SERVICES PROVIDED
Routine booked appointments with doctors are for 10 minutes and can be booked by telephoning or calling in to the surgery. They may be made up to 5 days in advance.
It may be that you do not need to see a doctor but instead need to see one of the other health care workers. If so, please ask the receptionist who will help you.
Remember, if you are not able to attend your appointment do tell us so that we can offer that time to someone else; we do have a 24 hour telephone cancellation line 020 7840 5021.
The practice nurses are qualified general nurses who have decided to specialise in primary care work. They are available Monday - Friday. If you need to see the nurse please make an appointment.
The nurses work closely with the doctors and they are committed to promoting good health and preventing illness. It is with this in mind that they are developing well-person screening services.
As we have nurses with very varied skills and qualifications it is very helpful if you can give some idea of the type of help that you need. The reception staff will help you identify the different areas of expertise in order to ensure that you get the most appropriate appointment.
Please make a SEPARATE appointment for each person seeing the doctor.
Cervical Smears
We encourage routine cervical smears and we will remind you when your next test is due. The practice nurses will carry out smears, by appointment. The doctors will carry out smears during surgery of refer you to one of the practice nurses if more appropriate.
Family Planning
Family Planning - We offer information, advice and support for all forms of contraception to any of our patients. Contraceptive services are provided during normal surgery hours.
If you require emergency contraception this should be administered within 72 hours, (the earlier the better). Ask the receptionist for an urgent appointment.
We offer coil-fittings - you should discuss this with your GP first and then arrange a suitable date for the procedure.
Managing Parenthood - People wishing to discuss any aspects of pregnancy or parenthood are encouraged to see their doctor or practice nurse.
Maternity Services
Maternity Services - The practice offers maternity services, sharing antenatal care with our local hospitals and community midwives.
The doctors and community midwifery team carry out maternity services. Please let the receptionist know if you need an antenatal appointment. Postnatal care and examination is generally performed in the surgery unless the hospital advises otherwise. Please let us know as soon as you have had your baby.
Menopausal Problems
We acknowledge the physical and emotional difficulties associated with the menopause and are available for advice and treatment as appropriate.
Helpful hint - If you are booking an appointment for a smear, health check, immunisation or special medical assessment, please tell the receptionist. They will be able to given you an appointment of the correct length and in the right clinic.
Foreign Travel
Practice nurses are happy to help you with medical aspects of overseas travel: documentation, immunisations, protection against malaria and medical advice. Most immunisations are free of charge. Please check with the nurses about charges for other vaccines.
It is best to make an appointment 8 weeks before your holiday.
Hurley Clinic is a registered Yellow Fever Centre - this vaccination carries a charge.
Flu Vaccinations
Each year, in early October, we begin our Flu campaign. We invite patients who are over 65 and those with certain conditions to attend for a vaccination.
Results will be given face to face during a routine appointment or over the phone by a doctor.
Cervical Smears - Everyone who has a smear carried out at the surgery will receive their results by letter either from the practice or the hospital. This will tell you the result and follow-up arrangements. If you have not heard after eight weeks please ring in after midday and we will chase the result.
Pregnancy Tests - the doctor or nurse will make arrangements with you for these results.
Other Investigations - These will be given personally, by the doctor or the nurse, at a follow-up appointment or by letter
Minor surgery is carried out following consultation with any of the doctors. There are minor surgery clinics and wart clinics, and certain procedures may be carried out during routine surgery.
The Kennington team of midwives serves our practice and see patients here for both booking and follow-up appointments. They also arrange parent craft sessions.
When you become pregnant the doctor will refer you to the team and you will receive a booking appointment and an appointment for your nuchal fold scan from the hospital.
The health visitors job is to help people stay healthy and to advise on prevention of illness. Health visitors are qualified nurses who have done extra training in childcare and development, and health promotion. All pregnant women and families with young children have a named health visitor; but they are also available to patients of all ages, and can advise on a wide range of social and health topics.
They can be contacted in their office at the Hurley Clinic, Monday - Friday Telephone: 020 7582 4587.
Initially, Child Health Services will be based at the Hurley Clinic at the following times:
Well Baby Clinic: Tuesday 2:00 - 3:30pm - No appointment needed
Well Baby Clinic: Wednesday 2:00 - 3:30pm - No appointment needed
Immunisation Clinic: Wednesday - By appointment only
First Immunisation: Thursday 2:00 - 3:15pm - By appointment only
Child Health Surveillance
The doctors and health visitors carry out developmental checks on Tuesday afternoons. The health visitors will send an appointment when the check is due.
The district nurses are qualified general nurses who have taken further training to work in the community. They visit and help people at home who cannot get out. If you need to contact the district nurses please ring 020 7411 5748.
Psychologist
A clinical psychologist is available at the Hurley Clinic once a week. The psychologist is able to help with a wide range of problems, using a behavioural cognitive approach. These include anxiety, panic attacks, stress, depression, eating disorders and relationship problems. Referrals to her can be arranged through doctors or other health professionals.
Counsellor
Our counsellors are available at the Hurley Clinic each week. They offer to help people with a variety of problems such as depression, relationship difficulties, or those suffering physical symptoms with no apparent physical cause.
The patient’s doctor, nurse or health visitor refers patients to the counsellor. What you talk about with the counsellor is confidential. The first session with the counsellor is an explanatory one. It may end there or lead to short term therapy at the clinic, to membership of the Clinic Psychotherapy Group or a referral to a service elsewhere.
If you need an interpreter to help you when you see the GP or nurse please tell us in advance so arrangements can be made.
THE PRACTICE IS COMMITTED TO MEDICAL EDUCATION
The General Practice Registrar
The registrar is a qualified doctor who joins the clinic for one year to learn how to work in a general practice setting before starting in her/his own practice. All registrars have done at least three years’ work in a hospital where they have experience working with the elderly, with sick children, with people with mental illness, and in emergency work at night. The registrar works closely with one of the GP trainers.
Medical Students
It is possible that when you come to see any of the staff at the clinic, there will be a medical student present. The clinic participates in general practice teaching for Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Medical School and University College London Medical School.
If you would prefer that a medical student were not present, please let a member of the reception staff, or the doctor, know. From time to time the doctors may use video or audio equipment as part of their educational work. You will always be made aware of this and will have the opportunity to decline if you do not wish to take part. We take great care to safeguard patients’ confidentiality.
Student Nurses and student Health Visitors
You may find student nurses and student health visitors sitting in on consultation sessions at the surgery. You may also meet them if they accompany the district nurses or the health visitors on home visits.
It is necessary for us to make appropriate charges for certain items of non-NHS work. There is a list of current charges in the reception area and if you have any queries please ask the receptionists. You are entitled to a receipt for any monies paid.
If a patient is not eligible for NHS medical care appropriate charges will be made. Information will be provided in reception. Emergency care will be given, free of charge, at all times
We provide a confidential service to all of our patients including under 16s.
Please feel free to make an appointment to discuss any health related problems that you might have. Including:
- Emotional problems
- Drugs and alcohol
- Contraception
- Bullying
- Sexual health
- Growing up
The practice recognises the right of the patient to choose a named Healthcare Professional for general treatment or in relation to a particular condition. Any such preference expressed by or on behalf of the patient will be recorded in writing.
All consultations and discussions between patients and any member of the Primary Health Care Team are confidential. This includes the doctors, reception staff and all attached staff at the surgery.