Adults

Asthma

Asthma remains a serious illness and our practice nurses have specialist asthma qualifications. They run clinics in order that asthma may be assessed, advice offered, queries answered and correct treatment ensured.

Patients on asthma medication should be seen at least once a year in the asthma clinic for a check-up with the nurse.

The following factsheets, available from Patient UK give information and advice on a variety of asthma related topics:

What is asthma; who does it affect?

Management of Adult Asthma

Management of Childhood Asthma

Medicines inside inhalers; types of inhaler devices

Peak Flow Meter

For more information please visit the websites below:

External Websites:

NHS Choices - Asthma's symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and living with the condition

Asthma UK - an independent UK charity dedicated to conquering asthma.

Videos from NHS Choices

Asthma is a chronic condition that can be managed but not cured. This animation explains asthma in detail.

The symptoms of childhood asthma, how it can be treated, and which inhaler is right for children.

Child Asthma - A Real Story. Tashaurn, his mum and his nurse talk about living with child asthma.

Professor Peter Barnes from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College, London, explains what he would want to know if he was diagnosed with asthma.

COPD

We like to see all our patients who have been diagnosed with COPD at least yearly.   Depending on the severity of your diagnosis we may invite you to come to the clinic more often in order to ensure we give you the care you require. 

If you would like to discuss coming to the COPD clinic please telephone the surgery.

For more information please visit the websites below:

External Websites:

Relieve your symptoms and Stop Smoking - Smoke Free

Quit smoking - Quit.org

COPD explained - NHS Choices

Videos from NHS Choices:

COPD (bronchitis and emphysema) affects an estimated three million people in the UK, and smoking is a major cause. There is a lot that can be done to relieve the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Lynn Ashton, 46, inhaled toxic fumes when a candle set fire to her plastic tablecloth. She was already asthmatic, and a few months later was diagnosed with COPD. She talks about living with the condition.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a long-term condition caused by too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood. It is also known as diabetes mellitus.

There are two main types of diabetes, which are explained below:

• type 1 diabetes
• type 2 diabetes
  

Normally, the amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach. When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves any glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy.

However, in people with diabetes, the body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there is either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or because the insulin that is there does not work properly.

Our specialist diabetes team will provide you wilth support, regular reviews and the day-to-day care of your needs.

For more information please visit the websites below:

External Websites:

Diabetes UK 

Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation

Videos from NHS Choices

Parents describe how they deal with a diabetic child including daily routines such as insulin injections and how children can life live to the full.

Chandler Bennet was diagnosed with Diabetes 1 in 2004. She explains what effect the diagnosis has on her life and the life of her family and friends

A consultant ophthalmologist describes how diabetes can affect your vision and the possible treatments.

Heart Monitoring

We offer an annual appointment to patients with established heart disease.

The purpose of this clinic is to support you in managing your heart condition and to ensure that the quality of your health remains at its best. It has been proven that correct management of people with cardiovascular disease will reduce the risks of death, heart attacks and admission to hospital.

At the clinic we will review risk factors, discuss lifestyle changes, review medications and arm you with the knowledge you need to manage your condition.

Prior to your appointment you will need to have a blood test. This will mean that your cholesterol and other blood tests will be available for discussion at the clinic.

The cardiac monitoring clinic also sees patients who have a high risk of heart disease, but have not actually had a heart attack. They do this through a once off appointment in the clinic and then with support via the practice nursing clinic with any ongoing lifestyle issues. To access this clinic you need to be referred by your GP or practice nurse.

For further information

If you are interested in accessing further information on heart disease and how to manage it the British Heart Foundation  offers a wealth of information to help you.

Cardiac Risk Calculator - This will help you to calculate your risk of heart disease, but cannot be used if you have already had a cardiac event (Heart attack/Stroke).