Clinics & Services

In addition to general medical consultations we are pleased to be able to provide specialist clinics and services covering the following areas:

ANTENATAL

If you are pregnant you can now self-refer to the Midwife who is based at the Rainham Healthy Living Centre on 01634 337600

Whooping Cough and Pregnancy - help protect your baby

There is a lot of whooping cough around at the moment and babies who are too young to start their vaccinations are at greatest risk.  Expectant mothers can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated against whooping cough from week 28 of their pregnancy.  Don't take the risk. Act now to protect your baby from whooping cough from birth.  Contact the surgery to get the vaccination or speak to your midwife for further information.

ASTHMA

If you have asthma or use an inhaler you are invited to make an appointment with our specialist asthma nurse.

BLOOD PRESSURE

CHLAMYDIA SCREENING

CONTRACEPTION

See separate tab 'Contraception' for full details of the service provided

DIABETES

HEALTH CHECKS

All registered patients aged 16-74 are invited to have a health check every 3 years and all patients over 75 to have an annual health check.  All patients suffering from long term health conditions such as Diabetes, Respiratory Disease, Heart Disease/Stroke and Hypertension are invited to attend for an annual health review.  Our Practice Nurses provide support, monitoring and advice in conjunction with the GP. 

HEART DISEASE / STROKE

HYPERTENSION

INJECTIONS & IMMUNISATIONS

including travel.

CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATIONS

By appointment only and held every Thursday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm. Please note that we do not see babies in general surgery time because of the risk of infection posed by unwell patients.

RESPIRATORY DISEASE

WOMEN'S HEALTH

The Nurses provide advice on the menopause and HRT, and cervical cytology. We are also able to offer ring pessary changes.

Contraception Services

Thames Avenue Surgery are able to offer a fully comprehensive Contraception Service and all of our Doctors and Nurses are able to provide contraceptive advice.    If you are interested in taking the Contraceptive Pill, you will be required to see one of our Nurses by contacting the surgery and booking an appointment.

Other forms of contraception offered at Thames Avenue Surgery include:-

• Contraceptive Injections (also known as Depo)
• Contraceptive Implants (Nexplanon)
• Contraceptive Coils (Mirena Coil or Copper Coil)

For more information about Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), please click on the link below:-
Long Acting Reversible Contraception

For further information regarding Contraception - 'Your Contraception Guide' is available HERE. 

IUS (Intrauterine System)                            Contraceptive Implant

Coil and Implant Appointments

If you are interested in having an implant or coil fitted, please do not hesitate to contact the surgery in order to discuss your options and receive advice.   Our process for receiving an appointment for an implant or coil fitting or removal is as follows: -

Step One

Either speak to Reception or one of our Healthcare Professionals to let them know you are interested in having a coil/implant fitted or removed so that your name can be added on to our waiting list.

Step Two

Our Practice Nurse will contact you to discuss your options, give relevant advice, explain the coil/implant procedure and answer any questions you have.  

Step Three

Once you are happy and wish to proceed, the Nurse will book an appointment for you to attend for your procedure.    Please be aware that appointments for coil/implant services are currently limited to a Thursday morning from 10am due to GP availability (this of course is subject to change).   

Travel Vaccinations

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel, you need to make an appointment with the Practice Nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below:-

• www.nathnac.org

• www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

• www.masta-travel-health.com

Travel Risk Assessment Questionnaire

To help us offer the appropriate advice, you will be required to print and complete a Travel Risk Assessment Form, which should be done well in advance of your departure date (at least 8 weeks)  and either post or drop it in to the surgery.   If you do not have access to a printer, please contact the surgery and we can provide you with one of the forms.  

Once we have received the completed form, the Practice Nurse will then go through the form to see what vaccinations and advice is needed, and will be in contact with you around 4-6 weeks prior to your date of travel.  

Please only contact Reception if you have not heard from the Practice Nurse within 3 weeks of your holiday.

IF THE TRAVEL RISK ASSESSMENT FORM IS RETURNED WITH LESS THAN 3 WEEKS' NOTICE, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR TRAVEL VACCINATIONS AND YOU WILL BE SIGNPOSTED ELSEWHERE.

IF THE WHOLE FAMILY ARE TRAVELLING, SEPARATE QUESTIONNAIRES WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETED FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

<<TRAVEL RISK ASSESSMENT FORM>>

Please note that a private prescription charge of £15.00 is payable for certain malaria tablets.

We look forward to seeing you and helping you to travel safely.

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided fall outside the scope of the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)  - £100.00

• Insurance claim forms  -  £25.00

• Letters to school, gym etc. - £15.00

• Letters confirming medication to take abroad - £15.00

• Private sick notes - £15.00

• Vaccination certificates - £15.00

Our reception staff will be happy to advise you about appointment availability and applicable charges.