DR PAUL STAKER

We are proud to continue our support for Dr Staker's Othopaedic Clinics at the Medway Maritime Hospital and Iwade Surgery. We appreciate this has reduced his availability at The Chestnuts, but from the positive feedback from those of you who have benefited from this service, we feel that Dr Staker's skills are an asset to the local community.

We do have a locum GP to undertake Dr Staker's workload, and we feel sure you will show the same courtesy to the locum as you would to any of the partners.

SPECIALIST CLINICS

A range of clinics is held in the surgery as follows:-

Asthma Clinic

Diabetic Clinic

Well Person Clinic/Heart Disease Risk Check

Wart Removal Clinic

An appointment can be made for any of these clinics. Please ask at reception for details.

MATERNITY SERVICES

The surgery provides full maternity services. Antenatal clinics are held by each doctor on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the early afternoon. A midwife is present on Tuesday afternoon. Please enquire at reception for the exact clinic times.

CHILDREN'S IMMUNISATION AND CHILD HEALTH CHECKS

REMEMBER: THE HEALTH VISITORS ARE NOW BASED AT THE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. THEY CAN BE CONTACTED ON 424303.

You will receive an appointment in the post when your child is due for immunisation. If you are unable to attend please let us know so that the appointment can be re-scheduled.

FAMILY PLANNING

A comprehensive service is available from your own doctor or the practice nurse. Please make an appointment in the usual way.

MINOR SURGERY

All the doctors are able to carry out simple surgical procedures in the surgery, Dr Staker specialises in joint injections and Dr Hall is happy to remove any small lumps and bumps. Please make an appointment with your doctor in the usual way for an initial assessment.

FLU VACINATIONS

An influenza vaccination is particularly recommended for patients over the age of 65 years or patients with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, and residents of nursing and rest homes.

Please contact the reception staff in October for details of the vaccination dates and to make an appointment.

NON NHS SERVICES

Private medical examinations, completion of insurance claim forms and private certificates do not fall within the scope of the NHS. There is, therefore, a charge for these services. This includes certain types of travel vaccinations. A list of charges is available from reception.

SITTINGBOURNE MEMORIAL BLOOD TESTS

The Memorial Hospital offers a walk-in service for all blood tests. No appointment is necessary and it is open between 8.00am and 1.30pm Monday to Friday. If the blood test requires you to fast (sugar and cholesterol tests) you should not eat from midnight.