OUR CLINICS

If you are female between 25 and 65 then it is strongly recommended that you have a regular cervical smear test. These tests are carried out routinely every 3 years between the ages of 25 and 49, and every 5 years between the ages of 50 and 64.

This test makes it possible to detect and treat the early stages of abnormalities of the cervix before they have a chance to become apparent to you. The test is quick, simple and painless and is performed by the Practice Nurse.

Patients are advised to make an appointment to see the Practice Nurse about halfway between periods. Clinics are held mornings, afternoons and evenings for your convenience.

Private smears are available for under 25s.

Certain illnesses can be prevented by immunisation.

Childhood immunisations are given at 2, 3 and 4 months, to protect small babies from whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, HIB meningitis and meningococcal meningitis C.

Booster immunisation is also offered to pre-school and 15 year old children.

The Immunisation Clinic is held every Tuesday between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon and 3:30 pm and 4:40 pm.

Patients will be notified when immunisations are due and advised to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse.

Balance Street Health Centre aim to achieve good control of diabetes and prevent complications by providing regular check-up's and education.

Appointments will be offered to all patients with diabetes by letter for a regular check-up. Patients are required to attend for a blood test 2 weeks before their appointment with the nurse for the Diabetic Clinic. This will ensure results are back in time for your appointment.

Clinics run three times a week at various times for your convenience.

Balance Street Health Centre provides advice on family planning including oral contraceptives, depot injections, coils and implanon hormone implants.

Family planning clinics are run by our Practice Nurses at various times for your convenience.

For emergency contraception, patients are advised to contact our receptionists within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse for appropriate advice.

Flu injections are available in the autumn to all patients over 65 and those “at risk” because of other diseases.

Appointments are offered to all patients with heart disease, or has had a heart attack, by letter for a regular check-up.

Patients are required to attend for a blood test 2 weeks before their appointment with the nurse for the Healthy Heart Clinic. This will ensure results are back in time for your appointment.

Clinics run at various times during the week for your convenience.

Patients with hypertension (raised blood pressure) will be invited by letter to attend our hypertension clinic.

These are run at various times during the week by our Practice Nurses and patients blood pressure and medication review will be checked.

Balance Street Health Centre is able to provide joint injections for various conditions.

Patients must discuss this with their Doctor prior to arranging an appointment to assess whether or not an injection would be suitable at the practice.

Balance Street Health Centre is able to provide minor surgery clinics for the removal of minor skin lesions or cysts.

Patients must discuss this with their Doctor prior to arranging an appointment to assess whether or not any skin lesion or cyst would be suitable for removal at the practice.

Clinics are available each morning with our Health Care Assistant and Phlebotomist for all your blood tests.

Appointments can be booked by contacting reception and informing the receptionist which blood test you require. This will ensure the correct forms are completed prior to your appointment.

Balance Street Health Centre provides appointments for travel advice and vaccinations with our Practice Nurse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

A Travel Advice Form is required for each patient travelling.

Our practice nurse will then review your records to ensure the correct vaccinations are administered. We recommend patients contact the surgery at least 8 weeks before your departure date to ensure sufficient time is available to receive all vaccinations required.

Some travel vaccinations will incur a cost as these are non-NHS services. Patients are advised to contact the surgery to enquire about current costs.

We are also a Yellow Fever centre and able to offer this vaccination to patients registered with our practice and registered at an alternative practice. There is a cost to this vaccination and patients are advised to contact our receptionists to enquire about current costs.

Please fill out our travel advice form and email to us.
We will advise you promptly with advice.

• www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• www.malaria-reference.co.uk/
• www.travelhealth.co.uk
• www.traveldoctor.co.uk
• www.nathnac.org/travel/
• www.medic8.com/healthguide/travelindex.htm
• www.direct.gov.uk/TravelAndTransport/fs/en
• Before You Travel
• Official Passport Office Site
• Passport Advice

Vasectomies are performed by Dr Trewin and Dr Barron weekly. Patients are required to attend to discuss the operation in detail and sign consent forms prior to the procedure being undertaken. Further details can be obtained from our website www.easysnip.com