Cervical Screening is carried out to check the health of your cervix, it is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
All women and people with a cervix aged 25 – 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.
The test itself should take less than 5 minutes and is usually done by a female nurse or doctor.
If your doctor recommends an Xray, they will give you a form which must be taken to the Xray department. Xrays can be taken at Leighton Hospital Monday – Friday 9.00am – 7.15pm and at Victoria Infirmary, Northwich, Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.15pm. An appointment is not needed. Please report to Xray Reception with your form.
Mondays: 9am – 1pm
Tuesdays: 9am-1pm
Fridays: 9.30am – 1pm
We have a Phlebotomist (trained blood taker) who will usually take your blood samples.
Appointments with the Phlebotomist can be made at Reception. Appointments are available Monday and Wednesday mornings. Please double check if you need a fasting blood test. If so, please do not have anything to eat and only water to drink from 10pm the night before your test. If you are on any tablets, continue to take these as normal with water.
Patients unable to attend on a Monday or Wednesday morning may find it more convenient to drop in at the Victoria Infirmary, Northwich, Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:
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.
Please note: Passports and shotgun licences are no longer signed by the doctor.
Do you have a problem with your muscles, joints or bones?
If so, you may not need to see one of our doctors.
If you are aged 16 or over, you can SELF REFER to the physiotherapy department based at Dene Drive, Winsford, next to Aldi. The service is free as part of your NHS care. You do not need to see the doctor first, and do not need permission for referral.
Please ask at reception for the self-referral form, fill in all your relevant details, including your contact details and hand back to the receptionist. The physio department will contact you directly to arrange your appointment.
We also have a highly trained First Contact Practitioner at the surgery who works with the Doctors and the rest of the team to assess, diagnose and manage patients with muscle, joint and bone problems. Our reception team may offer you an appointment directly with the Practitioner, without seeing the Doctor first. The Practitioner will assess your joint, muscle and bone problems, diagnose and help you to manage your condition.
Young people are often scared of coming to the doctors because they think we will mention things to their parents; THIS IS NOT THE CASE!! We see lots of young people and talk to them in the same way as we would to adults. We are not allowed to mention anything to your parents; this would be breaking confidentiality and risking our jobs! It is fine for you to bring a friend if you would feel happier with someone in the room to give moral support!
The only time we may have to tell parents or other people would be if your life or someone else’s was in serious danger but we would have to tell you this at the time. Members of staff in the surgery will not be able to mention anything to your parents either and we certainly won’t mention it if we see you with your folks in Morrisons!
We are a practice with a lot of younger members of staff, nurses and GPs – none of whom are old fashioned. We understand what it is like to be a young person and what issues and dilemmas you are going through.
If you’re a bit embarrassed by what your body looks like, or you’re not sure about something and can’t chat about it with your mates… pop in! We are happy to reassure you of what is normal, or not!
Sometimes you might not know who to turn to if you’ve been bullied, or are feeling angry, frustrated or down. As a practice, we’re happy to chat about anything with you, in confidence.
You may wish to access alternative support and within this booklet we have included a list of useful website links and contacts which you may want to consider in relation to young people and families requiring additional support.
We’re happy to talk to everyone about contraception and the different options available, and we also offer free STI checks.
If you’ve been caught out and you think you might be at risk of pregnancy then DON’T DELAY! If you ring the surgery we will always try to see you on the same day. At the weekend most chemists can give out the morning after pill for free. The sooner this is taken, the more effective it is.
