Immunisations
Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases
• Child immunisations
One of the best ways to protect your child against diseases like measles, rubella, tetanus and meningitis is through immunisations.
As well as protecting your own child, you’re also protecting others by preventing the spread of disease.
Vaccinations are offered free of charge in the UK – just book your appointment via our reception team.
• Adult immunisations
Getting vaccinated is a part of everyday life in the UK. Vaccines save millions of lives all over the world and diseases like smallpox and polio, which used to kill or disable millions of people, have now disappeared or are seen very rarely.
Most vaccines are given in childhood, but eligible adults are offered three routine vaccines once they reach a certain age (the shingles, RSV and pneumococcal vaccines), plus seasonal flu and Covid-19 vaccines every year.
If you or someone you care for has been booked for an immunisation and you would like to discuss this, please contact our reception team who will be able to get you in contact with our nursing team.
For more information, please see the link below:
NHS Vaccination Schedule
Bowel Screening
Bowel cancer screening is a test you do at home that checks for signs of bowel cancer. It’s offered to everyone aged 54 to 74.
Your invitation will come directly from the Bowel Cancer Screening Service. The practice will be informed of your result and if you do not attend the practice will contact you to ask if there is anything we can do that would help you submit a sample.
If you notice any changes to your bowel habits, please book an appointment with one of our GPs, please do not wait to be called routinely for bowel screening.
For more information, please see the links below:
NHS Bowel Screening Service
Bowel Cancer UK
Breast Cancer Screening
The NHS Breast Screening Programme began in 1988. It aims to invite all women aged from 50 until aged 71 years, for breast screening once every three years. Nationally the programme screens over 2 million women each year and diagnoses about 16,500 breast cancers annually.
The screening programme also offers women aged 71 and over a free breast screen every three years. If you are 71 or over you may not be sent an invitation but are encouraged to call the unit to make an appointment that suits you.
The aim of breast screening is to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, often before the woman is aware of any problem. Early detection may mean simpler and more successful treatment. Scientific evidence shows that regular breast screening, between the ages of 50 until aged 71 years, reduces the death rate from breast cancer.
If you have any changes to your breasts that you are concerned about, please book an appointment with one of our GPs, please do not wait to be called routinely for breast screening.
For more information, please see the link below:
London Breast Screening
Cervical Screening
Cervical screening is crucial for preventing cervical cancer because it helps detect abnormal cells early, allowing for treatment before they can develop into cancer. By identifying and treating these precancerous changes, screening significantly reduces the risk of developing invasive cervical cancer and its associated mortality.
If you have been called for a smear test, please call our reception team to book your appointment or use the link in the reminder text you may have been sent from the practice.
For more information, please see the link below:
NHS Cervical Screening
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a test to check if there’s a swelling in your aorta, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the tummy (abdomen).
AAA screening is offered to all men over the age of 64. Anyone assigned male at birth who is over the age of 64 can have it.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, please book an appointment with one of our GPs, please do not wait to be called routinely for your AAA screening.
• visual disturbances, such as loss of vision or double vision
• pain above or around your eye
• numbness or weakness on 1 side of your face
• difficulty speaking
• headaches
• loss of balance
• difficulty concentrating or problems with short-term memory
For more information, please see the link below:
NHS AAA Screening
Stop Smoking
We know it’s tough to quit smoking, but you don’t have to go it alone. No lectures, just professional support and help when you need it most. We can help you to quit smoking and be smoke-free for life.
Please speak to our reception team who will be able to refer to Jana, our Stop Smoking Advisor.
For more information, please see the links below:
NHS Stop Smoking Services
NHS Better Health Stop Smoking
Weight Management
If you’re overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. It might help reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help you lose the pounds.
If you would like to discuss weight management, please contact our reception team who will help arrange an appointment with one of our practice nurses.
For more information, please see the link below:
NHS Better Health Lose Weight
Alcohol
Stopping or drinking less alcohol can make a big difference to your health. It can boost your energy, help you lose weight, and save you money.
If you are drinking more than you would like, you are not alone. Lots of people find it hard to cut back.
But every small step you take brings you closer to your goals, and the right support can make it easier.
Find out how to reduce your alcohol drinking and take control of your health with our simple tips and tools. Let’s get started!
If you are concerned about your drinking, please contact our reception team who will help arrange an appointment with one of our GP’s.
For more information, please see the link below:
NHS Better Health Drink Less
Substance Misuse
If you need treatment for drug addiction, you’re entitled to NHS care in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem.
A GP is a good place to start. They can discuss your problems with you and get you into treatment.
They may offer you treatment at the practice or refer you to your local drug service.
If you are concerned about substance misuse, please contact our reception team who will help arrange an appointment with one of our GP’s.
For more information, please see the link below:
NHS Live Well – Substance Misuse
Mental Health
We all have times when we feel low, anxious or overwhelmed. But little things, like talking to a friend or taking a moment to breathe, can help us feel much better.
If you are concerned about your Mental Health, please contact our reception team who will help arrange an appointment with one of our GP’s.
If you need help urgently for your mental health, but it’s not an emergency, get help from NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option, or contact one of the organisations below to get support straight away.
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now.
For more information, please see the links below:
NHS Every Mind Matters
Samaritans
Carers
Unpaid carers make a huge difference to the lives of our patients. They frequently step in to reduce the burden on health and care services. If a carer becomes unwell, the needs of a cared for person often turns into an emergency presenting to primary and secondary care.
If you are registered at the practice and are an unpaid carer please complete the form on our website (Register as a Carer) or contact our reception team in person or by calling the practice.
For more information, please see the links below:
Francis Grove Surgery Carers Information
Carers Uk
Carers First
Learning Disabilities
A learning disability is different for everyone. Lots of people who have a learning disability can work, have relationships, live alone and get qualifications.
Doctors and other health workers might be able to tell if a person has a learning disability when they are very young. But some people get a diagnosis later in their lives. This can be when they are adults.
If you suspect that you or someone you care for has a Learning Disability, please contact our reception team who will help arrange an appointment with one of our GP’s.
For more information, please see the links below:
NHS Learning Disabilities
Mencap
Learning Disability Network – London
Safeguarding
NHS England is dedicated in ensuring that the principles and duties of safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk are holistically, consistently and conscientiously applied with the well-being of all, at the heart of what we do. We are dedicated to ensuring that the principles and duties of safeguarding children and adults are applied every time a citizen accesses the NHS making every contact count.
If you think you or someone you know is being abused or neglected, you should tell someone you trust.
This could be a friend, a teacher, a family member, a social worker, a doctor or healthcare professional, a police officer or someone else that you trust. Ask them to help you report it.
Supporting people when concerns are raised about abuse or neglect can be very difficult and distressing for everyone involved. Deciding what’s the right thing to do can be stressful, particularly if the person you are concerned about is reluctant to accept support. If you are not sure what to do you can always seek advice.
To report a crime
• in an emergency, contact the police, call 999
• if the person is not in immediate danger, contact the police, call 101
For further information on who to contact locally in your area, please visit NHS England Safeguarding app.
Screening Information for Trans and Non-Binary People
We use trans as an umbrella term to embrace the diverse range of identities outside the traditional male/female definitions. These include transgender, gender fluid and non-binary.
Unfortunately, currently national cancer screening test invitations are sent out based on the gender marker on your NHS records. This system is currently very binary and only accepts a male or female gender marker on NHS medical notes. Again, this is a national decision and out of our hands. If you wish to choose non-binary or another gender identity, we can add an alert to your notes, so we as a Practice know your gender identity. Importantly patients who have changed their gender marker on their NHS records may not be invited to some of these cancer screenings, meaning there is a risk of missing cancer. Please see NHS screening Guidance for Trans Patients for more information.
Government Publication – Screening Information for Trans and Non-Binary People
Public Health Leaflet – Information on Screening for Trans and Non-Binary People
