Clinics We Offer
Chronic Diseases
- Asthma clinic
- Chronic Respiratory Disease Clinic
- Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Clinic
- Diabetes Clinic Diabetes Videos
- Heart Disease (Coronary) Clinic
Many people now suffer from long term medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease. We like to see patients with these conditions at least once a year – more often in some cases – to find out how you are and to review your medication.
We run special clinics for each of these conditions, and will remind you by post when it is time for you to make an appointment. These clinics are run by specialist nurses, who have had dedicated training in providing the best care for these conditions. You will often need to have a blood test a couple of weeks before hand so that we have the results to hand when we see you.
If at any time you have any problems with your condition or the medication that you take for it the make an appointment with one of us in the usual way. Don’t wait for your annual review to come around!
If you think that you should be seen in one of these clinics but have not received an appointment within the last year, then please let us know.
Cervical Smears
We offer cervical cancer screening at our surgery to all our female patients who are eligible. The Government recommends that all women between the ages of 25 and 64 have a cervical smear test every three to five years, depending on your age. The recommended screening interval is currently:
|
Age Group (Years) |
Frequency Of Screening |
|
25 |
First invitation |
|
25 – 49 |
3 yearly |
|
50 – 64 |
5 yearly |
|
65+ |
Only those who have not been screened since age 50 or have had recent abnormal tests |
If a previous smear test has shown changes, or if you have had to have any treatment to your cervix, then you may be called more frequently.
If you have not had a recent smear test we can offer you one when you attend the surgery for other reasons. We will also write to you if we think you are overdue for a smear test. It is important you ensure that we have your correct name and address details to enable us to remind you when you are due for another smear test.
If you do not want to have a smear test please discuss this with your doctor or nurse so that we can answer any questions you may have. We may ask you to sign a form to say that you do not want to have a smear test, and then we will stop reminding you that you are overdue! Please also let us know if you have had your smear elsewhere (eg family planning clinic)
We have recently introduced a new way of taking smears (liquid based cytology) which means that the results come back much more quickly – usually less than a month – and there are less “inadequate samples”.
Cervical smears in Pregnancy
If you have had a smear within the last three years, and have never had any abnormal smears, then you can usually wait until after you have had your baby before having a routine smear.
If a previous test was abnormal, and in the interim you have become pregnant, then the test should not be delayed but should be taken in mid-pregnancy unless there is a clinical reason not to.
What the Results Mean
Negative
A negative result means that no abnormal cells have been seen. Your next smear will be in 3 years. If you have any abnormal bleeding, either mid-cycle or after intercourse, PLEASE DON’T WAIT for your next smear – report this to your Doctor immediately.
Inadequate/Unsatisfactory
An inadequate/unsatisfactory result means that not enough cells were collected from your cervix for proper analysis, and the test needs to be repeated. We will contact you and ask you to make another appointment for a smear test. We try to keep the number of inadequate smears as low as possible, and recent changes in the way that we takes smears has helped in this.
Abnormal
An abnormal result means that there are changes that could cause problems in the future. It does NOT usually mean that you have cancer now.
When this happens we will either ask you to have another smear test in 3-6 months time, or refer you to the colposcopy clinic.
At the colposcopy clinic the cervix is examined with a powerful microscope and any abnormal area is removed. This treatment is almost 100% effective.
If you do need to have a colposcopy, you are then advised to have annual smears for 3 or 5 years.
Useful Links
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
Hypertension is the medical term for High Blood Pressure.
High blood pressure is increasingly common as we get older, and is associated with an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks.
We aim to screen all patients over the age of 45 every 5 years to detect and treat hypertension.
Patients with hypertension are usually seen annually in a dedicated clinic run by one of our Health Care Assistants, or more often if there are any concerns.
We will normally contact you to invite you to attend for screening or review, but if you have any questions then please contact the surgery.
Want to know more? Please see the links below:
Minor Surgery
If you have a mole or other lump or bump on your body that you are concerned about, or if it simply gets in your way, then come in and let one of us have a look at it. If we are concerned too then we will ask the skin specialists at the hospital to see you. If they think it may be cancerous, or dangerous in some other way, they will remove it for you. They will not however remove moles that are benign (harmless).
If the lump is benign but you still want rid of it then we may be able to remove it at the surgery under local anaesthetic. This is usually quick and fairly painless, though you will usually be left with a small scar. When we have a look at it we can tell you whether it is suitable for removal here at the surgery.
For general information from the NHS on looking after your skin click here.
To find out more about protection from skin cancer go to: http://cancerresearchuk.org/sunsmart/
Family Planning
All the GP’s are trained in family planning and can offer advice on all aspects of contraception – just make an appointment to discuss what method would suit you best. Dr Carla Rowe is our GP trained to fit contraceptive coils.
All of our Practice nurses are also able to give advice, do annual pill checks and give contraceptive injections.
We also provide emergency contraception (the “Morning After Pill”). Some local pharmacists can also provide this, but they will make a charge.
If you have an unplanned pregnancy we can offer advice and support for this too, and if necessary referral for a termination (abortion).
Useful Links
Maternity Care
If you are newly pregnant then we offer you our warmest congratulations!
Together with the local community midwives and the doctors and midwives at Treliske Hospital, we will support you through your Pregnancy.
If you are pregnant simply ring the Midwife Team at West Cornwall Hospital on 01736 874180 or follow this link and complete a Contact Form and the midwives will contact you directly. https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/services/maternity-services/what-to-do-when-i-first-find-out-im-pregnant/
They will organise all of your ongoing care for your pregnancy. They will explain how often you will be seen after that and what tests (such as blood tests & scans of your unborn baby) are available.
Our Health Visitor will also get in touch with you and will visit you so that she can get to know you before the birth of your child.
If you want to have your baby at home, discuss this with your Midwife. The nearest hospital delivery facilities are in Treliske Hospital in Truro, where there is now a new Birthing Centre with birthing pools. There is also a midwife run unit in Helston, which has a birthing pool.
If you think you may be pregnant and are using street drugs such as heroin then please ensure you tell the doctor or midwife straight away.
Your Digital Maternity Record
The online Electronic Personal Health Record (ePHR) system provides information for all midwifery contact numbers, trusted information leaflets and maternal help groups while allowing the benefit of instant access to view your Maternity Record on any mobile device, tablet or PC throughout the duration of your pregnancy.
Ask your midwife about your Digital Maternity Record or contact Maternity IT Monday - Friday 09:00am - 16:00pm on 01209 881788 or 07557172389
Online Registrations also available at
This allows you to complete your first booking information, complete your birth preferences plan and view your Maternity notes.
Contacting a midwife
The midwives and health visitors are based at West Cornwall Hospital:
- Midwives: 01736 874180
- In an emergency: 01872 252361
- Delivery Suite (Treliske) 01872 252361
- Health Visitors: 01736 571101
Useful links
Immunisations (Adult)
This page contains information on the vaccines available to adult patients at Rosmellyn Surgery, excluding travel vaccines which you can find here.
Influenza
Every winter new strains of the influenza virus circulate, causing outbreaks of ‘flu. Some years are worse than others. More people died in the ‘flu pandemic that followed World War I than were killed in the war itself. People with chronic diseases (eg asthma, heart diease, emphysema), and the elderly are more vulnerable than others to becoming severly ill if they catch ‘flu.
The ‘flu vaccine reduces your chances of catching ‘flu. The Government have recommends that those at higher risk of severe illness are vaccinated, e.g.
- All patients over 65 years old
- All diabetic patients
- All patients with bad chest and heart problems
- All Health Workers
These groups are reviewed and updated each year.
Influenza jabs are available from October every year. If you are in a high risk group we will contact you and invite you in to get the jab.
Unfortunately, stocks of the ‘flu vaccine are limited, so we cannot offer it to all our patients, only those at high risk.
The ‘flu vaccine does not protect you against normal winter coughs and colds.
Pneumovac
The pneumococcal bug is a common cause of pneumonia. In those at higher risk of complications from an episode of pneumonia, it can sometimes be fatal. For this reason vaccination is also offered against this bug. The at risk groups are similar to those for the ‘flu vaccine.
Unlike the ‘flu vaccine, you only need to get the pneumovac once.
Tetanus
“One every five years”? “Once every 10 years”? Neither! The new Department of Health guidelines recommend five tetanus jabs in your lifetime. So most young adults are covered for life, three as a baby, one when starting school and when leaving school. The only exception to the above guidelines is in the event of a nasty dirty injury. Please ask us about your tetanus status.
Polio
Child immunisation is detailed above. All adults are usually immunised in childhood. The only adults needing Polio immunisation are:
- Those who have never had a polio immunisation course
- Those patients travelling to countries where polio immunisation is recommended
There is no need to boost previously immunised adults who are NOT travelling abroad.
Hepatitis A
Travellers to many countries are advised to have Hepatitis A immunisation. A booster is given after a year and this covers the patient for 25 years. Sewage workers and Water Board workers should have both Hepatitis A and B immunisation. See Travel Advice section.
Hepatitis B
This immunisation is recommended for all health workers and other allied professions. The schedule for immunisation is: – 1st hepatitis B vaccination then a month later 2nd hepatitis B vaccination then 5 months later 3rd hepatitis B vaccination then after 6-8 weeks a blood test to check up uptake of vaccination. Booster vaccinations are advised after 5 years. There is still no decision on whether “5 in a lifetime” are sufficient.
Recent changes in Government advice about Hepatitis B means that the immunisation is not given free under the NHS. The cost is £80 for the course of three injections, £15 for the subsequent blood test and £20 for any further injections. If a job requires the patient to have Hepatitis B immunisation, then the employer should pay for the course of immunisation.
Immunisations (Child)
We offer all routine immunisations and overall health care for your child, including child health surveillance in conjunction with the Health Visitors.
We believe that it is extremely important that you have your child vaccinated. We will generally send you a reminder by post and encourage you to make an appointment for your child. If you have concerns over the safety of any of the immunisations, or any other questions then come in and have a chat with one of us.
For details about the child immunisation schedule and other child health subjects please click here.
Health Visitors
Health visitors provide support for children and their families from before birth to full time school age.
Our health visitor can be contacted on 01736 571100 and on Facebook at HealthVisitorsCornwall.
Smoking Cessation
Quit smoking with Rosmellyn Surgery
Smoking is one of the biggest killers in society today, and giving up could be the biggest favour that you do for yourself. Please click on the following link to self refer to Healthy Cornwall, where you will be put in touch with a local stop smoking advisor. Unfortunately the Surgery is unable to refer you, it must be done by yourself.
Enquiry form - Healthy Cornwall (please click here to self refer)
Other useful links:
- www.givingupsmoking.co.uk
- www.ash.org.uk
- NHS Smoking Helpline – 0800 169 0 169
Ear Irrigation
We do not currently offer routine ear irrigation. We are awaiting guidance as to whether we can re-start this process.
There are private services that offer cleaning of the ears, you would need to pay for this procedure.
Please click on the link below to see the NHS website for up to date guidance of cleaning your ears safely.
If you have any concerns or worries about wax and or your hearing, please do call the surgery and ask to discuss this with one of our Practice Nurses.