Surgery clinics

Blood tests

If you have been contacted to book in for a blood test, you should have received a link to arrange an appointment. If you have not received this, please request a blood test using the corresponding form on Anima.

Alternatively, phlebotomy clinics are held at Colchester Primary Care Centre, Clacton District Hospital and Harwich Blood Clinic which can be booked through GP Primary Choice.

Cervical screening

The practice follows the national programme for cervical screening. You will be invited by the NHS Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) when eligible.

Contraception and family planning

All forms of contraception are available, including oral contraceptives, coil fitting and removal, contraceptive implant fitting and removal, and depo injections.

Please fill in the corresponding form on Anima to request an appointment with one of our clinicians.

Flu vaccinations

The flu vaccination is available from September or October to March each year. If you have a long-term condition or are aged 65 or over, you can book an appointment from the last week of August, depending on the delivery date of the vaccines to the surgery.

The surgery occasionally holds flu clinics on Saturday mornings. These will be advertised on the website and Facebook page, posters in the waiting area, and patients will be informed via text message.

For further information, please use Anima to contact the practice with any queries you may have regarding your flu vaccine.

Long term conditions

Our team of expert nurses manage our patients with long term conditions such as:

Asthma and COPD

If you have been advised by the practice to submit an annual review of your asthma symptoms, complete an Asthma review form.

If you have been advised by the surgery to submit a COPD assessment, please complete a COPD review form. You should attend regular check-ups and have an appointment with the nurse at least once per year to review your asthma. You will receive guidance on lifestyle, inhaler techniques and advice on your medication.

Please fill in the corresponding form on Anima to request an appointment with one of our respiratory nurses.

Blood pressure

Routine regular check-ups of your blood pressure are available with a clinician.

We also have a blood pressure machine in our blood pressure room for patients to use at any time. To use it, simply follow the instructions on the machine and hand your results in to our receptionists.

If you have a home blood pressure monitor, you can submit your readings to the reception team via the website, or by using the corresponding form on your Anima account. Submit your blood pressure readings online.

Diabetes

If you are diabetic, you must have a regular check-up with our practice nurse at least one per year to review your condition. You will receive guidance on lifestyle, advice on your medication, and the nurse will advise if more regular reviews are required.

Please fill in the corresponding form on Anima to request an appointment with one of our diabetes nurses.

Minor surgery

Our clinicians offer a wide range of minor surgery at the practice including joint injections, tennis and golfers elbow injections, removal of lumps, bumps and moles, and cautery.

Please note that it is necessary to have a consultation with the doctor to assess the condition prior to booking in for any procedure.

Please fill in the corresponding form on Anima to request an appointment with one of our clinicians.

NHS health checks

We offer free NHS health checks. These are health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS health check helps find ways to lower this risk. You are eligible if you do not have one of the following pre-existing conditions:

• heart disease
• chronic kidney disease
• diabetes
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• atrial fibrillation
• transient ischaemic attack
• inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
• heart failure
• peripheral arterial disease
• stroke
• currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol
• previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years

Please fill in the corresponding form on Anima to request an appointment with one of our clinicians.

Non-NHS services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
•  Other medicals
• Insurance claim forms
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates
• Referral letters for patients with private insurance

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. For further information, please use Anima to contact the practice with any queries you may have regarding non-NHS services.

Pregnancy and children

Maternity care begins even before the pregnancy. Couples planning a baby are encouraged to make an appointment to discuss how to give their child the best start by making changes to their diet and lifestyle. Please fill in the corresponding form on Anima to request an appointment with one of our clinicians.

Finding out you are pregnant

All newly pregnant women should self-refer to the midwifery service at Colchester Hospital. They will give you all the information you will need for your pregnancy.

Postnatal care

All new mums are invited to attend a postnatal check 8 weeks after delivery, at which time baby’s first child health examination is also conducted and you will be advised of your baby’s vaccination schedule.

Please note that contraception can be started at 3 weeks after delivery even if you are breast feeding. If you need contraception before your 8 week check please make a family planning appointment.

Please fill in the corresponding form on Anima to request an appointment with one of our clinicians.

Travel vaccinations

Before booking an appointment for travel vaccinations, please complete the travel risk assessment form. Please complete this at least 12 weeks prior to the date you leave.

Our clinicians will check what vaccines you need and ensure these are in stock before contacting you with an appointment. Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription which incur a charge over and above the normal prescription levy. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS. There may be a delay in ordering vaccines for travel as these must be ordered direct from the manufacturer or via wholesalers.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the NHS Fit For Travel website.