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Meadowbridge Surgery

Slaughterford Road
Whitehead
Carrickfergus, BT38 9TG
Tel: 02893 353454

  • Home
    Information about the doctors surgery opening hours, appointments, online prescriptions, health information and much more
  • Opening Times
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    • Surgery Closures
  • Appointments
    • Appointments
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    • Over the Counter Meds Policy
  • Prescriptions
    • Repeat Prescription Ordering
    • Stoma Appliance/Accessory Orders
    • General Medication Information
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  • Clinics & Services
    • Clinics & Services
    • Chemists & Travel Vac Info
    • Private Non-NHS Services
    • COVID 19 Updates
    • Patient Self Care Sheet
    • Smear Clinics
    • Diabetes
    • Influenza Vaccinations
  • Tests & Results
    • Test Results
    • Blood Tests
    • X-Ray
  • New Patients
    • Registration
    • Registration Forms
    • Non-English Speakers
    • Temporary Residents
    • Practice Leaflet
    • Practice Area Reduction
    • Practice Mapped Boundary Area
    • CONSENT FORMS
  • Practice Staff
    • Doctors
    • Nursing Team
    • Practice Team
    • Healthcare Team
  • Contact Details
    The surgery address and telephone numbers
  • Further Information
Clinics & Services
Chemists & Travel Vac Info
Private Non-NHS Services
COVID 19 Updates
Patient Self Care Sheet
Smear Clinics
Diabetes
Influenza Vaccinations

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT - Annual Review appointment offered with our Nursing Team.

Annual Review Appointment are available by contacting reception for patients diagnosed with any of the following:

  • Child_consultAsthma
  • CKD
  • COPD
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Epilepsy
  • Hypertension https://bihsoc.org/bp-monitors/  Choosing a BP monitor for Home Use
  • Learning Disability - Complete and return this form and we can update your records.
  • Mental Health
  • Osteoporosis
  • Primary Prevention - CVD
  • PAD
  • Stroke
  • Thyroid

Antenatal Midwife Appointments. 

As off 15 January 2021 all normal  Midwife appointments attended at the Practice will be moving to the Moyle Hospital, Larne because of the Covid Pandemic. Patients can arrange future appointments by contacting the booking office on 02828266189.

Same clinic, just in there.

Patients are asked to contact reception to arrange an initial appointment at the Practice  with the Midwife between 16-18 weeks gestation.  This appointment can be brought forward if pregnancy complications occur or if the patient requires assistance with self referral to the Hospital.

However the practice midwives need no longer complete hospital referrals and patients can now self refer to the hospital of their choice themselves using one of the following links:

Antrim Area Hospital Maternity Referral, Lagan Valley & Ulster Hospital Maternity Referrals & Mater or Jubilee Hospital Referral

Referral can be posted or emailed directly to the hospital (details available on the form) and upon receipt of a referral the hospital will offer an initial booking appointment between 10-14 weeks gestation.

EYECARE ASSESSMENT AND REFERRAL SERVICE (NI PEARS) NI Pears is a service provided by most optometry practices for patients who develop a sudden eye problem such as: Red eye (s) Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, or around the eye area - Sudden reduction in vision in one or both eyes - Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes - Suspected foreign body in the eye. If you are unsure whether your symptoms qualify you for an NI PEARS examination please contact one of the practices who provide NI PEARS for advice.  A full list of optometry practices who provide the service can be found at link below :- http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/nipears.htm  (a list as of July 2020 in northern area is attached – access online for full/ updated list). SELF REFERRAL.

Minor Injuries Service is provided with treatment for the following:

a) Cuts capable of closure by simple technique
b) Minor dislocation of fingers/toes
c) Removal of foreign bodies
d) Non-penetrating eye foreign bodies
e) Following recent injury, not amenable to simple First Aid
f) Partial thickness burns or scalds, but not involving hands, feet, neck face or genital area
g) Minor soft tissue injuries which can be managed without need for X-ray  amenable to simple First Aid
h) Any circumstance where medical intervention required to stabilise an injured patient prior to transfer to A&E.

Other Services

  • Cervical smears
  • Child health surveillance
  • Contraceptive services 
  • Dermatology Specialist
  • Depression Counsellor
  • IUD Fitting / Implanon Implants & Removal
  • Maternity Services
  • Minor surgery 
  • Travel Clinic
  • Treatment Room
  • Vaccinations and immunisations.

 Contact Reception to arrange appointments or for further information on services available.

TRAINING PRACTICE

Meadowbridge Surgery is a training practice a patient may be offered an appointment with a GP Student Trainee or a Medical Student from Queens University in their 5th or 4th year.   Patient's are assured that they will only see students with their consent, and will not be disadvantaged by refusing to have medical students involved in their care.

global air travel

When a pharmacist may be able to help

Your pharmacist may be able to help you with:

  • coughs, colds, eye conditions, stomach upsets, skin conditions, allergies, aches and pains
  • common drugs, vitamins and minor first-aid
  • healthy eating and living, including giving up smoking
  • blood pressure and diabetes monitoring and needle exchange, truss fittings, stoma products and incontinence supplies
  • women's health, including treatment for thrush, emergency contraception and pregnancy testing
  • children's health, including nappy rash, teething, coughs and colds, threadworms, head lice, warts and verrucas
  • all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines

Ask at your chemist about the Minor Ailments scheme or click the following link for more information on what services your local chemist can offer to you.

Travel Vaccinations

Meadowbridge Surgery  no longer offers a Private Travel Vaccination Service. There are however, various clinics in Northern Ireland offering this service, the most local at Carrick Health Centre Pharmacy, Taylors Avenue, (contact information can be found on line for other clinics in Belfast/Bangor). 

An appointments at Meadowbridge Surgery can then be arranged for any NHS Travel Vaccines outstanding following your attendance at  the Private Travel Clinic.   Patients will receive writing information to bring to the Practice Nurse indicating any outstanding NHS free Travel Vaccines required. Our Practice Nurse will not give Travel advice regarding private vaccines.

You can find information on vaccines you may require from the links below.  We cannot vouch that the information on the links is up to date.  You should contact a travel clinic to confirm vaccinations required.

• Allow plenty of time for a pre-travel consultation at least 6-8 weeks before you travel.

• A dental check-up before you travel may prevent problems while you are away.

• Take out adequate insurance for your destination and activities. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to free or reduced rate medical care in most EU countries. You can apply for one free of charge online (www.dh.gov.uk), by phone (0845 606 2030), or by post using a form from the Post Office

• Pack a first aid kit (a sterile kit of emergency equipment may be a good idea if you are going somewhere remote).

• Find out about the place you are travelling, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website www.FCO.gov.uk contains information and up to date advice on travelling abroad, including information about risks in specific countries.  There is further information about countries and vaccinations on the links below

Europe Europe & Russia North America North America
Central America Central America South America South America
Caribbean Caribbean Africa Africa
Middle East Middle East Central Asia Central Asia
East Asia East Asia Australasia Australasia and Pacific

  Travelling in Europe

If you are travelling to Europe a very useful booklet has been published with advice and guidance to help you get the most out of your holiday. To visit please click:- http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/eu_glance/86/en.pdf (this is a large document and may take a minute or two to view)

 

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.  The Doctors are regularly asked to complete forms and prepare letters for patients.  Examples include the following: health_clipboard

  • Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
  • Insurance claim forms (sickness, holiday cancellation, etc.)
  • Solicitor Reports
  • Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
  • Private sick notes
  • Health Declaration Forms
  • GP Letters (non NHS.)

Please leave your form at reception ensuring you have completed any consent or declaration forms.  If you do not have a form it will be necessary to submit your request in writing.  The receptionist will ask you to complete a short information form at reception which will help to action your request as quickly as possible.   You may be contacted by the practice by telephone regarding applicable fees, if further information is required or to arrange medical appointments etc.

Just like other professionals, such as accountants and solicitors, a charge is made for the Doctors time and also professional responsibility.  Charges for private work is as follows and payment is expected in advance:

Blood Grouping £20

Blood Tests £15

Copies (immunisations, tests, hospital letters) from £5

Driving Medical (HGV/PSV/Taxi) £95

Employment Medicals £164.50

Forms (Health Declarations, Insurance, Travel Cancellation etc from £15 - £25

Private Prescriptions £15

Travel Prescription non NHS per item £15

Non EU Temporary Patients £50 consultation fee & from £15 per blood test

Receipts available 

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to help you with any queries.  Please be aware that the Doctors always prioritise their NHS work first which means that the completion of private forms and letters may sometimes be delayed and no time scale is available.

 

Advice for the public

As a precautionary measure anyone that develops symptoms after vaccination is advised to seek prompt medical advice,  such as:

• shortness of breath, chest or persistent abdominal pain, leg swelling; • blurred vision, confusion or seizures; • unexplained pin-prick rash or bruising beyond the injection site.

new onset of severe or persistent headache that does not respond to simple painkillers starting four days or more after vaccination should speak to their doctor.

Click to understand the current risk of a blood clot following AstraZeneca Vaccination.

Regional Vaccination Centres. The following groups of patients can now book a Covid-19 vaccine appointment at a Regional Trust Centre or Pharmacy:  Patients aged 40+  / Carers / Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV). 

To make an appointment: visit the online regional centre portal: https://vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/booking /  or telephone 0300 200 7813. The phone line is open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The online platform is the primary source to book an appointment and should be used in the first instance. A telephone booking system is also available should you not have access to the online portal.  Anyone attending a vaccination centre can be assured that social distancing and other Covid safety rules are strictly applied. People must get their first and second doses from the same provider – they must not try to “mix and match” between GPs and vaccination centre.

Meadowbridge Surgery have started to invite the Clinically Vulnerable Group (those normally invited for flu vaccine) in priority order of the list below. The number of invites will depend entirely on vaccine supplies to the practice which are allocated on a quota basis.  Clinics to administer the 2nd Covid Vaccine will commence mid March.

  • COPD
  • ASTHMA
  • Other Lung conditions such as emphysema/bronchitis etc.
  • Diabetes
  • Splenic issues or conditions that means high risk of getting infection.
  • Heart Disease
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Liver Disease
  • Conditions affecting the brain or nerves - Parkinsons, Motor Neurone Disease, Epilepsy MS or cerebral palsy etc.
  • Pregnant - needs a Risk Assessment first with GP to assess if needs vaccinated. A guide to Covid 19 Vaccination for women of childbearing age, those currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 
  • Carers on the Practice Register.

 Guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) from COVID-19

Covid guidance letters were sent to some patients Jan/Feb 2021.  This recent guidance applied to clinically extremely vulnerable individuals only. Others living in a household with someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable are not advised to follow this guidance. They should instead follow the general advice and regulations set out in the national lockdown guidance that came into effect on 5 January 2021

COVID-19 - GENERAL INFORMATION/GUIDANCE/LINKS
Everyone over five years of age in Northern Ireland with symptoms of COVID-19 is now eligible for testing. Testing is offered through the National Testing Programme and symptomatic members of the public can book their own test via this weblink:   www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
People booking a test can chose to be tested at a drive through test centres the nearest being at University of Ulster or SSE Arena in Belfast – these centres are operating as part of the National Testing Programme. Symptomatic members of the public can also book a test via the above weblink to order a postal self-test kit which will be dispatched to their home. The results of testing undertaken through the National Testing Programme are emailed or texted directly to the person who has been tested.
The NI Contact Tracing Service located in the Public Health Agency will be in touch with all cases of COVID-19. The symptomatic individual will need to share information about their recent interactions. This could include household members, people they have been in direct contact with, or within 2 metres for more than 15 minutes. People identified as close contacts will be informed that they have been in contact with a case and they will be advised of what actions they need to take.
All information discussed with the Contact Tracing Service will be handled with appropriate privacy and confidentiality safeguards.
The telephone number used by the service currently comes up as a ‘withheld number’ on receiving telephones but it is anticipated that there will be an update in due course advising that calls from this number will have an identifier.
We would once again like to thank you for your support in these unprecedented times, and to call on you to support the ‘Test, Trace and Protect’ Strategy which is of crucial importance as we move into the next phase of tackling COVID-19.

Vaccination programme is further extended

Covid-19 vaccine - a guide for people with a learning disability.

Covid-19 vaccines and fertility

Patient Information Leaflet COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca

HSCB is maintaining a FAQ for the public regarding the GP COVID-19 vaccine rollout and you may find this helpful where you have questions. The link  Q&A Coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination-programme/.

The PHA also have some helpful FAQs for the public at Public Health  Agency Q&A Covid-19-coronavirus NI programme . We are aware of some scam emails/texts/calls about COVID-19 vaccinations and the PHA FAQ provides advice.

Face Mask Exemption Cards- Use this link to print cards:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

 Distance Awareness Scheme Newsletter

Self Care for Life – be healthy this winter

Am I using my inhaler correctly? (Inhaler Technique).  If you don’t use your inhaler correctly it won’t work properly.  These videos show you how to use your inhaler.

Did you know that it is usual for adults to have two to four colds a year while children are likely to have three to eight as their immune system is more susceptible to viral infections? That’s why, during winter, when seasonal illnesses are more frequent, it is important to take extra measures to stay well.

As part of Self Care Week 2014, we are encouraging people to choose healthy lifestyle options that will impact positively on their physical health, mental wellbeing and self-esteem.  Help to maintain health and ward off illness by eating sensibly, stop smoking, drinking in moderation and taking regular exercise

The Self Care  message is "Self care for life – be healthy this winter" which we are supporting.

 What are the Fact Sheets for?
The Self Care Forum Fact Sheets cover 13 common ailments and are aimed to  inform patients on issues around self care and on how to best handle the symptoms.  They provide patients with information around:

  • Useful facts
  • What patients can expect to happen (the natural history)
  • What people can do to help themselves – now and in the future
  • When to seek medical help (the ‘red flags’)
  • Where to find out more

Download the fact sheets below: 

1. Low Back Pain

2. Eczema

3. Heartburn and indigestion

4. Fever in children

5. Constipation

6. Headache and migraine

7. Coughs

8. Acne

9. Sprains and strains

10. Sore throat

11. Otitis media

12. Common cold

13. Sinusitis

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CERVICAL SMEAR PROGRAMME RECOMMENCING JUNE 2020    If due, women will soon be invited by letter to attend for their cervical screening test at the Practice and when contacting the Practice will be triaged remotely before any face-to-face appointment is booked.  Patients without symptoms of COVID-19 who are booked for a face-to-face appointment will be advised to inform staff if they develop symptoms, and  will be asked again before entering the Practice for their consultation.  Please wear personal facemasks if available.

Cervical Screening

A new video below shows women what to expect when they attend for cervical screening.  It has been produced by the Public Health Agency and covers the complete screening journey including the invitation, the smear test, laboratory processing, results and attendance for colposcopy. The video is primarily aimed at women attending screening for the first time aged 25, as uptake is lower in this age group. Further accessible versions of the video are in production (ie. signed in British and Irish sign language, subtitled version) and will be uploaded onto the website when available.

It is hoped the video will promote informed choice among women about attending for cervical screening and seek to reassure those who are called for colposcopy.

The video is on the Northern Ireland Cancer Screening Programmes website at the following link:

http://www.cancerscreening.hscni.net/2179.htm

Please contact reception to arrange a smear appointment with the Practice Nurse.

Practices in the Northern area who provide core diabetes services do not currently have a structured education programme to refer newly diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes too.  We are therefore providing the following leaflets from Diabetes UK for your information.  

Please click the following links for information:

Understanding Diabetes (Diabetes UK)               

Eating well with Diabetes (Diabetes UK)                                        

What care you should receive (Diabetes UK)

Education Checklist    

If you are a newly diagnosed Diabetic please contact reception and arrange an appointment with the Practice Nurse or Health Care Assistant and they will be happy to cover the above main areas of education with you.

SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION PROGRAMME 2020/21

This year participating community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will be able to provide flu vaccinations for all HSCWs. This service is provisionally due to start week commencing 28th September 2020 and has been developed in partnership with DoH, HSCB, PHA and Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI). The map of participating pharmacies in your area can be obtained by visiting: www.pha.site/CPFV.

Click the following link for 'At Risk Group & on line booking information' for this years flu clinics.  You don't have to ring us to make an appointment.  See the easy to follow instructions on the above link to book your appointment through patient services where you can also order your prescriptions 24/7.

Flu clinic will be accessed strictly by appointment only this year.  Please book on line click for patient services  instructions and book your appointment 24/7 or contact reception staff after 2pm any day to book as follows:

Adults 18+ years (in an at risk group) - clinics will be from Monday to Friday mornings from 9am to 12:45pm

Children 6 mths to 17 years (see at risk groups)- clinics Monday and Friday afternoons 2pm to 5:10pm

Adults between 50 & 65 years not in an at risk group will be contacted separately around December to be offer influenza vaccine.

Also entitled:

  • people who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
  • household contacts of those on the NHS Shielded Patient List, or immunocompromised individuals, specifically individuals who expect to share living accommodation with a shielded patient on most days over the winter and therefore for whom continuing close contact is unavoidable.
  • HSC employed staff - Note: staff must provide proof they are working in the health and social care sectors either via an employer photo identification badge/ or other proof of employment in a health or social care setting, e.g. payslip, letter from employer on official letterhead plus photographic proof of identification
  • Please queue outside the building as indicated
  • Please adhere to social distancing outside the practice.
  • Appointments must be attended strictly on time.
  • Be at the front door no more than 5 minutes in advance of appointment times
  • Patients will be met at the front door by staff
  • A sign posted one way system will be in place to exit the practice.
  • Please wear a mask and ensure your arm is accessible.
  • 5 minutes appointment slots will strictly adhered to.
  • No other clinical issues can be addressed at the flu appointment.

Patients attending an appointment with the Practice Nurse, Lynn Martin or Health Care Assistant, Julie Weir can receive their influenza vaccine at the time if eligible and vaccines is in stock.  

Contact reception if special arrangements need to be made for patients with conditions such as dementia. 

District Nurses will routinely be in touch to vaccinate those patients on their call lists.

Patients who do not meet the criteria to receive influenza vaccination can obtain private vaccine through many local Pharmacies:

Medicare Victoria - offering at the end of Sept - patients must ring to pre book an appointment

McFarlanes - offering in Oct - patients must ring and give details prior - pharmacy will then be in contact

McCoubreys - not taking any calls/appointments until October. All patients must wait until then to give details.

Boots Larne - offering appointments from late Sep that can be booked online currently.

Calwells, Flemings, Sunnylands & Medicare High Street are not offering the flu vaccine when contacted.

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