The surgery provides a comprehensive range of primary care services. We offer a personal approach to family medicine and patients are encouraged to see a preferred doctor. Surgery consultations are by appointment, only, but with a flexible system that allows for same-day access to a doctor or a nurse for genuinely urgent matters.
To make an appointment please see our Appointments page by clicking on the button above. The telephone number for appointments is: 01284 701601.
To see details about specific aspects of our services, click on the topics in the table on the left.
ASTHMA
A number of our practice nurses have undergone further training in providing asthma care. We encourage all patients with asthma to attend for regular review, at least on a yearly basis. Anyone experiencing frequent mild symptoms from their asthma should make an appointment for an asthma review with a nurse for assessment and help with medication. For more severe symptoms an urgent appointment with a doctor should be requested. Between 6.30 pm and 8.00 am, at weekends and on Bank Holidays, telephone 01284 701601 or NHS 111 for the out of hours service
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BLOOD TESTS
West Suffolk Hospital
By appointment only.
Call 01638 590788 or online http://www.wsh.nhs.uk/bloodtests to book
CERVICAL SCREENING TESTS
Cervical cytology sampling tests (used to be called cervical smears) are carried out by all nurses and doctors in the practice. Women are usually requested to make an appointment with a practice nurse. Routine calls and recalls are sent to women every 3 years between the ages of 25 and 49 years and every 5 years from 50 to 64 years of age. The results are, then, sent to each individual woman by post.
https://suffolkfed.org.uk/patient-services/cervical-screening/
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DISTRICT NURSES
We have an excellent team of community nurses who provide nursing care to those who are housebound and unable to attend the surgery through disability and illness. They are no longer based in the surgery but may be contacted directly by telephoning: 0300 1232425
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CONTRACEPTION
Confidential advice regarding different contraceptive choices are provided by our Nurse Practitioners Rachel and Chrissie and all our GPs. This is available at both the Guildhall and Barrow sites.
This includes emergency contraception, oral contraceptive options and long acting contraception.
Dr Ailsa Brown provides a coil fitting service at the Guildhall site.
COPD
Assessment, advice and treatment is provided for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The practice possesses a spirometer for the assessment of patients with suspected COPD and four of our nurses, at both surgeries, have had additional training in this area. You are advised to see your preferred doctor for initial advice if you have a chronic cough or shortness of breath.
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CORONARY HEART DISEASE
The practice provides advice, monitoring and treatment for those with heart disease. Regular CHD reviews are encouraged on, at least, a yearly basis for those with stable disease. This involves a visit to one of our practice nurses for physical checks, such as blood pressure and weight measurement, and the taking of a blood sample followed by a review by your preferred doctor when the results are available. You are advised to consult your doctor if you have symptoms suggestive of CHD, such as chest pain and breathlessness on exertion, for initial advice. In the event of someone experiencing severe chest pain, you are advised to telephone 999 and request an ambulance.
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COUNSELLING
Unfortunately, we no longer have an attached counsellor paid for by the NHS within in the practice. However, we are able to make referrals for counselling to Suffolk Mind or to the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) Programme, funded by the NHS. You are advised to talk things over with the doctor first. Details of private counsellors in the local area are available, as well.
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DIABETES
Regular monitoring and advice to those with Type 2 diabetes is provided with routine checks carried out, at least, every 6 months. These involve a visit to one of the practice nurses for physical checks (such as blood pressure, weight, condition of feet etc.) and blood and urine tests. When the results of tests are available, review with the preferred doctor is advised. Insulin dependent patients are cared for by the West Suffolk Hospital diabetic clinic and specialist nurses. See The West Suffolk Diabetes Service for more information about local services.
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DISPENSING
The practice provides a full dispensing service for patients living in rural areas and more than one mile from a retail pharmacy. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide dispensing to patients living in Bury St. Edmunds, itself, except in the case of a genuine emergency when normal retail pharmacy services are unavailable. Please go to our Prescriptions page for more details and how to obtain repeat prescriptions.
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GENERAL MEDICAL
The doctors in the surgery offer full NHS general medical services which cover all aspects of modern primary care and traditional family practice. Should referral to a specialist be necessary, your doctor can arrange this, either at our local West Suffolk Hospital or a selection of other hospitals in the region, under the Choose and Book scheme. We are, also, able to refer to you to a private specialist, should you request it. However, we do not, generally, provide private medical services, except to visitors from some countries.
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GENERAL NURSING
The nurses in the surgery provide full primary care nursing services in addition to the other services and clinics mentioned on this page. These services include dressings, suture removal, ear syringing, leg ulcer care, minor injuries etc.
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HEALTH PROMOTION
Our practice nurses offer assessment and advice on aspects of health and healthy living. Newly registered patients are encouraged to make use of this service where checks on blood pressure, weight etc. are offered. Well-man and well-women checks are available to existing registered patients. Book an appointment on: 01284 701601.
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HEALTH VISITORS
Health visitors are no longer based in the surgery and have now moved to West Suffolk House. They may be contacted by telephone on 0345 607 8866.
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HOME VISITS
Home visits are appropriate for those who are genuinely housebound only. The vast majority of ill patients can quite safely visit the surgery, including children and adults with fevers. Visits are made at the doctor’s discretion, only, and, whenever possible, patients should attend the surgery. A doctor is able to provide medical care to several patients in the surgery in the time it takes to do one visit and you are likely to be seen much quicker by attending the surgery. We are unable to provide visits for reasons of convenience or lack of transport. If you wish to request a home visit telephone: 01284 701601. The receptionist will request details of the reasons for the visit, along with details of directions and access to your home. Except in an emergency, please ensure your request for a visit is received before 10.30 am.
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HYPERTENSION
The practice runs clinics to monitor and care for patients with raised blood pressure. Four of our practice nurses (at both sites) have received further training and provide the service, liaising closely with the preferred doctor. We are able to offer ambulatory blood pressure monitoring as well as providing monitors for patients to check their blood pressure at home, if necessary. Further information on hypertension can be found at: British Hypertension Society
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IMMUNISATION
CHILDREN
Routine children’s immunisations are provided at both surgeries. You will receive notification of the routine immunisations your child requires with advice on making an appointment for the clinic. For advice on the immunisations recommended and further information go to: NHS Immunisation Information
ADULTS
Immunisation against influenza and pneumonia is offered for all patients over 65 years of age or with the following conditions: asthma, COPD, diabetes that needs medication, serious heart disease, severe kidney disease, long term liver disease plus those who are immunosuppressed, have had their spleen removed or it doesn’t work properly. Carers of patients who would need to be admitted to hospital in the event that the carer became ill with influenza are, also, offered immunisation again influenza.
Tetanus immunisation, now combined with low dose diphtheria, is offered to all who have not been fully immunised or who have sustained a tetanus-prone wound.
TRAVEL
From the 1st October 2019 Guildhall & Barrow Surgery will no longer be running a full Travel Clinic Service
No charge is made for tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, Hepatitis A or typhoid immunization. These are provided on the NHS.
Patients requiring travel advice should either attend a travel clinic or refer to one of the following websites:
https://www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/
https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home
There are travel clinics based in Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. Some pharmacies and supermarkets also provide this service.
We will continue to offer vaccinations that are free on the NHS; these are Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Hepatitis A and Typhoid but only if recommended.
It is the patient’s responsibility to find out what is required for their travel destination and it is strongly recommended that vaccinations are given at least four weeks prior to travel. We are happy to give these vaccinations at routine nurse appointments but they will not be part of a fully comprehensive travel consultation. We will no longer be issuing Malaria prescriptions.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
LEG ULCERS
All our practice nurses (and community nurses for the housebound) have considerable experience in the management of chronic leg ulceration and the practice is able to continue to offer this service.
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MATERNITY/MIDWIVES
We no longer have a midwife based in the surgery although ante-natal clinics are still run in the surgery. Midwifery services, including ante-natal care, is provided by the Abbey Team of midwives who can be contacted on: 01284 713908. Newly pregnant women are encouraged to see their preferred doctor, initially, for advice. A prepared pack is available at reception with information and forms for completion prior to the first appointment with the midwife. In an emergency, if unable to easily contact a midwife, women should contact their doctor for advice. Between 6.30 pm and 8.30 am, on weekends and Bank Holidays telephone: 01284 701601 or NHS Suffolk Out of Hours Service direct on: 0300 130 3066. Alternatively, in middle and late pregnancy, contact the Central Delivery Suite at the West Suffolk Hospital via the hospital switchboard on: 01284 713000.
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MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
We are happy to carry out medical examinations for the purposes of obtaining, or renewing, HGV/PSV driving licences, hackney carriage driving licences, NPPLs as well as examinations and reports for insurance purposes. Please see a list of our private charges for these services by going to the Private Charges page.
MINOR INJURY
We provide a service for the assessment and treatment of minor injuries that do not require X-rays to be taken or the full services of the hospital Accident and Emergency department. Please make an appointment by telephoning: 01284 701601 .
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MINOR SURGERY
The doctors offer a minor surgery service for the removal of small skin lumps under local anaesthetic. Cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen) for warts and other skin lesions is available as well as joint injections for a variety of conditions. It is necessary to consult with your doctor first, for assessment. The necessary treatment can, then, be arranged.
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PRIVATE PATIENTS
| Medical Examinations | Net | VAT@20% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical consultation (charged at £70 per 15 mins) | £280.00 | Exempt | £280.00 |
| HGV/PSV examination and report | £149.17 | £29.83 | £179.00 |
| Taxi Medical | £149.17 | £29.83 | £179.00 |
| Adoption medical and report | £85.00 | £17.00 | £102.00 |
| Reports | Net | VAT@20% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance claim form inc holiday cancellations, starts from: |
£55.00 | Exempt | £55.00 |
| Travel statement (for pregnancy only) | £40.00 | Exempt | £40.00 |
| Shotgun/Firearms application | £72.00 | £18.00 | £90.00 |
| Adoption questionnaire | £44.17 | £8.83 | £53.00 |
| Insurance reports 2nd copy (charged at £70 per 15 mins) | £280.00 | Exempt | £280.00 |
| Medical report for solicitors (charged at £70 per 15 mins) | £224.00 | £56.00 | £280.00 |
| CERTIFICATES AND FORMS | Net | VAT@20% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short letter | £36.00 | Exempt | £36.00 |
| Private sick note | £40.00 | Exempt | £40.00 |
| Miscellaneous | Net | VAT@20% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extract from medical records for solicitors (duplicate) | £55.15 | Exempt | £55.15 |
| Patient request from medical records (duplicate) | £82.00 | Exempt | £82.00 |
Please note: We do not provide the following services:
- Housing letters
- Pre- employment medicals
- Sports medicals
- Travel statement unless pregnant
- Pilot licence examination and reports
- Elderly driver examinations and reports
January 2025
SMOKING CESSATION
Our trained practice nurses run clinics to help those who smoke to stop. This involves a clinic visit for assessment and decision on appropriate treatment with follow-up over the subsequent two months. Appointments may be booked directly, without referral by a doctor, at reception or by telephoning: 01284 701601 for the main surgery or 01284 701601 for the Barrow branch. For more information go to: Giving Up Smoking
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TERMINAL CARE
Wherever possible we try to care for patients close to the end of their lives at home. We follow the principles incorporated in the Gold Standard Framework in palliative care. Our community nurses, with whom we work closely, have much experience and additional training in looking after terminally ill patients in their own homes. In addition, we work with community Macmillan Nurses who have close links with the local St. Nicholas’ Hospice.
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TRAVEL ADVICE
From the 1st October 2019 Guildhall & Barrow Surgery will no longer be running a full Travel Clinic Service
Patients requiring travel advice should either attend a travel clinic or refer to one of the following websites:
https://www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/
https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home
There are travel clinics based in Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. Some pharmacies and supermarkets also provide this service.
We will continue to offer vaccinations that are free on the NHS; these are Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Hepatitis A and Typhoid but only if recommended.
It is the patient’s responsibility to find out what is required for their travel destination and it is strongly recommended that vaccinations are given at least four weeks prior to travel. We are happy to give these vaccinations at routine nurse appointments but they will not be part of a fully comprehensive travel consultation. We will no longer be issuing Malaria prescriptions.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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