CLINICS
THE
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Midwife antenatal clinics and booking-in clinics are held on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 1.30pm.
Almost all mothers have their babies in Pilgrim Hospital but the midwives care
for mothers at home both before and after the baby is born. We accept some births
at home if the mother wishes it and the midwives and ourselves judge that there
are no foreseeable complications. Every mother is seen regularly before and after
confinement.
A midwife is available 24 hours a day by contacting Pilgrim Maternity Unit. The
on-call midwife will then telephone the lady or family and discuss the query
or problem and arrange a home visit if considered necessary. For non-urgent advice
please telephone Parkside Reception and leave a message for the midwife together
with your telephone number and availability and she will call you back.
The health visitors are available to see mothers and children in the Well Baby
Clinic, but their main work is carried out in the home where they advise and
help with any problems or health needs which may arise. Health visitors work
with all ages including the elderly.
There are two Child Health Clinics on:
Tuesdays 2.00 to 4.00pm - weighing and health visitor advice available
Thursdays 9.30 to 11.30am - weighing and health visitor advice available
Well Baby Clinics are NOT FOR SICK CHILDREN but to advise on the general care
of the baby to ensure normal development and a healthy childhood.
DEVELOPMENTAL CHECKS
A developmental check is carried out by the doctor when the baby is six weeks
old. This is a
good time to discuss the vaccination and immunisation of the baby which we encourage
in all children, save in rare circumstances.
A further developmental check is carried out at eight months of age by the health
visitor and a medical with the GP.
Thereafter, developmental checks are offered on an individual basis.
VACCINATIONS AND IMMUNISATIONS FOR CHILDREN
These are usually carried out by our nursing team on a Tuesday afternoon 2.30
- 5.00pm.
SICK CHILDREN
Sick children are seen in normal surgery hours and will always be seen by a doctor
on the day of request, though their usual doctor may not be available.
FAMILY PLANNING
We have a full range of family planning advice and contraceptive methods are
available and offered by all partners.
For men, a vasectomy can be arranged and performed at the surgery.
All doctors prescribe emergency contraception, but an appointment can also be
made with our practice nurses, Trish Cockcroft and Anita Todd. Please let the
receptionists know you need an immediate appointment.
CERVICAL SMEARS
All women between the ages of 20 and 65 should be screened when they receive
a recall letter. This can be arranged through our practice nurses or by your
usual doctor during normal surgery times. Appointments for either should be made
with the receptionist. Reports on smears are posted to your home address.
OTHER FACILITIES
We are pleased to be able to offer other specialised services here at Parkside
which include:
• Ultrasound (obstetrics).
• Fully equipped day case operating theatre, providing minor and medium complex
secondary care procedures by suitably qualified doctors and consultants. All
of our doctors carry out minor surgery sessions including cryosurgery.
• Our doctors and nurses also offer appointments to care for a range of conditions
including diabetes, asthma, hypertension and incontinence.
• Flu clinics - early October for those over 65 and other at risk groups. An announcement will be put in the Standard and Target newspapers and you can enquire at the surgery during the last week in September.
MINOR SURGERY
A range of minor surgical procedures is provided by all of the doctors.
