Have you been suffering with symptoms of COVID that continue 4 weeks after infection?

We have information and tools to help you manage your recovery.

If you are concerned about any of your symptoms and it has been four weeks or more since you became unwell with COVID, contact us and ask us about “Long COVID” – we will offer you an initial consultation, provide access to any further assessments or care that you may need, and signpost you to sources of further support.

More information is available on the Your COVID Recovery website.

Screening is a way of finding diseases and problems at an earlier stage in apparently healthy people, when treatment will be more successful.  Contents

1. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
2. Bowel cancer screening programme
3. Breast cancer screening programme
4. Cervical cancer screening programme

Screening is a way of finding diseases and problems at an earlier stage in apparently healthy people when treatment will be more successful. The following screening services are offered as part of the NHS.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of detecting a dangerous swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta – the main blood vessel that runs from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body. This swelling is far more common in men aged over 65 than it is in women and younger men, so all men are invited for screening in the year they turn 65.

An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, it’s extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or don’t survive surgery.

Screening involves a simple ultrasound scan of your stomach (abdomen), which takes about 10-15 minutes.

If you have been invited and lost the details, please contact Tel: 0113 3923740or Email: leedsth-tr.AAAScreening@nhs.net

Bowel cancer screening programme

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. Screening is offered every two years to all men and women aged 50 to 74 who are most at risk.  A home testing kit that is posted out to you. Please complete and return your testing kit which could save your life as it gives us the chance to detect the disease in its early stages.

Breast cancer screening programme

Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breat screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. Women aged over 71 can make their own screening appointments by contacting the Leeds breast screening service on 0113 206 3816.

Breast cancer screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to feel. If breast cancer is discovered in its early stages, there is a very good chance of recovery.

Women who notice any breast symptoms or changes should make an appointment to see a GP immediately.

Cervical cancer screening programme

Cervical screening is available to all women aged 25 to 64.

If you are registered at the practice you should automatically receive an invitation by post every three years for women aged 25 – 49 and every five years for women aged 50 – 64. You simply need to contact the practice and make an appointment to see a nurse.

It is very important that you make these appointments, as early detection and treatment of abnormal cells can prevent cervical cancer.

If any concerns have been raised in the past, you may be invited for more frequent checks.

If you fail to contact us after three attempts, we will contact you to ask if you would like to book an appointment or complete an informed consent for withdrawal from the Cervical Screening Programme

The practice offers a full range of contraception services including coil fitting and referral for vasectomy 

Choice of contraception

Deciding which is the best method can be difficult so please take time to read through these excellent guides.

A suggestion is to start with the general guide and then read the detailed guide for the method that interests you.

Or you could use this helpful online tool my contraception tool.

General guide

Your guide to contraception

Detailed guides

• The combined pill
• The progesterone only pill
• The contraceptive injection
• The contraceptive implant
• The contraceptive patch
• The contraceptive vaginal ring
• The intrauterine system
• The intrauterine device
• Male and female sterilisation
• Male and female condoms
• Diaphragms and caps
• Natural family planning
• Emergency contraception

Who to book an appointment with

All Dr’s can prescribe pills, rings, patches and injections.

The following Dr is trained to fit the intrauterine device and system (coil).

• Dr Kapugama

The following Dr is trained to fit the implant

• Dr Kapugama

Please arrange an appointment with the appropriate Dr once you have decided.

Sexually transmitted disease

Our Dr’s also offer testing and treatment for a range of sexually transmitted diseases.

If you would prefer to attend a completely anonymous service, then you can self refer to Leeds Sexual Health service.

The NHS health check is a free health check-up for adults in England aged 40-74.

You can find more information at the NHS health check.

It aims to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia because as we get older our risk of developing one of these conditions increases.

If you would like to book an NHS health check please contact reception to make an appointment.

The health check only takes about 30 minutes.

The nurse/health professional will ask you some simple questions about your lifestyle and family history, measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure and do a blood test. From this, they can give you an idea of your risks. If you are over 65, you will also be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.

You will then receive personalised advice to help lower your risk. This could include:

• How to improve your diet and the amount of physical activity you do
• How to lose weight or stop smoking

If a particular problem is found, such has high blood pressure, then we will make an appointment for you to see a doctor.

All our doctors are trained to help people suffering from mental health problems. Making an appointment is a good place to start if you are looking for help.

There are also lots of other services locally that are there to support you, many of whom you can refer yourself to.

Services for adults

• If you are aged 17 or older then a good place to start is the Mindwell website. It is designed to help you understand the common problems that people face and the range of services here to help. It also offers help to those who are worried about others.
• You might have heard your GP or friend talk about NHS Leeds Talking Therapies. This is a range of services that we commonly refer our patients to when they have problems with mental health. Here is a list of what NHS Leeds Talking Therapies offer, you can also refer yourself to this service from their website.

Services for children

If you are aged 16 or under, then a good place to start is the MindMate website.

MindMate is specifically aimed at young people and can help you understand the way you are feeling and find the right advice and support. It also offers advice for parents.

Feeling suicidal

If we are open, then please call now to book an urgent same day appointment with one of our doctors.

If we are not open, or you would prefer to get help elsewhere, then please click one of the links below:

I am 17 and older and need help now

I am 16 or younger and need urgent help

Services for mental health and suicide prevention

• NHS 111 – press option 2 to speak to someone if you are having a mental health crisis.
• Connect Helpline offers emotional support to people in Leeds every night 6pm-2am, 0808 800 1212 (free phone).
• Dial House is a place of sanctuary for people (16+) in crisis offering emotional and practical support. It is currently open for telephone and Skype/ Zoom crisis support only, Friday–Monday and Wednesdays, 6pm–2am, 0113 260 9328.
• Samaritans provides space to talk, 116 123 (free phone, open 24 hours every day).
• The West Yorkshire support line is available for general support or advice about mental health, 0800 183 0558 (Freephone open 24 hours every day).
• Leeds Suicide Bereavement Service provides support to anyone bereaved or affected by suicide, 0113 305 5800.
• MindWell has launched a Coronavirus Mental Health Information Hub which brings together information about mental health and Covid-19 for people in Leeds, including updated information on crisis support. It also has a section specifically aimed at pregnant women and new parents. www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/coronavirus-hub

Mens Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaching in Armley

Russ Giles is our Men’s Health and Wellbing coach and can support men in any of the following areas;

• Building confidence to go out of the house and use public transport
• Budgeting and managing bills
• Maintaining accommodation
• Healthy eating and exercise
• Returning to a favourite hobby like fishing or snooker
• Russ can be contacted on 07825 877134

We work closely with other services to help support people and their families at this very difficult time.

The local service

Together as a team we work with individuals and their families to address physical, emotional, social, spiritual and financial issues.

The core team includes a GP, District Nurse and MacMillan Nurse.

Please book with your GP if you or someone you care for needs help now.

Advice

The Sue Ryder website is excellent and has a lot of Practical & Emotional Advice, we recommend them highly.

Other useful sites

Also Leeds Palliative Care has a wealth of information on local services.

Wheatfields hospice

St Gemma’s hospice

Services available to help you lose weight. Contents

1. Online help
2. Face to face support

Do you need to lose weight? There are a number of online resources and local clinics that you can access without having to see your doctor for a referral.

Not sure if you need to lose weight then try out this weight calculating tool.

Online help

Advice for adults:

NHS weight loss guide is an excellent guide with suggestions on a 12 week plan. It also has email support.

NHS Digital Weight Management Programme – a free online or app based 12 week programme for people aged 18 or over with hypertension and/or diabetes AND BMI over 30 (27.5 – adjusted appropriately for ethnicity). You have to be referred by a GP or healthcare professional to access this service.

Advice for children:

The NHS website has good information on what to do if my child is overweight.

Face to face support

Support for adults:

• We have Health & Wellbeing coaches that work within our surgery as well as a Dietician – please speak to your GP to find out more about whether they may be able to help.
• There are also private services (that you would need to pay for) such as Weight Watchers and Slimming World who both provide popular classes locally.

Giving up smoking is always beneficial to your health.  Contents

1. Leeds Stop Smoking Service
2. Electronic cigarettes
3. Local smoke free stories

Stopping smoking increases your life expectancy and helps improve your quality of life, not to mention making you wealthier as well!

It is never too late to stop and the NHS is here to help you.
Getting NHS support really works – it can be four times more successful than going it alone (cold turkey) and it’s completely free of charge. So why not try it? You have nothing to lose.

Be Smoke Free

This is the service we recommend to our patients and is free to everyone. You can arrange an appointment without having to see a doctor.

If they recommend medication or patches to help you stop then we will prescribe them for you (according to your agreed treatment plan).

Visit the Leeds Stop Smoking Service website for more information about the service, or request an appointment.

Electronic cigarettes

E cigarettes are marketed as a cheaper, safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. As they do not produce smoke, research suggests that electronic cigarettes are relatively harmless in comparison with smoking. To find out more have a look at the ASH Briefing on electronic cigarettes.

Local smoke free stories

In need of inspiration? Then why not listen to some people who have been successful at giving up – today is the day.

Health visitors

Health Visitors are all trained nurses who have extra training and qualifications in child health. They are a fantastic source of information about child development and health, parenting strategies, breastfeeding, nutrition and community support. They also offer help with social, emotional and environmental issues that affect families.

You can read more about how thye work by visiting the link: Health visitor information

Child health checks

Appointments are sent out automatically for routine child health checks.

The first will be with a GP at the surgery when your baby is around 6 weeks old.You will be sent information about this and asked to make an appointment at the practice.

You will also be offered routine health reviews for your child, with your health visitor, at 6-8 weeks, 8-12 months and 2-2½ years old.

Healthier Together

Improving the health of babies, children and young people throughout West Yorkshire.

Please click on this link for consistent, accurate and trustworthy healthcare advice for parents, carers, young people and professionals.

www.wyhealthiertogether.nhs.uk

Child Immunisations

Immunisations are given by our practice nurses in accordance with the NHS vaccine schedule.

Further information on the schedule and vaccines in general can be found on NHS choices vaccinations.

Immunisation Schedule

Age at vaccination	Vaccine
2 months	6-in-1 vaccine Rotavirus vaccine MenB vaccine
3 months	6-in-1 vaccine (2nd dose) Pneumococcal vaccine Rotavirus vaccine (2nd dose)
4 months	6-in-1 vaccine (3rd dose) MenB vaccine (2nd dose)
12 to 13 months	Hib/MenC vaccine (1st dose) MMR vaccine (1st dose) Pneumococcal vaccine (2nd dose) MenB vaccines (3rd dose)
2 to 15 years	Children’s flu vaccine (every school year until children finish Year 11 of secondary school)
3 years and 4 months	MMR vaccines (2nd dose) 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine
12 to 13 years	HPV vaccine
14 years	Td/IPV vaccines (3-in-1 teenage booster) Men ACWY vaccine

Protect yourself from flu 

What is flu?

Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it is sometimes called seasonal flu. It is a very infectious disease that can come on very quickly. The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, cough, headache, pains in your joints and muscles and extreme tiredness. Healthy people usually recover within 3 to 4 weeks, but some people can develop serious life-threatening complications and need to be admitted to hospital.

Colds are much less serious and usually start with a stuffy or a runny nose, sore throat and cough.

How do we prevent the spread of flu?

Flu is unpredictable and there can be different strains of the virus. However, over the last ten years, the flu vaccine has generally been very good at targeting the circulating strains.
The flu vaccine is available every year on the NHS to help protect adults and children who are most at risk of flu and its complications.

Can I have a free flu vaccination on the NHS?

Flu can affect anyone but if you have a long-term health condition flu can make it worse, even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well.

We provide flu vaccines if you are:

• Aged 65 or over,
• Pregnant,
• Aged 2, 3 or 4 (by nasal spray),
• Over six months of age and have one of the following conditions:
  • Chronic respiratory disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. Also, people with severe asthma who need to continuously or repeatedly use their inhaler, take steroid medication, or who have been admitted to hospital because of their asthma
  • Chronic heart disease, including heart failure, congenital heart disease, and heart disease caused by high blood pressure
  • Chronic kidney disease, such as kidney failure and people who have had a kidney transplant,
  • Chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis,
  • Chronic neurological diseases, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis,
  • Diabetes
  • A suppressed immune system, due to disease or treatment. This includes people who have a damaged or no spleen, those people with HIV, people having chemotherapy or other immunosuppressant treatment, and those on high doses of steroid medication.
• With a BMI over 40.
• Living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility (not including prisons, young offender institutions or university halls of residence),
• Receive carer’s allowance or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill.

Flu Clinic

Every autumn, around September, we start our flu clinics. We aim to vaccinate as many of those at risk, as indicated above.

You can book online if you are registered for online services, or call reception to make an appointment.

Keep an eye out under the news section of this website for when the clinics start.