Family Planning
Some of our doctors offer a comprehensive family planning service during normal surgery times. In addition, our practice nurses are also trained in family planning and may be seen by appointment (for pill checks, coil checks, general advice).
Please note that the fitting of coils, caps or contraceptive implants will require a special appointment.
A drop-in clinic is held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the month 6.30 to 8.30pm.
The ‘Morning After’ Pill
Emergency contraception is effective for up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse. Please ask the receptionist for an emergency appointment to obtain this.
If You Think You Are Pregnant
Make an appointment with your doctor and bring an ‘early morning’ urine specimen with you. If the pregnancy test is positive, the doctor will arrange an appointment with a midwife.
It has been shown that FOLIC ACID drastically reduces the risks of spina bifida. It is easily available without prescription from chemists. You should take it until the 12th week of pregnancy. You should try to STOP smoking and drink as little alcohol as possible.
If You Are Planning A Pregnancy
- Take folic acid.
- Check your rubella (German measles) vaccination status.
Child Health Surveillance Clinic
- Monday 12 noon - 2.00pm (health visitor/ Dr Doherty/Dr Ellison)
- 1st Tuesday in the month 4.30-6.00pm (health visitor)
- Wednesday 1.00 - 4.00pm (health visitor)
At these clinics we can check your child’s growth and development and provide help and advice on any problems as well as the full range of childhood immunisations.
Baby Massage
Monday 2.00 - 3.00pm (health visitor)
Antenatal Clinics
Wednesday and Friday 1.00 - 2.30pm (midwives cover antenatal clinics on a rota basis)
Asthma Clinic (Practice Nurse) Appointment Only
- Monday 9.00 - 11.00am
- Tuesday 2.00 - 4.00pm
- Wednesday (adults) 9.00 - 11.00am
- Thursday 2.00 - 3.30pm
Diabetic Clinic
- Tuesday 9.00 - 11.00am
- Friday 8.30 - 11.00am
We encourage all our diabetic patients to attend this clinic for regular check-ups of blood pressure, eyesight, chiropody, as well as blood sugar monitoring.
Smoking Cessation
Rawtenstall Health Centre: Monday 5.30 - 6.30pm (health visitors)
Group sessions are available on a rolling (six session) programme; please enquire for starting dates. One-to-one help is also available on request.
Fit For Life
A support group run by health visitors for people who have a weight problem, to help establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle
Stress Management Clinic (Health Visitors)
A six-week course designed to help recognise the symptoms of stress and to understand how to manage stress. Stress busting techniques are encouraged and aim to help restore a healthy and balanced state of mind.
Positive Parenting Groups (Health Visitors)
A six week course to equip, encourage and support parents with the daily struggles of child rearing.
Counselling Services (Appointment Only)
Our trained counsellors offer help with emotional and psychological problems, including anxiety management, relaxation techniques, assertiveness etc.
Cervical Smears (Practice Nurse - Appointment Only)
- Monday 1.30 - 2.30pm and 4.00 - 5.45pm
- Tuesday 1.30 - 2.30pm and 4.30 - 6.00pm
- Friday 1.30 - 3.00pm
All women between the ages of 25-65 years are advised to have a smear test once every three years. These tests are to detect the early signs of cancer of the cervix which can be successfully treated at this stage. Please note that the tests sometimes detect other ‘non-cancerous’ conditions. We have a recall system and women are invited by a letter to attend the smear clinic when their smear is due.
Other Clinics
The following clinics are available in the health centre on a referral basis:
- Podiatrist
- Dietician
- Orthoptist
- Hearing Aid Clinic
- Speech Therapy
- Clinical Psychology
- Audiology
- Continence Clinic
PRACTICE NURSES
In addition to the services outlined above, our practice nurses are trained to provide the following:
- Health Checks
- Blood Pressure/Weight
- Dietary Advice
- Heart/Lifestyle Checks
- Alcohol/Drugs Advice
- New Patient Checks
NURSE PRACTITIONER
At this practice there is a nurse practitioner who is an experienced nurse with an extended medical role. He is able to see patients with undiagnosed problems, make assessments of their healthcare needs and carry out medication reviews. Appointments can be pre-booked or made on the day.
IMMUNISATION AND HOLIDAY ADVICE (Practice Nurse)
- Thursday 4.30 - 6.00pm
- Friday 2.00 - 4.00pm by appointment only.
Travel vaccinations eg typhoid, hepatitis, polio, tetanus and malaria. Please note:
Adult Vaccinations:
- Tetanus boosters are recommended 10 yearly. We do suggest you check if you are covered.
- Polio (as above)
- Influenza (“flu”) every October/November for the over 65s
These are especially recommended for those with bronchitis/emphysema, diabetes, asthma, heart complaints and everyone living with these people. - Pneumococcus - recommended as for influenza, plus for anyone who has had their spleen removed.
MINOR OPERATIONS
Our doctors and specialist practitioners are trained to perform many minor operations eg cyst/wart removal, joint injections etc.
TREATMENT ROOM
The treatment room is available at the following times for dressings, minor injuries, etc:
- Friday 9.00am - 12 noon
- Monday 1.30 - 4.00pm
- Wednesday 1.30 - 4.00pm
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
Private examinations (eg for insurance companies, for HGV or PSL drivers or employment medicals) are carried out by the doctors and the nurses. These are by special appointment. Please note that many of these require a fee to be paid.
‘OVER 75’ SCREENING
The doctors and nurses routinely check our over 75 year olds in the course of their daily work. However, if you are over 75 and have not been seen by us within the last year, please feel free to make an appointment with the practice nurse or one of the doctors.
If you are physically unable to attend the surgery, we can arrange for one of the district nurses to attend you at home.