Everyone aged 40-74 who does not have a pre-existing heart condition is eligible for a health check once every five years. It is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as:
Annual health check Learning Disability and Autism
All patients aged 14 years and over with a learning disability and/or autism are eligible for an annual health check. An annual health check can help you stay well by talking to a doctor or nurse about your health and finding any problems early, so they can be sorted out.
You do not have to be ill to have a health check – in fact, most people have their annual health check when they are feeling well.
If you have a learning disability or care for somebody who does, make sure we are aware of this because not everyone may be on the practice’s Learning Disability register. You can do this by telling our reception team, doctor or nurse.
Once on the register you will receive an invite each year to attend an appointment.
The carers health check is the same as the NHS Health Check but is about looking after you as a Carer. It will focus on your own health and wellbeing and whether there are any areas you need support with. It is a chance to talk about your concerns and hopes for the future. The check covers the questions which Carers have told us are important.
You have the right to attend without a Parent or Carer where the Doctor or Nurse will decide if they think you are ready to make your own decisions about your health. If they do not think are quite ready they will ask you to bring a Parent or Carer next time.
We will keep anything you tell us confidential, which means we will not discuss this with anyone, including your Parents or Carer. We would only break confidentiality if you were in danger and we would discuss this with you first.
We have a Young People’s corner in the Practice where you can access a wide variety of information specific to your age group and needs. If there is something in particular that you are looking for and we don’t have it please ask at Reception and we will try to help.
We aim to offer services which are young people friendly. We welcome young people and aim to put them at ease when they come to the practice.
We have compiled some useful information which young people have told us is important to them when it comes to their health.
We have also provided information on your rights as a young person. Please click here
Vaccination & Immunisation
As well as booster immunisations, if you are travelling abroad and are unsure whether or not you need any vaccinations for your destination please ask to speak to the Practice Nurse.
Treatment Room
Service Changes
The Treatment Room in its current form will close by 5th January 2020. After this date, service provision will change and some services will be re-provided at a different location:
Wound Hub – Southwick Health Centre, The Green, Sunderland SR5 2LT
The District Nursing Team will continue to see patients who require:
specialist dressings;
dressing changes following discharge from hospital;
stitch/staple removal;
Doppler readings.
This service continues to be by appointment only, booked by the hospital or your Practice Team.
Ear Syringing
It is anticipated that this service will be provided by our Healthcare Assistant within the Practice by April 2020, if not sooner. In the meantime, Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group will be providing clinics for patients to access. Details are not yet known but we will update this page as soon as it becomes clear.
Other services
All other services will be provided by Staff within the Practice:
Phlebotomy (blood tests)
B12 injections
ECG (heart tracing)
specialist implants e.g. Zoladex/Decapeptyl/Degarelix
Please speak to the Reception staff for an appointment – 0191 5674293.
Smoking Cessation
Our Health Care Assistant is a trained Smoking Cessation Adviser, offering advice and support in quitting smoking. She can advise on the options available to you and obtain a prescription from the Doctors for any medication required to help you quit, if deemed appropriate.
Long Term Condition Management
Our Practice Nurses runs clinics for the management of all long term conditions such as Coronary Heart Disease, Diabetes, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Hypertension, Stroke etc. Patients known to have any of these problems will be invited to attend for review at least once a year, usually on or around your Birthday.
Nurses are assisted in the running of the clinics by our Healthcare Assistant, whom you may see prior to seeing the Nurse.
Interpreting & BLS Service
This may take some time to book according to the availability of the Interpreter so please give as much notice as possible. We can arrange interpretation and translation services in person or by telephone for patients who do not speak English and for hearing impaired.
Please let us know if you need this service when booking an appointment.
Family Planning
Advice on family planning is given in routine consultation with the GP or by booking an appointment with the Practice Nurse.
Childhood Immunisations
The Practice Nurses are available to give routine childhood immunisations on Wednesdays between 9.30am and 12 pm.
The Health Visitors are also available within the Health Centre during this time for weighing and advice.
Cervical Smears
Smears are taken by the Practice Nurse, who follows national guidelines in the call and recall of ladies. If you have not had a smear we strongly recommend you contact us to make an appointment. Once you have had this done you will be recalled every three years or as advised.