At the Spinney we provide an integrated Nursing and healthcare service. By using the skills of our Practice Nursing Team, Community Nursing Team, Health Visiting Team, and Counselling Services Team working closely together we provide a comprehensive service of nursing, health promotion and preventative medicine via a range of services and special clinics (see Clinical Team).

The practice offers three types of service availability:-

• Morning and afternoon treatment room sessions to cover a variety of conditions and treatment such as minor surgery, cuts, burns, swabs, sore throats, ears, eyes, wound dressings, stitch removal and injections.
• Nurse triage – to assess the appropriate clinician for patients requesting a same day appointment with a doctor.
• Specialised services clinics which have longer protected time allocations to cover conditions such as asthma, diabetes, coronary heart disease, women's health (cervical smear checks, contraceptive checks, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) checks etc.), child immunisation and travel advice clinics.

Throughout the week the team also provide other services including blood pressure checks, new patient checks, family planning, general health checks, and most types of promotion of good health rather than the treatment of ill-health.

In addition we also offer a blood taking (phlebotomy) service and the taking of electrocardiograms and urinalysis by our Health Care Assistants.

All treatment room procedures and specialised service clinics are by appointment, and are available by contacting 0844 477 3603. It is usually necessary for our reception staff to ask a little more about your condition so they can ensure you are given the right type of appointment.

More detail on some of the services provided is given below:

Asthma Checks: These are important for all asthmatic patients and should be undertaken every year at review of your medication. There are two clinics each week run by Nurse Gill Avery who is highly qualified in asthma care. If you are having difficulties with your asthma at any time and would like some advice, please contact Gill on 0844 477 3603.

Cervical Smear Tests: These are usually performed by our practice nurses in one of our special clinics. Women aged 25 to 49 have a 3-yearly test, and those aged 50 - 65 have one every 5 years. You should automatically receive an invitation to have this test carried out at the surgery when you achieve the appropriate age qualification. The result of your test is usually back quite quickly (approximately 2 - 3 weeks).

Coronary Heart Disease Clinic: Practice Nurse Ann Hannan runs a CHD clinic every Wednesday afternoon. Patients are invited to attend the clinic annually, or more frequently if necessary. If you have any questions for Ann, please contact the surgery on 0844 477 3603.

Child Immunisation: These are given by the Practice Nurse on Thursday afternoons. See our Self Healthcare and Vaccination & Immunisation web pages for more detail.

Contact 01480 484000 if you are unable to attend, and 01480 356238 / 01480 356275 if you wish to ask any questions of your Health Visitor.

Counselling: If you and your doctor feel you would benefit from counselling, you can be referred to our in-house Counsellors. At the moment, we have Traute Paulin and Esra Gurkan working with us. We will have a student counsellor working with us later in the year. Bruce Tate will be undertaking Esra’s sessions to cover her maternity leave later in the year. Your doctor will give you a form to complete and ask you to make an appointment at reception either in person or telephone on 0844 477 3603. It you are unable to attend your appointment it is important that you contact us as soon as possible.

Diabetic Checks: These are important for diabetic patients. We are aware that some patients have these checks carried out at hospital, however it is important that diabetics are reviewed every year. This can be done by booking an appointment with Nurse Jackie Fryer who is highly qualified in diabetes care. If you have concerns about your diabetes, please contact Jackie on 0844 477 3603.

Dietetics: We offer a clinic by appointment with our Dietitian Sandy Evans. This is by referral from your doctor and priority is given to patients who are newly diagnosed diabetics, patients with high blood pressure, heart disease, or other illness which puts them at greater risk. If you wish to reduce your weight, we can provide leaflets and support in the practice. Please contact the Practice Nurse or your doctor for advice on 0844 477 3603.

Dispensary: If you live in one of the villages surrounding St. Ives or more than 1 mile from the surgery we would like to encourage you to use our Dispensary. We have trained staff available to dispense your medication every day.

Family Planning: We offer several forms of appointment for this service. For annual (or six monthly if advised) checks of your contraceptive medication appointments are offered with all practice nurses for a routine check. If you are wishing to start contraception for the first time, or re-start it after a break, then we will be able to advise you on the different options and commence the appropriate treatment for you. We offer an emergency contraception service with three of our Practice Nurses. Just contact the surgery as soon as possible on 0844 477 3603 and we will arrange your appointment.

Joint Injection Service: You may have heard of a treatment technique for joint pain called an "Intrarticular Joint Injection". Some of the doctors at the Spinney have been specially trained to perform this treatment here in the convenience of the surgery? You might have:

• A known diagnosis of arthritis of the knees
• Tennis or Golfers elbow - or both (despite playing neither sport)
• Sore or stiff knees or shoulders
• A repetitive strain injury of the wrist or elbow from overuse at work or leisure
• A sore or stiff shoulder
• Or some other joint pain or discomfort

You MAY benefit and be suitable for an Intrarticular Joint Injection. This is a very quick procedure with a very low complication rate. After the initial assessment appointment the actual injection is done in a 20 minute appointment allowing you then to get on with the rest of you day.

If you feel you might benefit from this service please feel free to make an appointment with your usual doctor. If you are not suitable for a joint injection there are a range of other treatments which can help off you symptoms relief which we will be only too happy to discuss.

Maternity Care: Maternity care is provided by Mandy Prime and Debbie Stephenson who are attached to the practice. If you are pregnant, you should contact the practice to make a booking appointment with your doctor and obtain the necessary forms and information to help you with your pregnancy. The majority of your care is undertaken by the midwife, supported by the Health Care Assistants who take blood samples.

Mental Health Reviews: Patients with mental health problems are encouraged to have a yearly physical check up with one of our Health Care Assistants. Patients will receive a letter inviting them to attend.

Minor Illness Clinics: The Health Visiting Team has introduced a new service, which is for patients who have children aged under 5.

If your child has any of the following:

Please feel free to contact the surgery on 0844 477 3603 and the Health Visitor will ring you back and arrange for you either to come in and see them, a practice nurse or a doctor.

Minor Surgery: Each doctor offers this service. For lumps, bumps, cysts etc, consult your doctor and he or she will organise an appointment for you to come back for a minor surgical procedure. These are usually done in routine surgery, but often it is necessary to book a longer appointment.

Physiotherapy: The practice now benefits from a service called Physio Direct. Patients who have an injury or pain can contact Physio Direct on 01480 434980. The Staff at Physio Direct are highly trained and will be able to make an assessment of your needs straight away. They will arrange for you to be seen, or have a range of exercises, or refer you to another health care professional as appropriate.

Travel Advice: See Travel Advice web page.

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