You may require a doctor’s letter for various reasons eg fitness to travel or confirmation of medical conditions. Please contact reception to make your request which will be dealt with in the most appropriate way.
If you are pregnant and require a doctor’s letter as proof of ‘permission to travel’ please be aware that many airlines require your doctor’s letter to be signed within 48 hours of international travel.
Please note that you will not be provided with a doctor’s ‘permission to travel’ letter if you are due in less than 30 days or if your pregnancy is considered high-risk.
If you think you need urgent treatment, contact your usual dental practice and ask to be seen as an emergency. If you do not have a regular dentist, you can still get urgent care. Contact your NHS England Local Area Team or call NHS 111.
You may need urgent treatment if you have:
- Toothache or swelling that suggests an infection of a tooth or gum.
- Severe toothache or facial pain which is not controlled by taking over-the-counter painkillers.
- Trauma of the face, mouth or teeth after a recent accident or injury.
- A permanent tooth being knocked out.
- Bleeding after tooth extraction that you cannot control.
- Serious swelling of the mouth or face which is getting worse.
While it is commonly believed that depression only effects adults, around 10% of children in Great Britain aged between 5 and 16 have a recognisable mental disorder; with about 4% of children suffering from an emotional disorder such as anxiety or depression.
The problem for many is that depression is difficult to spot and often regarded as teenage mood swings. However, if your child is appearing to have an extreme emotional response to a life event or has lost interest in activities which previously interested them they may be suffering from an emotional disorder.
If you are worried about your child’s mental health please visit your GP, who will be able to offer a range of support to help both you and your child. There are a range of talking therapies which are highly effective in dealing with both short term and long term depression, for more information on these therapies please view the NHS Talking Therapy Guide.
While it is commonly believed that depression only effects adults, around 10% of children in Great Britain aged between 5 and 16 have a recognisable mental disorder; with about 4% of children suffering from an emotional disorder such as anxiety or depression.
The problem for many is that depression is difficult to spot and often regarded as teenage mood swings. However, if your child is appearing to have an extreme emotional response to a life event or has lost interest in activities which previously interested them they may be suffering from an emotional disorder.
If you are worried about your child’s mental health please visit your GP, who will be able to offer a range of support to help both you and your child. There are a range of talking therapies which are highly effective in dealing with both short term and long term depression, for more information on these therapies please view the NHS Talking Therapy Guide.
External Links
Your GP may advise you to have an ECG test carried out here at Kensington Park Medical Centre. This test will be carried out by a trained nurse. An ECG is used to check the rhythm and electrical activity in your heart and is a painless procedure taking approximately 15 minutes to perform.
Please note that you must be referred by your GP to have an ECG done. Please ensure you wear loose fitting clothing and try not to wear tights to your appointment.
External Websites
Spirometry (a type of breathing test) is a test a doctor may refer you for if he or she has any concerns about how well you are able to breathe in and out or if you are a smoker.
Please ensure you read the leaflet attached prior to your appointment to ensure you are prepared for your appointment
Download “Instructions for patients referred for Spirometry” leaflet.
External Websites
NHS choices – Spirometry
Working together to improve your health
Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia. The good news is that these conditions can often be prevented – even if you have a history of them in your family. Have your free NHS Health Check and you will be better prepared for the future and be able to take steps to maintain or improve your health. Download our NHS Health Checks leaflet.
Why do I need an NHS Health Check?
We know that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia increases with age. There are also certain things that will put you at even greater risk. These are:
- being overweight
- being physically inactive
- not eating healthily
- smoking
- drinking too much alcohol
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
Both men and women can develop these conditions, and having once could increase your risk of developing another in the future.
- In the brain a blocked artery or a bleed can cause a stroke.
- In the heart a blocked artery can cause a heart attack or angina.
- The kidneys can be damaged by high blood pressure or diabetes, causing chronic kidney disease and increasing your risk of having a heart attack.
- Being overweight and physically inactive can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- If unrecognised or unmanaged, type 2 diabetes could increase your risk of further health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
What happens at the check?
- This check is to assess your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke.
- The check will take about 20–30 minutes.
- You’ll be asked some simple questions. For example, about your family history and choices which may put your health at risk
- We’ll record your height, weight, age, sex, and ethnicity.
- We’ll take your blood pressure.
- We’ll do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol level.
What happens after the check?
- We will discuss how you can reduce your risk and stay healthy.
- You’ll be taken through your results and told what they mean. Some people may be asked to return at a later date for their results.
- You’ll be given personalised advice on how to lower your risk and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Some people with raised blood pressure will have their kidneys checked through a blood test.
- Some people may need to have another blood test to check for type 2 diabetes. Your health professional will be able to tell you more.
- Treatment or medication may be prescribed to help you maintain your health.
Questions you may have
- Why do I need this check? I feel fine!
The NHS Health Check helps to identify potential risks early. By having this check and following the advice of your health professional, you improve your chances of living a healthier life. - But don’t these conditions run in the family?
If you have a history of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease in your family then you may be more at risk. Taking action now can help you to prevent the onset of these conditions. - I know what I’m doing wrong. How can the doctor help me?
If you would like help, we will work with you to find ways to eat healthily, reach your healthy weight, be more active, cut down your drinking, or stop smoking. - If I am assessed as being at ‘low risk’, does this mean I won’t develop these conditions?
It is impossible to say that someone will or won’t go on to develop one of these conditions. But taking action now can help you lower your potential risk. - Will everyone have this check?
This check is part of a national scheme to help prevent the onset of these health problems. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 who has not been diagnosed with the conditions mentioned will be invited for a check once every five years. If you are outside the age range and concerned about your health, you should contact your GP.
The pneumococcal vaccine (or ‘pneumo jab’ or pneumonia vaccine as it’s also known) protects against pneumococcal infections.
Pneumococcal infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia (a kind of blood poisoning) and meningitis.
Read more about why the pneumococcal vaccination is needed.
Who should have the pneumococcal vaccine?
A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. However, some people need the pneumococcal vaccination because they are at higher risk of complications. These include:
- all children under the age of two
- adults aged 65 or over
- children and adults with certain long-term health conditions, such as a serious heart or kidney condition
Read more about who should have the pneumo jab.
How often is the pneumococcal vaccine given?
Babies receive the pneumococcal vaccine as three separate injections, at 2 months, 4 months and 12-13 months.
People over-65 only need a single pneumococcal vaccination which will protect for life. It is not given annually like the flu jab.
People with a long term health condition may need just a single one-off pneumococcal vaccination or five-yearly vaccination depending on their underlying health problem.
One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.
Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.
Find out which jabs your child needs, when they need them, and what the benefits of each jab are.
Please call the surgery to make an appointment.
Postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby’s recovery is monitored.
During your postnatal care you will find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.
External sites
Birth to 5 years old guide – NHS Choices
Breastfeeding Guide – NHS Choices
Information and support – NetMums
Support for new mum’s – NCT
Videos from NHS Choices
Busy mums talk about how they fit exercise into life with a newborn baby and experts explain what’s safe and what’s not after you’ve given birth.
Some newborn babies are released from hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks, either in the surgery, or in comfort of your own home, depending on which is easier for you.
In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.