What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has received additional university education to increase their ability to treat, diagnose, counsel and educate patients who have Minor Illnesses. They can even prescribe if appropriate.

Why wait to consult with a doctor for a Minor Illness when you can book directly to see the Nurse Practitioner in the minor illness clinic? You can book an appointment by phone or in person and we are looking to make online bookings available in the near future through the ‘Patient Access’ service.

Minor illnesses by definition are not seen as urgent or emergency problems. If in doubt call your surgery or dial 111

Any of the following qualify to be seen as a Minor illness:

• BP review
• Colds / Flu symptoms
• Constipation
• Coughs / Chest infection / Asthma or COPD exacerbations
• Diarrhoea & Vomiting
• Ear Infections
• Fever / Temperature
• Hay Fever
• Indigestion
• Minor Burns
• Minor Injuries (Sprain, cuts, bruises, strains, bump to the head unless been unconscious then A+E or GP)
• Minor Skin Infections
• Minor Wounds
• Sinusitis
• Skin Rashes (Acute not Chronic)
• Sore Throats
• Thrush
• Urine Infections (Specimen required at visit)

The appointment is for 20 minutes for no more issues at a time if possible.

Exclusions

• Under 16 years of age
• Mental Health issues
• No Eye conditions or Dental issues – These should address to an optician or dentist accordingly.
• Pregnant patients
• Severe chest pain or severe difficulty breathing (Need A+E referral via 999)
• Having convulsions / blackouts / severe headaches lasting more than 24hrs
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Sudden loss of sight – Call 999
• Bleeding profusely from any orifice
•  Any illness related to a condition already being treated or you have been recently seen for by a GP, in which case you need to see a GP again, or you are being treated for by a Hospital specialist / Secondary care service.
• Reviewing of Long term conditions – such as COPD, Diabetes, Mental Health, Learning disabilities, Heart Failure, Kidney disease, Dementia, Cardio vascular and heart disease, Cancer, Depression and strokes.

Community phlebotomy services for practices in and around Wolverhampton have been reintroduced and the service is outlined below.

Blood tests in the community are by appointment only. Patients will be turned away without an appointment and a blood form. If patients are not confident with booking their appointment they should ask a family member to support or the GP surgery can book on their behalf.

• If the blood test is URGENT, patients should call the Phlebotomy Line on 01902 442607 to book their appointment.
• If the blood test request is for PLANNED TREATEMENT or URGENT FASTING request and there are no slots available to book within 3 working days, patients should call the Phlebotomy Line on 01902 442607 to book their appointment.
• If the blood test is a ROUTINE request, patients should use the on-line booking system to book your appointment with 10 working days.

Appointments for bloods are now available for patients using the booking system, which is outlined in the attached leaflet.

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:

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Caribbean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible – at least 6 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Travel Health Questionnaire

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse. If you are travelling in less than 1 month unfortunately we cannot guarantee vaccines and it may be quicker to visit a local travel clinic.

A new service will be coming soon to help patients who wish to stop smoking. Health and Wellbeing coaches are also able to help with this on site.

For more information on all elements of healthy lifestyle please visit https://win.wolverhampton.gov.uk/kb5/wolverhampton/directory/home.page

Minor surgeries can be performed at the surgery by one of our doctors, usually assisted by one of the nurses in our new sterile surgical room.

All cases must be assessed by a GP in the first instance. Suitable cases of minor surgery are carried out under local anesthetic.

Our nurse practitioner or practice nurses monitor patients who have heart conditions or facts which may affect heart conditions, e.g. high cholesterol.

Patients with identified conditions will be invited to annual health checks.

All patients with diabetes/asthma/lung/liver/heart and kidney disease and residents of residential and nursing homes are recommended to have a flu vaccination; all carers and patients aged 65 and over are also advised to be vaccinated.

Child Flu Clinics – (Protect your child from flu)

Ages 2, 3 and 4

If your child is aged 2,3 or 4 they are eligible for a free flu vaccine. They will be invited to attend the surgery.

Under 16

If your child is under 16 and normally has a flu vaccine, they will be invited to attend on of our flu vaccine sessions.

Our Practice Nurses and Health Care Assistants are able to complete dressings, but only with prior consultation with the GP or hospital. Please contact our reception team who will be able to arrange the most appropriate service.

The majority of our diabetic patients are cared for and monitored at the surgery, with routine checks with our Practice Nurses and Clinical Pharmacists. They are also able to offer further advice on medication.

New diabetics are carefully supported with sessions on a one-to-one basis; there is close co-operation with the Diabetic Centre at New Cross Hospital.

The surgery has a dedicated Mental Health Practitioner who can help access your needs and find the most appropriate service for you.

Please speak to the reception team who will be able to arrange a first contact appointment.

For urgent mental health advice, please call 999 who can direct you to the nearest support.