You should have your postnatal check 6 to 8 weeks after your baby’s birth to make sure you feel well and are recovering properly. The baby checks are carried out by our GPs when the baby is 8 weeks old, we usually book this appointment just before your baby has their first 8 week immunisations, so you can do this all on the same day. The GP will also carry out a post natal check for the mother after the baby check.

From the time he’s born your baby will be offered a number of health checks, designed to monitor your child’s health and development.

The first health check is normally within 72 hours of the birth which is followed by a further check at between six and eight weeks of age.

Your baby may be examined at the same appointment as the mothers postnatal check/ when the baby has their first immunisations.

When you go, remember to take your Personal Child Health Record (also known as the ‘Red Book’) with you as your healthcare professional will need it. 

If you have concerns about your baby at any time you should always contact your health visitor or GP.

The NHS Health Check programme is for all adults aged 40 to 74.

It assesses their risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, diabetes and dementia every 5 years.

These will be done by the health care assistant.

Done by the female practice Nurses

• Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.
• It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
• All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter.
• During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix.
• The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called “high risk” types of HPV.
• If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests.
• If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer.
• You’ll get your results by letter, usually in about 2 weeks. It will explain what happens next.

When you’ll be invited for cervical screening in England

Age	When you’re invited
Under 25	Up to 6 months before you turn 25
25 to 49	Every 3 years
50 to 64	Every 5 years
65 or older	Only if 1 of your last 3 tests was abnormal

You can book an appointment as soon as you get a letter.

If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.

How cervical screening is done

1. You’ll need to undress, behind a screen, from the waist down. You’ll be given a sheet to put over you.
2. The nurse will ask you to lie back on a bed, usually with your legs bent, feet together and knees apart. Sometimes you may need to change position during the test.
3. They’ll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina. A small amount of lubricant may be used.
4. The nurse will open the speculum so they can see your cervix.
5. Using a soft brush, they’ll take a small sample of cells from your cervix.
6. The nurse will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.

During cervical screening a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix for testing.

The test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.

It’s usually done by a female nurse or doctor.

Before starting, they should explain what will happen during the test and answer any questions you have.

When your results should arrive

The nurse or doctor will tell you when you can expect your results letter.

If you have waited longer than you expected, call your GP surgery to see if they have any updates.

Information:

Try not to worry if it is taking a long time to get your results letter.

It does not mean anything is wrong, and most people will have a normal result.

What your results mean

Your results letter will explain what was tested for and what your results mean.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to come back in 3 months to have the test again. This does not mean there’s anything wrong, it’s because the results were unclear. This is sometimes called an inadequate result.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is not found in your sample

Most people will not have HPV (an HPV negative result).

This means your risk of getting cervical cancer is very low. You do not need any further tests to check for abnormal cervical cells, even if you have had these in the past.

You’ll be invited for screening again in 3 or 5 years.

HPV is found in your sample

Your results letter will explain what will happen next if HPV is found in your sample (an HPV positive result).

You may need:

• another cervical screening test in 1 year
• a different test to look at your cervix (a colposcopy)

There are 2 different kinds of HPV positive result:

Result	What it means
HPV found (HPV positive) but no abnormal cells	You’ll be invited for screening in 1 year and again in 2 years if you still have HPV. If you still have HPV after 3 years, you may need to have a colposcopy.
HPV found (HPV positive) and abnormal cells	You’ll be asked to have a colposcopy.

Important

Try not to put off cervical screening. It’s one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

We will ask you to complete a couple of forms for registration when you first register with us. If you need to access online services we will ask you to provide photo ID such as a driving license or passport. When you need to change your name, we will ask for evidence of this too such as a marriage certificate.

CLICK HERE TO: Find stop smoking support services – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Stop smoking treatments

If you want to stop smoking, several different treatments are available from shops, pharmacies and on prescription to help you beat your addiction and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

The best treatment for you will depend on your personal preference, your age, whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and any medical conditions you have. Speak to your GP or an NHS stop smoking adviser for advice.

Research has shown that all these methods can be effective. Importantly, evidence shows that they are most effective if used alongside support from an NHS stop smoking service.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

The main reason that people smoke is because they are addicted to nicotine.

NRT is a medicine that provides you with a low level of nicotine, without the tar, carbon monoxide and other poisonous chemicals present in tobacco smoke.

It can help reduce unpleasant withdrawal effects, such as bad moods and cravings, which may occur when you stop smoking.

Where to get it and how to use it

NRT can be bought from pharmacies and some shops. It’s also available on prescription from a doctor or NHS stop smoking service.

It’s available as:

• skin patches
• chewing gum
• inhalators (which look like plastic cigarettes)
• tablets, oral strips and lozenges
• nasal and mouth spray

Patches release nicotine slowly. Some are worn all the time and some should be taken off at night. Inhalators, gum and sprays act more quickly and may be better for helping with cravings.

There’s no evidence that any single type of NRT is more effective than another. But there is good evidence to show that using a combination of NRT is more effective than using a single product.

Often the best way to use NRT is to combine a patch with a faster acting form such as gum, inhalator or nasal spray.

Treatment with NRT usually lasts 8-12 weeks, before you gradually reduce the dose and eventually stop.

Who can use it

Most people are able to use NRT, including:

• adults and children over 12 years of age – although children under 18 should not use the lozenges without getting medical advice first
• pregnant women – your doctor may suggest NRT if they think it would help you quit; read more about stopping smoking in pregnancy
• breastfeeding women – your doctor can advise you how to do this safely

Always read the packet or leaflet before using NRT to check whether it’s suitable for you.

Sometimes it may be advisable to get medical advice first, for example if you have kidney or liver problems, or you’ve recently had a heart attack or stroke.

Possible side effects

Side effects of NRT can include:

• skin irritation when using patches
• irritation of nose, throat or eyes when using a nasal spray
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia), sometimes with vivid dreams
• an upset stomach
• dizziness
• headaches

Any side effects are usually mild. But if they’re particularly troublesome, contact your GP as the dose or type of NRT may need to be changed.

Varenicline (Champix)

Varenicline (brand name Champix) is not currently available. It has been withdrawn as a precaution because of an impurity found in the medicine. It’s not yet known whether it will be available again in future.

Varenicline is a medicine that works in 2 ways. It reduces cravings for nicotine like NRT, but it also blocks the rewarding and reinforcing effects of smoking. It was only available on prescription.

Speak to your GP or NHS stop smoking adviser who will be able to recommend an alternative treatment.

Bupropion (Zyban)

Bupropion (brand name Zyban) is a medicine originally used to treat depression, but it has since been found to help people quit smoking.

It’s not clear exactly how it works, but it’s thought to have an effect on the parts of the brain involved in addictive behaviour.

Where to get it and how to use it

Bupropion is only available on prescription, so you’ll usually need to see your GP or contact an NHS stop smoking service to get it.

It’s taken as 1 to 2 tablets a day. You should start taking it a week or 2 before you try to quit.

A course of treatment usually lasts around 7 to 9 weeks.

Who can take it

Most people can take bupropion, but there are some situations when it’s not recommended. For example, it’s not suitable if you:

• are under 18 years old
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have epilepsy, bipolar disorder or an eating disorder

Possible side effects

Side effects of bupropion can include:

• dry mouth
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• headaches
• feeling and being sick
• constipation
• difficulty concentrating
• dizziness

Speak to your GP if you have any problems with side effects.

Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is an uncommon, but potentially serious, set of side effects linked to some medicines. It happens when the levels of a chemical called serotonin in your brain become too high.

There’s a risk of serotonin syndrome if you take more than your prescribed dose of bupropion, or if you take certain other medicines with bupropion such as:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Contact your GP or NHS 111 if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, including:

• feeling or being sick
• diarrhoea
• increased heart rate
• feeling agitated

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

E-cigarettes

An e-cigarette is an electronic device that delivers nicotine in a vapour. This allows you to inhale nicotine without most of the harmful effects of smoking, as the vapour contains no tar or carbon monoxide.

Research has found that e-cigarettes can help you give up smoking, so you may want to try them rather than the medicines listed above. As with other approaches, they’re most effective if used with support from an NHS stop smoking service.

There are no e-cigarettes currently available on prescription.

For now, if you want to use an e-cigarette to help you quit, you’ll have to buy one. Costs of e-cigarettes can vary, but generally they’re much cheaper than cigarettes.

This is carried out by one of the GPs who is able to give steroid injections when it is appropriate to do so, usually after having been seen at an appointment.

Childhood Vaccination Schedule

At Two Months Old

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection
• Meningococcal group B (Men B)- one injection
• Rotavirus gastroenteritis- oral drops

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At Three Months Old

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection
• Meningitis C (meningococcal group C) (MenC) – one injection
• Rotavirus- oral drops

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At Four Months Old

• Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (DTaP/IPV/Hib) – one injection
• Men B – one injection
• Pneumococcal infection – pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – one injection

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At 12 Months Old

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and meningitis C (Hib/MenC) – booster dose in one injection
• Pneumococcal
• Meales, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR)- one injection
• Men B-one injection

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At 2 to 6 Years Old (Including Children in School Years 1 & 2)

• Influenza (each year from September)- Live vaccine- both nostrils

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At 3 Years Four Months to 5 Years Old (Pre-School)

• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio (dTaP/IPV or DTaP/IPV) – one injection
• Measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) (MMR) – one injection

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13 to 18 Years Old

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (Td/IPV) – one injection

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14 Years Old (School Year 9) 

• Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y disease- Men ACWY- one injection

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We also give Tetanus injections as a routine measure which is valid for ten years.