Blood Pressure Monitoring

We have a blood pressure (BP) machine in our ‘Health POD’ room which patients may use to take their own blood pressure amongst other things. Please ask at reception to be shown through. The printed recording can be handed to the receptionist for entry into your medical record.

What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is recorded with 2 numbers. The systolic pressure (higher number) is the force at which your heart pumps blood around your body. The diastolic pressure (lower number) is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.

They’re both measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg).

As a general guide:

High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher (or 150/90mmHg or higher if you’re over the age of 80). The ideal blood pressure is usually considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg.

Blood pressure readings between 120/80mmHg and 140/90mmHg could mean you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you do not take steps to keep your blood pressure under control.

Everyone’s blood pressure will be slightly different. What’s considered low or high for you may be normal for someone else.

More information can be found on https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/

If you are found to have high blood pressure at a review in the POD room or with one of clinicians, you will often be asked if you are able to complete home blood pressure readings. You can submit these to us here Blood Pressure Review – Adelaide Medical Centre or by handing in to reception.

Long Term Conditions (AKA Chronic Disease Management)

As a practice we encourage patients to become knowledgeable about their own diagnosed conditions. We strongly advise patients to engage with any monitoring appointments we request of them. This is so that we can effectively monitor your condition as part of our safe and preventative care ethos. The practice will write or SMS text message you at least annual or more frequently if required. If you don’t hear from us for any reason please make contact at least annually for your review.

Our Practice Nurses are highly skilled to monitor your

• Asthma

• CKD

• CHD

• COPD

• Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Stroke/ TIA

All reviews are by appointment only and can range from 15 to 45 minutes depending on your condition.

Asthma, CKD, CHD, COPD, Diabetes, Hypertension, Stroke/ TIA

New Patient Health Checks

It is a contractual requirement for us to offer, and we encourage a ‘New Patient Health Check’ for anyone over the age of 16 whom have not had contact with an NHS service in the last 3 years. Please make contact with our reception team to request the 20 minute new patient check.

Foreign Travel Advice & Vaccinations

At AMC, we offer a travel clinic that is available to our registered patients only.

You will need to have completed a travel form and returned to this to us at least 8 weeks before you travel.

This is to allow sufficient time for the appropriate vaccination programme to be planned. Any forms that are received under 8 weeks before the date of travel will unfortunately be refused for safety reasons and you will be directed to an alternative travel clinic.

Not all vaccines are provided free on the NHS so please be aware that you will be charged privately for vaccines outside of the agreed NHS arrangement.

Holiday Travel Vaccinations

If you’re 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. The links below will help you to determine if you need any vaccines.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you’re:

– travelling in rural areas
– backpacking
– staying in hostels or camping
– on a long trip rather than a package holiday

Information on what vaccines you may need

Other useful websites (click to visit)

Fit for Travel – A public access website provided by the NHS (Scotland). It gives travel health information for people traveling abroad from the UK

NaTHNaC – Country List (travelhealthpro.org.uk) – Find country-specific vaccine recommendations plus other important advice and tips to stay healthy abroad

Foreign and Commenwealth Office

Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

NHS Immunisation – the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accurate source of information on vaccines, disease and immunisation in the UK.

TB testing countries (Please note that as this is an Excel document. You will need a copy of Excel to open it. If you do not have a copy of Excel please visit the surgery.)

Links to External Websites / Travel Clinics:

Note: AMC is not responsible for the content of any of these websites, we also do not endorse them, they are provided for your information and the decision on which clinic to use is up to you.

Travel Vaccinations & Health Advice Service – Boots

CityDoc Travel Clinic, Sexual Health & Blood Testing, Winchester

Travel vaccination clinic in Basingstoke – Book Online (travelclinics.uk)

Travel Clinic – Superdrug Health Clinic

NHS Health Check

What is an NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is a health check-up for adults in England aged 40 to 74. It’s designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk.

Am I eligible for an NHS Health Check?

The check is for people who are aged 40 to 74 who do not have any of the following pre-existing conditions:
•heart disease
•chronic kidney disease
•diabetes
•high blood pressure (hypertension)
•atrial fibrillation
•transient ischaemic attack
•inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
•heart failure
•peripheral arterial disease
•stroke
•currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol
•previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years

How do I get an NHS Health Check?

If you’re in the 40 to 74 age group without a pre-existing condition, you should receive a letter from your GP surgery or local council inviting you for a free NHS Health Check every 5 years. You can also call your GP surgery to book a Health Check.

More information can be found on this website https://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/

Family Planning & Contraception

We provide a range of contraception services including:

Fitting/removing of contraceptive coils and implants.
Fitting/removing coils for use as part of HRT
Assessment, prescription and review of oral contraception (‘the pill’)
Administering the contraceptive injection

You can have a discussion with your named GP to seek advice, guidance and counselling prior to commencing any option above.

The Sexual Health Clinic in Andover also provides the above services and is available to access free and easily online.

Personal Health Record | Lets Talk About It

Or by phoning: 0300 300 2016. Lines are open from 8.30am Monday to Friday.

Some local pharmacies also offer a free contraception service without needing to go through the GP first.

Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription – NHS

Pharmacy Contraception Service – Day Lewis

There is plenty of good advice online to weigh up your options ahead of any conversations.

Contraceptive Methods | Contraception Choices

Choosing a method of contraception – NHS

Contraception | Lets Talk About It

Emergency Contraception:

Emergency contraception is free from the pharmacy

Emergency contraception | Health and social care | Hampshire County Council

Find emergency contraception – NHS

Emergency Contraception | Lets Talk About It

If you are wanting to get emergency contraception please call 0300 300 2016.