Asthma Management
Asthma is increasingly common but can be well controlled by modern treatment. All our Practice Nurses are fully trained in asthma management. They will help you to understand your asthma, give you advice on the use of your inhalers and how to vary the doses in different circumstances if appropriate. You will be invited to have an asthma review every year and the nurses will monitor your health and refer you back to the doctors if necessary.
Chiropody
NHS chiropody is available at the WoodbridgeHealth Clinic by referral from your doctor.
Pauline Burrell-Saward holds private chiropody clinics every fortnight on a Wednesday at the Orford surgery from 9am to 12.30pm. She is also available for home visits for those unable to leave their homes.
Please note that her service is not available on the National Health Service and a fee will be charged. Call Orford for more information on 01394 450315 or Pauline direct on 01728 832998.
In addition Jo Plant holds private chiropody clinics at Alderton Health Centre. Call Alderton reception on 01394 411641 for futher details.She is also available for home visits for those unable to leave their homes.
Community Psychiatric Nurses
Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPN) provide support for people with mental health problems. The CPN acts as the point of contact between the Community Mental Health Team and the Practice. Referral to the service is usually through the surgery initially. You can contact the Community Psychiatric Nurses at their office in Wickham Market on 01728 745310.
Contraceptive Services
Our Doctors are fully qualified to offer family planning advice, this includes information on all methods of contraception including emergency contraception known as ‘the morning after pill’. There are Practice Nurses at Orford and Alderton who are fully trained and qualified as family planning nurses. They are able to give advice on contraception, pre-conceptual care and sexual health to all patients. Contact reception for more information.
Counselling
Our Counsellor sees patients who have been referred by the doctors. They help with emotional problems and gives support in developing coping skills. They are not there to give advice or to pass judgement but are there to assist you to come to your own decisions.
District Nurses
The District Nurses provide skilled nursing care within the community to people in their own homes and residential care settings. They provide specialist patient-focused nursing care for the chronically sick and terminally ill, particularly those who need intensive and technological care or who have specialist care needs.
They also run a leg assessment clinic each Monday, Tuesday & Friday at Framfield medical Centre. . The initial referral to a District Nurse is usually through the Surgery or from hospital but a patient can self-refer. The District Nurses’ office is in Wickham Market where they have an answering machine to take your messages, you can call them on 01728 746717.
Health Promotion
Healthy living promotes good health and prevents disease and premature death. We encourage our patients to take responsibility for their health both in prevention and treatment of illness. You can substantially reduce your health risk by keeping your weight down, taking lots of exercise, eating a healthy diet and of course by not smoking. Advice and help with smoking, alcohol, diet and exercise is available from all members of the Practice Team but in particular our Nurses.
Health Visitor
Our health visitor works alongside the doctors and midwife to provide specialist advice on childcare. They carry out routine checks on babies and children under the age of 5 and give advice and help on growth, development, feeding, behaviour and sleep patterns amongst many other things. Clinics are held at Alderton on the first Tuesday of the month from 1pm to 3pm and at Orford on the second Tuesday of the month from 2.00pm to 3.00pm.
Outside of these clinics you can contact the Health Visitor at their office in Woodbridge on 01394 615220. Babies and children can also be seen at Framfield Medical Centre, Ipswich Road, Woodbridge (next to Notcutts Garden Centre) on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 12pm.
Leg Assessment Clinic
See District Nurses above.
MacMillan Nurse Specialists
Our Macmillan Nurse specialises in helping people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. She offers advice and specialist support to people who are newly diagnosed and throughout the course of their illness. Contact Mary Allen on 01394 615204 for more information.
Maternity Care
Maternity care is provided jointly by the Community Midwife and the Doctors. You will be seen regularly at the practice or at the local hospital or both, throughout your pregnancy. The Community Midwifes hold antenatal clinics at Alderton & Orford on Wednesdays once a month per site from 10am please call reception to obtain details or book an appointment. Outside of these clinics you can contact the midwife via either Alderton or Orford Surgery or in an emergency ring the Senior Midwife at Ipswich Hospital on 01473 712233.
Physiotherapy Community
Physiotherapy is available at Woodbridge and Orford (or at home if necessary) following referral by a Doctor. To contact the Community Physiotherapists call 01394 615202.
Practice Library
We have a number of books, DVD's and videos on a varying range of health issues that you may borrow to give you more information on specific conditions and how to manage them. Please ask at reception for more information.
Suffolk Information on Prescription
Suffolk Information on Prescription is a countywide service helping people with certain conditions or requiring support, get quality information to help with everyday living. When you visit the surgery, the receptionist/GP or practice nurse may give you a prescription to access information. You can access the information yourself at www.suffolk.gov.uk/informationonprescription or bring your prescription along to any Suffolk library. Your surgery can prescribe information on prescription or you can go directly to the above website yourself.