Appletree Clinics

At Appletree Medical Practice we have a number of specialist clinics, visiting services and advice available.

ANTENATAL CLINIC
This clinic is run by the midwife.  When you become pregnant you will be given an appointment at which she will ask you a few questions and carry out some general health checks.  You will be seen regularly throughout your pregnancy by the midwife.
ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Patients who are on Warfarin, a drug used in the prevention of the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels, require regular blood tests. The nurses are trained in anticoagulation monitoring and in the dosing of warfarin.
CHILD HEALTH
All babies are invited for a 6 week post-natal medical check with a GP.  Immunisations start at 8 weeks; Immunisation information can be found on www.nhs.uk.
CITIZENS ADVICE

Derbyshire Districts Citizens Advice Bureau can give you free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects.
Telephone Advice Line: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm, 0808 278 7954 or further information please see the website.

At Appletree Medical Practice we have a Citizens Advice clinic in the surgery on alternating Wednesday mornings, restarting 13th April 2022. For more information please call 0808 278 7954.

CONTRACEPTION AND FAMILY PLANNING
There are various forms of contraception.  Information can be found at Your Sexual Health Matters website. Both the progestogen only pill and the combined pill can be ordered direct from this website. If you are considering a coil, please click here for information
COUNSELLOR
We have a counsellor and a cognitive behaviour therapist. You can self-refer into these services.
Please ask for a leaflet at Reception or go to www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk or click on the Self Refer button.
DIABETIC CLINIC
This is run by our nursing team offering advice and general health checks to patients diagnosed with diabetes.
EAR SYRINGING
We have a waiting list for Ear Syringing appointments, please speak to reception if you need this service.

GUIDELINES FOR EAR SYRINGING
Small amounts of ear wax are made all the time and form a protective coating to the skin in the ear canal. A plug of wax is not a serious problem and only needs removing if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing.
 
Removing plugs of ear wax:
Ear drops will often clear a plug of wax.
Ear syringing may be required ONLY if ear drops do not work. 
However, ear syringing IS A LAST RESORT.
 
Ear drops
Ear drops to soften wax are available from pharmacies, (e.g. sodium bicarbonate, almond oil or olive oil ear drops). A few drops of the oil, and inserted into the ear canal will soften the wax and help to break it up.  You will need to tilt your head or lie on one side for at least 10 minutes after inserting the drops. The drops MUST be inserted 2-3 times a day for at least 2 weeks. If you cannot get help to instil the drops, it might be easier to use a dropper (available from a pharmacy).

What NOT to do
Do not try to clean the canal with cotton buds etc. This has the effect of pushing the wax deeper inside. 
Do not use cotton wool in the ears after you have applied the drops as this stimulates the ears to produce more wax.

Preventing the build up of wax
Some people are prone to developing wax plugs. This may be prevented by putting some wax softening drops in each ear once or twice a week.
 
Ear syringing
If you have a build-up of wax and have used oil regularly for a minimum of ten days and it has not improved your dulled hearing, please contact the surgery and discuss the option of ear syringing. Syringing is usually painless. Lukewarm water is squirted into the ear canal to dislodge the wax. Some people feel dizzy after ear syringing but this quickly settles. Occasionally you may develop an inflammation in the canal following syringing, causing itching and discomfort. This can be treated with ear drops available on prescription.

Ear syringing may not be advised if you have certain ear problems, in particular recurring infections or perforation. This will be assessed by the nurse at your appointment.

The appointment with a nurse will just be for ear syringing. If you need other tests carried out (e.g. blood pressure or blood tests), you will need to advise the receptionist at the time of booking the appointment so that extra time can be allowed.

FIRST CONTACT PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Physiotherapist can help patients with musculoskeletal issues such as back, neck and joint pain by:

· assessing and diagnosing issues

· giving expert advice on how best to manage their conditions

· referring them onto specialist services if necessary.

LEARNING DISABILITY ANNUAL REVIEW

People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This does not need to be the case. Annual health checks are for adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability.

At Appletree Medical Practice we are pleased to offer annual health checks for patients with learning disabilities, to try to minimise the health inequalities that many people with a Learning Disability face. This can be done by identifying conditions such as diabetes or heart disease at an earlier stage or by supporting people to reduce their risk of developing them in the first place.

If you are on the Learning Disability register you will receive an invite from the practice to book an annual health check.

For more information please see Joined Up Care Derbyshire
MINOR INJURIES
Please find a list below of the minor injuries our practice nurses can deal with:
  • Minor lacerations
  • Superficial Injury to eyes
  • Foreign bodies
  • Minor Burns and Scalds

Alternatively, please visit one of the following Minor Injuries Units
Other Local Minor Injury Units:

www.joinedupcarederbyshire.co.uk/your-services/urgent-treatment-centres/


MINOR OPERATIONS
Dr Helen Fenwick is able to perform some minor operations:
  • Cryotherapy to skin lesions
  • Incision / Excision of sebaceous cysts / skin lesions
  • Drainage of an abscess / boil
  • Removal of small moles

Please make an appointment to access your suitability.

NHS HEALTH CHECKS
The surgery runs a Health Check clinic for patients aged between 40 and 74.  This is to help them to better understand their risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney failure, and the adjustments required to their lifestyle to dramatically reduce such risk and ensure longer healthier lives.
This health check is for patients without pre-existing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease.  Patients are invited as part of a rolling programme.
More information can be found at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/what-is-an-nhs-health-check-new/
ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC
An Orthopaedic Surgeon from the Royal Derby Hospital Trust, holds a monthly clinic at Appletree. Patients can be referred for hip, knee and ankle problems, again often avoiding the need for consultations at hospital.
PHLEBOTOMY CLINIC
Appletree Medical Practice
We have a limited number of appointments for blood tests at Appletree. However the following hospitals hold clinics:
Further phlebotomy clinics can be found at: www.uhdb.nhs.uk/service-phlebotomy-blood-tests/

For more information on booking blood tests see here

RESPIRATORY CLINIC
Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Run by the nursing team, this clinic offers advice and monitors your respiratory medication, ensuring you are on the best treatment possible.  Some patients will be required to perform a breathing test called Spirometry.
REMINDER—it is helpful if patients attending for asthma appointments remember to bring their inhalers.
STEROID INJECTIONS
We are able to offer joint injections for pain relief for any of the following:
-Trigger thumbs
-Trigger fingers
-Knuckles/toes
-Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
-Knees
-Elbows
-Shoulders
-Plantar Fascilitis (foot)
-Trochanteric Bursitis (Hip) – outer hip, not directly in the joint
Please contact the surgery for an appointment.
TRAVEL CLINIC
You don’t always need vaccinations if you are travelling abroad. It will depend on where and when you are travelling and what activities you plan to do.

You can find

We are able to offer the following vaccines free of charge through the NHS:

  • Typhoid
  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio (DTP)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Cholera (only given if visiting a ‘high risk’ area; an additional appointment may be required.)

If it is recommended that you need one of these vaccines, please complete the Travel Vaccination Form and once we have received this an appointment can be made with the Practice Nurse.