Doctors

The practice offers the choice of ten doctors - four of whom are female.

We encourage you to try and keep with one doctorwhom you see for most of your regular needs. By having this personal doctor you will get to know him/her better and vice versa.

For more urgent problems then you can see any doctor who is available. All doctors operate by appointments. Certain doctors also work regularly at our branch surgeries.

Practice Nurses

All patients can book an appointment with the Practice Nurses at all our surgeries. Please state the reason for the appointment so that reception can book the right amount of time and the right nurse.

College Surgery Urgent Treatment Service (CUTS)

If you have a more urgent problem that cannot wait for a routine appointment, reception will offer you contact from the CUTS team.

This duty team consists of a doctor, nurse practitioner and an emergency care practitioner (from Westcountry Ambulance Service).

Details of your problem are taken by reception and one of the team then contact you to help solve it. You may be offered advice, an appointment or a visit depending on your problem.

Family Planning and Contraception

The practice offers a full contraceptive and family planning service. Please make an appointment at Reception with one of the Doctors.

Maternity services

Full maternity services are offered by all the doctors and the practice midwives. The midwives offer maternity services at College Surgery and branch surgeries to all pregnant women. They see you when first pregnant to introduce themselves. They take a history and also discuss where you would like to have your baby. They then see you throughout your pregnancy and after the birth of your baby.

It is sometimes possible for them to be with you in labour and at the birth of your baby, depending on where you decide to have your baby. They also offer parentcraft classes during your pregnancy.

Minor surgery

The Surgery performs a variety of minor surgical procedures, including the removal of certain skin cysts, moles, ingrown toenails, incision of abscesses and injection into arthritic joints.

Cervical smears

Cervical smears are advised for all women aged 25 to 65. Up to the age of 50 you should be checked every 3 years. After 50 you will be checked every 5 years.

A cervical smear is NOT a "cancer test". It is special because it can detect changes in the cervix before cancer sets in. These changes are easily treated, usually by laser and this prevents the cancer developing later.

Most smears are done by our practice nurses.

Health checks

New Patient Health Checks

All new patients aged 16 and over are invited for a Health Check with one of our nurses. This health check provides us with the chance to meet you and obtain details of your medical background.

Health Checks for Patients over 75 years

Patients who are over 75 years old and not in regular contact with their doctor or other members of the Primary Health Care Team are invited to make an appointment for an annual health check.

Regular Health Checks and Clinics

Regular clinics are available for patients suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and coronary heart disease. Our practice nurses are specially trained to undertake these. Patients wanting to stop smoking or lose weight may make an appointment for a special consultation.

If you have one of the following problems, please make sure that we know about them so that we can offer you a regular check up:

heart disease of any type
high blood pressure
diabetes
epilepsy
asthma / breathing problems
stroke
Serious mental health problems

If you have one of these conditions and have not had a check up in the last year please contact us for an appointment.

Flu vaccinations

Flu vaccinations are given in special clinics run every autumn. They are offered to patients over 65 years of age and to patients with certain long-term illnesses. Please see the Nurses' notice-boards for details of all these clinics or ask at Reception.

Travel immunisations

We can offer the full range of foreign travel immunisations except Yellow Fever, which our local colleagues can do. It is sometimes necessary to allow at least eight weeks to complete a course of immunisations so please book an appointment with the nurse in good time. When you see her she may give you advice on safe travel. A fee is payable for some immunisations.

Children's clinics

Developmental checks

Checks are carried out in the practice and at the Health Centre in conjunction with the health visitors to ensure that young patients are developing in the normal way.

Immunisations

The Practice Nurse immunises children under 5 years of age on a Thursday afternoon and at other times by appointment.

Other services

Blood, urine and other tests
Minor casualties
Continence advice
Head lice management advice
Health promotion and advice
Ring pessary changes
Blood pressure monitoring
Ear syringing
ECGs
Nutritional advice
Wound care, advice and dressings