Wenlock Terrace Surgery, York, UK :: Hull Road Medical Practice, York, North Yorkshire, UK

Minor illness is common and symptoms often begin when pharmacies are closed. Here are some suggestions of some medicines that are useful to keep in the home for occasional use. All are available without a prescription and many can be found in your local supermarket, however some items are only available over the counter in your local pharmacy. It is essential that you follow the dosage instructions very carefully on any medicine. Your pharmacist (can this be a link to local pharmacy section) is a useful source of information and advice and appropriate medications.

Pain Relief comes in different forms. All will ease pain and reduces high temperatures. Paracetamol is available in tablet or soluble form for adults and older children, or liquid form for young children. If you have young children, paracetamol is perhaps the most important medicine to keep in at all times. Aspirin - comes in tablet and soluble form. Gargling with soluble aspirin is advised for sore throats. It also reduces inflammation, so it may be more useful for easing muscular aches and sprains. Side-effects are more common with aspirin than with paracetamol. In particular, you should not take aspirin if you have a duodenal or stomach ulcer. Aspirin can make breathing symptoms worse in some people with asthma. Do not give aspirin to children under 16. Anti-inflammatory painkillers – (e.g. ibuprofen) are painkillers which also reduce inflammation but are slightly stronger than aspirin. They are available in tablet form for Adults and older children or liquid form for younger children. They are helpful for muscular aches and sprains and are often used to relieve period pain.Llike aspirin they should not be used if you have had an ulcer and should be used with caution if you have asthma.

Antihistamines – ease the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies (e.g. itch, sneezing, watery eyes, runny notes and urticaria (hives). Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness (e.g. piriton). These may be useful for taking at bedtime. There are several types which cause less drowsiness and are better to take during the day. Antihistamine Creams are useful to relieve the effects of insect bites and stings.

Although the National Health Service provides most healthcare to most people free of charge, there are some exceptions. In the case of the vaccines listed this is because these services are not covered by the NHS. 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. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work only through the contract they place with GPs to deliver NHS services and GPs are not allowed to charge NHS patients for work that the NHS pays them to do however for non-NHS work the fee has to cover the Doctor’s costs.

The practice can accept payment in cash or by credit/debit card.

Full Medical (e.g. for sports activities, HGV, PSV, working abroad, pre-employment medicals & diving medicals	£148.00
JET medical reports, Working in America health reports	£148.00
Medical report without examination	£49.50-£98.50
Pre-employment report	£66.00
Fitness to travel Holiday insurance – cancellation	£33.00
OFSTED Health Declaration Form	£67.00
British Council – English language Assistant – Health Report	£62.00
Camp America Medical Reports	£43.00
Private Patient per consultation with doctor or nurse	Appointment at surgery £82.00 Visit £113.00
Passport Application/Photocard Driving Licence (PLEASE NOTE - not all GPs provide this service)	£55.00
Private Medical Certificate	£13.00

NOTE: Please leave medical report forms with the receptionist a week before your appointment.

If you are planning to travel abroad at all then it is important that you consider making an appointment to discuss the health implications of your trip. Many immunisations which you may need for your stay could take several weeks to become fully effective and some require a course over a period of 4 weeks or more. Similary most antimalarials need to be started well in advance of your trip. The sooner you come and see us the better.

Our trained Practice Nurse will advise you on the necessary immunisations and anti-malarial precautions, together with any other tips to make your stay healthy. Please download and complete our Travel form and bring it to your appointment with you.

Before your trip it is important that you gather as much information as possible. Below you will find links to some useful websites and we recommend that you take a look and download the relevant information as we cannot provide this in all cases.

This service is provided as an NHS service at present and is therefore at no cost to you, however some immunisations which you may require are chargeable and we do ask for payment in advance, so please bring adequate funds with you. We can accept payment in cash or by credit/debit card. Full details on the cost of vaccines is detailed below.

PERSONALISED TRAVEL ADVICE Tetanus Polio Typhoid Hepatitis A	FREE
Yellow Fever Certificate	£37 £13.00
Hepatitis B (for travellers)	£27 per injection
Rabies	£37 per injection
Prescription for Malaria Prophylaxis	£7.00
A.C.W.Y. (for pilgrim travellers)Certificate	£27.00 £13.00

Our practice nurses deal with all of the following – please book your appointment appropriately.

Sore throats
Symptoms for less than 3 days	Visit www.patient.co.uk for self help info and follow the advice BUT if you are still worried make a nurse appointment.
Colds/coughs/flu
Symptoms for less than 4 days	Visit www.patient.co.uk for self help info and follow the advice BUT if you are still worried make a nurse appointment.
Symptoms for more than 4 days and not improving	Make nurse appointment for the same day
Chesty coughs
If symptoms include breathlessness	Make Drs appointment
otherwise	Make nurse appointment for the same day
Eye Infections
Symptoms for 24 hours or more	Make nurse appointment for the same day
Cystitis
If this is your FIRST CONTACT for this episode of cystitis	Make nurse appointment for the same day – provide urine sample, ask receptionist for sample bottle
IF you have already seen the nurse and RECEIVED treatment for this episode of cystitis but still have symptoms	Make an appointment with the Doctor – provide urine sample, ask receptionist for sample bottle
Earache
Ear pain	Make nurse appointment for the same day
Blocked ears	Routine nurse appointment
Sinusitis
– possible symptoms include BLOCKED NOSE/FACIAL PAIN/ HEADACHES
Symptoms for less than 3 days	Visit www.patient.co.uk for self help info and follow the advice BUT if you are still worried make a nurse appointment.
Symptoms for more than 3 days	Make nurse appointment for the same day
Emergency Contraception
Within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse	Ask for earliest nurse appointment on the same day
Alternatives – Walk In Centre, Family Planning Clinic or local pharmacy – check for list of approved local chemists with receptionist.
Contraception
Repeat prescription	Routine nurse appointment
Changing pill or method	Routine nurse appointment (20 mins)
Starting pill	Routine nurse appointment (20 mins)
General advice (including prior to IUCD/Implanon fitting)	Routine nurse appointment (20 mins)
Implanon fitting	Routine Dr and nurse appointment (20 mins)
IUCD fitting	Routine Dr and nurse appointment (20 mins)
Sports injuries
New problem within one week of occurrence	Nurse appointment
Recurring problem or more than one week since occurrence	Doctors appointment
Minor Injuries	CONSIDER SELF REFERRAL TO FIRST AIDER ON CAMPUS OR TO CASUALTY / A & E Or you can be seen by a nurse in her next available appointment
Abdominal pain	Make nurse appointment for the same day
Stomach upsets	Routine nurse appointment
Vaginal discharges	Routine nurse appointment – double appointment required – 20 mins
Rashes	Make nurse appointment for the same day
Asthma review	Appointment with specialist nurse in Asthma Clinic (20 mins)
Travel health	Make an appointment in the travel clinic about 6 weeks before you are due to travel – double nurse appointment (20 mins)
Diabetes review	Appointment with specialist nurse in vascular clinic (20 mins)
Sexual health advice	First available nurse appointment
Cervical smears	Nurse routine appointment (double – 20 mins) mid cycle
Hayfever	Routine nurse appointment
Lifestyle
Weight control / alcohol	Routine nurse appointment
Smoking cessation	Speak to the receptionist for options available.

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How to find a Dentist

If you are looking for an NHS dentist in the York area then you should register with the Dental Waiting List by leaving your name, address (including postcode), date of birth and contact telephone number. You can write to them at: NHS Dental Waiting List, FREEPOST, NEA13107, York. YO31 7ZX, telephone them on 01904 724107, or email them at nyy-pct.DentalRegistration@nhs.uk.

Hay fever (or seasonal allergic rhinitis) is caused by an allergy to grass or hay pollens. Grass pollen is the most common cause (May to July). However, the term is sometimes used for allergic reactions caused by other pollens, e.g. tree pollens (March to May). Symptoms occur when the immune system reacts to pollen. Cells on the lining of the nose and yes release histamine and other chemicals when they come into contact with pollen, causing inflammation in the nose (rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis).

Hay fever is very common, often first developing in the teenage years. Symptoms return for a season each year, but in many cases it eventually goes away or improves – often after having had symptoms each season for several years).

Common symptoms are a runny and itchy nose, blocked nose, sneezing, itchy and watery red eyes and an itchy throat. In some cases only nose symptoms occur and in some cases only the eye symptoms occur.

It is impossible to totally avoid pollen. However symptoms tend to be less severe if you reduce your exposure. The pollen count is often given with the weather forecast and it may help to try the following when the pollen count is high:

Have you had medication to help with your hayfever before? If you need some more then you can download this form and send it to the health centre - you should not need an appointment but please allow us a couple of days before you come to collect your prescription.

If you have never had any medication for hayfever before but think you may need some please make an appointment with one of our nurses.

A dose from an Antihistamine nose spray can rapidly ease itching, sneezing and watering within 15 minutes or so. It may not be so good at easing congestion thought. The antihistamine works by blocking the action of histamine, one of the chemicals involved in the allergic reaction. The spray can be used as required for mild symptoms, or taken regularly to keep symptoms away. There are several different brands available from the pharmacist.

Oral antihistamines (tablets or liquid) are an alternative to the spray. They ease most of the symptoms but may not be effective at relieving nasal congestion. You can expect the medication to start working within an hour of taking it. For mild symptoms that come and go the medication can be taken as required, or, if your symptoms are more regular, you can take a regular does to prevent an attack.

A pharmacist can advise you on the different brands and types of antihistamines that are available. Some of the older types work well but can cause drowsiness. There are newer ones available that are less likely to cause drowsiness.

Steroid nose sprays are available and work well to clear all the nose symptoms (itch, sneezing, watering and congestion). It works by reducing inflammation in the nose. A steroid nose spray also tends to ease eye symptoms. It is unclear how it helps the eye symptoms, but it does!

It takes several days for a steroid spray to build up to its full effect. Therefore you will not have an immediate relief of symptoms when you first start it. In some people it can take up to three weeks or longer to be fully effective. So do persevere (it is best to start taking it a week before the hay fever season begins if you know that you have hay fever).

A steroid nose spray tends to be the most effective treatment when symptoms are more severe. It can be used in addition to antihistamines is symptoms are not fully controlled by either alone.

You need to take it each day over the hay fever season to keep symptoms away. However, once symptoms have gone, the dose of steroid spray can often be reduced to a low “maintenance” dose each day to keep symptoms away. There are several brands, which you can buy at pharmacies, or get on prescription. Side effects or problems with steroid nose sprays are rare (read the packet leaflet for details).

Eye Drops can be used in addition to other treatments. Antihistamine eye drops work quickly so can be used to ease a flare up of eye symptoms. You can use them regularly if needed and several brands are available from pharmacies.

Treatment for severe symptoms

Rarely a short course of steroid tables is prescribed when other treatments have been ineffective. A short course is usually safe, however you should not take steroid tablets for long periods to treat hay fever as serious side effects may develop.

Asthma and Hay fever

If you develop asthma symptoms during the hay fever season you may be prescribed an inhaler. If you already have asthma, your asthma may become worse in the hay fever season. You may need an increase in the dose of your usual inhalers (or other treatment that you take for asthma).

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Information For Students at the University of York

Meningitis C

It is important that you are aware of the symptoms of this potentially serious disease as it is easily spread amongst large groups of young people living in close proximity, making you part of a particularly vulnerable group.

In the early stages signs and symptoms can be similar to many other more common illnesses, for example flu. Look out for the following in particular and trust your instincts – if you suspect meningitis or sceptacaemia, get medical help immediately.

    •    High temperature, fever possibly with cold hands and feet
    •    Vomiting and sometimes diarrhoea
    •    Severe headache
    •    Neck stiffness (unable to touch chin to chest
    •    Joint or muscle pains, sometimes stomach cramps with septicaemia
    •    Dislike of bright lights
    •    Drowsiness
    •    Fits
    •    The person may be confused or disoriented
    •    Rash
Symptoms do not appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

If you suspect meningitis get medical help quickly.

Check out www.meningitis-trust.org for further information.

Emergency Contraception

Nurse appointments are available for contraceptive advice and prescriptions Monday to Friday at the University Health Centre. At one of these appointments you will also be offered condoms free of charge.

If you do need emergency contraception it is important that you make an appointment with a nurse at the health centre as soon as possible to maximise the options available to you. The “morning after pill” will work up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it is more effective the earlier you take it. The IUD is the other option and can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. There are other places where you can get help with emergency contraception, please click the link below to the Family Planning Association website for information.

Please visit www.fpa.org.uk for lots of advice and information about contraception and the options available to you.

Alcohol

Visit www.drinkaware.co.uk for lots of useful information about alcohol and its effect on your health.

Smoking

We are all well aware smoking causes not only lung cancer but a whole host of other serious diseases and disorders – many fatal. If you are a smoker we can help you on the road to quitting. Contact the Health Centre for information on smoking cessation advice.

Get further information at www.ash.org.uk

Yellow FeverCertificate

Treatment for severe symptoms

Asthma and Hay fever

Yellow Fever
Certificate