Yelverton Surgery - The clinics and other services offered by our doctors surgery

Yelverton Surgery
Tel: 01822 852202

Princetown Surgery
Tel: 01822 852202

04/01/12 - We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete our patient survey. Click on the link to the right.

03/10/11 - The Devon Virtual Carers Helpline 08456 434 435 is available for carers and enables access to a number of support services e.g. local opportunities to meet other carers for mutual support, friendship and time away from caring.
Don't forget to let the surgery know if you are a carer so that we can offer you further services as they become available.

26/09/2011 - BOOK YOUR FLU JAB NOW! Eligible patients can now book an appointment in one of our flu clinics, which are starting in October. Please check with the receptionist if you are unsure whether you fall into one of the 'at risk' groups'.

30/08/2011 - ARE YOU A CARER? In anticipation of additional support becoming available to carers throughout Devon, we are currently attempting to identify as many patients as possible who are looking after someone. A carer is someone who, without payment, provides support to someone who could not manage without their help. A carer can be a spouse, parent, child or other relative, a friend or even a neighbour. You do not need to be claiming Carer's Allowance to be considered a carer. Please give us a call or complete a Carer's Registration form at reception so we can identify you as a carer. Thank you.

16/08/2011 - The surgery will be closed 12.30 - 14.30 on Tueday 13th September for Staff Traning. Patients with appointments to see the physio will be seen as usual. Devon Doctors on Call will be available for any urgent medical problems.

01/08/2011 - Welcome to Dr Matthew Best who joins us as a partner today! Dr Best works on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please look out for our next newsletter for details on Dr Best's traning and interests!

27/07/2011 - Farewell to Dr Mallaband, who retires this week. You will be missed by us all!
Patients registered with Dr Mallaband may notice that Dr Lynch or Dr Best appears on their prescription repeat cards etc. We have to change this for administration purposes. All patients are registered with the practice rather than one particualr doctor and you still have the right to choose who you see.

25/07/2011 - Saturday Clinics. We will now be holding a Saturday Practice Nurse clinic once every 5 weeks. Similarly to our existing Saturday clinics, appointments must be pre-booked and are only for patients who are in full-time employment or education.

15/04/2011 - There is a new edition of the newsletter available...click on Practice Newsletters on the right hand side of the screen.

28/02/2011 - West Devon Breast Screening Unit
If you are a woman aged 50 or over breast screening is available for you. The mobile screening unit will be in Morrisons Superstore Car Park, Plymouth Road, Tavistock from March 2011 to August 2011. If you are between 50 and 70 years old you will soon be receiving a letter inviting you to attend. If you are over 70 and would like to be screening, please ring the Primrose Breast Care Centre on 08451 558167.
An age extension is gradually being introduced in this area. This means that some women 47-49 or 71-73 years of age will receive an invite. If you would like more information on the age extension please ask reception for a leaflet or visit www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk

15/02/2011 - Sales Calls
It has been brought to our attention that sales calls are being made to patients by someone fraudulently claiming to be a representative of the surgery.
The telephone calls are being made by a company called Sanda Wellness tel:0208 619 0745.
The caller will either ask you questions regarding your health and lifestyle or will try and sell you products e.g. pomegranate syrup, which will ‘cure all your ailments’.
This company does not have any connection with Yelverton Surgery and we do not condone the pressurised selling technique the company uses.
If you do receive a sales call from this company, please do not disclose any personal details and if possible report the telephone call to the local Trading Standards
01752 304141

06/01/2011 - Online Prescriptions
When ordering your prescription online, please take extra care when choosing the collection point. If you choose 'Yelverton Surgery' the prescription will be held at the practice and will not be sent to the chemist for dispensing.

Ordering Prescriptions
In line with many other GP practices, we have decided not to accept telephone requests for prescriptions in the interest of safety. This change will be effective from 1st June 2010.

You may order your repeat prescriptions through the website (click on Repeat Prescriptions to the right of this message) or you can bring your repeat slip to the surgery and put it in the box in the reception lobby. Postal requests are also accepted. If you do not have your repeat slip, please provide a written request to include your personal details and items required.

Repeat Dispensing
For those patients on stable medication, we have a repeat dispensing system that allows six or twelve months of prescriptions to be sent to the chemist at one time. For further information, please refer to our prescriptions page and enquire at the desk if you are interested.

Health Charities

01 Dec - 28 Feb
Marie Curie

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.

Clinics & Services

Travel Vaccinations

Other Services

Clinics & Services

Asthma Clinic

Claire Forder (Practice Nurse)

Diabetic Clinic

Megan de Mendonça (Practice Nurse)

District Nurses

Tel: 01822 854885 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday - Friday

Family Planning

Women who have, or wish to have a coil (IUCD) should
contact Tavistock Family Planning clinic on 01822 615935.

Well Person

bloodpressure Registered patients who are well and have not visited the surgery for 3 years may like to make an appointment with one of our nurses for a health check. This will involve a check of your blood pressure (if you are over 40 years old), height and weight measurements and recording of your family history. Our nurse will be able to advise you on ways to remain healthy.

Registered patients over the age of 75 who have not seen a doctor within the past 12 months may wish to make an appointment for an annual health check. This assessment is available at the surgery by appointment with one of our doctors or nurses. If you are unable to visit the surgery for medical reasons we will arrange to visit you at home.

Chiropody

A chiropodist is available for appointments on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. You must be referred by a doctor to receive an appointment.

Physiotherapy

There are physiotherapy clinics on Monday, Thursday and Friday. If you wish to contact the clinic, please leave a message with the reception staff.

Contraception & Sexual Health

All the doctors offer confidential contraceptive services at either surgery. Emergency contraception is also freely available and strictly confidential. If you think you may be at risk, please contact the surgery - we will be happy to see you the same day if necessary.

Maternity Services

pregnant Maternity services are provided mainly by the midwife and occasionally by the doctors. Once pregnancy has been confirmed (usually by a home test), please come into the surgery to pick up a maternity pack and fill in a few forms which we will pass on to the midwives. The midwives will then contact you and arrange to come and see you at home. Please ensure that you have read through your maternity pack before the midwives visit you.

All pregnant women, irrespective of age will now be offered a nuchal scan and combined blood test for Downs Syndrome. Information about the test is included in the maternity pack. The midwives like to see all ladies by the time they are 10 weeks pregnant if possible.

Baby Clinic

The drop-in baby clinic is held fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons (2-4pm) with the Health Visitor. To make an appointment with the Health Visitor please contact the Tavistock office on 01822 616135 and they will arrange a time to see you.

Minor Surgery

Minor Surgery sessions are held monthly at the surgery by Dr Ed Doyle for the removal of different lumps and bumps. Megan, our practice nurse, also holds cryotherapy sessions fortnightly. You will require a referral from one of the doctors before being booked into our minor surgery and cryotherapy clinics.

Travel Vaccinations

We offer immunisations for patients travelling abroad. We advise that you obtain up to date information from the travellers website www.masta.org.

Please remember to leave enough time to have your immunisations prior to travelling - at least three months is advisable. We are unable to administer vaccinations that have been bought by patients over the internet. To ensure safety and correct storage we can only adminster vaccinations that we have purchased.

There is a charge for private prescriptions for travel medications including malaria which is not available under NHS prescription. Most immunisations for foreign travel incur a charge, please download the table for fees.

If you require Hepatitis B vaccinations for occupational purposes your employer will be charged and you will be issued with a certificate showing your immunity status. We require written confirmation from the employer of their agreement to fund the course of immunisations. A letter for employers can be downloaded here, which gives full details of the immunisation course and charges. If your employer has an Occupational Health Department, immunisation should be offered through them.

Information relating to travel immunisations can be found by following 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.

Travel Health Questionnaire

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse.

clock2 Travel Questionnaire

Other Services

Non NHS Medical Examinations & Services

Medical Examinations for special purposes e.g. H.G.V., insurance or driving medicals etc, can be arranged with a doctor. The fee recommended by the British Medical Association is charged as these examinations are not available on the NHS.

There are a variety of forms which require a doctor's signature, e.g. private medical forms etc. The Doctor will complete these for you but please allow at least five working days for completion. Please ask at reception for the fee chargeable or download the table. Frequently asked questions about non-NHS services are answered in this document.

We regret that we are unable to waive fees where medicals are required to undertake charity events. We have numerous requests of this nature and whilst we would like to be able to waive fees the partners would prefer to choose which charities they support.

Yelverton Surgery is now able to accept Credit and Debit card payments.

Obtaining Sickness Certificates

For the first 5 days you are absent from work, a self-certification form should be completed. These forms should be available from your employer. After this time we are able to issue you with a certificate without seeing you at the surgery if we have written evidence of your condition/illness from another doctor. We are not able to backdate certificates if you have not been seen at the surgery.

Thinking of giving up smoking?

Stop Smoking If you are thinking of giving up smoking, please contact reception who will be able to make you an appointment to see our smoking cessation nurse for advice, nicotine replacement therapy and encouragement. There is no need to see a doctor first.

Clinics run every other Thurday afternoon at Yelverton Surgery.

NHS website for advice, information and support to stop and stay stopped.

Chlamydia Screening

As part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, we are offering free and confidential Chlamydia tests, information and prevention to all under 25s. The test for Chlamydia is simple – you can do it yourself and you do not need to be examined. We can also provide free treatment for you and your partner if required. Testing kits are available from the surgery - you do not need to see a doctor or nurse if you do not want to. For more information, please visit www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk.

Further Information

For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS Direct

NHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services