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Services
Find out more about the services we offer
Clinics and Services
Practice Nurse Clinics
For any minor ailment or advice, you can see our practice nurse. The practice provides the following services:
- Asthma Monitoring
- Hypertension Monitoring
- Diabetes Monitoring
- Stop Smoking Clinic
- Cervical Screening
- Childhood Immunisations
- Travel Vaccinations and Advice
- Wound dressing, removal of stitches
- Ear syringing
- New patient, well-women and well-person health check
- Routine checks of patients over 75 years of age.
Vaccines: What you need to know
Vaccines protect you and your family from serious diseases. They work by helping your body build natural protection without making you ill.
Trusted Information
For reliable, up-to-date vaccine facts, see the Vaccine Knowledge Project from the University of Oxford.
This site explains:
- How vaccines are made and tested for safety
- What ingredients are in vaccines
- Which diseases vaccines protect against
- Answers to common questions from parents and patients
The site can be translated into over 130 languages (best viewed on a tablet or computer).
MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
The MMR vaccine protects against 3 serious infections. The Oxford team lists many studies showing it is safe and effective.
Measles risks
Measles is very infectious and can cause complications. According to the Vaccine Knowledge Project:
- 1 in 15 children get ear infections
- 1 in 20 develop pneumonia
- 1 in 1000 get encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
- Around 1 in 5000 cases result in death
Learn more about the MMR vaccine on the Vaccine Knowledge Project website
Flu Vaccine
Find information about the flu jab, including who should have it, why and when
COVID-19 Vaccine
Get information about COVID-19 vaccination, who can get it, and safety and side effects
Meningitis B (MenB) Vaccine
Meningitis Outbreak
We understand there are concerns following the recent meningitis outbreak in Kent.
At present, the MenB vaccine is only available on the NHS for babies. It is given as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer the MenB vaccine to anyone over the age of 2 years on the NHS. There is no catch-up programme for older children or adults.
The vaccine is available for some adults who may have been in contact with those affected by the recent outbreak in Kent.
Meningococcal disease is a serious but rare infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to:
- Meningitis – swelling around the brain
- Sepsis – a serious blood infection
Symptoms can come on very quickly, so it is important to act fast if someone is unwell. There are different types (strains) of this bacteria, including: MenA, MenB, MenC, MenW, MenX and MenY
Find more information:
How is it spread?
MenB spreads through close and prolonged contact, such as:
- Living in the same household
- Kissing
- Sharing drinks or vapes
It is less contagious than infections like measles or COVID-19.
What should I do?
- If you are not being offered the MenB vaccine, the risk to the general public remains low
- The bacteria do not spread easily and need close, prolonged contact (for example, living together or kissing)
- Make sure you and your family are up to date with other vaccines, especially:
- MMR vaccine
- MenACWY vaccine
These help protect against other types of meningitis.
Am I protected from MenB?
- The MenB vaccine was introduced in 2015, so older children and adults may not have had it
- The MenACWY vaccine does not protect against MenB
- If you were born before 2015, you are unlikely to have received MenB as part of the NHS schedule
What if vaccines were missed?
It is best to have vaccines when they are offered.
- Babies can still have missed MenB doses before their 2nd birthday
There is no NHS catch-up for MenB beyond early childhood.
Accessing the MenB vaccine privately
If you wish to have the MenB vaccine for someone over 2 years:
- It is available privately through some pharmacies and clinics
- The course usually involves 2 doses, and will take several weeks to take effect
- There may be limited availability due to high demand following recent cases
We recommend checking with local providers for current stock.
Why Vaccines Matter
Vaccines save lives. They protect you, your child, and the wider community.