How often should I visit the surgery?
High Blood Pressure
Once a year you should request a routine fasting (non-fasting if you are diabetic) blood test to check your liver & kidney function and cholesterol & glucose levels. Please bring a urine sample to your blood test appointment.
After you have have given your blood sample, please make an appointment with the Practice Nurse for your blood pressure review.
There is no need to have your blood pressure checked more often than six monthly unless you have been asked to do so by the GP or Practice Nurse.
Heart Disease or Stroke
(Ischaemic Heart Disease, Angina, Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack)
Every 12 months you should request a blood test to check your cholesterol & glucose levels and kidney & liver function. Please take your medication as usual. One week later you should visit the practice nurse for a review and to discuss the blood test results.
Diabetes
You will be invited to attend the surgery for a diabetic check unless this is also done by the hospital.
Once a year you should request a blood test (full blood count, kidney & liver function, HbA1c, thyroid function, cholesterol and vitamin 12 levels). Please bring a first morning urine sample to your blood test appointment. As with all blood tests, request your appointment with in our blood clinic before 10.30am. One week later you should visit the Practice Nurse for a check and to discuss the blood test results.
This diabetic check is annual however you may be asked to attend more frequently.
You should also ensure that you have an annual eye test with an Optician who is approved to provide the diabetes screening tests. Please remember to tell your Optician you have diabetes so they can communicate the results to your GP.
Annual foot checks will also be performed and sometimes you will be referred to Podiatry for ongoing management.
Asthma & COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
You should visit the Practice Nurse (Kate or Canan) once a year for a check up and to review your medication. Please remember to bring your inhalers to the appointment.
If you feel your symptoms have increased or inhalers not as effective, please book an appointment with Kate or Canan.
Thyroid Disease
If you are taking Levothyroxine you should have a routine non fasting blood test (thyroid function) every year. If the dose of medication is changed you should have a further test after two to three months.
In those with no thyroid problems and who are feeling well, there is no need to routinely test thyroid function. If you feel you might have a thyroid problem please discuss this with the GP or Practice Nurse.
Cholesterol Screening or on Cholesterol Lowering Treatment
(But not if you have cardiovascular disease e.g. angina, heart attack or stroke)
For those taking regular cholesterol lowering treatments please have your cholesterol levels checked every 12 months. If you have any problems or have stopped your cholesterol lowering medication you should see the doctor.
Kidney Impairment (CKD)
It is recommended you attend an appointment every 12 months with the Practice Nurse for a non-fasting blood test to check your kidney function and to have your blood pressure checked. We ask that you bring a first morning urine test to this appointment.