The Caversham Group Practice
4 Peckwater Street
Kentish Town
London
NW5 2UP
Tel: 020 3 317 5345

News:

Thank you for tolerating the disruption caused by our recent building work. The work to install a new lift, renovated patient toilets and four new upstairs consulting rooms is nearly complete.

Dr Iona Heath retired from the practice in January of this year. We will all miss her hugely and wish her well in her new role as President of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

We are continuing our attempts at improving access to our appointments.

In order to improve your access to a GP, we will now be offerring routine appointments from 7.30am on some mornings and from 9am to 12am on some Saturday mornings.

Help us to keep your clinical record up to date. Please click on the "clinical record" link at the bottom of this page to update us.

Our new "self check area" is now open. Appointments are no longer needed for routine BP checks. We now have a dedicated area in the waiting room eqipped with state of the art electronic equipment with which to measure your own BP. Receptionists will be on hand to assist you. Height and weight can also be checked.

The Minor AilmenScheme can enable you to get prompt treatment for a range of minor health problems. For further details see the link under Practice Information.

Announcements

01 Sep - 01 Oct
NHS Smokefree

Find out about all of the free NHS services available to support you as you go try to give up smoking.

01 Aug - 01 Oct
NHS Summer Health

Stay safe in the sun, including sunscreens, sunburn relief, heat exhaustion, eczema and moles. Summer holidays are great fun for children, but can bring risks. Find out more

01 Jul - 01 Oct
Change for Life

Would you like loads of tips and help to make changes for a healthier future? As part of Change4Life, you will receive tons of helpful information, recipes, tools, tips, and games for the kids.

BBC Health

More obesity ops 'will save cash'

Millions of pounds is lost in England by the failure of the NHS to provide more obesity operations, a study says.

Statins 'may cut arthritis risk'

Taking statins may reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, a study suggests.

Call for morning sickness action

More needs to be done to establish which are safe and effective ways to relieve morning sickness, experts say.

UK radiotherapy 'lagging behind'

Too few UK cancer patients are receiving state-of-the-art radiotherapy care, experts from Cancer Research UK say.

ME 'virus link' found in children

ME, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, in children could be caused by a virus, scientists say.

Gaps persist in cancer survival

Despite significant improvements in cancer survival rates across England, regional differences remain, national statistics show.

'Genetic link' to breast cancer

Researchers have identified a series of genetic variations which may play a role in a common breast cancer.

Bipolar 'not linked to violence'

People with a mental illness are no more likely to be violent unless they abuse drugs or alcohol, a study suggests.

NHS in Wales faces £380m cutbacks

The Welsh NHS faces making £380m worth of cutbacks by April, with managers saying it is the biggest challenge they have faced in 20 years.

Diabetes drug advice 'not heeded'

A type two diabetes drug is still being prescribed in the UK two months after it was recommended for withdrawal, BBC Panorama learns.

Yahoo Health

US smoking rate still stuck at 1 in 5 adults (AP)

AP - U.S. smoking rates continue to hold steady, at about one in five adults lighting up regularly, frustrated health officials reported Tuesday.

FDA cites claims on 2 green tea beverages (AP)

AP - Federal health regulators have issued warnings to the makers of Canada Dry ginger ale and Lipton tea for making unsubstantiated nutritional claims about their green tea-flavored beverages.

FDA relents from midodrine withdrawal plan (AP)

AP - Federal regulators have backed off a plan to remove a Shire PLC low blood-pressure treatment from the market after warning in August that the drug has not been proven effective.

Judge won't let stem cell money keep flowing (AP)

AP - A federal judge on Tuesday refused to lift his order blocking federal funding for some stem cell research, saying that a "parade of horribles" predicted by federal officials would not happen.

Japan confirms its first case of new superbug gene (AP)

AP - Japan has confirmed the nation's first case of a new gene in bacteria that allows the microorganisms to become drug-resistant superbugs, detected in a man who had medical treatment in India, a Health Ministry official said Tuesday.

Picking right blood pressure medicine challenging (AP)

AP - It's hard to predict which pills will best lower which patient's high blood pressure, but researchers are hunting ways to better personalize therapy — perhaps even using a blood test.

Lack of Sleep May Be Linked to Childhood Obesity (HealthDay)

HealthDay - MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Infants and preschoolers who don't get enough sleep at night are at increased risk for later childhood obesity, a new study suggests.

For Bonobo Males, Mom Is the Best Wingman (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - To most human males, the thought of your mother anywhere near your sex life is probably horrifying. Not so for the bonobo, one of our closest primate relatives. A new study confirms that hanging out with mom boosts male bonobos' chances of getting intimate with a fertile female.

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 7, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Autistic Toddlers Prefer to Gaze at Geometric Patterns: Study (HealthDay)

HealthDay - MONDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- When given the choice to gaze at geometric patterns or children dancing and playing, toddlers with autism spent more time looking at the patterns while typically developing toddlers preferred to look at other kids, a new study finds.

MedPage Today

Judge Won't Lift Block on Stem Cell Research Funding

(MedPage Today) -- Federal spending of embryonic stem cell (ESC) research will remain off-limits for now, a federal judge ruled, dealing yet another blow to the Obama administration's efforts to support such research.

Cigarette Smoke May Affect Fertility (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Smoking may provide an explanation for reduced fertility, results of two studies suggested.

Adult Smoking Hits Plateau

(MedPage Today) -- One in five U.S. adults continues to smoke tobacco -- a percentage that hasn't budged since 2005 -- suggesting that more aggressive efforts are needed to reduce smoking-related diseases and deaths, the CDC said.

Pandemic H1N1 Similar to Seasonal Strains (CME/CE, with video)

(MedPage Today) -- In general, the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus did not cause more serious disease than other recent influenza A strains, researchers found.

Nevirapine Reuse Possible in Exposed Children With HIV (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- In most HIV-infected children being exposed at birth to nevirapine (Viramune) doesn't rule out using the drug again later, researchers reported.

PCV-7 Vaccine May Promote Serotype 19A Infection (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Infants receiving a three-dose regimen of heptavalent PCV-7 pneumococcal vaccine were more likely than unvaccinated controls to pick up a nonvaccine pneumococcal strain associated with invasive infection and antibiotic resistance, researchers said.

More Human Trials Needed for HIV Vaccine Hunt

(MedPage Today) -- HIV vaccine researchers are calling for more and better human trials as part of the quest for ways to block transmission of the virus.

Patients Expect More from PCI than It Delivers (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Cardiologists fully understand the limits of percutaneous coronary interventions -- but their patients are often overly optimistic about the benefits of PCI, a new survey revealed.

Splint Matches Cast for Kids' Wrist Fractures (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- In children with wrist fractures, a splint works as well as a cast, researchers reported.

Behcet's Takes Higher Toll in Men (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Men with Behçet's disease are much more likely than women to die of this chronic multisystem vasculitis, a large French study found.

Clinics

Foreign Travel

Specialist Clinics

Non-NHS Services

Test Results

Antenatal Clinic

pregnant_stomach The community midwives offer a full maternity care service in conjunction with the GPs and health visitors. The Friday morning clinic is run by midwives for patients booked for antenatal care at UCLH only.Antenatal appointments are also available with GPs.

Cryotherapy Clinic

Cryotherapy is a technique that may be used in the treatment of viral warts and some other skin conditions. Two of the GPs and one of the practice nurses run cryotherapy clinics.Please see your doctor or nurse for more information.

Heart Health Clinic

If you have suffered with certain heart conditions such as angina or had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) you will be invited for an annual review of your condition with our practice nurses.

What happens in this review?

You can discuss any concerns or changes in your condition and your treatment
Your blood pressure and weight will be checked
Lifestyle issues can be discussed such as diet, weight, smoking and exercise
Blood tests are performed to monitor your condition

For more information on heart health please see http://www.bhf.org.uk

Baby Clinic and Post Natal Check-ups

baby_lying The baby clinic is run by the health visitors on a Thursday afternoon from 13.30 to 15.30 The clinic is for children from birth to five years for growth monitoring, immunisations and general advice. The clinic is done on a walk-in basis and you must sign in at reception first. Please bring alone your red book when you attend baby clinic.

On a Wednesday morning, appointments are available with the doctors for developmental checks (at 6 weeks, 8-9 months and 3 years) and the six week postnatal check for mothers. If you would like more information on immunisations please visit the NHS immunisation website.

You can have your child weighed at the baby clinic as well as ask any of our health visitors of advice. The health visitors have a direct line on 020 3317 5425 and would be happy to help you with any enquiries. Ask the health visitors for more information on other services they offer.

Diabetic Clinic

Our practice nurse, Sheila Hartley, is responsible for organising the practice diabetic clinic. All the doctors and nurses in the practice are involved in providing appointments for the routine diabetic checks.

We usually recommend having a diabetic check twice a year.

What happens in the diabetic clinic?

You can discuss any concerns or questions about your condition and treatment
Certain aspects of your health will be checked e.g. your blood pressure, your weight, the condition of your feet
Lifestyle review - Information and advice on stopping smoking and increasing the amount of exercise you do
Blood tests are performed to monitor your condition
Your urine will be checked also. Please collect a specimen pot from the reception desk on arrival

Travel advice and immunizations

Foreign travel advice and immunisations are provided by the practice nurses. They give advice on health while abroad and draw up a list of immunizations and antimalarial tablets which are recommended or required for the travel you are planning. Their advice is based on the international recommendations. Please complete the attached form. Return it to the practice as soon as you can, or bring it to your appointment.

Antimalarial tablets and some immunisations are not available on the NHS, and the nurse will advise you of the cost of the immunisations and prescriptions you will need. The costs of those immunizations and services for which there are charges are listed on the attached sheet. You will be required to pay at Reception when you see the nurse, so please bring cash or your cheque book.

It is best to see the nurse about six weeks before you travel, or even earlier if you have a complicated itinerary e.g. long-term travel, multiple countries, backpacking. If you are traveling at short notice the nurses will try to help you, but if they cannot, they will recommend that you contact a travel clinic such as one of those listed below. All these charge for all services.

The following travel immunizations are available on the NHS:
· Hepatitis A
· Diphtheria, tetanus and polio
· Typhoid
· Cholera

The following travel immunizations are not available on the NHS and have to be paid for:

Hepatitis B when required solely for travel
Meningitis ACWY

Caversham does not provide the following travel immunizations. They can be obtained from the travel clinics listed below.

Yellow fever
Rabies
Tick-borne and Japanese B Encephalitis
BCG, i.e. protection against tuberculosis.

Travel clinics

These private clinics provide the full range of immunizations.

Royal Free Travel Health Centre Tel. 020 78302885
Pond Street www.travelclinicroyalfree.com
London NW3 QG

Hampstead Group Practice Tel. 020 7435 4000
75 Fleet Road
London NW3 2QU

UCH Travel Clinic Tel. 0845 1555 000
Mortimer Market www.thehtd.org
Capper Street (off Tottenham Court Road)
London WC1E 6AU

Antimalarial tablets

Malaria can kill and many malarial parasites have become immune to traditional antimalarials. Protection from the bites of the mosquitoes which carry the malarial parasite is essential, but we strongly recommend that travellers take the antimalarials internationally recommended for the area they are visiting.

Some antimalarials are available over the counter. Prescription-only antimalarials have to be written on a private prescription, i.e. the pharmacist will charge you the cost of the tablets.
Our nurses will advise you on the latest advice on antimalarials for the area you will be visiting and will tell you if they are available over the counter and will issue a prescription if they are not.

Regular medication

Please check that you have enough of your regular medication to last for your trip.

A charge is made for the following:
· Insurance claim for travel cancellation
· Confirmation that you are fit to travel, including flying during pregnancy
· Negative HIV certificate
· Freedom from Infection certificate
· Certificate that you need to take needles, syringes etc in your hand luggage (though the list of your medications on the right side of your prescription is usually accepted – check with the airline)

Useful Websites

All offer comprehensive advice on travel safety and health, by country, by activity or by group.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office http://www.fco.gov.uk and following the links to travel advice
NHS (Scotland)’s Fit for Travel http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/
National travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNac) www.nathnac.org

Caversham Group Practice Travel Clinic charges 2010/2011

Hepatitis B (if required solely for travel)	£30 per dose (course of four doses)
Meningitis ACWY (including certificate required for working in Mecca or going on the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage)	£40

Prescription-only antimalarial tablets

You will be given a private prescription to take to a pharmacy. The pharmacist will charge you for the medication.

Insurance claim for travel cancellation	£50
Confirmation that you are fit to travel (including flying during pregnancy)	£40
Negative HIV certificate	£12.50
Freedom from Infection certificate	£12.50
Certificate that you need to take needles and syringes etc in your hand luggage (though the list of your medications on the right side of your prescription is usually accepted – check with the airline)	£12.50

Travel Clinic Questionnaire

Download our questionnaire and when you have completed it please bring it in to the surgery as soon as possible.

Specialist Clinics

Doctor_and_patient Many other health professionals work with the practice including:

Psychologists with expertise in providing advice and support for both children and adults
A counsellor linked to the local drug service
A careers adviser (self referral at reception)
Visiting consultants providing specialists clinics in women's health, ophthalmology and rheumatology

Please ask your doctor or nurse for further information if you are interested in being referred to any of these services.

Non-NHS Services

Some administrative services that we offer are not provided by the NHS and we make a charge for these services as oulined below. The cost of these services is in line with British Medical Association guidance.

List of Charges

1. Posting original records
2. Posting copy of the original records
3. Taxi drivers medical report DVLA
4. Private Insurance Form/BUPA etc.
above price with medical for ½ hour)
5. Medical Reports for Lawyers (for ½ hour)
6. Childminder medical report
7. Police Work Medical Report
8. Private sick note
9. Scuba diving
10. Fit to exercise Med. Report
11. Visa medical report
12. School fees insurance claim form
13. Passport form
14. Naturalisation form
15. Driving Licence form
16. Provisional Driving licence form
17. LGV/PCV
18. Elderly drivers fitness certificate
19. Mini Cab drivers report
20. Ofstead form
21.Adoption Medical Form
24.Travel Insurance form
25.Occupational Therapy for University – form only
26.Brief Private letter (e.g. proof of registered address)

£25.00
£10.00 + 0.30p per copy
£90.60
£40.00 (+medical for ½ hr)
£30.00 (+ £40.00 as above)
£90.60
£30.00
£30.00
£15.00
£40.00
£15.00
£19.50 – £41.50
£15.00
£15.00
£15.00
£15.00
£90.60
£40.00
£90.60
£60.00
£40.00
£73.86
£15.00
£15.00
£15.00

Blood Tests

We are able to offer an in-house phlebotomy (blood testing) service avoiding the need for patients to attend hospital for routine blood tests. If your GP requests blood tests - please book an appointment for these tests via the reception desk. All blood testing is now done on an appointment only basis. We no longer offer a "walk in" service for blood testing

Test Results

Telephone: 020 3317 5421 (Weekdays between 2pm and 3pm)

If your doctor or nurse carries out a test e.g. blood test or smear test, make sure you know how to find out the results. You may be asked to telephone.
If you want to discuss your results you will normally need to make an appointment although you may wish to consider requesting a telephone appointment rather than a face to face one - if you feel a brief discussion of your results is all that is required.

Further Information

For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS Direct