Services Provided

Patients can choose which surgery is most convenient. Both have ample parking facilities and access for the disabled. There are direct communication links and all doctors work at both sites. Ryecroft Surgery is part of the Primary Health Care Centre opposite Sainsbury's, and Silverdale Medical Centre is in the centre of the village.

Antenatal Clinics

These are run at both surgeries on a Monday afternoon. You should make a booking appointment as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. To minimise the risk of spina bifida, we recommend that you take 400mcg per day of folic acid from when you start trying to conceive until the twelfth week of pregnancy. This is available over the counter from any chemist. If possible you should also give up smoking.

Cervical Smears

These are offered to all women aged 25-65 mainly by the specially trained practice nurses, and are normally repeated every three years.

Child Health Surveillance And Immunisation

We provide a full vaccination programme and child development checks. You will be offered routine child development at 8 weeks, 7-9 months, 18-24 months and 36-42 months.

Immunisations take place at:

SILVERDALE on Mondays 9.30 - 11.30am
RYECROFT on Wednesdays 11.30am - 1.00pm

Health visitor drop-in clinics operate at:

SILVERDALE on Mondays 9.30 - 11.30am
RYECROFT on Wednesdays 11.30am - 12.30pm

Diabetes and Asthma

Checks are done by practice nurses.

Elderly Persons

All patients over 75 years are offered an annual check-up. If housebound, home visits can be arranged. Flu vaccines are encouraged when appropriate.

Emergency Contraception

This is provided by all doctors up to three days after an accident, and possibly up to 10 days after an accident in special circumstances. This is a fully confidential service and the receptionists are specially trained to give an appointment. It can also be obtained free from chemists displaying two purple pills.

Family Planning

Counselling and advice are given on all aspects by all the doctors and nurses. This includes preconception and coil fitting, and is fully confidential.

Health Promotion

We invite all new and existing patients to make an appointment with a practice nurse for health screening.

Minor Surgery

Joint injections are performed and warts and verrucae are treated in normal surgeries - ask at reception.

Non-NHS Services

Certain services such as private sick notes, insurance claim forms, passport applications and some medical examinations eg HGV and taxi are not covered by the NHS. The practice produces its own price list for non-NHS work, which is displayed in the waiting room on the noticeboard.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor’s certificate for any illness lasting six days or less. Your employer may, however, require you to complete a self certification form SC1 which is available from your employer.

For any illness lasting longer than six days you will need to see the doctor for a sickness certificate (FM3) and for any subsequent renewal.

Smoking

This is the single largest preventable cause of ill health in this country. It is a major cause of cancer, heart attacks, angina and chest diseases. If you would like advice and help on giving up, please see the practice nurses.

Travel vaccinations and advice

These are provided, whatever your destination, by the practice nurses.