Combs Ford Surgery - The clinics and other services offered by our doctors surgery

Combs Ford Surgery
Combs Lane
Stowmarket, IP14 2SY
Tel: 01449 678333

Welcome Aboard!

The surgery warmly welcomes Rachel Clarke who has joined us as Nurse Practitioner from 5th December 2011. Rachel will be holding Minor Illness Clinics throughout the week.

NEW!!!

Patient Survey is now published - complete here online or pick up a copy in the surgery.

Scroll down to the bottom of this page to access the online survey.

NHS Health Checks

The surgery is pleased to announce that patients will be able to attend for an NHS Health Check from November 2011. These checks are for patients aged 40-74 who are not currently being seen regularly by their Doctor. If you are eligible you will receive a letter inviting you to make an appointment.

Chlamydia Screening

Are you aged between 15 and 24? Have you had a free chlamydia screening test? You can have the test here at the surgery and the service is completely confidential. Just ask for an appointment with a practice nurse.

Health Charities

01 Dec - 28 Feb
Marie Curie

Marie Curie Cancer Care is a UK charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. Over the financial year 2010/11, we reached a total of 31,799 patients

01 Dec - 28 Feb
YouthHealthTalk

Youthhealthtalk enables young people, their family and friends, and professionals such as doctors and teachers to understand young people's experiences of health, illness and life in general. The website feature real-life accounts of issues such as effect on work and education, social life and relationships, consulting health professionals and treatment.

03 Sep - 28 Feb
Macmillan Cancer Support

One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.

BBC Health

Time link to sudden cardiac death

How the time of day can increase the risk of dying from an irregular heartbeat has been identified by researchers.

NHS 'will be Cameron's poll tax'

Labour leader Ed Miliband tells David Cameron he risks making NHS reform "his poll tax" - in noisy Commons clashes over the health bill.

Male extinction theory challenged

A new study comparing chromosomes in humans and rhesus monkeys suggests genetic decay of the male sex chromosome has all but ended.

Heart symptoms 'differ in women'

Fewer women than men suffering from a heart attack appear to experience chest pain symptoms, according to a study in the US.

Nurses 'should sign Dignity Code'

Nurses and care workers should sign a Dignity Code guaranteeing that elderly patients are treated with respect, say a group of politicians and charities.

Baby P duo made 'serious errors'

Two of Baby Peter's social workers committed a "serious error of judgement" during an incident which saw him "disappear" for 12 days, a tribunal hears.

US record kidney donor chain ends

The world's largest chain of organ transplants ends in the US after 30 patients received kidneys from living donors.

Diabetes patients miss key tests

More than 1.3 million diabetes patients could be missing out on vital and potentially life-saving health checks, the BBC learns.

Fatal fungal probe awarded £5.1m

Aberdeen researchers are awarded £5.1m to lead an investigation into fungal infections which cause death.

Government 'not trusted on NHS'

Over two-thirds of people do not trust the government's handling of the NHS, a poll commissioned for BBC Radio 5 live suggests.

Health Protection Agency

Update on measles outbreak declared on Merseyside

A measles outbreak has been declared on Merseyside. There are 13 confirmed and 16 suspected cases ranging in age from nine months to adults aged in their 20s. Six people, four children and two adults, required treatment in hospital. This compares to just one confirmed case on Merseyside in the first six weeks of 2011 and one in the corresponding period of 2010.

Measles outbreak declared on Merseyside

Update on Legionnaires’ Cluster Associated with a Hotel in Spain

10 February 2012, 1400hrs. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has this week been alerted by the Spanish public health authorities about a further case of Legionnaires’ Disease in a UK resident who stayed at the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca, as well as two French cases. This brings the total number of UK residents associated with this cluster to 12, with three deaths.

Development made in breakdown of a Meningitis B vaccine component

Scientists from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are a step closer to ensuring the stability of a component of a vaccine that may one day be used to protect against Meningitis B. The research is published today (Tuesday) in Vaccine.

Update on Legionnaires’ Cluster Associated with a Hotel in Spain

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is aware of nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease in English holiday makers associated with the Diamante Beach Hotel in Calpe, Costa Blanca since January 2012, in addition to four Spanish cases so far reported. Subsequently two of the English patients are reported to have died from their illness.

Outbreak of Salmonella Newport

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating an outbreak of a strain of Salmonella Newport infection among 30 people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since the beginning of December 2011. Cases of illness caused by the same strain have been confirmed in Scotland, Ireland and Germany.

Health Protection Agency confirms new incinerator study

A new study to further extend the evidence base as to whether emissions from modern well run Municipal Waste Incinerators affect human health has been approved by the Health Protection Agency.

HPA helps solve radon problems in West Oxfordshire homes

Hundreds of homes across West Oxfordshire have been found to have high levels of radioactive gas radon. Last summer, the Health Protection Agency invited about 9,000 householders across West Oxfordshire to apply for a free test for radon, a naturally occurring gas present in all homes.

HPA helps solve radon problems in Orkney homes

Hundreds of householders across Orkney are being advised to act to protect their health, after HPA tests detected high levels of radioactive gas radon.

Cornish radon hotspot targeted

Thousands of households in a part of Cornwall with historic radon problems are being offered a free test for levels of the radioactive gas radon.

Clinics

Sexual Health Clinics

Travel Information

Test Results

Private Services

Find Services

Clinics

We run a range of clinics. For an appointment or further details, please call our main Reception at Combs Ford Surgery on (01449) 678333.

Blood Tests

Daily from 8.20am to 1pm
Run by our team of trained health care assistants, we offer a blood test service for our patients. Appointments before 10.00am may be reserved for those patients requiring a fasting blood test.

Midwifery

Wednesday 9.00am to 12.30pm and Booking Clinics on Friday 1pm to 3pm
This clinic is run by our Community Midwife. If you become pregnant, you will be given a ‘booking appointment’ at which the midwife will ask you a few questions and carry out some general health checks. You will be seen regularly throughout your pregnancy either at the practice or at the local hospital, or both.

If you wish to contact the midwife please ring the Gilchrist Birthing Unit on 01379 870600. This is staffed every morning and the answer phone is checked every evening. If you need to contact the midwife urgently please ring the Ipswich Hospital on 01473 7122333 and ask for the Senior Midwife On Call.

Baby Clinic

Thursday 9.30am to 11.30am
Health Visitors run a weekly clinic at Hillside Community Centre, Stowmarket for parents and carers to bring along their babies/children. They can be contacted by leaving a message on their answerphone on 01449 776045.

Child Health and Immunisation

All new babies are invited for regular check-ups from eight weeks old. A full immunisation programme is offered here at the surgery including MMR, pre-school vaccinations and boosters. Please ensure that your baby/child is booked for his/her vaccination according to the recommended schedule.

Minor surgery

We are fully equipped to carry out minor surgical procedures, dressing of wounds and first aid treatment. Please discuss this with your doctor who will then arrange for you to be given an appointment. Minor surgery appointments are made on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.

Health Promotion - Weekly

Led by our nursing team, our health promotion clinics offer advice and general health check-ups to patients diagnosed with diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart problems, kidney problems etc. Appointments can be made in advance and are available in morning or afternoon/early evening sessions.

Stopping smoking - Weekly

Our practice nurses are able to give advice and support to patients trying to give up smoking. Please ask at Reception for a Smoking Cessation appointment.

Coil fitting - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday afternoons

We have trained Doctors here at the surgery who are able to offer a coil fitting service. These are usually carried out on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Please ask at Reception for an appointment.

Specialist and hospital care

If a GP or another member of our health care team believes you need hospital treatment or specialist care elsewhere, they will ask you where you would like to go. For most patients the hospital will contact you to book an appointment for you to be seen. It is very important that we keep your contact details up to date. Please let us know of any change in your address, telephone numbers (including mobile) or marital status.

Cervical Smears

Routine smears are offered every 3 years up to the age of 50 and then every 5 years. Recall reminders are issued by NHS Suffolk.

Community Staff

The practice can refer patients to other staff who work in the community for further assessment and treatment. These include District Nurses, Chiropodists, Counsellors and Speech and Language Therapists.

Diet and Nutritional Advice

Advice is available for patients regarding healthy eating. Please ask a Practice Nurse or Nursing Assistant for more details.

Sexual Health Clinics

These are held at Ipswich Hospital and West Suffolk Hospital.

Please contact Ipswich Hospital on 01473 711011 or West Suffolk Hospital on 01284 713243.

Travel Information

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required. There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Carribean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. You may also receive a telephone call from one of our nurses to discuss your travel plans. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Most travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because travel vaccination is not included in the services provided by the NHS and therefore is a chargeable service.

Travel Health Questionnaire

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please come to the surgery and ask for a Travel Form. Our Receptionists will be happy to help you.

Test Results

The surgery's policy is that your Doctor or Nurse will contact you with your test results if there is a problem.

Note that the practice has a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection and we will only release test results to the person to whom they relate unless that person has given prior permission for the release of this data or they are not capable of understanding the results.

When you take your test you will be told how long it will be before the results are returned to the practice. It is your responsibility to check your results and to make an appointment to discuss them with your doctor if your are advised to do so.

PRIVATE FEES - Updated January 2011

COMBS FORD SURGERY
PRIVATE FEES LIST
UPDATED 27 JANUARY 2011
SOURCE - MEDECONOMICS/BMA

Item	Net	VAT	Suggested Fee	Paid by?

Adoption and fostering
Form IHA	58.12	0	£ 58.12	Parent / NHS
Forms M, B	41.60	8.32	£ 49.92	Parent / NHS
Forms C, D, YP or AME	97.91	19.58	£ 117.49	Parent / NHS
Form AH	73.86	14.77	£ 88.63	Parent / NHS
Form AH2	26.68	5.34	£ 32.01	Parent / NHS
Attendance Allowance / Disability
GP factual report	33.50	£ 6.70	£ 40.20	DWP
DS 1500	17.00	£ 3.40	£ 20.40	DWP
Blood tests
Diagnostic	17.50	£ 3.50	£ 21.00	Patient
Paternity	37.50	£ 7.50	£ 45.00	Patient
Blue Badge Scheme
Report only	26.67	£ 5.33	£ 32.00	LA
Exam and report	42.97	£ 8.59	£ 51.56	LA
Emerg attendance	73.69	£ 14.74	£ 88.43	LA
Certificates
Simple private cert	15.00	£ 3.00	£ 18.00	Patient
Complicated cert	34.04	£ 6.81	£ 40.85	Patient
Shotgun cert	25.00	£ 5.00	£ 30.00	Patient
Case Conference
Att 1.5 - 2.5 hrs	80.70	£ -	£ 80.70	LA/SSVs
Att up to 1 hr	51.99	£ -	£ 51.99	LA/SSVs
Character Reference
Job	25.00	£ 5.00	£ 30.00	Patient
Child in Care
Initial med exam	37.99	£ -	£ 37.99	LA
Subsequent med exam	24.36	£ -	£ 24.36	LA
Freedom from infection	24.36	£ -	£ 24.36	LA
Childminder
Ofsted declaration form	74.75	£ 14.95	£ 89.70	Patient
Simple Ofsted form	20.83	£ 4.17	£ 25.00	Patient
Court Fees
Witness report per hour			negotiable
Photocopy notes			max £50.00
Cremation certificates
Form 4 med att cert	73.50	£ -	£ 73.50	Funeral Dir
Form 5 conf med cert	73.50	£ -	£ 73.50	Funeral Dir
Criminal Injury Compensation
Report on pro forma	39.00	£ -	£ 39.00	CIC
Police statement	38.00	£ -	£ 38.00	CIC
Driver Licensing
VOC cert	11.50	£ 2.30	£ 13.80	DVLA
Series II proforma	37.50	£ 7.50	£ 45.00	DVLA
Visual fields copy from recs	39.50	£ 7.90	£ 47.40	DVLA
VOC testing ECG	83.00	£ 16.60	£ 99.60	DVLA
Driving Medicals
Full med and report			negotiable
Elderly driver rep and med	53.62	£ 10.72	£ 64.34	Patient
Local Authority LGV / PCV	100.00	£ 20.00	£ 120.00	LA
LGV / PCV Driver exam	100.00	£ 20.00	£ 120.00	Patient
Seat belt exempt	16.17	£ 3.23	£ 19.40	Patient
LGV / PCV unemployed	57.45	£ 11.49	£ 68.94	Patient
Photocard driving licence	16.17	£ 3.23	£ 19.40	Patient
Employment Medical
Full med and report private
Extract from records LA	32.50	£ 6.50	£ 39.00	LA
Report only LA	67.50	£ 13.50	£ 81.00	LA
Extract from records private	58.50	£ 11.70	£ 70.20	Employer
Private medical	100.50	£ 20.10	£ 120.60	Patient / Employer / Insurance Firm
access to report	8.33	£ 1.67	£ 10.00	Patient / Employer / Insurance Firm
Cert of incapacity	34.04	£ 6.81	£ 40.85	Patient / Employer / Insurance Firm
NHS employee prospective	25.15	£ 5.03	£ 30.18	NHS
Fitness to Attend
Sports, school, university etc
Full med and report	35.74	£ 7.15	£ 42.89	Patient / Ins Co
Report no exam	20.43	£ 4.09	£ 24.51	Patient / Ins Co
Extract from records	20.43	£ 4.09	£ 24.51	Patient / Ins Co
Food Poisoning notification
Notification	3.26	£ 0.65	£ 3.91	LA
Gender Recognition
Med report	65.53	£ 13.11	£ 78.64	Dept Constitutional Affairs
HIV Testing (Ins Co)
Counselling and bloods	34.00	£ -	£ 34.00	Ins Co
Full med, counselling and test			negotiable	Ins Co
Cert of negative result for travel			negotiable	Patient
Holiday cancellation
Simple certificate	13.19	£ 2.64	£ 15.83	Patient / Ins Co
Complicated cert	19.57	£ 3.91	£ 23.49	Patient / Ins Co
Housing
Exam plus report and opinion	33.38	£ 6.68	£ 40.05	LA
Report and opinion	18.00	£ 3.60	£ 21.60	LA
Immunisation	0.00	£ -	£ -
International cert of vacc	13.19	£ 2.64	£ 15.83	Patient
Life Insurance
GP report, insurance proposer	89.00	£ -	£ 89.00	Insurer
Supplementary GP report	22.70	£ -	£ 22.70	Insurer
Exam own patient	97.80	£ -	£ 97.80	Insurer
Medical Exams
Private 45 mins	149.36	£ 29.87	£ 179.23	Patient / Employer / Insurance Firm
Passport
Countersignature	16.17	£ 3.23	£ 19.40	Patient
Pilots
Full med and report			negotiable
Report 20 to 30 mins			negotiable
Extract from records			negotiable
Private med insurance claim
Verification	40.00	£ -	£ 40.00	Patient / Ins Co
Private Prescription
Fee	11.00	£ -	£ 11.00	Patient
Sick Notes
Certificate of fact	15.00	£ 3.00	£ 18.00	Patient
Complex cert	34.04	£ 6.81	£ 40.85	Patient

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