We aim to offer services which are young people friendly. We welcome young people and aim to put them at ease when they come to the practice.
We have compiled some useful information which young people have told us is important to them when it comes to their health.
We have also provided information on your rights as a young person. Please click here
40 Plus Health Checks
Everyone aged 40-74 who does not have a pre-existing heart condition is eligible for a health check once every five years. It is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as:
During the check-up you’ll discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions.
If you think you are eligible but have not been invited, please get in touch with us to request an appointment.
You can view more information here NHS Health Check – NHS
Annual health check Learning Disability and Autism
All patients aged 14 years and over with a learning disability and/or autism are eligible for an annual health check. An annual health check can help you stay well by talking to a doctor or nurse about your health and finding any problems early, so they can be sorted out.
You do not have to be ill to have a health check – in fact, most people have their annual health check when they are feeling well.
If you have a learning disability or care for somebody who does, make sure we are aware of this because not everyone may be on the practice’s Learning Disability register. You can do this by telling our reception team, doctor or nurse.
Once on the register you will receive an invite each year to attend an appointment.
You can view more information here Learning disabilities – Annual health checks – NHS
Carers health checks
The carers health check is the same as the NHS Health Check but is about looking after you as a Carer. It will focus on your own health and wellbeing and whether there are any areas you need support with. It is a chance to talk about your concerns and hopes for the future. The check covers the questions which Carers have told us are important.
Please get in touch to book your appointment.
Please make an appointment with Gill or Rebecca our Health Care Assistants.
Well Baby Clinic (0-5 yrs) Monday afternoon.
This clinic is now held at Monkwearmouth Health Centre and is run by the Health Visitor and Nursery Nurse.
Immunisations are given at St Bede Medical Centre between 9.30am and 12.30pm by appointment.
If require advice on vaccination and how to remain healthy whilst abroad, please make an appointment with any of the Practice Nurses.
You will be asked to provide some written information before that appointment so that the nurse can prepare the appropriate advice and organise vaccinations before you attend.
You can also consult the NHS travel website:
Women between 25 and 49 are advised to have a cervical smear every 3 years and women between 50 and 64 every 5 years. Please make an appointment with the Practice Nurse.
Minor Surgery: Tuesday 9.00-10.00
Following a consultation with one of the doctors, you will be given an appointment for minor operations such as the removal of moles, cysts, toenails etc.
Diabetic Clinic
Run by the Practice Nurses, Dietician and doctor.
Being told that you have diabetes may seem like the end of the world , but in fact it may not be. We are very positive in encouraging a healthy lifestyle, modifying any risk factors, taking appropriate medication and who knows you may even feel better than before.
Once your doctor or nurse has diagnosed diabetes you have the option of going to well organised group education sessions run at Grindon Lane or coming to see Lisa(our Practice Nurses) for initial education. At Grindon lane they arrange 3 sessions, flexible to fit in with your life. These include education on understanding diabetes, lifestyle, exercise, the importance of looking after your feet and screening for eye problems. It is run by a dedicated team of dieticians, chiropodist and specialists nurses.
These will normally be arranged on Friday morning by Sister Lisa Wickens and will be targeted at any particular problems you have such as blood pressure control, medication, using a BM machine and monitoring targets or results.
It is not set in stone that you must have a check every year but it has become a good way to ensure that you have a full MOT at the same time every year. The main purpose of this is see how you are progressing, check for any complications, listen to any concerns that you have, monitor your kidneys, blood pressure, fats in your body etc. Fasting blood tests will be arranged the week before so that we have the results to hand on the day of your check.
Led by Dr Almond
Now it is possible to combine your yearly eye check with a foot check. It may seem a bit odd but it works! The IRIS eye screening programme has been running successfully in Sunderland now for a few years and has very good uptake. When you go along you will be asked some basic questions about your diabetes and have a digital photograph taken of the back of each eye.
You will receive your own copy updated every year on a CD and your images will be reported on over the following couple of weeks and the findings will be sent to you by post. At the same time you will see a foot care health care assistant who will assess your feet for any signs of complications of diabetes and a report will be sent to your GP.
They will guide you as to whether or not you need to see the chiropodist more regularly. Routine chiropody care is held at Monkwearmouth Health Centre.
Certain patients are under the hospital for care of their diabetes, especially children/adolescents and pregnant ladies. They will either receive their care exclusively from the hospital or will be ‘shared’ with their GP.
Patients both young and old may be taking insulin injections. The thought of this brings fear to most patients but is actually easier than doing a BM ! Again a lot of patients have traditionally been looked after by the hospital but we are now experienced in starting insulin in type 2 diabetes in the community and monitoring those who are stable and suitable to be discharged from hospital care.
Useful contacts for patients
All of the doctors are able to give contraceptive advice during regular surgeries.
Services we provide include:
Run by our Practice Nurses who hold the Asthma Diploma, Jacqueline Ferguson and Lisa Wickens. New asthmatics may be given an appointment here for assessment and advice.
Existing asthmatics can make an appointment themselves for routine advice but acute problems should be addressed to the doctor.
