Screening is a way of finding diseases and problems at an earlier stage in apparently healthy people when treatment will be more successful. The following screening services are offered as part of the NHS.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of detecting a dangerous swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta – the main blood vessel that runs from the heart, down through the abdomen to the rest of the body. This swelling is far more common in men aged over 65 than it is in women and younger men, so all men are invited for screening in the year they turn 65.

An AAA usually causes no symptoms, but if it bursts, it’s extremely dangerous and usually fatal. Around 8 out of 10 people with a ruptured AAA either die before they reach hospital or don’t survive surgery.

Screening involves a simple ultrasound scan of your stomach (abdomen), which takes about 10-15 minutes.

If you have been invited and lost the details, please contact Tel: 0113 3923740 or Email: leedsth-tr.AAAScreening@nhs.net

Bowel cancer screening programme

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK. Screening is offered every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 74 who are most at risk.  A home testing kit that is posted out to you. Please complete and return your testing kit which could save your life as it gives us the chance to detect the disease in its early stages.

Breast cancer screening programme

Breast cancer screening is offered to all women aged 50 – 70 to detect early signs of breast cancer. Women aged over 70 can make their own screening appointments by contacting the Leeds breast screening service on 0113 206 3816.

Breast cancer screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to feel. If breast cancer is discovered in its early stages, there is a very good chance of recovery.

Women who notice any breast symptoms or changes should make an appointment to see a GP immediately.

Cervical cancer screening programme

Cervical screening is available to all women aged 25 to 64.

If you are registered at the practice you should automatically receive an invitation by post every three years for women aged 25 – 49 and every five years for women aged 50 – 64. You simply need to contact the practice and make an appointment to see a nurse.

It is very important that you make these appointments, as early detection and treatment of abnormal cells can prevent cervical cancer.

If any concerns have been raised in the past, you may be invited for more frequent checks.

Choice of contraception

Deciding which is the best method can be difficult so please take time to read through these excellent guides.

A suggestion is to start with the general guide and then read the detailed guide for the method that interests you.

Or you could use this helpful online tool my contraception tool

General guide

• Your guide to contraception

Detailed guides

• The combined pill
• The progesterone only pill
• The contraceptive injection
• The contraceptive implant
• The contraceptive patch
• The contraceptive vaginal ring
• The intrauterine system
• The intrauterine device
• Male and female sterilisation
• Male and female condoms
• Diaphragms and caps
• Natural family planning
• Emergency contraception

Who to book an appointment with

All doctors can prescribe pills, rings, patches and injections.

The following doctors are trained to fit the intrauterine device and system (coil).

• Dr Antony

The following Doctors are trained to fit the implant

• Dr Antony
• Dr Geraghty

Please arrange an appointment with the appropriate doctor once you have decided.

Sexually transmitted disease

Our doctors also offer testing and treatment for a range of sexually transmitted diseases.

If you would prefer to attend a completely anonymous service, then you can self refer to Leeds Sexual Health service.

Pill check

If you take an oral contraceptive you can complete your pill check online.

You can find more information at the NHS health check.

If you have an appointment already for an NHS Health Check, please fill this in before you attend.

It aims to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia because as we get older our risk of developing one of these conditions increases.

If you would like to book an NHS health check please contact reception to make an appointment.

The health check only takes about 30 minutes.

The nurse/health professional will ask you some simple questions about your lifestyle and family history, measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure and do a blood test. From this, they can give you an idea of your risks. If you are over 65, you will also be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.

You will then receive personalised advice to help lower your risk. This could include:

• How to improve your diet and the amount of physical activity you do
• How to lose weight or stop smoking

If a particular problem is found, such has high blood pressure, then we will make an appointment for you to see a doctor.

All our doctors are trained to help people suffering from mental health problems. Making an appointment is a good place to start if you are looking for help.

There are also lots of other services locally that are there to support you, many of whom you can refer yourself to.

Services for adults

• If you are aged 17 or older then a good place to start is the Mindwell website. It is designed to help you understand the common problems that people face and the range of services here to help. It also offers help to those who are worried about others.
• You might have heard your GP or friend talk about IAPT. This is a range of services that we commonly refer our patients to when they have problems with mental health. Here is a list of what IAPT offer, you can also refer yourself to this service from their website.

Services for children

If you are aged 16 or under, then a good place to start is the MindMate website.

MindMate is specifically aimed at young people and can help you understand the way you are feeling and find the right advice and support. It also offers advice for parents.

Feeling suicidal

If we are open, then please call now to book an urgent same day appointment with one of our doctors.

If we are not open, or you would prefer to get help elsewhere, then please click one of the links below:

I am 17 and older and need help now

I am 16 or younger and need urgent help

The local service

Together as a team we work with individuals and their families to address physical, emotional, social, spiritual and financial issues.

The core team includes a GP, District Nurse and MacMillan Nurse.

Please book with your GP if you or someone you care for needs help now.

Advice

The Sue Ryder website has some excellent articles called Practical & Emotional Advice, we recommend them highly. Don’t forget to click on the ‘load more’ button on the bottom of the first page, its easy to miss.

Other useful sites

NHS choices page on end of life care.

Also Leeds Palliative Care has a wealth of information on local services.

Wheatfields hospice

St Gemma’s hospice

Do you need to loose weight? there are a number of online resources and local clinics that you can access without having to see your doctor for a referral.

Not sure if you need to loose weight then try out this weight calculating tool.

Online help

Advice for adults:

• NHS Choices weight loss guide is an excellent guide with suggestions on a 12 week plan. It also has email support.
• One You Leeds provides some general advice and links to services locally.

Advice for children:

• NHS Choices excellent guide on what to do if my child is overweight.

Face to face support

Support for adults:

• Weigh Ahead Weight Management Service is the free NHS service that our Nurses and Doctors will refer you to if you need additional support. You can self refer to this service.
• There are also private services (that you would need to pay for) such as Weight Watchersand Slimming World who both provide popular classes locally.

Support for children:

• There is a dedicated service for children called Watch It, the details of which are at the bottom of the weigh ahead page. You can self refer to this service.

Stopping smoking increases your life expectancy and helps improve your quality of life, not to mention making you wealthier as well!

It is never too late to stop and the NHS is here to help you.

Getting NHS support really works – it can be four times more successful than going it alone (cold turkey) and it’s completely free of charge. So why not try it? You have nothing to lose.

Leeds Stop Smoking Service

This is the service we recommend to our patients. It is free to everyone and has helped over 10,000 people stop smoking in the last 10 years.

If they recommend medication or patches to help you stop then we will prescribe them for you (according to your agreed treatment plan).

Here is a list of Leeds Stop Smoking clinics and when they are held.

How to book an appointment

It’s quick and easy to book your appointment with a Stop Smoking Advisor, simply:

• Phone: 0800 169 4219
• Text: SMOKEFREE to 60066
• Email: stopsmokingleeds@nhs.net
• Website: Leeds Stop Smoking Service

Further information

Electronic cigarettes

E cigarettes are marketed as a cheaper, safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. As they do not produce smoke, research suggests that electronic cigarettes are relatively harmless in comparison with smoking. To find out more have a look at the ASH Briefing on electronic cigarettes.

Local smoke free stories

In need of inspiration? Then why not listen to some people who have been successful at giving up – today is the day.

Health visitors

Health Visitors are all trained nurses who have extra training and qualifications in child health. They are a fantastic source of information about child development and health, parenting strategies, breastfeeding, nutrition and community support. They also offer help with social, emotional and environmental issues that affect families.

You can see the Health Visitors every [Day and time] at their drop-in clinic at [Location].

This is the health visitor service website.

Child health checks

Appointments are sent out automatically for routine child health checks.

The first will be with a GP at the surgery when your baby is around 6 weeks old.You will be sent information about this and asked to make an appointment at the practice.

You will also be offered routine health reviews for your child, with your health visitor, at 6-8 weeks, 8-12 months and 2-2½ years old.

Child Immunisations

Immunisations are given by our practice nurses in accordance with the NHS vaccine schedule.

Further information on the schedule and vaccines in general can be found on NHS choices vaccinations.

Immunisation Schedule

There are a number of services that can help you when it comes to looking after yourself if you have diabetes.

Routine care

The majority of people with diabetes are looked after by the practice diabetes team.

We like to see all people with diabetes twice a year, once during their annual health check and again 6 months later.

You will receive an invite for both the annual health check and the 6 month review. Both of the appointments will be a nurse and you will need to have a blood test before each appointment.

There are times when you will need to be seen more often than twice a year, for example after you are first diagnosed or if problems are detected during one of the routine reviews. We arrange these additional reviews as needed and may be a nurse or one of the Doctors.

The practice team

Our Practice Nurse Elizabeth Field manages our diabetic patients.

The diabetes lead for the practice is Dr Mitul Patel.

Specialist care

If there is a particular problem identified with your diabetes care that we cannot help you within the practice, then we will refer you to a specialist service.

For the majority of specialist problems we use Leeds Community Healthcare diabetes service, though for some people we also refer to Wharfedale General Hospital or St. James’s.

Self help and support groups

There are 8,760 hours in a year and over a year you will only spend 2 to 3 hours receiving support and advice about your diabetes from professionals. The vast majority of care comes from ‘self care’.

We suggest that all people who develop diabetes should attend the self-management education programme, which is 6 hours of extra education offered to those with a new diagnosis of diabetes (your nurse will mention it).

There is also a local PEP Diabetes support group as we recognise people live with diabetes for years and so need on-going support and advice.

What is flu?

Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter, which is why it is sometimes called seasonal flu. It is a very infectious disease that can come on very quickly. The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, cough, headache, pains in your joints and muscles and extreme tiredness. Healthy people usually recover within 3 to 4 weeks, but some people can develop serious life-threatening complications and need to be admitted to hospital.

Colds are much less serious and usually start with a stuffy or a runny nose, sore throat and cough.

How do we prevent the spread of flu?

Flu is unpredictable and there can be different strains of the virus. However, over the last ten years, the flu vaccine has generally been very good at targeting the circulating strains.
The flu vaccine is available every year on the NHS to help protect adults and children who are most at risk of flu and its complications.

Can I have a free flu vaccination on the NHS?

Flu can affect anyone but if you have a long-term health condition flu can make it worse, even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well.

We provide flu vaccines if you are:

• aged 65 or over,
• pregnant,
• aged 2, 3 or 4 (by nasal spray),
• over six months of age and have one of the following conditions:
  • chronic respiratory disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis. Also, people with severe asthma who need to continuously or repeatedly use their inhaler, take steroid medication, or who have been admitted to hospital because of their asthma
  • chronic heart disease, including heart failure, congenital heart disease, and heart disease caused by high blood pressure
  • chronic kidney disease, such as kidney failure and people who have had a kidney transplant,
  • chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis,
  • chronic neurological diseases, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis,
  • diabetes
  • a suppressed immune system, due to disease or treatment. This includes people who have a damaged or no spleen, those people with HIV, people having chemotherapy or other immunosuppressant treatment, and those on high doses of steroid medication.
• very overweight with a BMI over 40.
• living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility (not including prisons, young offender institutions or university halls of residence),
• receive carer’s allowance or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill,

For more information please see the Department of Health Website.

Flu Clinic

Every autumn, around September, we start our flu clinics. We aim to vaccinate as many of those at risk, as indicated above.
Keep an eye out under the news section of this website for when the clinics start.