A-Z Nurse Clinics

Asthma Management »
Blood Pressure Management »
Blood Tests »
Bodyzone »
Child Health Clinic »
Child Immunisation Clinic »
Diabetic Management »
Exercise »
Flu Vaccinations »
Health Care Assistants »
Healthy Heart Clinic And Blood Pressure Clinic »
Leg Ulcer Clinic »
Stop Smoking Clinic »
Travel Health Clinic »
Well Person Checks »

Asthma Management

Nurses Jo Tyrell and Mitch Argument

The practice run an asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease clinic. Everyone with asthma or COPD should be reviewed at least once a year. On diagnosis all patients should have an extended review with the nurse and follow-up care will be shared by the Doctor and nurse. This is very important to check you are as well as you should be and to review your medication. Lung function testing (spirometry) is also available.

For more information contact:
Asthma UK or telephone 020 77865 000
British Lung Foundation or telephone 08458 5050 20

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HOME Blood Pressure Management

This test is sometimes indicated as part of the assessment of Hypertension.

A monitor is loaned to the patient for a period of 5 days. The patient will be shown how to take and record their blood pressure measurement. Following this, an appointment is made with their own GP to discuss the results. We very rarely fit a 24 hour ABP monitor.

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Blood Tests

Are you aware that a lot of blood tests may be taken in the afternoon or early evening? We are trying to encourage more people to come during these times to cut back on congestion in the surgery during the mornings. Please ask when booking your blood test if it may be taken in the afternoon or early evening.

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Bodyzone (teenage clinic including family planning and emergency contraception)

This clinic is held at Chipping Norton School on Monday lunchtimes.

It is run by nurses and aims to provide a confidential and health promotion-based service to the young people in the town. Doctors from various surgeries are involved in running the clinic. For more information please visit The Family Planning Association website or telephone 0845 122 8690.

Other local clinics in Oxford telephone 01865 456666 or Banbury 01295 819166.

For information on sexual health telephone Oxford 01865 246036 or Banbury 01295 819181.

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Child Health Clinic

Tuesdays 1.30 - 3.00pm - Health Visitors.

Help and support is offered on all aspects of child development in this clinic. The clinic also provides an opportunity to have your baby weighed. Contact the Health Visitors Julie Hyland and Sharon Doar on 01608 643350 A ‘drop in’ clinic is also available on Wednesdays 11am – 12md at the ACE Centre, Burford Road.

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Child Immunisation Clinic

Fridays 11.00am - 12.30pm

Immunisation is a way of protecting your child against serious illnesses – once they have been immunised they can fight the diseases they have been protected against Please phone reception on 01608 642529 to make an appointment.

Immunisation and your child

Immunisation is a way of protecting your child from serious diseases. Once children are immunised their bodies can fight the diseases if they should come into contact with them.

Soon after your baby’s birth you will be given a booklet ‘A guide to immunisations up to 13 months of age’ which describes the vaccinations in the UK immunisation schedule – we start the immunisation programme at 2 months of age when the antibodies passed down from the mother have stopped working.

At your first visit the nurse will discuss the immunisation programme with you and address any queries or concerns you may have – the ‘Immunisation booklet’ may answer a lot of these queries but never hesitate to ask any question regarding immunisation no matter how silly it may seem to you – I can guarantee the question may well have been asked before!

You will then be told the immunisations your child will receive at that visit and the possible ‘after effects’ – these are usually that there may be a little redness at the site of the injection and the area may be a little tender for the next day or so. Before the age of 1 the vaccinations are usually given in the thigh so you may want to be a little more gentle than usual when changing baby’s nappy. Some babies sleep a lot after their immunisation and others are a little ‘crabby’ and may need lots of cuddles. Very occasionally your child may develop a slight temperature – they may feel hotter than usual. In this instance you can give them a small dose of baby paracetamol – follow the instructions on the bottle – and remove a layer of clothing to help bring their temperature down.

The nurse will then tell you how to hold your baby ready for the vaccination – in my experience I have found holding your baby firmly and confidently reduces the chance of them moving during the injection and they seem to settle a lot quicker afterwards with a firm, confident cuddle and reassuring ‘murmurs’. If you are breastfeeding you may like to feed your baby during and/or after the vaccinations.

Never hesitate to ring your surgery to speak to a doctor, practice nurse or health visitor with any queries you may have after immunisation that have not been answered at your visit or are not addressed in the ‘Immunisation booklet’. You may also call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk for further advice on immunisations.

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Diabetic Management

Those with diabetes should be regularly reviewed. When you come to the surgery for a diabetic check you are first seen by nurse and then reviewed by your usual doctor. To maximize efficiency we ask all diabetic patients to arrange to have blood tests taken by the nurse two weeks prior to the appointments so that the results are available when you see the doctor. Long appointments for use and maintenance of diabetes monitoring equipment can be made with Nurse Mitch at an afternoon appointment.

For more information please visit the following website:
Diabetes UK or telephone 020 7424 1030.

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Exercise

We believe exercise and fitness are very important for lots of conditions. Exercise helps your heart, bones, joints and overall wellbeing. It also reduces stress, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer, and helps you lose weight. Exercise is fun and keeps you healthy.
We also have an exercise referral scheme which allows doctors and nuses to refer patients to the gym at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre.

We also recommend that people join 'Footsteps' - the Chipping Norton Healthy Walking Scheme. It is held on Wednesday mornings. Contact John Grantham on 01608 643639 for details.

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Flu Vaccinations

All those aged 65 years and over OR those who suffer from a chronic illness (e.g. diabetes, asthma, respiratory disease, heart disease, kidney disease) are entitled to a ‘flu vaccination. Most of our vaccination programme will be on Saturday mornings in October. There will be a few small clinics at the surgery after the Saturday clinics have finished. ALL SATURDAY CLINICS ARE OPEN CLINICS i.e. just turn up on your chosen clinic day for your jab. We have tried this for the last few years and have found that people who turn up to the Saturday clinics only have to wait a few minutes as we have a larger nursing team on those days. Clinic times have been displayed on posters around the surgery.

Pneumococcal Vaccinations

All those aged 65 years and over OR those who suffer from a chronic illness (e.g. diabetes, asthma, respiratory disease, heart disease, kidney disease) are entitled to a Pneumococcal vaccination. This is a ONCE ONLY vaccination that can protect you from a number of different strains of pneumococcal infection. This includes those bacteria that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and ear infections. You may book an appointment with a nurse AT ANY TIME to receive this vaccination. There will also be some vaccinations available during the flu clinics.

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Health Care Assistants

Our two HCAs, Chris and Annette, both hold a National Vocational Level 3 qualification. They are able to perform a wide range of tasks and hold clinics in the mornings and afternoons. Please ask when booking your appointment to see a nurse if your requirements can be met by an HCA. You may find you have a wider choice of appointments or may even be seen sooner.

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Healthy Heart Clinic And Blood Pressure Clinic

The healthy heart clinic is for anyone who has had a heart problem (eg heart attack, surgery, angina). The aim is to prevent any further heart disease. Patients are invited to attend for an annual check. Weight, smoking, exercise and cholesterol levels are monitored. Exercise sessions are arranged at the Leisure Centre if necessary. The blood pressure clinic is for people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and are usually taking medication. It is also an opportunity to assess people who have borderline blood pressures to help make the decision as to whether they should take any medication. Patients taking medication should have their BP measured six-monthly with an annual check at the clinic to monitor weight, smoking, exercise habits and cholesterol monitoring. ECGs are done at assessment appointments.

For more information please visit the following website:
British Heart Foundation or telephone 020 7935 0185.

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Leg Ulcer Clinic

This is run by the practice and district nurses of Chipping Norton at the Community Hospital. It takes place in the Outpatient Department every Tuesday from 11.00am-1.00pm (1.00pm-3.00pm every second Tuesday of the month).

Patients can either make their own way to the hospital or they can be brought in courtesy of a group of volunteer drivers. Once there they are offered a cup of tea and biscuits and are able to chat to other patients whilst waiting to have their ulcers re-dressed.

This community service is of immense value to all patients concerned.

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Stop Smoking Clinic

By appointment via reception.

Annette and the nurses are smoking cessation advisors, and they can support you during your attempt to stop smoking Stopping smoking is the most important measure of all in maintaining good health. We can offer both individual or group sessions. The group sessions (depending on size) may be held elsewhere so as to fill a session. Please contact the surgery on 01608 642529 to obtain a stop smoking pack and arrange an appointment.

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Travel Health Clinic

Nurse Shani Napier

Travel advice and immunisations for our patients who intend to travel abroad are now available at our weekly travel health clinic.

For more information please visit the following websites:

Masta (Minding Your Health Abroad) for advice on travel and vaccines required or telephone 09068 224100

Fit for Travel

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Well Person Checks (including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checks)

The nurses offer a full health check and cervical smear. They can advise and support all aspects of health promotion and health care. If they cannot provide a particular service they can usually suggest where to go to get appropriate advice and/or treatment. Late appointments are available especially for those who cannot get away from work and therefore often neglect their own healthcare.

For more information please visit The British Hypertension Society website or telephone 020 8725 3412.

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