CGL Rotherham is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for adults in Rotherham.
Please refer to additional info on their website:- https://www.changegrowlive.org/content/cgl-rotherham#
Their aim is to support people to design their own personal treatment journey. They offer a range of interventions from harm reduction to opiate prescribing, residential and community detoxes, emotional support and supported access to mutual aid. They also work with local GP practices as part of the Shared Care offer to ensure local people can access recovery support within their local communities.
They are based at Carnson House, Rotherham. You can call them on 01709 917649 or email them on [email protected]
CGL provide:
- Foundations of Recovery (structured program)
- One-to-one keyworking
- Needle exchange
- Blood borne virus screening
- Naloxone
- Signposting and referrals on to specialist services
Can’t make your appointment?
It’s really important that you let them know. Ideally please call them on 01709 917649. You can also email to let them know on [email protected].
Where can I go for further support?
Please click here for information on our Audiology and Ear Care.
Sickness Certificates
You do not require a Doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.
Evidence that you are sick
If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).
It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your Doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.
You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a Dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.
Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'
The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.
For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)
Received your Med2 sick note electronically? What do I do with it now?
Simple steps to an accurate reading
There are a few simple steps that you can follow to be sure that you get an accurate reading of your blood pressure.
Before you take your blood pressure reading
- Many things can make your blood pressure rise for a short time. Make sure you do not need to use the toilet, and that you have not just eaten a big meal. Do not measure your blood pressure within 30 minutes of drinking caffeine or smoking.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes like a short sleeved t-shirt so that you can push your sleeve up comfortably.
- Always use the same arm for blood pressure readings, as each arm will give you a slightly different reading. If possible, use the arm that your doctor or nurse uses when measuring your blood pressure.
- Before you take your readings, rest for five minutes. You should be sitting down in a quiet place, preferably at a desk or table, with your arm resting on a firm surface and your feet flat on the floor.
- Make sure your arm is supported and that the cuff around your arm is at the same level as your heart. You may need to support your arm with a cushion to be sure it is at the correct height. Your arm should be relaxed, not tensed.
How to take your blood pressure using a home blood pressure monitor
- Put the cuff on following the instructions that came with your monitor.
- Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable. If you are anxious or uncomfortable, this will make your blood pressure rise temporarily.
- When you are taking your reading, keep still and silent. Moving and talking can affect your reading.
- Take two or three readings, each about two minutes apart, and then work out the average. Some people find that their first reading is much higher than the next readings. If this is true for you, keep taking readings until they level out and stop falling, then use this as your reading.
- Record your reading, either in the memory of your monitor or on computer or paper.
Tips on taking blood pressure readings
- Do not round your measurements up or down – if you don’t keep accurate records of your blood pressure it may affect the treatment you receive.
- Do not be alarmed if you get an unexpected high reading – a one-off reading may be nothing to worry about. Measure your blood pressure again at another time, but if you find that it continues to be high after a period of time, see your doctor or nurse.
- Do not check your blood pressure too often – you may become worried or stressed about small changes in your reading. This can raise your blood pressure in the short-term. Worrying about your blood-pressure reading may actually make it higher.
Further information can be found at http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Homemonitoring/Howtomeasure
Please see below some interesting videos on how to check your Blood Pressure at home and how to use a Pulse Oximeter:
How to use a Pulse Oximeter:
If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. This applies to all appointments for Doctors, Nurses and Health Care Assistants.
To cancel an appointment please email [email protected]
These are done by appointment and are normally carried out by our Practice Nurses. When you receive an invitation to attend for a test please make an appointment with one of the practice nurses.
Did you know? Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 49 should have a cervical screening every 3 years. Those aged 50 to 64 will be invited to be screened every five years. If you’re offered a test, it’s important for your health that you go. Early detection of the types of HPV that can cause cancer can improve health outcomes. There is some brilliant information around cervical screenings, click here.
We have appointments available to suit all times, including Tuesday mornings from 7:00am!
There are Child Health Clinics here every Wednesday to immunise children against disease and to check that they are well and developing normally.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
someone's life is at risk – for example, you/they have seriously injured your/themselves or they/you have taken an overdose.
Help for when you are in a Crisis:
If you require urgent mental health support the Rotherham Crisis team operates a 24/7 crisis telephone line:
Telephone:
0800 652 9571 (Please note this a freephone number)
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Rotherham Safe Space supports anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in Rotherham. It provides a safe place during the weekend evenings (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) designed for people in crisis to go for support and to prevent avoidable attendances at A&E. You need to ring to book and places are limited.
Call Freephone number: 0808 175 3991
https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/intensive-community-support/rotherham-safe-space/
For Further information of organisations who can help when you need urgent support click on the link below:
https://rotherhive.co.uk/urgent-support/
Crisis Text Line is now in the UK as Shout! Text 85258 to be connected with a trained Crisis Volunteer.
Visit their website at: https://www.crisistextline.uk/?fbclid=IwAR3v7m5an_YgC3dBlkEVGy4oxiq-8Ng_ginvn9ErEik8fdIXCqOU0kuxlK8
What is the NHS APP?
The NHS App allows you to access a range of NHS services. You can download the NHS App on your phone or tablet. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.
You must be aged 13 or over to use the NHS App. You also need to be registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man. Find out more about who can use the NHS App.
What you can do with the NHS App
You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App. With full access you can:
- order repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy where you would like to collect them
- book and manage appointments
- view your GP health record to see information like your allergies and medicines (if your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can also see information like test results)
- book and manage coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations
- get your NHS COVID Pass (there are also other ways to get your COVID Pass)
- register your organ donation decision
- choose how the NHS uses your data
- view your NHS number (find out what your NHS number is)
- use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you
Before proving who you are, you can use the NHS App to:
- search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments
- find NHS services near you
Have you heard of the DESMOND programme?
It provides support and education about your Diabetes diagnosis. The sessions are run from the Rotherham Hospital Diabetes Education and Resource Centre. These are run on a regular basis; two or three times every month and you can self-refer. Call 01709 427910 or email: [email protected] Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00.
There are 3 types of programme as below.
- DESMOND Newly Diagnosed module available (for patients up to 12 months post diagnosis)
- DESMOND Foundation module available (for those with established diabetes)
- My DESMOND (online, on your phone, on the go!)– Type 2 Diabetes Management – A Digital programme for people with Type 2 diabetes. Visit www.mydesmond.com to find out more.
Patient’s Not Attending For Their Appointments
We understand how frustrating it is to have to wait. Our Clinicians try their best to work to their appointment times and we hope that you do too. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, you may be asked to make a new appointment and be counted as a Did Not Attend (DNA). Alternatively, if the patient after you had arrived early they may have been taken in and if you are willing to wait you may still be able to be seen. In conjunction with our Patient Partnership Group we will be introducing a ‘Did Not Attend’ policy (DNA) for patients who fail to contact us to advise us that they are unable to attend the appointment they have made with a member of our team.
The average number of monthly appointments which fall into the ‘Did Not Attend’ category for the year is listed in the attached document. The figures are also published in our waiting area for all patients to see.
Please find a list for our DNA’s attached.
We appreciate that emergencies happen but we need patients to understand what the effects of not contacting us to cancel their appointment are:
• An increase in the waiting time for appointments
• Frustration for other patients who are not able to obtain an appointment
• A waste of time and money i.e. precious NHS resources
• A potential risk to the health of the patient
We will be regularly reviewing the number of appointments which are missed and contact the patients who miss their appointment to help us to understand the reasons why.
Patients will be given an opportunity to improve on their attendance however if this doesn’t materialise, we may decide to remove them from the practice list and advise them to register elsewhere.
To cancel your appointment please contact us on 0114 4333888 or email [email protected]
Think! – someone else may be in need of this appointment.
We have reviewed our DNA Policy and unfortunately will need to be strict with this in taking a consistent approach with all our patients.
Please refer to the policy below:-
NHS England » How to access the programme
Not eligible?
You can still access these online services:
And many more Apps as below:
Extra appointments are available for all Rotherham patients and are designed to help people who struggle to attend their GP practice during the working week.
The appointments are routine which means they must be booked in advance and are not for urgent problems. You can book an appointment by contacting your usual GP Practice where you are registered, they will have access to all the available appointments .
The hubs will have appointments with any one or more of the following clinicians. GP, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Practice Nurse and Healthcare Assistant. The receptionist at your GP Practice will help to direct you to the right appointment type.
Any registered Rotherham patient can access routine appointments at the following practices:The Hub Surgeries are held at the following times and locations:
Dinnington Surgery – (New Street, Dinnington, S25 2EZ)
-Saturday Mornings (8am – 12 noon)
Broom Lane Surgery – (Broom Ln, Rotherham S60 3EW)
-Weekday Evenings (6.30pm – 8pm)
-Saturday Mornings (8am – 12 noon)
-Sunday Mornings (8am – 12 noon)
Kimberworth Park Surgery – (Langdon Rd, Rotherham S61 3QH)
-Saturday Mornings (8am – 12 noon)
Dalton Surgery – (Saville St, Dalton, Rotherham S65 3HD)
-Monday Evenings (6.30pm – 8pm)
-Saturday Mornings (9am – 1pm)
Please refer to Connect Health's Website for further info http://connecthealthcarerotherham.co.uk/index.php/extended-access/
Monday to Friday, including extended hours on a Tuesday.
The Health Centre is not a walk-in centre, patients are seen by appointment only. Please telephone or call in person to make an appointment and remember a separate appointment is required for each person.
If you require a longer appointment time, please ensure that you request a double appointment.
If you have a preference for a GP, you must be aware that you may have to wait longer for an appointment.
Normally there are Doctors available between 08:30 and 11:00 and between 15:30 and 18:00 Monday to Friday. We also offer a number of early morning and evening appointments every Tuesday between 7:00 and 8:30 and 18.30 and 20.30 for patients who find it difficult to attend surgery during our usual opening hours.
When arriving at the surgery please use the anti-bacterial hand wash and then use the touch screen service to advise us that you have arrived. This service will tell the Clinician that you are in the building and it will also advise you how long you are likely to be waiting. This procedure allows our Reception staff to handle more complex queries in person and to answer our telephones more promptly.
All our Doctors offer contraceptive services and advice and an emergency contraceptive service is available.
The NHS friends and family test (FFT) is an important opportunity for you to provide feedback on the services that provide your care and treatment.
We welcome all feedback as this enables us to make improvements to the services that we provide.
Please scan the QR code which will take you to a quick form to fill out about our services.
There are also paper copies at the reception.
You can view the monthly results here.
You may have had a letter stating that the School immunisations Team of the 0-19 service are shutting down and to contact you GP for further school age vaccinations. GP practices will not be picking up school age immunisations these are going to be done by a new Rotherham wide service called Intrahealth https://www.intrahealth.co.uk/services/sheffield-and-rotherham-flu/ 03333 583 397 Option 6
Children are normally immunised at our Child Health Clinic. For all other immunisations please make an appointment to see the Practice Nurse. Allow 8 weeks before travelling if you require immunisation for journeys overseas. There may be a charge for some travel vaccinations.
As a practice, we are fully committed to the sustainability and reduction of our carbon footprint. We have signed up to being a ‘Greener Practice’ and will be working with both our staff and patients to improve our carbon footprint.
The Health and Wellbeing Coach at Swallownest GP provides a holistic approach to patient wellbeing. This is where you can receive individual advice and on-going practical support on lifestyle choices such as nutrition/physical activity/exercise and signposting to groups. Tailored intervention to tackle behavioural changes to support a healthy lifestyle, by increasing knowledge and confidence in certain areas around health.
Inclusion criteria:
- Overweight/obese (BMI 30-50)
- Diabetes/ Pre-diabetic
- Sedentary lifestyle (less than 60min moderate physical activity per week
- Mild/Moderate COPD and other respiratory diseases e.g. asthma
- Hypertension or concerned about a rising blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Muscular-skeletal conditions e.g lower back pain/ailments NOT made worse by exercise
- High Cholesterol
- Osteoporosis/Osteoarthritis
- Mild to moderate mental health problems: depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic disorders
- Long Covid
- Other LTC’s not mentioned that could benefit from a change of lifestyle
If you would like to know more or to book an appointment with the Health and Wellbeing Coach, please contact reception.
Specially trained Nurses, working closely with the GP's, run special clinics at which they provide advice and treatment for patients suffering from these conditions. Please ask your practice Nurse or at reception for details.
Home visits are strictly for housebound patients only. Please be mindful that several patients can be seen at the surgery in the time it takes to do one home visit and daily surgery emergency appointments are available.
If you feel a home visit is required, please call the surgery by 10.30am to allow us to try to assess your condition as promptly as possible. You may be phoned by a Clinician to decide the appropriate action, which may not be a visit.
Our Reception Staff are not qualified to explain any results: they can only repeat the brief comment that the Doctor has attached to the results, such as "normal" or "make appointment". Sometimes if the result is particularly sensitive (e.g. HIV test) or complicated, the Doctor will recommend receiving the result in person.
Normally results are sent to the Doctor who ordered the test. If a hospital Doctor orders a test, the GP may not receive the result and may even not know it has been done. You can contact the Specialist's Secretary to ask about results, although usually a Hospital Secretary will not provide a result directly- the Secretary may ask a Hospital Doctor to phone you back or they may involve the GP. Routine hospital letters can take up to a month to reach us, sometimes longer.
Primary care phlebotomy services are funded for General Practice needs, and those patients being treated under a Shared Care arrangement.
We’ve had an increasing number of patients trying to use our services for Hospital Bloods. Please note that practices aren’t obliged to pick up secondary care phlebotomy as this reduces our capacity to undertake work that we need to do to care for our patients.
Patients should be using the relevant hospital bloods service.
Sheffield Outpatient Phlebotomy and Sheffield Drive though bloods information:
https://www.sth.nhs.uk/services/a-z-of-services?id=282
Rotherham Outpatient Phlebotomy:
https://www.therotherhamft.nhs.uk/Phlebotomy_-_Vascular_Access/Phlebotomy_-_Vascular_Access/
Social Prescribing Link Workers provide a confidential service to GP surgeries for patients aged 18+ offering short term support to connect patients to local groups, activities, information, advice, and guidance for a wide range of social issues.
- Local groups and activities i.e., coffee mornings, WI, knitting groups, Allotments, physical activities groups such as running, boxing etc.
- Advising on local assistance for Bereavement, retirement, new baby etc.
- Housing, benefits and financial support and advice.
- Employment and volunteering
- Education and training
- Supporting mental wellbeing
- Self-management of symptoms
- Help with transport
Contact Reception to be referred over to the Link Worker who should contact you within 5 working days.
Here is how you can make the most of our services:-
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- Read the notices posted in the surgery
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- Make sure you know the opening times of the surgery
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- Find out how to arrange home visits, repeat prescriptions, and urgent appointments
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- You may not always need to see a Doctor; ask what services the nurse can provide
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- Keep your appointment or cancel it
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- Take a list of questions with you when you see your Doctor or Nurse
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- Ask your Doctor to write down anything that you do not understand the answers to
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- Take a friend or relative with you if necessary
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- Tell the Receptionist if you need more time to speak to the Doctor, she may be able to arrange this
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- Think twice before making an appointment: Do you really need to see a Doctor? Have you tried simple home treatments?
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- Find out how your practice deals with complaints
We have an Ante-Natal Clinic at the Health Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. If you think that you may be pregnant, make an appointment to see a Midwife. The Midwife will arrange all your maternity care.
Primary Care Mental Health Team
We provide specialist short term mental health support to adults (18 yrs.+) who are registered with a Rother Valley South GP practice and who are experiencing significant mental health problems that are affecting their functioning.
We accept referral for persons requiring mental health support who fall outside the remit for IAPT or secondary care.
We will accept referrals for adults with any type of mental health condition. This includes, but is not exclusive to:
- Depression
- Anxiety related disorders
- People with chronic or severe mental illness for whom specialist services are not currently appropriate / have been discharged
- People with a personality difficulties or diagnosis of personality disorder but who are not managed by local services
- People with an eating disorder who do not meet the criteria for referral to specialist eating disorder services
- Mental health support for those who fall outside the remit for IAPT or secondary care.
Reception or a GP can refer you into this service who will then give you an initial telephone call to triage your symptoms.
This may result in a face to face appointment with one of the practitioners or forwarding to another service if your condition is not covered by our remit.
Eligibility Criteria
- People over the age of 18 years at the time of the referral being received - there is no upper age limit for referrals.
- Registered with a Rother Valley South G.P.
- People with significant mental health problems affecting their daily functioning.
Exclusion Criteria
- The person is under 18 years.
- Referrals for crisis care.
- People whose primary problem is substance abuse (drug and alcohol issues) and there is no evidence of dual diagnosis mental illness.
- Persons who are currently utilising Talking Therapies (IAPT)
- People under the care of secondary mental health services provided by RDASH. In these instances, advise patient to make contact directly with appropriate Trust service (see our one-page contact sheet).
We sign up to as a practice as extra non-core contract work. These can be undertaken with us rather than a referral to a hospital. Issues are discussed during a routine appointment where if approved for surgery the patient is added to a waiting list, and then a further appointment is made for the required surgery. We have one GP who is trained to do this.
We have either a morning or afternoon clinic on our clinical system rota at the GP’s request. The frequency is either monthly or twice monthly, dependent upon availability and workload.
They are undertaken in a clinic setting for the following reasons:
- To comply with infection control and avoiding patients with infections being in the GP’s room around the time of joint injection to lower the risk of joint infection after the procedure.
- To allow more injections to be undertaken within a given time as the room needs a different set up. It really should be a 20-minute appointment for each joint, but it is currently 10 minutes.
- Focusing purely on injections allows the GP to concentrate better so as not to switch from one mindset to another.
- It helps clearly identify injection slots so they are for the sole use of injection appts rather than general GP appts, which also should help us to track how many have been done. We can try to match more easily the number of appointments being offered versus the demand.
Our Patient Service Advisors may refer you to a local pharmacy operating under the Pharmacist Consultation Service for minor conditions, see the below videos for more information.
https://youtu.be/vE8MzrKvnvg Community Pharmacist Consultation Service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STrmK3K40bI – Urgent out of hours Prescriptions
Connect Healthcare Rotherham are inviting people between the age of 40-74, who do not have an underlying health condition for a
free health check. You will be contacted directly by their service if you are eligible and are operating at local venues that can be seen on their website.
https://connecthealthcarerotherham.co.uk/index.php/health-checks/
Please find below a document explaining our Nurse led Colour Clinics for patients with long term conditions such as Diabetes, COPD, Asthma and Hypertension.
Our PCN has invested in the addition of a Paramedic working across the 4 practices. Paramedics will assist our GP’s in providing a Home Visiting service for patients presenting with acute illness and reviewing those with Long Term conditions. You my find as a patient that the paramedic will see you on some Home Visits rather than the GP.
Our PCN has invested in Clinical Pharmacists working across the 4 practices. Pharmacists will be performing annual Medication Reviews and helping with ad hoc Medication queries such as updates after a stay in hospital, saving GP appointments that can be used for more complex needs. You will find as a patient that Medication reviews are now offered with the clinical pharmacist where possible.
You can now have a NHS Physiotherapist assessment within one of our Rotherham Hubs.
If you have:-
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow, wrist or hand pain
- Knee, hip or ankle pain
- A sprain or a strain
Contact your GP practice and ask Reception to access the Physio First service to make an appointment to see the next available physiotherapist.
To read more info regarding this service click the links below:-
http://connecthealthcarerotherham.co.uk/index.php/physiofirst/
http://connecthealthcarerotherham.co.uk/index.php/physiofirst/
Rehab 4 Addiction offers a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health, including a comprehensive directory of treatment centres throughout the UK, making it easier for those in need to find help near them. We also provide a helpline (0800 140 4690) or an online chatbox on the website that offers immediate assistance to those struggling with addiction in South Yorkshire.
https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/country-wide/drug-alcohol-rehab-south-yorkshire
Policy regarding requests from private providers to take blood tests
Swallownest Health Centre follows the following guidance regarding requests for blood tests to be done by a private provider:
If a patient has chosen to pay for private healthcare because
- their treatment is not available on the NHS or
- they do not wish to be treated on the NHS
they are responsible for paying for all costs, including tests, and the private provider is responsible for managing every aspect of their healthcare (unless the patient chooses to transfer back to the NHS at a later date to continue treatment).
For that reason, private providers should not be asking GPs to arrange any tests that they deem necessary, and intend to use, to make a diagnosis and recommend a course of treatment with.
It is the private provider’s responsibility to arrange tests for patients whose care they are managing, and the patient’s responsibility to pay for them.
Policy regarding requests from private providers to start or take over prescribing medication
In addition to the above policy, the practice cannot prescribe on behalf of private providers nor continue to supply prescriptions which have previously been supplied by the private provider. We are not permitted to have shared care protocols with private providers.
Private consultants wishing to transfer patients to NHS care should directly refer their patient to the appropriate NHS service who will reassess and, if appropriate, take over your treatment. At the point that your care has been taken over by an NHS service, a request may be made by the NHS service to share prescribing responsibility with the practice. Our practice pharmacists review and manage all such requests.
Screening tests carried out by private providers which have not been approved by the UK National Screening Committee
The practice supports the national guidance.
If you choose to have private screening tests or investigations that are not available or recommended by the NHS, you should ensure that you have the funds or insurance in place to cover the costs of any additional treatment or investigation that is incurred as the NHS may not cover these.
Post Bariatric Surgery Follow-up of Private Patients
Where patients have procured their surgery in the private sector, the commissioners suggest that patients are advised of the need to ensure private follow-up.
- The first 2 years of post-operative care should be purchased in advance of having surgery, as the NHS will not provide this care.
- In addition, GPs be aware that as this is commissioned work, it potentially falls outside the cover of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP).
- GPs will only be covered for the instigation of investigations where a patient falls ill, rather than for routine monitoring.
Self-Certification Notes
If you are off sick for 7 calendar days or less (including weekends and bank holidays) you can self-certify your leave for this time
Either print the form attached or use this .GOV link to complete the form online.
Integrated Sexual Health Service
Based at The Rotherham Foundation Trust and community venues
The confidential service will be available, at the hospital on C Level, Junction 3 at the following days and times:-
- Monday - Thursday: 9am-8pm
- Friday: 9am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-2pm
For further information or to book an appointment: Telephone – 01709 427777
A range of community based youth clinics are also provided at the following times and locations (NB - this may be subject to change please consult the services website for the most up to date information):https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/news/article/1161/changes_to_the_rotherham_nhs_foundation_trust_s_integrated_sexual_health_services
- Wath Comprehensive School: Monday 12.30-1.30pm
- JADE Young Person's Centre, Dinnington: Monday 3-5pm
- Dearne Valley College: Tuesday 11.45am-1.30pm
- Swinton Comprehensive School: Wednesday 3-5pm
- Rawmarsh Community School: Thursday 3-5pm
- Maltby Linx Youth Centre: Thursday 3-5pm
The service provides confidential advice, testing and free treatment of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, as well as a full range of contraception.
For more information about Chlamydia testing - http://www.rotherhamchlamydia.co.uk
Check if you have shingles
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. Get advice from 111 as soon as possible if you think you have it.
The first signs of shingles can be:
- a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
- a headache or feeling generally unwell
A rash will appear a few days later.
Usually you get the shingles rash on your chest and tummy, but it can appear anywhere on your body including on your face, eyes and genitals.
The rash appears as blotches on your skin, on 1 side of your body only. A rash on both the left and right of your body is unlikely to be shingles.
The blotches become itchy blisters that ooze fluid. A few days later, the blisters dry out and scab. To see images and for further information click Shingles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
How to treat shingles symptoms yourself
Do
- take paracetamol to ease pain
- keep the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection
- wear loose-fitting clothing
- use a cool compress (a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel or a wet cloth) a few times a day
Don’t
- do not let dressings or plasters stick to the rash
- do not use antibiotic cream – this slows healing
How long does shingles last?
It can take up to 4 weeks for the rash to heal.
Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.
Stay away from certain groups of people if you have shingles
You cannot spread shingles to others. But people who have not had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you.
This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.
Try to avoid:
- pregnant people who have not had chickenpox before
- people with a weakened immune system – like someone having chemotherapy
- babies less than 1 month old – unless you gave birth to them, as your baby should be protected from the virus by your immune system
Myths
You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox.
But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before.
When people get chickenpox, the virus remains in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone's immune system is lowered.
This can be because of stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy.
Shingles vaccination
A shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for people between 70-79. It helps reduce your risk of getting shingles.
If you get shingles after being vaccinated, the symptoms can be much milder.
We will try to contact you on or near to your 70th birthday however we have a large population and may not always be able to do so, you will be called for before you turn 80.
FAQ’s:
Is shingles serious?
Yes, it can be. Not only can shingles be very painful and uncomfortable, some people are left with long-lasting pain called post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) for years after the initial rash has healed.
Very rarely, shingles or complications from it can be fatal.
Do you need to have the shingles vaccination every year?
No you only need one vaccination.
Why can I not have the shingles vaccination if I'm over 80?
The vaccine does not work as well in people over the age of 80.
Who should not have the shingles vaccine?
You should not have the shingles vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (including an anaphylactic reaction) in the past to a previous dose of the shingles vaccine, or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, or to a previous dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
If you have a weakened immune system a GP or practice nurse will assess which vaccine is suitable for you. Discuss any health concerns with the GP or practice nurse before you have the vaccine.
Zostavax is not suitable for people who have a weakened immune system due to a condition, treatment or medicine.
We are aware there has been an alteration to the Shingles vaccination programme and that you may have had a letter or message from NHS England.
What is the new Vaccine?
The new vaccine is called Shingrix and is a non-live vaccine which is considered to have longer lasting effects and can be given to immunosuppressed patients. It does however require you to have 2 injections spaced between 6 weeks and 6 months apart.
For further information see the website link http://www.nhs.uk/condistions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination/
Who can have this?
There are 3 groups of people we can vaccinate with the new Shingrix vaccine.
- Patients who are 50 years old and over (up to end of life) who are immunosuppressed.
- Patients turning 65 with a birthdate between 1st September 1958 and 31st Aug 1959.
- Patients turning 70 with a birthdate between 1st September 1953 and 31st August 1954
I’m already 70 or over what does this mean for me?
Anyone who has already turned 70 and upto 80 years old before 1st September 2023 is eligible for the Zostavax single live vaccine and is not included in the new programme offering the Shingrix non live 2 part vaccine. You will still be offered the Zostavax vaccine until NHS England central stock supplies are used up. After which we will then be able to offer the new vaccine, we are unsure how long this will take but could potentially be at least a year.
I turned 65 before 1st September 2023 what does this mean for me?
You will be offered a vaccination when you turn 70.
I am already 66-69 what does this mean for me?
You will be offered a vaccination when you turn 70.
I have already had my 1st Shingrix vaccination when will I get my 2nd one?
Immunosuppressed patients should have their 2nd vaccination between 6 weeks and 6 months of the 1st dose.
65- & 70-year-olds who are not immunosuppressed will receive their 2nd dose between 6 months and 12 months of the 1st dose.
Where possible we will book in both your 1st and 2nd doses, so you know when to come back.
As this programme is quite complex and we will need to add several different types of clinics please wait for your invitation from us before contacting the health centre. We are aiming to start booking in patients at the end of October after our main Flu campaign.
This programme has been estimated to take 10 years to complete. From Year 6 (2028) it will also include patients turning 60.
- https://rotherhive.co.uk/sleep/
- https://www.kooth.com/
- https://www.iesohealth.com/en-gb/
- https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/
- https://pzizz.com/
- https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/treatment/what-do-when-you-cant-sleep
Plus additional ones recommended which you can pay for yourself:
Spirometry Services are currently not available in practices in Rotherham and are being undertaken by Rotherham Hospital – Breathing Space.
We have access to these appointments to book for you.
Please see the document below for more information on what happens during a Spirometry test.
Look out for your free NHS lung health check invitation
If you are between 55-74 have ever smoked you should receive an invitation and appointment in the post. If you need to change the date and time of your appointment, please call the number in the letter to rearrange.
In Doncaster, more than 17,000 people just like you have benefited from a free lung health check, why not join them? Our area will be called for between now and spring 2024.
The Lung Health Check Programme helps detect lung cancer earlier, as well as identifying other lung conditions.
To find out more visit www.lunghealthchecks.co.uk
Exclusion Criteria:
- Lung cancer in the previous 5 years
- Metastatic cancer (excluding metastatic prostate cancer)
- Registered on the Palliative Care Register
- Poor physical fitness such that treatment with curative intent would be contra-indicated: this can be assessed at face-to-face appointments and may require a second opinion or advice from the lung cancer Screening Review Meeting.
- Lymphoma (added to exclusion criteria in May 2021)
- Mesothelioma (added to the exclusion criteria in May 2021
A scan may not be possible due to:
- They are unable to lie flat
- They are unable to transfer onto the CT scanning bed without support, or with the support of somebody who attends the scan with them.
- They weigh more than 200kg/31.5 stones
- They do not have capacity to consent to the scan (standard criteria for assessing capacity apply).
When you attend for a test of any kind you should be told that you will be contacted if the results need following up. If you sign up for online services you will be able to check your own results on-line at any time, as soon as they have been checked by a Doctor. You will also be able to compare them with previous results in your notes.
Please do not assume "no news is good news" in case the result has gone astray or we have tried and failed to reach you.
Most blood tests results are back in a few working days, but some tests, especially rarer ones may take longer. Just because one result is back, it does not mean they are all back. Most x-ray results are back within 7-10 days, but if a test suggests something serious, it is likely we will be told more quickly.
Our reception staff are not qualified to explain any results: they can only repeat the brief comment that the Doctor has attached to the results, such as "normal" or "make appointment". Sometimes if the result is particularly sensitive (e.g. HIV test) or complicated, the Doctor will recommend receiving the result in person.
Normally results are sent to the Doctor who ordered the test. If a hospital Doctor orders a test, the GP may not receive the result and may even not know it has been done. You can contact the specialist's secretary to ask about results, although usually a hospital secretary will not provide a result directly- the secretary may ask a hospital Doctor to phone you back or they may involve the GP. Routine hospital letters can take up to a month to reach us, sometimes longer.
The TNA Trainee Nursing Associates role was introduced to support the Registered Nursing workforce in providing person-centred care across health and social care settings.
TNA’s work alongside the multi-disciplinary team gaining knowledge and skills to enable them to identify any social/personal needs required. The role bridges the gap between a support worker and a Registered Nurse, providing a workforce for future healthcare.
The training is a minimum of 2 years leading to a Foundation Degree Apprenticeship as a Nursing Associate. It is a training programme that combines both academic and work-based learning in the physical, psychological, and public health aspects of care from pre-conception to end of life
Our practice encourages the development of staff internally. The TNA programme works with a local university to upgrade our Nurses skill set.
If you are planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.
In the UK, the NHS routine immunization schedule protects you against a number of diseases but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.
In order to establish the most appropriate advice and treatment options for you, a full travel health risk assessment needs to be undertaken and we would recommend that you attend a private travel health clinic or pharmacy.
We are only able to offer a travel vaccination service to cover vaccines which are available free of charge on the NHS service.
If you are advised during your health assessment that you need any of the NHS funded vaccinations listed below, please make a routine appointment with the practice nurse at least two weeks (or four weeks with MMR) before you travel.
The vaccinations covered by the NHS are -
- Polio/tetanus/diptheria
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
"Fitfortravel" and "Travel Health Pro" are websites that provide useful information and specific destination guides.
DIVERT Rotherham is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service for children and young people aged up to 18.
Please refer to additional info on their website:- https://www.changegrowlive.org/young-people/divert-rotherham
DIVERT is a specialist substance misuse support service for young people affected by drugs or alcohol living in Rotherham. They provide free and confidential support and offer support across Rotherham to ensure that young people can access support in a place that works for them. The service also offers targeted group work and training for professionals.
How to contact them
They always welcome new clients, so please get in touch if you are interested in getting help from the service or you’d just like to ask some questions. Feel free to bring someone with you on your first visit.
They are based at Carnson House, 1 Moorgate Road, Rotherham. You can call them on 01709 917651 or email on [email protected].
Referral
If you would like to refer yourself or another young person to service, please either call or email them using the above contact details.
You can also complete their referral form in advance and either email it to them or bring it with you when you visit the service.
They provide:
- Information, advice and guidance around drugs and alcohol
- 1-2-1 sessions with a project worker
- Early intervention
- Group work sessions
- Professionals training
- Outreach work - They can see young people across Rotherham
Can’t make your appointment?
It’s really important that you let them know. Ideally please call them on 01709 917651. You can also email them let them know on [email protected].
Swallownest Health Centre Zero Tolerance Statement
NHS Staff must be able to come to work without fear of violence, abuse or harassment form patients or their relatives. The NHS has Zero tolerance attitude towards violence.
Violent, threatening or abusive behavior including shouting and swearing will not be tolerated at this practice.
Patients who act in such a manner will be asked to leave the premises; the Police may be called and you could be removed from our patient list.
Our staff are here to help you, please treat them with respect.
We take any bullying/threatening, inappropriate behavior or undermining remarks about staff on Social Media or other online internet platforms very seriously and this will not be tolerated. We will take action to manage this type of behavior. Any such action may result in reporting the patient to the police in regard to sections 2, 2A, 4 or 4A Protection form Harassment Act 1997, or offences under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and Communications Act 2003 .