Advice and local support

NHS routine screenings

Aortic abdominal aneurysm screening

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening is a way of checking if there’s a bulge or swelling in the aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down through your tummy.

Men aged 65 years and over will be routinely invited by the NHS.

Bowel screening

NHS bowel cancer screening checks if you could have bowel cancer.

Everyone aged 60-74 years old will be routine invited by the NHS.

Breast screening (mammogram)

NHS breast screening checks use X-rays to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel.

Women aged 50-71 years old will be routine invited via letter by the NHS.

Cervical screening

Cervical screening (previously known as a smear test) checks the health of your cervix, which 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 25-64 years old will be routinely invited by the NHS.

Diabetic eye screening

Diabetic eye screening is a test to check for eye problems caused by diabetes. Eye problems caused by diabetes are called diabetic retinopathy and can lead to sight loss if it’s not found early.

All diabetic patients aged 12 years and over will be routinely invited by the NHS.

NHS health checks

A health check looks at whether you are at higher risk of getting certain health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or a stroke.

If you’re 40-74 years old and do not have a pre-existing health condition, you should be invited for an NHS health check by your GP surgery every 5 years.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Antenatal support

During your pregnancy, your antenatal care and support will be provided by our midwife. Please call reception to book an initial appointment in the antenatal clinic once you are more than 6 weeks pregnant. Please bring your notes and a sample of urine to every antenatal appointment.

Your GP will be involved in monitoring the progress of your pregnancy when medically needed. You are not normally seen by an obstetrician unless referred by your GP or midwife.

Typical pregnancy appointment schedule

  • 6-8 weeks: Initial appointment with midwife. Screening tests for sickle cell, thalassaemia and Downs syndrome will be discussed
  • 12 weeks, dating scan
  • 16 weeks, bloods taken
  • 20-22 weeks, detailed scan
  • 28 weeks, bloods taken. Anti D may be given if Rhesus negative
  • 30 weeks, you will be invited to parental classes, where you will meet other couples to discuss labour, delivery, and care of your baby
  • 34 weeks, anti D may be given if Rhesus negative
  • 41 weeks, membrane sweep will be offered. Induction booked for 12-14 days after your due date

Postnatal care

On discharge from hospital the midwife will visit you at home for at least 10 days.

The health visitor will visit you at home when your baby is about two weeks old. Health visitors provide support for new mothers and babies in the form of home visits, baby clinics, postnatal support groups or telephone contact. They also arrange hearing screening for newborn babies, childhood developmental screening and immunisations.

Your GP will see you and your baby for a postnatal check up 8 weeks after the birth to check your physical health and mental wellbeing.

General advice

We advise that you take folic acid tablets for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Research shows that extra folic acid can protect your baby against spinal deformities.

Please phone the maternity hospital on 0300 421 8018 for any worries you may have, including symptoms such as loss of fluid or blood from the vagina, decreased movements of the baby, persistent or severe headaches, sudden or marked swelling of the hands/ankles/face, visual disturbances, or abdominal pains.

NHS Healthy Start

Healthy Start provides support for patients who are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 to help buy healthy food and milk. You can check eligibility and apply online and be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in selected UK shops

Breastfeeding

Minchinhampton Surgery fully supports new nursing mothers who are breastfeeding to do so in the surgery waiting room. Please ask reception if there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable, or if you would prefer to breastfeed in a more private room.

Breastfeeding has proven maternal and infant health and wellbeing benefits which translate into reduced demand on healthcare services. The UK has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world, with just 34% of babies receiving breast milk at six months of age, compared to 62% in Sweden.

Breast feeding is also sustainable using no additional land or water resources, producing no carbon emissions, and minimal/zero waste. Conversely, formula milk, most of which is based on powdered cows milk, has a large water, carbon and methane footprint in it’s production, packaging, transportation and consumption.

For more support and information on breastfeeding, please visit: the NHS website, the World Health Organisation website, and the NHS Better Health Start for Life website.

Mental health

Urgent help in a crisis

If you or someone you know needs urgent help in a mental health crisis, call the Gloucestershire crisis team on 0800 169 0398. If there is an immediate danger to life, dial 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency department.

Local mental health services

Mental health support for young people

  • Childline, phone 0800 11 11
  • Young Minds, text “YM” to 85258 for free 24/7 text support
  • Teens In Crisis
  • ChatHealth: young people aged 11-19 years can get advice and support from a school nurse using the ChatHealth confidential texting service. Questions can be asked about a range of topics, including anxiety, emotional health and wellbeing, sexual health and relationships, family issues, body image, and a range of other health concerns. Send a text to 07507 333 351 and you should receive a response the same day within working hours.
Fitness and exercise

Minchinhampton fitness hub

The hub provides classes including beginners yoga, flow yoga, boxercise, personal training, youth classes, and open gym sessions.

To book a class online: visit www.sportily.org.uk/91/Minchinhampton-Community-Gym or email richard.wathern@sportily.org.uk.

“Extend” fitness classes

Instructor Claire Bader (and her dog Lottie) extend a warm welcome to their relaxed and fun extend fitness class. Classes involve engaging seated and standing exercises to promote wellbeing, flexibility, strength, and to encourage on-going independence.

The class is very sociable & friendly. It is suitable for all abilities, including returners to exercise

Classes are supported and subsidised by the Minchinhampton Surgery charitable trust. They are reliant upon donations to maintain the service, so there is a charge of £7 per session.

For more information contact Claire on 07786 003993.

“YuGo” fitness classes

YuGo provides accessible exercise classes and personal training sessions for people of all ages & abilities. Classes are run by experienced physical therapists and are aimed at improving mobility, balance, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and coordination.

The first half of each session is focused on chair-based exercise, and the second half of the session makes use of a variety of standing and seated equipment.

The classes are subsidised by the Minchinhampton Surgery charitable trust. YuGo is reliant upon donations to maintain the service, so there is a charge of £7 per session.

You will need to fill in a registration form in advance of the class at www.yugo.org.uk/gp-referral/.

Choose2Move Dance

Choose2Move Dance sessions are inclusive, social, creative, and energising classes that help with your balance, posture, and fluidity of movement. The class is open to anyone who feels they would benefit from this type of movement class.

There is a £3.70 per week charge for the class. For more information visit the Healthy Lifestyles website, email healthylifestyles@stroud.gov.uk or call 01453 766321.

GetUBetter app

Self-manage your muscle or joint problems with the free local MSK (musculoskeletal) mobile app.

Local organisations

MinchLife

MinchLife has up to date information about local groups and sports clubs (including a group directory), news & events information, and what’s going on in our local community.

Longfield community hospice

Longfield provides free support and activities for patients living with a life-limited illness, their families and carers, and those who are bereaved.

Their services are suitable for residents of Gloucestershire over the age of 18 who live with a progressive life-limiting illness, including cancer, heart disease, advanced lung disease, and some neurological diseases (such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, and Dementia), theirs carers and the bereaved.

They provide a wide range of groups including a carer’s cafe, creative writing course, bereavement friendship cafe, relaxation programme, Move More exercise classes, nature-based crafting, men’s group, counselling, complementary therapies (including massage, aromatherapy, Reiki, reflexology), Tai Chi, Mindsong Movement Group, and advance care planning.

Minchinhampton Warm Spaces

Participating “warm spaces” venues include the community hub, Cotswold Club, George Pearce House, Holy Trinity Church, Library, and Market House. Further details can be found at each venue.

EngageD cafe

Call 01452 759388 or email engagednowinstroud@gmail.com.

A free warm dementia-friendly safe place to spend time and have a chance to chat to others with music and activities.

ConnectED

ConnectED provides a monthly group for sharing and listening about supporting a loved one who is struggling with eating and body image. An opportunity for connection and a space to help break the silence that exists for those affected (parents/carers, family and friends)

Stroud district food bank

The local food bank provides food, toiletries and household supplies for anyone in crisis in the Stroud District and will look at ways to support and signpost patients.

If you would like a referral to the Stroud district food bank, please talk to one of our receptionists.

Sexual assault support services
Domestic abuse support services
Carers support

Are you a carer?

Does someone at home or in your neighbourhood depend upon you to help with their everyday living? If so, you a carer. A carer is “someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help”. This could be looking after a partner, child, family member, or friend who is ill, frail, disabled, or who has mental health or substance misuse problem

Examples include: doing their cooking, visiting them regularly to check they are OK, taking them to appointments, collecting their prescriptions, supporting their daily care and/or emotional needs, and helping to prepare their medication.

Telling your GP

Register as a carer.

Let us know you are a carer by filling in a carer form and returning it to reception. There is also a carer pack available from reception also contains valuable information, support, and resources to help you and the person you care for.

The role you perform is incredibly important to the person you care for and also to our GP practice and the local community. If you look after someone you may be entitled to a range of support from both local services and the practice.

As a GP practice we have a role in supporting carers’ health and we work closely with carers support agencies and local voluntary sector organisations to identify and support carers and their families who visit the practice.

Gloucestershire Carers Hub

The Gloucestershire Carers Hub is an accessible service where you can gain support, feel valued, and offload your worried or concerns. After registering with the Carers Hub, you will have access to free information and guidance, receive support to assist in your caring role, and meet other carers in a safe space.

You can contact the Hub by calling 0300 111 9000 or emailing them at carers@peopleplus.co.uk.

Carer mental health

The Gloucestershire Carers Hub is now running a Mental Health Carers Group. It is run by volunteers who are also carers, so you can meet and chat to others who are supporting or caring for someone and who understand what you’re going through.

Learn about the types of mental ill health and how caring can impact on your life and wellbeing, and what local services and resources are available.

For more information, please email glosmhcarers@gmail.com.

Young carers

“Young carers” are children and young people under the age of 18 who provide regular or ongoing care and/or emotional support to a family member. “Young adult carers” are young people aged 16-24 taking on similar responsibilities.

Young carers become vulnerable when the level of care giving and responsibility to the person in need of care becomes excessive or inappropriate for that young person, risking impacting on their emotional or physical well-being, and/or impacting their educational achievement and life chances.

Carers emergency scheme

The carer’s emergency scheme focuses on offering reassurance to carers in Gloucestershire that should an unplanned, emergency situation arise (whereby they are unable to provide care), then interim support can be arranged at this potentially difficult time.

The service consists of two distinct levels offering flexibility and a level of choice for carers to suit their needs. Both levels of the scheme offer assurance that should an activation be required, details of the carer, the cared for, and any other named responders, are held securely and not disclosed to any parties other than those authorised. The scheme can be activated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Useful contacts

Armed forces

Minchinhampton Surgery is now registered as an armed forces veteran friendly accredited practice.

This means that, as part of the health commitments of the armed forces covenant, we have a dedicated clinician who has a specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services. This is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment.

Telling your GP

Regardless of when you left the military, please tell your GP or let reception know that you’ve served in the UK armed forces. This helps us ensure you are getting the best possible care.

If you have recently left the forces, it is important to give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This will help make sure your military health record transfers across to your NHS health record so your GP has information to ensure any ongoing care and treatment is continued.

You may be worried about sharing information about your time in the armed forces. Please note that the NHS is bound by a confidentiality code of practice to ensure GPs, nurses and other people working within the NHS deliver a confidential service bound by law.

What dedicated services and support are available?

  • OpCOURAGE provides specialist care & support for Service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families. You can self refer or ask your GP or someone else to refer you.
  • OpRESTORE is a physical health care pathway providing care and treatment to those with a service-attributable healthcare problem. You can be referred via your GP. It is run largely by healthcare professionals who are either veterans or serving members of the Armed Forces.
  • The Veterans Covenant Health Alliance aims to improve NHS care for the Armed Forces community by supporting trusts, health boards and other providers to identify, develop and showcase the best standards of care.
  • The “Personalised care for veterans in England” guide sets out a personalised care approach for veterans who have a long term physical, mental or neurological health condition or disability.
  • With your agreement, it can sometimes be helpful for your GP to refer you to Armed Forces charities, such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress or Help for Heroes.