Useful resources to help reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death in England. They caused almost 33% of deaths in 2010. Coronary heart disease and stroke accounted for the majority of those deaths.
The Practice also provide NHS Health Checks for patients aged between 40-74. See our page about NHS Health Checks for more information.
Housebound and older people
Additional support as you get older.
Clinical Care Co-ordinators
As you get older the range of problems you face can grow, to the point where it might be difficult to cope, know what to do for the best, or make it difficult for you to leave your house.
We have a small team of nurses at the practice who support older people with complex needs to sort out problems you can find yourself faced with.
The sorts of things they can help you with are:
Mobility issues
Memory problems
Loneliness and isolation
Housing issues
Practical issues such as help dressing and cleaning
Health issues
Their role is to help you understand the range of services available and support you in deciding the best course of action.
If you feel they could be of help then ask your doctor to put you in touch.
District Nurses
District Nurses carry out many roles for housebound patients, including:
General nursing procedures and investigations
Post-surgery care
Assessment of patients’ needs
Care for terminally ill patients
Loaning of equipment
Looking after wounds and leg ulcers
Educating patients about self-care
Referrals can be made by a Doctor or nurse at the practice, patients themselves or by carers and family members.
Community Matron
Angela Ashmore is our Community Matron.
Community matrons specialise in caring for older people, whether they live in their own home or a care home. They help patients manage their health problems and try to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.
If a patient has to be admitted, they will communicate with the hospital team to ensure a smooth a discharge as possible.
Dementia services
It is very important that anyone who has problems with their memory has a proper assessment. If these problems are due to dementia then early diagnosis and referral have many benefits for the patient, their carer(s) and family. It can help them to plan and access the treatment and support they need and to improve their quality of life.
Please book with one of Doctors who can make the initial assessment and refer you to the memory clinic if needs be.
Adult Social Care
Leeds city council help people aged over 18 to live as well as possible with their illness, disability or other problems. It can include help with things like washing, dressing, eating, getting out and about and keeping in touch with family and friends.
Adults who may need extra care and support include:
Older people
People with learning disabilities
People with physical disabilities
People with mental health problems
People with drug and/or alcohol issues
Carers
They offer a wide range of support and help and their adults and health page is a good place to start.
Or call them 0113 222 4401 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
This can be done by you, a family member, a friend.
If you have difficulty using the telephone please email them at feedback@leeds.gov.uk.
Maternity services
The support we offer during pregnancy.
Midwife
A community midwife is available at the practice. You can book an appointment with them via the reception desk.
The role of the midwife
A midwife is a qualified nurse who has undertaken further training to provide and promote normal midwifery.
They help you to prepare for motherhood and promote good health for yourself and your baby by advising on the effects of drinking, smoking and good diet whilst you are pregnant.
The midwife guides you through your pregnancy and endeavours to detect any problems and make relevant referrals if necessary.
First appointment with the midwife
If you are pregnant you do not need to see the Dr in order to have your first appointment with the midwife.
You can arrange a booking appointment via the reception desk. This first appointment should be at about 9 weeks of pregnancy.Due date calculator
The Midwife will discuss your options for delivery, arrange appropriate referrals and provide you with dietary advice.
She will also take blood tests and will subsequently discuss the results with you. Whilst you are pregnant and until your baby is one year old you are entitled to free prescriptions and dental treatment. The Midwife will organise for an exemption certificate to be signed and sent off.
During The Pregnancy
Your maternity book lists when you will be seen by the Midwife, Doctor and hospital through your pregnancy. Should you have any concerns at any other time you can contact your midwife or, if she is not available, make an appointment to see a Doctor during normal surgery hours.
At some point during the course of your pregnancy, the Health Visitor will meet you to talk to you about her role in your care and about the childhood vaccination programme.
After Your Birth
After delivery, your Midwife will visit you at home to help you and your baby. Following the birth, she will visit you on your first day at home. When your baby is five days old she will carry out the Guthrie test (which is a special screening test that the Midwife will give you information about) and at ten days old she will discharge you and your baby from her care. Extra visits may be arranged according to need.
Your Health Visitor will visit you at home when your baby is between 10 and 14 days old and can advise on feeding, weaning and any family issues you may have.
About 6 weeks after your birth you should make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss contraception and any concerns you have about your own health.
Breastfeeding
It takes time for you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed.
There are a lot of services available to support people with mental health issues.
All of our doctors are trained to help people suffering from mental health problems. Making an appointment is a good place to start if you are looking for help.
There are also lots of other services locally that are there to support you, many of whom you can refer yourself to.
Services for adults
If you are aged 17 or older then a good place to start is the Mindwell website. It is designed to help you understand the common problems that people face and the range of services here to help. It also offers help to those who are worried about others.
You might have heard your GP or friend talk about IAPT. This is a range of services that we commonly refer our patients to when they have problems with mental health. Here is a list of what IAPT offer, you can also refer yourself to this service from their website.
Services for children
If you are aged 16 or under, then a good place to start is the MindMate website.
MindMate is specifically aimed at young people and can help you understand the way you are feeling and find the right advice and support. It also offers advice for parents.
Feeling suicidal
If we are open, then please call now to book an urgent same day appointment with one of our doctors.
If we are not open, or you would prefer to get help elsewhere, then please click one of the links below the MindMate website gives further information on what you should do.
NHS Health check
The NHS health check is a free health check-up for adults in England aged 40-74.
It aims to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia because as we get older our risk of developing one of these conditions increases.
If you would like to book an NHS health check please contact reception to make an appointment.
The health check only takes about 30 minutes.
The nurse/health professional will ask you some simple questions about your lifestyle and family history, measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure and do a blood test. From this, they can give you an idea of your risks. If you are over 65, you will also be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.
You will then receive personalised advice to help lower your risk. This could include:
How to improve your diet and the amount of physical activity you do
How to lose weight or stop smoking
If a particular problem is found, such has high blood pressure, then we will make an appointment for you to see a doctor.
Private services
Some things are not covered by the NHS.
Private Medical Services
You may have to pay a fee for certain services that are not covered by the NHS. These fees reflect the time it takes for the doctor to look at your medical records and some admin time.
Services include things like private health certificates, insurance claim forms, HGV/taxi medicals and some travel vaccinations.
More information about why we charge can be found on the BMA website.
Private Medical Forms
There are also times when we are asked for information about a patient’s health, such as when you are applying for a mortgage or life insurance. We only do this with your permission and you have the right to see the report before it is sent. To avoid any delays, please make sure you sign the consent form that the company gives you.
Screening services
Screening is a way of finding diseases and problems at an earlier stage in apparently healthy people when treatment will be more successful. The following screening services are offered as part of the NHS.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of detecting a dangerous swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta – the main blood vessel that runs from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body. This swelling is far more common in men aged over 65 than it is in women and younger men, so all men are invited for screening in the year they turn 65.
An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, it’s extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or don’t survive surgery.
Screening involves a simple ultrasound scan of your stomach (abdomen), which takes about 10-15 minutes.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. Screening is offered every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 74 who are most at risk. A home testing kit that is posted out to you. Please complete and return your testing kit which could save your life as it gives us the chance to detect the disease in its early stages.
Breast cancer screening programme
Breast cancer screening is offered to all women aged 50 – 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women aged over 70 can make their own screening appointments by contacting the Leeds breast screening service on 0113 206 3816.
Breast cancer screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to feel. If breast cancer is discovered in its early stages, there is a very good chance of recovery.
Women who notice any breast symptoms or changes should make an appointment to see a GP immediately.
If you are registered at the practice you should automatically receive an invitation by post every three years for women aged 25 – 49 and every five years for women aged 50 – 64. You simply need to contact the practice and make an appointment to see a nurse.
It is very important that you make these appointments, as early detection and treatment of abnormal cells can prevent cervical cancer.
If any concerns have been raised in the past, you may be invited for more frequent checks.
The term ‘social prescribing’ is used to describe a service which supports people to access a range of non-medical services and activities in their local area.
Social prescribing can help people with different social, emotional or practical needs to find the right support and improve their health and wellbeing.
The service can help you:
Get support to improve your physical health.
Find employment or volunteering opportunities or learn a new skill.
Tackle money, housing, work or benefits issues.
Cope with a particular condition or difficulty.
Access ways of improving your emotional wellbeing such as befriending schemes, peer support or arts and leisure activities.
Stopping smoking increases your life expectancy and helps improve your quality of life, not to mention making you wealthier as well!
It is never too late to stop and the NHS is here to help you. Getting NHS support really works – it can be four times more successful than going it alone (cold turkey) and it’s completely free of charge. So why not try it? You have nothing to lose.
Leeds Stop Smoking Service
This is the service we recommend to our patients. It is free to everyone and has helped over 10,000 people stop smoking in the last 10 years.
If they recommend medication or patches to help you stop then we will prescribe them for you (according to your agreed treatment plan).
How to book an appointment
It’s quick and easy to book your appointment with a Stop Smoking Advisor, simply:
E cigarettes are marketed as a cheaper, safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. As they do not produce smoke, research suggests that electronic cigarettes are relatively harmless in comparison with smoking. To find out more have a look at the ASH Briefing on electronic cigarettes.
Local smoke free stories
In need of inspiration? Then why not listen to some people who have been successful at giving up – today is the day.