How to register
We have an open list and welcome requests for registration from patients living in or moving to the practice area. The practice covers the following villages: Lower and Upper Stondon, Shillington, Meppershall, Gravenhurst, Campton, Clifton, Shefford, Henlow, Langford, Holwell and Pirton.
You can register by bringing along your NHS medical card or completing a form available from reception. We will make a note on your records if you prefer to see a particular doctor or nurse.
We recommend that new patients undertake a health check with a practice nurse.
You may print off and complete the following two forms to register. Once completed, you can either email the forms to lower.stondon@nhs.net or bring them into the surgery.
http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Documents/GMS1.pdf
health questionnaire
Appointments
We run all our surgeries by an appointment only system. Appointments can be booked in advance or if it is more urgent booking on the day you wish to be seen. If it is an urgent appointment it may not be with the doctor of your choice.
We try to make sure you see the doctor of your choice but if they are not available we may ask you to see another doctor.
If you are too ill to come to the surgery and you require a visit at home, please call the surgery before 10am. Home visits take up much more of a doctor’s time than a consultation in the surgery, so if you are mobile please come into the surgery to be seen.
Clinics
| Clinic | Description | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Planning |
Advice on contraception form the Doctors or Practice Nurses. Coil fitting by appointment. Consultation first with doctor. |
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| Antenatal and postnatal Care |
Routine antenatal and postnatal check-ups by our qualified midwife. |
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
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| Phlebotomist | We have a phlebotomist available during the week for blood tests that have been requested by the Doctors | ||
| Mother & Baby |
Drop in clinic for baby weighing by Nursery Nurse |
Alternate Tuesday afternoons |
|
| Health Visitor | Drop in clinic for advice & chat with Health Visitor | Most Wednesday afternoons during ante-natal clinic | |
| Travel vaccinations | Initially you will be required to complete a travel form from which the practice nurse will ascertain the vaccines you require, you will then need to make an appointment during surgery hours. Most travel vaccines are free of charge with the exception of Yellow Fever, Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis. |
During normal surgery hours |
|
| Childhood Immunisations | These are carried our by the Practice Nurses | During normal surgery hours | |
| Asthma | Regular check-ups and advice from practice nurses on lifestyle, inhaler techniques and medication. | During surgery hours as an appointment with our nurses. | |
| Diabetic Checks | Annual check with our nurses. | During surgery hours as an appointment with our nurses. | |
| Cervical Smear Tests | Appointments can be made either with the doctors or the nurses. | Routine surgery hours | |
| Minor Surgery | The removal of minor lumps and bumps can be performed at the surgery. An appointment with a doctor is required first. | ||
| Counselling | A referral for counselling can be arranged following discussion with a doctor. | Appointment with a doctor is required first. | |
| Smoking Cessation | An appointment with the Practice Nurse is required. She will monitor and review your progress fortnightly. | ||
| Dietician | Newly diagnosed diabetics can be offered an appointment with the Dietician at a local community clinic | Referral by Dr required |
Repeat prescriptions
You can order your repeat prescriptions either by email (please ask at dispensary for your registration form) or by dropping your slip into the surgery or by post. We do not take requests over the telephone as this can lead to errors. Tick the items you need on the right-hand section of your previous prescription form. We have our own dispensary and are able to dispense to patients who do not live within one mile of a chemist. Please allow 48 hours to collect repeat medication.
Patients who live in Clifton, Shefford or Langford are covered by a chemist in those areas, prescriptions can be collected after 48 hours.
We are keen to ensure that patients with ongoing medical problems are monitored regularly. If the date for your next review with a doctor or nurse has passed you will be asked to make an appointment.
See Other Information for Dispensary Opening Hours.
Fit to Work Certificate
No certificate is required for the three days of any abscence due to illness.
If you are absent for between four and seven days due to illness your employer amy ask you to complete a self certificate form SC2; they can supply you with this or you can download from http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/sc2.pdf
Test results
Since our telephones are very busy in the early morning, we ask you to telephone for test results (eg blood, urine, x-ray) after 10 am.
To ensure confidentiality, we only release results to the patient, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in writing.
Non-NHS services
The NHS does not pay for some of the services we provide. These include private sick notes, insurance forms, holiday cancellation forms, medical reports, fitness to travel certificates, private prescriptions, passport signing and some vaccination services. Our fees for these services, which are in line with BMA approved national guidelines, are displayed in the surgery.
Travel Clinic
If you are travelling abroad and believe that you will need travel vaccinations, please read the information leaflet and then complete the travel form. These forms will also be available at Reception. Once completed, you can send the form by email to lower.stondon@nhs.net or bring into the surgery. Then you will need to contact the surgery 3 days later to find out what vaccinations you may require.
Preferably contact the surgery 6 weeks before travelling as the vaccinations need to be completed at least 2 weeks before travel for them to be fully effective.
This practice provides all travel vaccines. However, not all are available on the NHS.
The following vaccinations are available on the NHS:
- Tetanus/ diphtheria/ polio
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
The Practice offer the following vaccinations privately with a charge:
- Yellow fever
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Tick borne encephalitis
- Meningitis (travel)
- Rabies
If you need malaria tablets, these can be issued on a private prescription after consultation with the Practice Nurse.
Home Visits
Home visits are offered to patients whom are too ill to come to the surgery. If you need a home visit please telephone before 10.30am on the day of request. The receptionist will take details of your illness. The doctor may phone you to assess your condition and you may be asked to come into the surgery.
Extended Hours
The Practice offers appointments outside normal working hours. These are to help working patients see doctors with routine health problems and are bookable in advance. The Practice offers late evening and early morning appointments. Please contact Reception to book.
Out of Hours
When the surgery is closed i.e. from 6.30pm to 8am Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on Public Holidays, your urgent Medical Care is provided by MDOC on 0845 6022475.
A call handler will ask you some brief questions before a Doctor or Nurse calls you back to decide whether you need advice only, an appointment or an emergency visit.
Patients are seen in the Primary Care Centre based in the Biggleswade Hospital.
Please think carefully before dialling 999 or using the Accident and Emergency Department, as these services are for people who are seriously ill or injured.
