Blood Tests
These are available from the Phlebotomist between 8.30am and 11.00am each morning following consultation with your doctor, plus 12.00 - 2.00pm on Mondays and Fridays.

Heart Disease & High Blood Pressure Our nurses offer clinics for the monitoring of high blood pressure, weight control and cholesterol. We recommend routine blood pressure checks every 3 years for everyone between the ages of 16-75. There is a blood pressure monitor in the waiting room. You may use the blood pressure monitor prior to seeing a doctor or nurse and take the slip into your appointment with you.

Asthma & Chronic Pulmonary Disease
This clinic is run by our specialist respiratory nurse. She aims to see all patients with these conditions to monitor their treatment, inhaler techniques and help with understanding of the control of lung problems.

Diabetes
All patients with diabetes are seen regularly in the Diabetic Clinic run by our specialist nurse who monitors the condition and advises on diet and blood sugar control and prevents long term complications.

New Patient Checks
If you are newly registered with the practice or have changed doctor you will be offered a health check with the practice nurse. This involves a health questionnaire and simple checks such as blood pressure and weight. Please bring a urine sample to this check-up.

Vaccinations
If you have never had a tetanus injection, it is necessary to have an initial course of 3 injections. 2 further boosters protect you for a lifetime.

Influenza vaccine is available for people over the age of 65 and those with a history of chest, heart, kidney, liver or diabetic problems. If you are not sure whether to have this vaccine or not, please feel free to discuss it with your doctor or one of the practice nurses. The clinics are available from other October to December. Please ask at reception for details.

Students starting at Colleges of Further Education and University will be offered vaccination against Meningitis C.

Travel Vaccinations
We advise all travellers to contact the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA), telephone 09068 224100 prior to making an appointment with the nurse in the Travel Clinic who can administer the vaccinations that MASTA recommend. She can also offer general advice for travellers. Please give yourself plenty of time (at least 6 weeks) to have them before you go. Antimalarial tablets are not available on NHS prescription but can be purchased over the counter from the chemist or at the dispensary. MASTA or the nurse will advise which regime you will need.

A charge is payable for some vaccinations.

Childhood Immunisation
All the nationally recommended childhood immunisations are available.

Minor Surgery
All the doctors are qualified to do minor surgical procedures and they will make arrangements with you for these procedures following consultation in surgery. We are also running a Cryotherapy clinic for the treatment of warts, verucas and other minor lesions.

Family Planning & Contraception
All the doctors and nurses are trained to give a comprehensive and confidential contraceptive service.

Emergency contraception
The ‘morning after pill’ is available and can in fact be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, however it is better to be seen as soon as possible. Please ask the receptionist for an appointment so you can be seen within that time. This request will be treated with the upmost confidentiality.

Cervical Cytology (Smear Test) & Breast Screening
These should be performed at regular intervals. You will be notified when your smear is due. Women aged between the ages of 50 and 65 are offered mammograms (breast x-rays) as part of the National Screening Programme and will be sent these appointments from Plymouth. The mammograms are done in a mobile unit in Okehampton.

Child Health Surveillance
All babies will be checked at 6 weeks of age by their own doctor and after that they will be offered regular checks by their Health Visitor and one of the doctors at a Child Health Surveillance Clinic run at the Medical Centre.

Well Woman Clinic
These are run by female doctors or nurses for women who would prefer to see a female doctor for certain feminine problems.

Well Men Appointments
There are selected pre bookable well men appointments with male doctors for men who would prefer to see a male doctor for certain male concerns.

Minor Ailment Clinic
If you think your condition can be treated by our trained Minor Ailment nurses, we run clinics on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm.

Non NHS Services
Some services are not covered by the NHS. These include insurance medicals, driving medicals, sport examination and some travel vaccinations. There are recommended fees for these services. All fees charged are in line with BMA guidelines. Please ask at reception for details.