Clinics We Offer

IMPLANON FITTING

Cervical Smears

Please make an appointment at reception once you have received your screening letter.

We are unable to perform your smear test unless you have been invited by letter from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme

BABY CLINIC

Child Health & Immunisation

All new babies are invited for regular check-ups from six weeks old. Childhood vaccinations are provided at the weekly Child Vaccination Clinic every Wednesday morning.  An alternative date can be arranged if this is unsuitable through reception.

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP MEETING

Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical pharmacists are an important part of our team at Birchwood Medical Centre and other GP practices in the UK. They are highly qualified experts in medicines and can help people in a range of ways. This includes carrying out structured medication reviews for patients with ongoing health problems and improving patient safety, outcomes and value through a person-centred approach.  They can also help with non-urgent side effects or queries about your medication. 

contraception

Contraception Services

Full family planning services are provided including coil insertions and hormonal implants.

 

DIABETES CLINIC

Diabetes Clinic

We see patients with diabetes throughout the week by appointment. If you have diabetes your care will be managed at the surgery by our nurses and doctors who have specialist knowledge in diabetes care.

MINOR OPERATIONS

Minor Surgery

Minor operations can be done in our treatment room. Please discuss this with your doctor who will then arrange for you to be given an appointment.  

 

WART CLINIC

Physiotherapy & First Contact Practitioner

The practice provides an acute access physiotherapy service in our fully equipped physiotherapy suite where advice and treatment can be obtained for acute conditions. Please note that where longer term treatments are required we will need to refer you to the community based service at Spencer House. 

You can also book an appointment directly via our reception team to see our First Contact Practitioner regarding any musculoskeletal problem you have.  They are specially trained physiotherapists who are able to diagnose the cause of your musculoskeletal symptoms, can advise on treatment and even arrange further investigations or referrals if you need them.

Private physiotherapy services are available at the practice-please discuss this requirement with your doctor.

ASTHMA

NHS Health Check

If you are aged between 40 and 70 years old you may be eligible for an NHS Health Check every 5 years. The health check is designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.  You'll be given advice to help you lower your risk of these conditions and maintain or improve your health. Please contact reception if you are interesting in having this health check.  

All patients over 75 have had a named GP responsible for your care for the past year. 

If however, you are over 75 and do not normally attend the practice with health problems, please contact reception to organise a health check.

palliative care

Specialist Cancer Care Nursing Service

At Birchwood Medical Centre we now provide a specialist nursing service for patients with a cancer or life limiting diagnosis. Sister Ruth Nobes has 10 years post registration experience in palliative care.  She has undertaken the Macmillan Cancer Champion course to offer support to patients and relatives through initial diagnosis, treatment and palliative care.

IMMUNISATION

Vaccinations

We offer a range of vaccinations at the practice in addition to the routine childhood vaccinations.

All patients eligible for a free NHS annual flu vaccination will be invited annually usually around October each year.  We also offer pneumococcal, shingles and other vaccinations when they are appropriate to our patients.

We are currently involved in the national Covid-19 Vaccination programme which is currently operating throughout the UK. 

wounddressing

Treatment Room Services

Our experienced nurses perform a wide range of treatments for our patients.  This includes complex wound dressings, patient education on starting insulin, regular injections advised by consultant specialists for the treatment of osteoporosis and cancer treatment, ear syringing, diagnostic tests including dopplers & spirometry.  We also offer a minor injuries assessment for problems such as animal bites, minor lacerations and other injuries which do not require A&E assessment. 

Nursing Care at Home

We work closely with other healthcare professionals who are part of our Primary Health Care Team working in the community, such as the district nursing team, midwives and health visitors.

These services are provided by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation and are based at Spencer House, Birchwood. You can contact them through reception.

If you have an illness or incapacity that means that you need nursing care in your own home, the district nurses will visit you at home. District nurses provide wound care, palliative care, blood tests, continence advice, health promotion advice, palliative care and advice on co-ordinating care packages.

district nurse image

Health & Wellbeing Coaching

We have new Health and Wellbeing Coaches at Birchwood Medical Centre.

Health and Wellbeing Coaches take a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They can support you to take control of your health and wellbeing in order to become the healthiest and happiest version of you.

Your Health Coach will help you to identify what matters most to you and to set realistic and achievable goals to work towards. Over a number of sessions, they will support you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to overcome any barriers you may have faced. Overall, to help you to maintain positive and sustainable behaviour changes in a way that works for you.

Health and Wellbeing coaching can help with things like:

  • Healthier Diet
  • More Active Lifestyle
  • Managing your Weight
  • Lowering Stress and Improving Mood

This service is provided for patients of Birchwood Medical Centre in conjunction with Quay Primary Healthcare CIC. Speak to a member of our practice team, who can refer you to on of our Health and Wellbeing Coaches.