All Services

Managing Chronic Diseases

We offer a range of clinics and services here at Chelsfield Surgery to help manage chronic diseases.

Chronic Heart Disease

The most common symptoms of coronary heart disease (CHD) are chest pains (angina) and a heart attack.

You can also experience other symptoms, such as palpitations and unusual breathlessness. In some cases, people may not show any symptoms before they are diagnosed.

Angina

If your coronary arteries become partially blocked, it can cause chest pain (angina). This can be a mild, uncomfortable feeling similar to indigestion.

However, a severe angina attack can cause a painful feeling of heaviness or tightness, usually within the centre of the chest, which may then spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach.

Angina attacks are often triggered by physical activity or stressful situations. Although symptoms of Angina usually pass within 10 minutes, you can alleviate the symptoms by resting or using a nitrate tablet or spray.

Heart attacks

If your arteries become completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Heart attacks can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle and, if not treated straight away, can be fatal.

If you think you are having a heart attack, dial 999 for immediate medical assistance.

Although symptoms can vary, the discomfort or pain of a heart attack is usually similar to that of angina but often more severe. During a heart attack you may also experience the following symptoms:

  • Sweating
  • Light-headedness
  • Nausea
  • Breathlessness

The symptoms of a heart attack can be similar to indigestion. For example, they may include a feeling of heaviness in your chest, a stomach ache or heartburn. However, these symptoms can also be accompanied by a pain that affects the arms (particularly the left arm), the neck and the jaw.

A heart attack can happen at any time, including while you are resting. If heart pains last longer than 15 minutes, it may be the start of a heart attack.

Unlike angina, the symptoms of a heart attack are not usually relieved using a nitrate tablet or spray.

In some cases, you may have a heart attack without any symptoms, called a silent myocardial infarction. This is more common in people with diabetes.

Heart failure

Heart failure can also occur in people with CHD when the heart becomes too weak to pump blood around the body, which can cause fluid to build up in the lungs that makes it increasingly difficult to breathe.

Heart failure can happen suddenly (acute heart failure) or gradually over time (chronic heart failure).

Useful links

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:

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 with support, regular reviews and the day-to-day care of your needs.

All Diabetic patients are entitled to an annual review. The Practice will normally contact you if yours is due. The review takes place in two parts – a data collection appointment and where appropriate, a follow up care plan appointment. If you feel you have been missed, or require a more urgent review, then please contact the Practice to arrange an appointment.

At the initial data collection appointment, your blood pressure, weight, urine, feet and well-being will be checked. It is necessary for you to bring an early morning urine sample with you. Following your initial appointment, a care plan booklet will be sent to you and if necessary, an appointment with your GP or one of our specialist nurses will be arranged.

For more information please visit the websites below:

Useful links

Hypertension

Hypertension relates to High Blood Pressure.

High blood pressure often causes no symptoms, or immediate problems, but it is a major risk factor for developing a serious cardiovascular disease (conditions that affect the functioning of the heart and the circulation of blood around the body), such as a stroke or heart disease.

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Respiratory

Our respiratory clinics are primarily intended for patients with Asthma and COPD.

Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. These are the small tubes, called bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs. If you have asthma, the bronchi will be inflamed and more sensitive than normal. Our practice nurses have specialist asthma qualifications. During their clinics they monitor your overall condition, offer advice, answer any queries and ensure your treatment is effective.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. People with COPD have trouble breathing in and out. This is referred to as airflow obstruction. Breathing difficulties are caused by long-term damage to the lungs, usually because of smoking.

Asthma and COPD Clinics

We hold clinics to diagnose and to help patients to manage their asthma or COPD.

We like to see all our patients who have been diagnosed with these conditions at least once a year, depending on the severity of your condition, we may invite you to come to the clinic more often in order to ensure we give you the care you require.

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Children’s Health

Childhood and Teenage Mental Health

While it is commonly believed that depression only effects adults, around 10% of children in Great Britain aged between 5 and 16 have a recognisable mental disorder; with about 4% of children suffering from an emotional disorder such as anxiety or depression.

The problem for many is that depression is difficult to spot and often regarded as teenage mood swings. However, if your child is appearing to have an extreme emotional response to a life event or has lost interest in activities which previously interested them they may be suffering from an emotional disorder.

If you are worried about your child’s mental health please visit your GP, who will be able to offer a range of support to help both you and your child. There are a range of talking therapies which are highly effective in dealing with both short term and long term depression, for more information on these therapies please view the NHS Talking Therapy Guide.

While it is commonly believed that depression only effects adults, around 10% of children in Great Britain aged between 5 and 16 have a recognisable mental disorder; with about 4% of children suffering from an emotional disorder such as anxiety or depression.

The problem for many is that depression is difficult to spot and often regarded as teenage mood swings. However, if your child is appearing to have an extreme emotional response to a life event or has lost interest in activities which previously interested them they may be suffering from an emotional disorder.

If you are worried about your child’s mental health please visit your GP, who will be able to offer a range of support to help both you and your child. There are a range of talking therapies which are highly effective in dealing with both short term and long term depression, for more information on these therapies please view the NHS Talking Therapy Guide.

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Childhood Immunisations

One of the most important things that a parent can do for their child is to make sure that they have all their routine childhood vaccinations. It’s the most effective way of keeping them protected against infectious diseases.

Ideally, children should have their jabs at the right age to protect them as early as possible and minimise the risk of infection.

Find out which jabs your child needs, when they need them, and what the benefits of each jab are.

Please call the surgery to make an appointment.

For more information please visit the websites below:

Useful links

Neo-natal Checks

Some newborn babies are released from hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks, either in the surgery, or in the comfort of your own home, depending on which is easier for you.

In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.

Childhood Immunisation and Baby Clinics

Childhood immunisations

Childhood immunisations are routinely offered by the nurse practitioners. Currently they are given to babies and toddlers at 2, 3, 4, 12, and 13months and to preschool children between the ages of 3 and 5. However, some immunisations may be given in hospital soon after birth or at school between the ages of 10 and 14. Please check the UK immunisation schedule for more information on immunisations.

Baby Clinic

The doctors and nurses are always available to provide advice about child health and development. We also provide a health check for all babies at 6 weeks of age. The baby’s 6-8 week check looks at physical health and development and is an opportunity to discuss with your doctor topics such as immunisation, feeding or other child health concerns you may have.
We also do the mother’s postnatal check at the same time. It is important to inform the receptionist that you are booking for the 6-8 week mother and baby checks as they require longer appointment times.

Cervical Smear

Cervical smear tests

To pick up early signs of cervical cancer, we carry out routine smear tests once every 3 years on our female patients aged between 25 and 49 years. For those between 50 and 65 years smears will be done once every 5 years. However, tests will be performed more frequently if the results call for this.

Our practice has dedicated Sexual Health Clinic run by a qualified Sexual Health Nurse every Monday evening. You can also book the smear tests through the week any day with other practice nurses and advance nurse practitioner. 

For more information regarding cervical smears please visit the NHS cervical screening programme.

Some women may decide to ‘opt out’ of the programme and not wish to have a smear performed. We recommend that you have read about cervical screening prior to completing the withdrawal form. If you decide please complete the form and return it to the surgery for your medical notes. Contact the surgery for your Cervical smear withdrawal form

Antenatal Care

You can self refer yourself directly to the antenatal clinics at  Princess Royal University Hospital antenatal self-referral form to refer yourself and email it to kch-tr.br-maternitypruh@nhs.net. You do not have to see your GP before contacting them. They will email you to confirm that they have received your form.

If you have already self referred yourself to the hospital and require a review you can see our practice nurse who will talk with you through what to expect during your pregnancy. Also your midwife will recommend to see our nurse for routine appointments for check ups through your pregnancy.

The website Emma’s Diary offers detail information as to what you should be experiencing and is a wealth of information. Here is more information as to what to experience in pregnancy, the tests involved as well as labour – pregnancy.

Blood Pressure Clinics

Blood Pressure Clinic 

Our aim is to prevent heart disease and stroke by advice and support for lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking and early detection and treatment of risk factors such as high blood pressure.

Patients with high blood pressure can visit the nurse or their doctor. All our clinicians will carry out blood pressure checks on you. Please make sure that you are reviewed at least once a year regarding your blood pressure. We aim to control your blood pressure to below 140/90 to prevent the risk of heart attacks or strokes in the future. 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.

For more information regarding high blood pressure can be found here.

Asthma & COPD

Asthma & COPD clinic (Respiratory Clinic)

At Chelsfield the asthma and COPD clinics are run by both the nurse practitioners/practice Nurses as well as doctors who endeavour to provide high quality care for people with respiratory disease. your breathing is assessed at least yearly with a peak flow meter which you blow through to check the function of your lungs. They will monitor your condition, teach you how to manage your condition yourself including how to deal with exacerbations, and modify your treatment as necessary with the aim of improving symptoms, improving physical functioning and well being and as far as possible preventing the need for A+E attendance or hospital admission.

We have a dedicated Respiratory Nurse clinic at Chelsfield Surgery every Tuesday. We also offer appointment throughout the week for Asthma and COPD reviews. 

You may be offered an inhaler and be assessed on your inhaler technique. A good source of information can be found on the asthma website.

What is Asthma Who does it affect? 

Management of Adult Asthma 

Management of Childhood Asthma 

Asthma UK