clinics and other services offered by our doctors surgery

Walford Mill Medical Centre
Knobcrook Road
Wimborne, BH21 1NL
Tel: 01202 886999

Health Charities

Marie Curie Cancer Care is a UK charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. Over the financial year 2010/11, we reached a total of 31,799 patients

01 Dec - 28 Feb
YouthHealthTalk

Youthhealthtalk enables young people, their family and friends, and professionals such as doctors and teachers to understand young people's experiences of health, illness and life in general. The website feature real-life accounts of issues such as effect on work and education, social life and relationships, consulting health professionals and treatment.

03 Sep - 28 Feb
Macmillan Cancer Support

One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.

BBC Health

'A little too much drink' warning

Drinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.

Health bodies reject NHS reforms

Physiotherapist leaders have joined the Royal College of GPs in calling for the health bill in England to be scrapped, increasing pressure on the government.

Malaria toll 'is twice as high'

The number of deaths worldwide from malaria has been underestimated, according to data published in the medical journal the Lancet.

Weekend hospital admission fears

Research which suggests that patients are more likely to die in hospital if they are admitted at the weekend is backed up by a major study.

Poison arrest nurse loses appeal

A nurse arrested and later freed over the poisoning deaths of patients at Stepping Hill Hospital loses an appeal against her sacking.

Brains may be wired for addiction

Abnormalities in the brain may make some people more likely to become drug addicts, according to scientists.

PFI hospitals 'get bailout fund'

Seven English NHS hospital trusts with debts caused, in part, by PFI repayments are to have access to a £1.5bn government bailout fund.

Record 'legal highs detected'

A record number of potentially dangerous new legal highs were found in Europe last year, say doctors.

Legionella Britons die in Spain

Three British men die and three more people remain in hospital after contracting Legionnaires' disease while on holiday in Spain, a tour company says.

Watermelon 'is salmonella source'

A salmonella outbreak linked to watermelon has affected 35 people, killing one, in the UK since December, health experts have revealed.

Health Protection Agency

Current alert level: Level 3 - Cold Weather Action in one or more regions of England

There is a 100% probability of severe cold weather between 1000 on Monday and 1000 on Friday in parts of England.

Health Protection Agency confirms new incinerator study

A new study to further extend the evidence base as to whether emissions from modern well run Municipal Waste Incinerators affect human health has been approved by the Health Protection Agency.

HPA helps solve radon problems in West Oxfordshire homes

Hundreds of homes across West Oxfordshire have been found to have high levels of radioactive gas radon. Last summer, the Health Protection Agency invited about 9,000 householders across West Oxfordshire to apply for a free test for radon, a naturally occurring gas present in all homes.

HPA helps solve radon problems in Orkney homes

Hundreds of householders across Orkney are being advised to act to protect their health, after HPA tests detected high levels of radioactive gas radon.

Cornish radon hotspot targeted

Thousands of households in a part of Cornwall with historic radon problems are being offered a free test for levels of the radioactive gas radon.

New Guidelines to Control Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infections in UK Hospitals Launched

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) together with the group A streptococcal (GAS) Working Group* has today launched new guidelines for the investigation, control and prevention of GAS infection in acute healthcare settings, including maternity units, in the UK.

Whooping cough cases increase

Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England and Wales have more than doubled from 421 cases in 2010 to 1040 in 2011. Increases in levels of whooping cough are seen every three to four years and figures in 2011 are in line with cases reported in the last peak year of 2008.

HPA publishes second migrant health report

The Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) second report on Migrant Health, and the first UK-wide report is published today.

Levels of norovirus within seasonal norms

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.

HPA warns winter sun seekers to seek protection from malaria

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is reminding UK travellers visiting friends and family or taking winter sun holidays to ensure they take anti-malaria tablets when visiting countries where malaria is prevalent.

Patient Services

Travel Vaccinations

Childhood Illnesses

As well as providing general practitioner services, we offer a range of nurse-led clinics and other NHS services to meet health care needs of our patients:

Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine

chd It is our policy to pursue preventative medicine for all patients. All our health care professionals are able to advise on illness and disease prevention.

Disease Management Clinics

Our practice nurses run a variety of special clinics for asthma, diabetes and heart disease and patients with these conditions are invited to attend at regular intervals for a health review.

Cervical Smear Test

It is recommended that all women aged 25-49 years have a smear every three years and women 50-65 years have a smear every five years, unless they have had a hysterectomy. Patients will be invited by letter when a smear test is due.

Mammograms

The Poole Hospital NHS Trust mobile breast screening unit visits our area at regular intervals and mammograms are offered to women aged 50 65 years.

Minor Surgery

Certain minor surgical procedures, not requiring a general anaesthetic, can be carried out at the surgery.

Contraceptive Services

Contraceptive advice is offered by all the doctors and practice nurses during routine surgeries.

Teenage Sexual Health Clinic

Students of Q E School, who are not registered with the practice, and who may be unable or unwilling to consult their own GP can seek help and advice from our clinical team for sexual health matters including pregnancy and contraception. Students are referred to this service via the school s Teenage Life Centre (TLC).

Maternity

All our doctors are on the Obstetric List and are happy to share in your antenatal care in conjunction with our midwives and the specialist facilities at Poole and Wimborne Hospitals. Appointments for antenatal care can be made with the midwife or doctor.

Child Health Surveillance and Baby Clinic

6 week baby checks are carried out by the doctors. Additionally, the health visitors arrange regular paediatric checks and run baby and under ones clinics. Appointments will be sent to parents for scheduled checks.

Child Immunisations

Childrens vaccinations are carried out by the practice nurse. Immunisation is essential for protection against potentially debilitating, or even fatal, diseases. You will be sent a reminder card in accordance with the immunisation schedule (see page 15). If you have any worries or concerns about your child receiving vaccinations, our doctors and health visitors are available for advice.

Influenza Immunisation

An influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for patients over 65 years of age and those patients with chronic respiratory disease, heart, lung or kidney disease, chronic liver disease, immunosupression and diabetes. Patients at risk are invited to attend our special flu clinics which are usually during October and November.

Pneumococcal Immunisation

In most cases, this is a once only vaccination recommended for older patients and certain at-risk groups. We are participating in the Department of Healths immunisation programme and patients who fall into these categories will be invited to receive the vaccine.

Travel Immunisations and Vaccines

Please make an appointment with the practice nurse at least 8 weeks in advance ofyour travel date. A charge will be made for certain immunisations which are not covered by the NHS. A list of these charges is available from our receptionists.

Counselling

We have a visiting counsellor who can provide help for a range of personal or family problems. This service is provided by Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust and patients will need to see a doctor for a referral.

Carers Group

Our health visitors run a Carers Group providing information and support for those who are looking after a relative, friend or neighbour who cant manage without their help.

Walford Mill Pharmacy

We are fortunate to have an independent pharmacy operating from within the surgery. The pharmacist is able to offer advice to patients and liaises closely with the doctors.

NON NHS MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND SERVICES

Some of our services fall outside the NHS and charges are made for these. Services include private medical certificates, signing passport applications, various medical examinations for sport, school, pre-employment, HGV licences, elderly drivers and some immunisations. Please ask our reception staff for full details.

REFERRAL TO SPECIALIST SERVICES AND CLINICS AND PATIENT CHOICE

If the doctor decides you need to be referred to a specialist or consultant he/she will discuss your choices of provider of the service you need. This may involve registering your referral electronically using a system known as Choose and Book. If your referral is made in this way you will leave the surgery with a list of providers and details of how to select your choice and arrange your own appointment

Travel Vaccinations

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required. There is information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Carribean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Illness and Incubation / Infectious Period	Symptoms	What to do
Chicken Pox
14 16 days incubation. Infectious day before rash appears until spots are dry.	Generally unwell, rash (red spots becoming fluid filled blisters) possibly a temperature	No need to see the doctor unless very unwell / distressed. Give plenty of fluids. Paracetamol to lower a temperature. Baths, loose clothing and calamine lotion can ease itchiness.
Measles (Immunisation available)
7 12 days incubation. Infectious few days before rash appears until five days after it goes.	Non-itchy rash (red slightly raised spots; may become blotchy). Unwell with cough and high temperature.	No need to see the doctor unless very unwell. Give rest and plenty to drink. Paracetamol to lower the temperature. Vaseline around the lips protects the skin. Wash crustiness from eyelids with warm water.
Mumps (Immunisation available)
14 21 days incubation. Infectious a few days before becoming unwell until swelling goes down.	Pain around the ear or discomfort when chewing. Swelling under the jaw up by the ear.	No need to see the doctor unless child has stomach-ache and is being sick. Child may not feel especially unwell. Paracetamol to ease pain in swollen glands. Give plenty to drink but not fruit juices as they make saliva flow, which can hurt.
Rubella (German Measles) (Immunisation available)
14-21 days incubation. Infectious a few days before illness starts until a week after rash first appears.	Can be difficult to diagnose with certainty. Starts with mild cold. Rash (flat spots) appears in a day or two first on face then spreading. Glands at back of neck may be swollen	No need to see the doctor. Child doesnt usually feel unwell. Give plenty to drink. Keep child away from pregnant women (or those trying to become so). If child was in contact with anyone pregnant before illness became known, let them know.
Whooping Cough (Immunisation available)
Incubation 7 14days Infectious from first signs of illness until about 6 weeks after coughing unless antibiotic given.	A gradually worsening cough. Coughing bouts start after about 2 weeks causing exhaustion and breathing difficulty. Sometimes, but not always, there is a whooping noise as child draws breath after coughing.	Contact the doctor if child has a worsening cough with longer and more frequent fits of coughing. It is important for the sake of other children to know whether or not it is whooping cough. It takes some weeks before the coughing fits start to die down.