Our doctors, nurses and healthcare team offer a range of services at the practice.
Anti-coagulation monitoring
A warfarin monitoring service is available to our patients which is delivered by another local practice.
Child immunisations
This is available from the doctors, nurses and our health visitor.
Counselling help
For problems such as stress, anxiety, exam nerves, loneliness, depression, eating disorders and alcohol and drug misuse you can make an appointment with any of the doctors for assessment and possible referral to the practice-based counselling team or community mental health team.
In addition to this NHS-funded service, the University of Bath provides a free counselling service for the benefit of its students and staff. For more information contact the student support services on 01225 384796.
Free counselling is also available through:
- Off The Record – BANES (This is available to anyone under 25)
- BANES talking therapies
Contraception and sexual health
Sex is a normal aspect of adult life. It is therefore very important that you know about sexual health and take seriously the responsibility of protecting yourself from unwanted diseases or pregnancies.
We can advise on all aspects of sexual health and provide a full range of contraceptive methods including the emergency contraception pill (the ‘morning-after pill’) or an intrauterine device (Copper Coil). If you experience an unplanned pregnancy you can discuss your options with a clinician.
If you have concerns you have symptoms of a sexual infection please book an appointment to discuss with one of our clinicians or you can visit the local sexual health clinic: The Riverside Clinic | For all your sexual health and contraceptive needs.
Cervical smears
A first cervical smear invitation is sent to patients over the age of 25 but can be taken at the age of 24 years and 6 months of age.
The aim of cervical screening is to reduce the risk of cancer of the cervix by finding and treating cell changes that could, over time, develop into cancer.
SAFEBANES- Sexual health advice for everyone
There are many Sexual Health services throughout the B&NES area offering support, advice and guidance. You can locate these services on the safebanes website and by using the interactive map you will be able to find a list of services currently available.
SAFE C-CARD Scheme (free condom scheme)
Details about the C-Card scheme and how to apply for your free condom C-Card and where you can go to can go to collect these from a number of local venues can also be found on the safebanes website.
University sexual health information
The University of Bath website will also help you to find the information you may need about how to get free contraception and where to go to find other advice and support services about sexual health.
Flu vaccinations
Flu vaccination clinics at the practice will start in October 2024.
Eligible patients will be contacted in due course.
Contact our reception team on 01225 789100 to book in for an appointment if you think you are eligible and have not yet received an invitation from November onwards.
Who can have the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:
- are 65 and over
- have certain health conditions
- are pregnant
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
The practice will not be able to offer any private flu vaccinations.
HANDI app
Parents, carers and healthcare professionals can access expert advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them via a mobile app, called HANDi App. It is free and can be downloaded to any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.
Developed and approved by paediatric consultants here at the RUH, the HANDi App provides expert advice on how best to manage the six most common childhood illnesses; diarrhoea and vomiting, high temperature, chestiness, newborn problems and stomach pain.
The HANDi App aims to give parents and carers more confidence in dealing with minor conditions at home.
It’s easy to use as it takes the user through a series of questions about the symptoms their child is experiencing and then advises on the best course of action, whether that’s to treat at home, make a GP appointment or to go to A&E.
Download from
play.google.com
itunes.apple.com
Healthy eating, exercise and obesity
The nation is getting fatter and the health problems are getting bigger with it. Advice is available on: www.foodfitness.org.uk
Health eating
When it comes to a healthy diet, balance is the key to getting it right. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. The ‘Eatwell Plate’ highlights the different types of food that make up our diet, and shows the proportions we should eat them in to have a well-balanced and healthy diet.
Exercise
Exercise is essential to maintain both mental and physical wellbeing. Being active in your daily life at every opportunity will play a key role in this.
NHS guidelines state that to stay healthy, adults aged 19-64 should try to be active
daily and should do: at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as
cycling or brisk walking every week, and. strength exercises on two or more days a
week that work all the major muscles (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders
and arms)
For more information the NHS Live Well page.
If you are struggling with your weight and eating habits please make an appointment to see a nurse or a healthcare assistant at the surgery and they will be able to help you.
In times of bereavement
In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;
- Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
- Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements.
Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner they must give permission before registering the death.
You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
An appointment with the registrar needs to be booked via the BaNES Registrar website.
Arrange the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:
- National Association of Funeral Directors
- National Federation of Funeral Directors
- Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
These organisations have codes of practice – they must give you a price list when asked.
Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:
- Funeral director fees
- Things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
- Local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.
For free independent advice on bereavement issues, you can find more information at: lastingpost.com
Maternity care
You can now register for Maternity care directly via RUH Maternity’s website.
Pregnancy care is coordinated by RUH Maternity via Chippenham, Frome, Paulton and Trowbridge maternity units. Your first appointment will be before 10 weeks of pregnancy.
To register for services visit
ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/maternity/Contact_Us.asp
Further information visit
ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/maternity/
For further information about pregnancy and childbirth please visit the The National Childbirth Trust website.
Minor surgery
Some of the doctors at the University Medical Centre are able to perform minor surgery.
Smoking cessation
Our nurses can help you with advice on smoking cessation advice. Please make an appointment with them.
The following websites can give you information and support:
Travel
When travelling abroad it is essential to protect yourself from the sorts of diseases you may encounter whilst away. Vaccinations against infectious disease are a major part of this protection and we encourage you to book to see our specialist nurses in our travel clinic to discuss your travel plans and what immunisations you will need. Many need to be given weeks or even months before you depart, so don’t leave it too late.
We offer a full range of vaccinations and are a registered Yellow Fever centre. A charge will be made for certain vaccinations which are not covered by the NHS. A list of these charges is available at reception.
There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below:
Travelling in Europe
If you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.
Travel health questionnaire
To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out a travel health questionnaire before coming to see the nurse.
Other services
The medical centre also provides care for patients with diabetes, asthma, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, sports injuries, musculoskeletal and rheumatological problems, skin diseases, gynaecological problems and stomach and bowel problems.
Other NHS services
Bath and North Somerset Doctors Urgent Care is providing joined up urgent care services in Bath and North East Somerset which includes:
- An urgent care centre situated next to the emergency department at the Royal United hospital (RUH) in Bath, GP-led and open 24 hours a day
- GP out of hours services including appointments at the urgent care centre and Paulton hospital