Services

We offer vaccinations such as tetanus for adults when necessary. All being well this should be boosted every 10 years to maintain protection to a maximum of 5 vaccinations in total. Even a rose thorn in the garden can pass on the infection. Tetanus is not very common but of those that develop tetanus, 50% die from it. Travel vaccinations are available from the practice to cover your stay whilst abroad. If you are planning to travel, please contact the practice nurse at least six weeks before you go. You can help her by asking for a copy of our travel questionnaire from reception. This must be completed prior to your appointment, you will save yourselves a lot of time.

Different areas need different protection and our nurse will be able to advise you on the requirements regarding vaccinations like polio, hepatitis, typhoid, cholera and tetanus. Some vaccinations such as polio are free but others incur a cost which you should take into account when planning your holiday. Yellow fever vaccinations need to be confirmed by us with a certificate for when you travel. We are now an officially designated yellow fever vaccination centre.

Flu Vaccinations

During the months of October and November we offer influenza vaccinations, but only to those considered at high risk of contracting the flu virus, e.g. those with heart or chest disease, diabetes and to all of those over 65. If you would like one please contact the surgery to reserve one.

Full antenatal care is provided by all the doctors with the help of the midwife. Please let us know as soon as you think that you may be pregnant, although ideally we would like to see you before your pregnancy, to discuss making it as safe as possible. Current advice is that all mothers-to-be should be taking folic acid supplements. This has been shown to reduce the possibility of your baby having spina bifida or hydrocephalus (a serious condition with excess fluid pressure in the head).

You will also be offered a whooping cough vaccination from 28 weeks to protect the baby.

We would also check that you are immune to Rubella (German Measles) which can cause serious abnormalities such as deafness and brain damage in your baby if you catch Rubella during pregnancy. Mr Argent, one of the hospital consultants runs an antenatal clinic in Hailsham. This means that your trips to Eastbourne for antenatal care will be minimal.

All female patients between the ages of 25 and 65 are advised to have regular smear tests. These are very important because they can detect early signs of disease which can be treated before it develops into cancer. We are not looking for cancer on a smear test, just cells that might turn into cancer in 5 to 10 years time. If these are detected early now, then treatment is easy and simple.

The test simply involves wiping a soft brush over the cervix (neck of the womb) It is not normally an uncomfortable procedure. Most other cancers are detected when they are already present, smear tests detect pre-cancer cells which gives you an advantage in stopping it early. Please ask the doctors or practice nurses if you need more information.

In this practice, the child health checks are shared between the all partners together with the health visitors. We strongly recommend that all children be immunised as and when due. You will normally receive an appointment through the post when your child's immunisation is needed. Your baby will be assessed by the doctor and health visitor from time to time during his or her development.

The usual times are at six weeks of age, at eight months, at eighteen months and at around three years. The health visitors will also be happy to advise on any problems regarding child care. Locally all mothers are issued with a "Red Book" which includes all of your child's health and development information and records of growth and developmental checks.

The practice nurses are able to offer regular checks for those with diabetes, hypertension and asthma. They can monitor the blood sugar, check blood pressures and peak flows etc as needed. They can also offer advice on your medication. Everyone with diabetes, hypertension and asthma should have regular checks. If you have one of these conditions and have not been given a follow up appointment, please ask one of the receptionists.

The practice offers a full range of family planning services from "The Pill" to "The Coil" and injectables. Details are available from your doctor.

The doctors are able to perform certain minor operations at the surgery. Your doctor will be able to tell you which procedures can be performed.