Services We Offer at Dr Jefferies and Partners

Do you suffer from a musculoskeletal problem?

MSK conditions involve problems with the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, spinal discs and other structures that keep you moving.

Common MSK conditions

• Back Pain
• Muscle Strain/Spasm
• Sports Injuries
• Neck Pain
• Frozen Shoulder
• Shoulder/Elbow Pain
• Trapped Nerves
• Shoulder Tendonitis
• Hip/Knee Pain
• Whiplash Injury
• Tennis/Golfers Elbow
• Ankle/Foot Pain

The right person at the right time

The service available at Dr Jefferies and Partners allows registered patients who would normally go to their GP for MSK problems, quick access to an experienced musculoskeletal specialist who has advanced expertise in the treatment and management of such conditions.

What happens in a consultation?

A history of the problem will be taken, and appropriate examination and necessary tests performed. The FCP will assess, diagnose and provide information including correct advice and management, all of which are tailored to the individual.

Ability to refer

The FCP is part of an integrated team at the practice. If it is necessary after the assessment the appropriate referrals can be:

• Blood tests, X-Rays, appropriate medication
• Referral to local Physiotherapy, Podiatry services, including a specialist pain clinic.
• Referral to Minor surgery at Dr Jefferies and Partners.
• Referral to local Orthopaedic/Rheumatology services.

How do I book an appointment?

Patients can make an appointment with the receptionist at clinic by phone or in person. All GPs and allied Health practitioners can refer to the Musculoskeletal service.

We offer a range of services to aid those who care for others, feel free to contact the surgery for more information and advice or visit the NHS website.

Specialist nursing services work closely with the Practice, providing care in the home. They can be contacted on 020 8846 6782 (fax:020 8846 6778).

We have compiled the following leaflet to help with the management of grief and bereavement

Sick notes will only be provided on a booked telephone appointment basis.

If you require a medical letter, report or summary from your GP, please speak to reception who will advise you accordingly.

Please note this service can take from 7 to 10 working days and a fee will be applicable, from £30 - Fees for Non-NHS Services

If you require a report within 48 hours - an additional charge of £20 on top of this cost will be incurred.

Your doctor will usually give you your first prescription which will have 2 parts. The green slip is the actual prescription which you give to the pharmacist to obtain your medication. The white side shows the list of drugs that you can order as repeat issues. We also call this the repeat re-order form. Please keep this as you need it to order more medication. To order more medication:

- Please mark only those items that you need by ticking each item on the white slip within 5 days of running out.

- Please do not tick items that you do not need.

Then place your re-order from in the prescription request box by main reception desk or post it to the surgery. If you have lost your re-order form you can ask reception to print one for you or you can write the items you are requesting on a form provided by reception.

Please wait 48 working hours excluding weekends and Bank Holidays before collection. Please allow sufficient time to order your repeat medication so that you do not run out. Please do not stock pile medication.

We will not re-issue medication over 5 days in advance.

You can also use your online service to re-order repeat prescriptions.

Depending on your type of wound, our nurses will create a custom recovery programme to encourage healing of your wound, prevent infection and minimise further damage. They are experienced in dealing with acute wounds, chronic wounds and pressure sores.

Signs and symptoms of wound infection include:

• Locally - pain, swelling, warmth, redness, smelly, blood stains, cloudy secretions
• Generally - fever, chills, rigor, sweating, fast pulse, headache, nausea, loss of appetite and tiredness

Health checks are part of a national scheme to help prevent the onset of certain health problems. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who has not been diagnosed with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia will be invited for a check once every five years. If you are outside the age range and concerned about your health, you should contact us.

To find out more about the free NHS health checks, use the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/ 

Long term illness clinics are available for the following diseases:

• Diabetes - Dietary Advice
• Bronchitis
• Asthma
• Chronic Heart Disease
• Thyroid problems
• High blood pressure

These clinics are run by the Nurse, the Doctor and a Health Care Assistant. Patients with any of the above conditions will be required to have a review at least once a year to ensure they are well controlled and that they are receiving the most adequate therapy for their condition. The patient will see the Nurse or Health Care Assistant for a general review which includes physical examination, some tests (blood tests, lung function, etc) and education.

Depending on how well controlled you are sometimes the Nurse will ask you to see the Doctor to review the results and management. Some of these reviews take longer that others, so when you book your appointment please mention which review you need so we have enough time to carry out a thorough check.

We operate a professional and experienced substance misuse clinic and appreciate that everyone is entitled to treatment for drug addiction in the same way as anyone else who has a health problem.

At your first appointment, you will be asked about your drug use and your work, family and housing situation. We may also do some urine or saliva tests.

We will then talk you through your treatment options and agree a plan with you. Treatment options can include:

• Talking therapies
• Treatment with medicines
• Detox
• Support groups
• Reducing harm

Please contact reception to discuss the way forward.

If you are taking Anticoagulants (most commonly Warfarin, sometimes Sinthrome) for a short period of time or as a lifelong treatment, you should be attending an Anticoagulation clinic. This group of drugs makes blood to take longer to clot and can make you prone to bleed for which is necessary to monitor your blood closely.

In this clinic, which is led by a nurse/healthcare assistant and supervised by a senior GP, we take a blood sample from your finger and perform a test that measures how long your blood takes to clot and adjust your medication dose in order to keep your therapy safe and under control. It is extremely important that patients on this treatment attend regularly to reduce the risk of complications.

If your Doctor has prescribed you Warfarin, Sinthrome or any other anticoagulant (please note that Aspirin is not an anticoagulant) and you are not being monitored anywhere else please make an appointment for the Anticoagulation Clinic. These clinics are run by HCA from the practice. Larisa is the lead, Misha is the deputy lead.

As well as routine vaccinations and immunisation injections, we can also carry out joint injections at the practice.

We are able to check your blood pressure to see if it is too high or too low. 

High blood pressure (hypertension) puts a strain on your heart and can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness and fainting but usually isn't as serious.

Having a test is easy and could save your life.

If you require a blood test, this will be carried out by appointment with the Health Care Assistant.

It is very important that you are aware whether or not this is a fasting blood test, in which case nothing can be eaten or drunk for 12 hours before the blood being taken. 

• You must not eat or drink anything, except for water, for at least 12 hours before your appointment with the nurse.
• You can have your regular medication with a glass of water on the day of the appointment. Do not stop you medication unless you doctor advised you otherwise.
• If the test requested is a lipid profile (cholesterol test) you should have a light, early meal the night before the test, avoiding greasy foods such as cheese, bacon, sausages, fries, etc.
• You must not have any alcoholic drinks the night before the test.
• If you have diabetes and are on insulin or oral medication, try to get the earliest appointment possible and ensure you have your breakfast as soon as you come out of the surgery. It is advisable that you bring a snack with you, like a banana or a yogurt, in case you experience symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

And finally, please let the nurse know if you think you did not follow these instructions; she will advice you what to do.

The minor surgery clinic runs every week on Wednesdays from 8.00am - 12.00pm.

All patients will be seen by a doctor prior to booking an appointment in the minor surgery clinic. We are able to provide various procedures within the Minor Surgery clinic. Please note however we are unable to do implants.

A referral to hospital can be a daunting experience, fortunately, since April 2008 - there has been the introduction of Free Choice.

Free Choice means that if you're referred to see a specialist, you can now choose to be treated at any hospital in England that meets NHS standards. This includes NHS hospitals and independent hospitals.

Free Choice is simple and effective so if you need a hospital referral ask your GP during a telephone consultation about your right to choose.

Coming soon - Family planning clinics can be used by women, men and young people, including those who are under 16 years of age. You can refer yourself to a family planning clinic, or you can be referred by your GP, or another health worker.

The clinic will be run by: Dr Azmat Qureshi GP  MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, DRCOG, DFSRH

Family planning clinics provide a range of services including:

• Confidential advice about contraception
• The combined oral contraceptive pill
• The progestogen-only pill
• Progestogen injections
• Fitting and checking of caps, diaphragms, and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs).
• Implants insertion
• Confidential advice about STIs
• Cervical screening 
• Pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information
• Unplanned pregnancy advice

Doctors can provide you with contraception pills, injections and patches on prescription. We also do implants removal and give advice on long term contraceptive methods for example: IUD, Mirena, Sterilisation etc.

Repeat pill prescriptions are available from our nurses.

Please book online or call us to book an appointment. Alternatively you can walk in and check if there is an appointment available on Tuesday between 4.00pm and 6.00pm.

These are held every Thursday morning between 9.00am - 12.10pm. Please see the NHS site for immunisation advice 

Please note we do not offer Health Visitor services at Dr Jefferies and Partners, only the immunisations.

Note: Sick children should not be brought to this clinic, but will be seen during normal surgery hours.

Flu vaccination is available for all our vulnerable patients. This includes patients who are over 65 years, together with diabetics, asthmatics and patients with heart problems and anyone aged 2, 3 or 4 are allowed to have a nasal flu vaccination.

We recommend most strongly that if you fall into one of these groups that you have a flu vaccination each year.

The flu vaccination does not give you the flu.

Find out more: www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine/  

The pneumococcal vaccination is also available for the over 65’s and those who are at risk i.e. Diabetics, Asthmatics, COPD patients etc. Please check with the Nurse to see whether you are eligible for this vaccination on the NHS.

Our Nurses are able to provide comprehensive travel advice. This includes immunisation, malaria prophylaxis, information and general advice on health and safety while travelling abroad.

Some vaccines are not stocked but can be ordered or obtained from the pharmacy. If you have a query about these please contact the Surgery.

You must leave sufficient time for your vaccination programme to be completed, before you travel. This should be a minimum of four weeks before departure, but 6-8 weeks is preferable.

The Practice is able to offer a range of NHS and private vaccinations. Private vaccinations, such as Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Meningitis ACWY are charged for, as they are not available on the NHS - Fees for travel vaccinations

Our Nurses will be able to advise you on what vaccines you require for your particular destination.