Each week a Chiropodist from the Community Trust comes to do a clinic at the Surgery on a Thursday afternoon. Patients can be seen here on referral by one of the Doctors or Nurses, or by self-referral for those over 70. As there is already a Chiropody clinic in Holt Memorial Hall, the chiropody service at the surgery is primarily aimed at residents of Farndon. However this is in no way a hard and fast rule.
Our Health Visitors work between our practice in Farndon and the practices in Malpas and Tattenhall. They supervise and help carry out the routine child development examinations and the baby vaccinations. They are available as "first port of call" for parents with anxieties about their child's health or development, and for advice and queries about the childhood vaccination programme. They can be contacted via the usual surgery number or on 01829 222222 where a message can be left if They are not in the office.
We are very fortunate at Farndon to have the services of Gill Ardern available for our patients. Gill is a highly skilled and trained psychotherapist, with a spread and depth of experience of a wide range of mental health and psychological problems. This is a totally confidential service availabe on a Doctor's referral only. Apart from the fact that a referral has been made, there is no record in the medical notes of what is discussed in confidence. What is said in counselling or psychotherapy is between the counsellor and the patient. No other person is ever involved apart from at the expressed wish of the patient.
Provided by Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust physiotherapist Catherine Ryan visits the practice once per week on Tuesday afternoons. She is able to provide a wide range of treatments for acute and more chronic musculo-skeletal problems such as strains, sprains, arthritic joints,posture etc as well as help and advice on how best to cope, and live with joint oproblems, back pain and suchlike.
Sadly the practice no longer has the benefit of an "in house" dietician, though patients can still be referred to the dietician's department at the hospital.
Lifestyle advice, The "Activation Clinic"
Run by physio Gill Hughes this is a clinic to encourage people to look at their lifestyle to see if there are heathier alternatives. This covers healthy eating, exercise, weight control and other aspects of lifestyle that can adversely affect health. The clinic is fortnightly on Thursday afternoons. A referral from a Doctor or Nurse is not needed,. Ask at reception if you are interested.
Services Available at
Farndon Health Centre
As well as regular day-to day consultations with a Doctor or Practice Nurse there are many other services available at the Health Center.
As the practice is rural in nature, and with poor public transport links to either of the local hospitals, it has always been our objective to bring as many services to the surgery as can be fitted in. This helps to avoid frequent trips to the hospital which can be difficult for those without a car and dependent on busses.
With the ever increasing popularity of long-haul holidays, Travel Health is becoming increasingly important. The number of cases of Tropical Diseases being imported rises every year. In particular Malaria poses a considerable and growing threat to the health of tourists both on their holiday and after their return. Effective prevention of infections usually requires both vaccinations before travelling and drug treatment of some sort whilst away. However up to date advice is vital as the patterns of diseases in different countries constantly changes.
:If you would like help to stop smoking, Health Visitor Kitty Smith runs a Smoking Cessation Clinic weekly on Wednesday afternoons. A Doctor's referral is not needed, book an appointment at reception. As well as help and advice Kitty can prescribe Nicotine patches, gum and other stop smoking aids.
Attending a smoking cessation clinic normally doubles the sucess rate for people wanting to stop smoking. This has to be worth while !! .