You may have to pay a fee for certain services that are not covered by the NHS. These fees reflect the time it takes for the doctor to look at your medical records and some admin time.
Services include things like private health certificates, insurance claim forms, HGV/taxi medicals and some travel vaccinations.
There are also times when we are asked for information about a patient’s health, such as when you are applying for a mortgage or life insurance. We only do this with your permission and you have the right to see the report before it is sent. To avoid any delays, please make sure you sign the consent form that the company gives you.
Information for Carers
Information for carers and the help we provide.
Who is a carer?
Many carers are not known by their GP practice as there is confusion around how to define the term ‘carer’.
A carer is a person of any age (including children) who provides unpaid support to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who couldn’t get by without their help. This could be due to old age, frailty, disability, a serious health condition, mental ill health or substance misuse. Parents of children who are disabled or who have a serious health condition are also considered to be carers.
It is estimated that 10% of patients are carers.
Improving carer identification
As a practice, we want to increase the number of people on our carers’ register so that we can look after you better. We do this by:
Asking patients with long-term conditions to name their carers
Running awareness-raising campaigns to get carers to tell us about their caring responsibilities
What we offer to improve healthcare for carers
Flu vaccination – most carers are eligible for a free flu vaccination to protect themselves and the person they care for
Regular health check appointments to help you keep fit and well
More flexible appointments
Carer support groups
Referrals to carers’ services for more specialised information, advice and support
Dedicated services for carers
If you care for someone and would like additional support then the following services may help
Advocacy means helping another person to communicate their views and wishes.
GPs often act as advocates for patients when dealing with issues in the hospital or by making sure that their patients’ and/or families’ voices are heard when a decision is needed about their care.
Advocacy involves looking at choices together and helping patients to make decisions. It may be writing a letter of support or communicating on behalf of the patient.
When advocates who are not part of social services or the NHS are needed, they can be found in Leeds at:
She is available at the practice on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can book an appointment with her via the reception desk.
The role of the midwife
A midwife is a qualified nurse who has undertaken further training to provide and promote normal midwifery.
They help you to prepare for motherhood and promote good health for yourself and your baby by advising on the effects of drinking, smoking and good diet whilst you are pregnant.
The midwife guides you through your pregnancy and endeavours to detect any problems and make relevant referrals if necessary.
First appointment with the midwife
If you are pregnant you do not need to see the Dr in order to have your first appointment with the midwife.
You can arrange an appointment via the reception desk. This first appointment should be at about 9 weeks of pregnancy. Due date calculator
The Midwife will discuss your options for delivery, arrange appropriate referrals and provide you with dietary advice.
She will also take blood tests and will subsequently discuss the results with you. Whilst you are pregnant and until your baby is one year old you are entitled to free prescriptions and dental treatment. The Midwife will organise for an exemption certificate to be signed and sent off.
During The Pregnancy
Your maternity book lists when you will be seen by the Midwife, Doctor and hospital through your pregnancy. Should you have any concerns at any other time you can contact your midwife or, if she is not available, make an appointment to see a Doctor during normal surgery hours.
At some point during the course of your pregnancy, the Health Visitor will meet you to talk to you about her role in your care and about the childhood vaccination programme.
After Your Birth
After delivery, your Midwife will visit you at home to help you and your baby. Following the birth, she will visit you on your first day at home. When your baby is five days old she will carry out the Guthrie test (which is a special screening test that the Midwife will give you information about) and at ten days old she will discharge you and your baby from her care. Extra visits may be arranged according to need.
Your Health Visitor will visit you at home when your baby is between 10 and 14 days old and can advise on feeding, weaning and any family issues you may have.
About 6 weeks after your birth you should make an appointment to see your doctor to discuss contraception and any concerns you have about your own health.
Breastfeeding
It takes time for you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed.
The NHS page on breast feeding for the first few days might be useful.
Your midwife can also offer support and advice.
There are also a number of national services offering local support groups, which can be accessed via their websites:
As you get older the range of problems you face can grow, to the point where it might be difficult to cope, know what to do for the best, or make it difficult for you to leave your house.
We have a dedicated Health Care Assistant for our elderly and frail patients called Danielle Howarth who supports patients who are housebound or struggle to get into the surgery.
The sorts of things Danielle can help you with are:
Mobility issues
Memory problems
Loneliness and isolation
Practical issues such as help dressing and cleaning
Health issues
Danielle’s role is to help you understand the range of services available and support you in deciding the best course of action.
District Nurses
District Nurses carry out many roles for housebound patients, including:
General nursing procedures and investigations
Post-surgery care
Assessment of patients’ needs
Care for terminally ill patients
Loaning of equipment
Looking after wounds and leg ulcers
Educating patients about self-care
Referrals can be made by a Dr or nurse at the practice, patients themselves or by carers and family members.
Community Matron
Naomi Barton is our Community Matron.
Community matrons specialise in caring for older people, whether they live in their own home or a care home. They help patients manage their health problems and try to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.
If a patient has to be admitted, they will communicate with the hospital team to ensure a smooth a discharge as possible.
Dementia services
It is very important that anyone who has problems with their memory has a proper assessment. If these problems are due to dementia then early diagnosis and referral have many benefits for the patient, their carer(s) and family. It can help them to plan and access the treatment and support they need and to improve their quality of life.
Please book with one of Dr’s who can make the initial assessment and refer you to the memory clinic if needs be.
Adult Social Care
Leeds city council help people aged over 18 to live as well as possible with their illness, disability or other problems. It can include help with things like washing, dressing, eating, getting out and about and keeping in touch with family and friends.
Adults who may need extra care and support include:
Older people
People with learning disabilities
People with physical disabilities
People with mental health problems
People with drug and/or alcohol issues
Carers
They offer a wide range of support and help and their adults and health page is a good place to start.
Or call them 0113 222 4401 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
There is also a directory providing help with social care in Leeds via The Leeds Care Directory. You can access this directory in the surgery or by clicking the link.
This can be done by you, a family member, a friend.
If you have difficulty using the telephone please email them at feedback@leeds.gov.uk .
Annual Health Check
Health checks for people with a diagnosed problem
If you have one of the following conditionsthen you will be invited for an annual health check.
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Kidney disease
Heart disease
Asthma
Chronic bronchitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Learning disabilities
Dementia
Severe mental health problems
We invite all people for their annual health check in the same month as their birthday. You may need a blood test before the appointment, in which case the invite will say this.
The appointment will be 20 minutes long, however if you have more than one problem it will be longer.
Alcohol & Drug Services
Services we provide relating to Alcohol and Drugs services in Leeds.
Do I need help?
Take the alcohol test is an excellent online tool which helps you work out if you’re at risk of alcohol-related problems and some simple things you can do to reduce the risk.
Getting help
Forward Leeds
Forward Leeds has a wide range of services that support young people, adults and families in Leeds with alcohol and/or drug use.
It is the service that our Dr’s will refer you to if you need help, you can also self-refer to the service.
