The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk.
If you’re in the 40 to 74 age group without a pre-existing condition, you should receive a letter from your GP surgery or local council inviting you for a free NHS Health Check every 5 years. You can also call your GP surgery to book a Health Check. You may want to try this online Heart Age test.
Once you’ve had your NHS Health Check, your healthcare professional will discuss your results with you. You’ll be given advice to help you lower your risk of a stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes or dementia, and maintain or improve your health. But you do not have to wait until then to make healthy changes. Take the How Are You quiz and start now.
Home Blood Pressure
Why am I being asked to measure my blood pressure at home?
Home monitoring is very useful for a number of reasons:
To give a more accurate picture of what you blood pressure is like as you go about your daily life
To see if your blood pressure is higher in the clinic than it is at home
To allow you to see how your treatment is working for you
To alert your GP to unexpected changes in your readings, helping them to adjust your medications if required
To help pick out ‘white coat effect’ which can make your blood pressure higher than usual when it is taken in the clinic
Is measuring blood pressure at home the right thing for you?
Measuring blood pressure at home can be very useful and is now an important part of managing high blood pressure, but it is not for everyone. Some people become more anxious when they start measuring at home and end up taking readings far too often.
If you feel anxious you can discuss this with your doctor or nurse first. Before you decide to try measuring your blood pressure at home, ask yourself: is this going to make me feel more relaxed or more worried?
What do I need to do?
You will be asked to take two BP readings twice daily (morning and evening) for 7 days and drop them into or send them by email into your GP Practice. Your GP will review your average result and give you advice on any further readings or action if needed.
How to measure your own blood pressure
Many things can make your blood pressure rise for a short time. Before you take your reading:
Make sure that you do not need the toilet, and that you have not just eaten a big meal.
Do not measure your BP within 30 minutes of drinking caffeine or smoking, or immediately after exercise or drinking alcohol.
Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable. If you are anxious or uncomfortable, this will make your blood pressure rise temporarily
Wear loose fitting clothing like a short-sleeved t-shirt so you can push your sleeve up comfortably
Always use the same arm for readings as each arm will give you a slightly different reading
Before you take your readings, rest for a few minutes. You should be sitting down in a quiet place with your arm resting on a firm surface, palm facing upwards and feet flat on the floor
Make sure your arm is supported and the BP cuff around your arm is at the same level as your heart
Taking your reading
Put the cuff on following the instructions that come with your monitor
When you are taking your reading, keep still and silent. Moving and talking can affect your reading.
Take two readings about two minutes apart
Record the two readings – Do not round your measurement up or down, just write down the number that comes up on the monitor
Your blood pressure reading
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It is written like this: 140/90mmHg which is said “140 over 90”. The first and highest number shows ‘systolic’ pressure when your heart beats and pushes the blood around your body. The second lower number shows the ‘diastolic’ pressure when your heart relaxes and refills with blood.
SYS = Systolic blood pressure
DIA = Diastolic blood Pressure
Irregular heart rate alert
The monitor will show this heart symbol ((♡)) as an alert if it detects your heart rate is abnormally fast or irregular. This can be an important early warning sign of heart problems so should not be ignored but can also be a sign of other normal conditions.
If you feel well and have no symptoms you should contact your GP as soon as possible for more checks. Make sure this is noted on your recording form.
If you have noticed a recent sudden increase in your heart rate and are feeling dizzy, faint or having palpitations (a feeling of being aware of your heartbeat, or that your heart is pounding or beating irregularly), you should go to A&E.
What do your blood pressure results mean – a general guide Locate your average readings along the line.
Aged under 80 years -average blood pressure readings
Aged 80 years or over – average blood pressure readings
Remember Do not be alarmed if you get an unexpected high value for either reading. A single blood pressure reading is not representative of your average resting blood pressure. Measure your blood pressure again at another time, but if you find that it continues to be high, contact your doctor or nurse.
What happens next?
Please send your results back to your GP.
A paper copy delivered or posted to your GP Practice
Email (if available)
Your GP will review your average result and give you advice on any further readings or action if needed.
What are the risk factors?
About 1 in 3 adults in Somerset has high blood pressure so it is fairly common.
Blood pressure tends to creep up as we get older. Males tend to have higher blood pressure than females. Some ethnic groups have an increased risk of high blood pressure.
The good news is that a number of lifestyle factors can also increase blood pressure and small changes in these can help bring your blood pressure down.
Medication
Some people will need to take medication prescribed by their doctor to lower their blood pressure. Today’s blood pressure tablets are very effective and can reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack.
For more information or advice
Visit the Healthy Somerset website for support on lifestyle change information on local services and useful apps www.HealthySomerset.co.uk/heart
Long Covid
As you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind.
These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help
Below are a number of helpful resources to aid your recovery.
Long Covid Resources
General Resources for Long Covid Patients
NHS self-management and supported self-management resource
HOPE programme for the South West: self-management programme for people in the South West region living with long-term conditions. NHS initiative – free online 2hr weekly for 6 weeks
Our Practice Nurse Team have expertise in managing a wide range of clinical conditions including:
Asthma/COPD
Diabetes
Anticoagulation
Hypertension (blood pressure monitoring)
Coronary heart disease
Family planning
Minor surgery
Children’s immunisation
Foreign travel
Blood tests (phlebotomy)
Dressings
Non-NHS Services
What is non-NHS work and why is there a fee?
The National Health Service provides most health care to most people free of charge, but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951 and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged.
Sometimes the charge is because the service is not covered by the NHS, for example, providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies, solicitors or employers.
The Government’s contract with GPs covers medical services to NHS patients but not non-NHS work. It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting, etc. – in the same way as any small business.
In recent years, however, more and more organisations have been involving doctors in a whole range of non-medical work. Sometimes the only reason that GPs are asked is because they are in a position of trust in the community, or because an insurance company or employer wants to ensure that information provided to them is true and accurate.
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge their own NHS patients are:
accident/sickness certificates for insurance purposes
school fee and holiday insurance certificates
reports for health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
private prescriptions for travel purposes
Examples of non-NHS services for which GPs can charge other institutions are:
life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
reports for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in connection with
disability living allowance and attendance allowance
medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering
copies of records for solicitors
Do GPs have to do non-NHS work for their patients?
With certain limited exceptions, for example a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work on behalf of their patients. Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.
Is it true that the BMA sets fees for non-NHS work?
The British Medical Association (BMA) suggest fees that GPs may charge their patients for non-NHS work (i.e. work not covered under their contract with the NHS) in order to help GPs set their own professional fees. However, the fees suggested by them are intended for guidance only; they are not recommendations and a doctor is not obliged to charge the rates they suggest.
Why does it sometimes take my GP a long time to complete my form?
Time spent completing forms and preparing reports takes the GP away from the medical care of his or her patients. Most GPs have a very heavy workload and paperwork takes up an increasing amount of their time. Our GPs do non-NHS work out of NHS time at evenings or weekends so that NHS patient care does suffer.
I only need the doctor’s signature – what is the problem?
When a doctor signs a certificate or completes a report, it is a condition of remaining on the Medical Register that they only sign what they know to be true. In order to complete even the simplest of forms, therefore, the doctor might have to check the patient’s ENTIRE medical record. Carelessness or an inaccurate report can have serious consequences for the doctor with the General Medical Council (the doctors’ regulatory body) or even the Police.
If you are a new patient we may not have your medical records so the doctor must wait for these before completing the form.
What will I be charged?
It is recommended that GPs tell patients in advance if they will be charged, and what the fee will be. It is up to individual doctors to decide how much they will charge. The surgery has a lists of fees based on these suggested fees which is available on request.
Charges For Private (Non-NHS) Services
Non-NHS Service – Charges To Businesses
Accident/Sickness/Insurance Reports without examination
100.00
Accident/Sickness/Insurance Reports with examination
150.00
Short Questionnaire/Supplementary Reports for above
40.00
Medical Reports for Solicitors/Court Exemption/Court of Protection
100.00
Criminal & Civil Court Legal Aid/Public Funds
80.00 p/hour
Witnessing Power of Attorney
75.00
Medical Reports for Employers without examination
95.00
Medical Reports for Employers with examination
120.00
Occupational Health – General
95.00
Occupational Health – Serco
69.00
Adoption Medicals
77.50
Taunton Town Charity Medical Reports
40.00
Notes for Solicitors – Full Set
50.00
Notes for Solicitors – Computerised only
10.00-50.00
GPR’s (ranging from basic GPR’s to addition of targeted reports etc)
95.00-140.00
Non-NHS Service – Charges To Patients 1
(Payment is requested in advance please)
Certificates and forms NOT requiring GP examination
Simple Letter of Fact (Headed Paper) (Fit to travel, airline letter, letter for housing, simple factual letters)
18.00
Driving License Countersignature
20.00
Sport Fitness Letter (no examination)
20.00
Sport Fitness Letter (with examination)
100.00
Private Sickness Certificate
20.00
Private Prescription
15.00
Medical Records – Full Patient Computer Summary Printout Cost per photocopied sheet from Lloyd George paper records)
10.00 – 0.10p
Single Page Summary Printout (i.e blood results, immunisations)
1.00
Ofsted Form
50.00
Non-NHS Service – Charges To Patients 2
(Payment is requested in advance please)
Certificates and Forms requiring GP examination
HGV, LGV, PCV Medical Examinations
100.00
Taxi Medical
75.00
Adoption Medical
100.00
Mental Capacity Assessment and Report
100.00
Fitness for Sport Exam and Report
100.00
Non-NHS Service – Charges To Patients 3
(Payment is requested in advance please)
Private Tests
ECG (without interpretation)
60.00
ECG (with interpretation)
100.00
Paternity Tests (Hair sampling etc – GP to do) Excluding Lab Fees
40.00
Blood Tests (Excluding Lab Fees – see separate price list)
20.00
Blood Tests (Excluding Lab Fees – see separate price list)
48.89
Long Term Conditions
We are currently piloting personalised care planning for patients with three or more long-term health conditions, e.g. asthma, COPD, diabetes, coronary heart disease; this service is called Symphony.
Patients get the opportunity to discuss all their health and social care needs with a trained advisor and a personalised care plan is compiled which prioritises the things that are the most important to the patient.
Community Nursing and Health Visiting
Community Nurse and Health Visitor services are managed by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who has designated staff available for our Practice patients. They are community-based but can be accessed by the practice on a daily basis.
District Nursing Service, telephone 0300 124 5606
Health Visiting Service, telephone 0300 323 0115
Antenatal Clinics
All Midwife services including antenatal and maternity services are now managed by midwives at Somerset Foundation Trust.
You can find more information about Maternity services on the SomersetFT.nhs.uk website.
For all new pregnancies please self refer and register that you are pregnant via the BadgerNotes website.
Foreign Travel Advice
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. It is important to make this initial appointment at least 6 weeks before you travel. Further appointments may be necessary due to the requirement of a course of vaccinations, or if the vaccinations have to be ordered.
Your initial appointment with the nurse will take 30 minutes.
If you are travelling to several countries or taking a cruise it will be helpful if you can bring your itinerary with you
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
At the current time we will require payment at the time of your appointment either by cash or cheque.
We are not a Yellow Fever Centre, the following local surgeries are licensed to administer this for you:
