Antenatal clinic
These clinics are run by Midwives and appointments can be booked in by telephoning the surgery or calling in to the reception.
Information on Clinics can be found here: https://www.pregnancyadvice.org.uk/. If you have any questions about your maternity care, the Midwives can be contacted via the Surgery reception.
Cervical (Smear test) Screening
Women will be invited by the National Screening Team for a routine cervical smear every 3 – 5 years depending on their age. This appointment can be booked with one of our fully trained nurses.
Ask our receptionist if you require an appointment in the evening or on the weekend.
Cervical Screening (Smear Tests)
Cervical screening reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer. Cervical cancer rates have halved since the 1980’s largely due to most women regularly having cervical screening. Cervical cancer can often be prevented.
All women aged 25 to 64 are offered cervical smear tests. You will automatically receive an invitation from the National Screening Programme, plus a reminder if you do not make an appointment. You will receive invitations every three years between the ages of 25 and 49 and then every five years between 50 and 64.
When you receive your invitation letter, please phone the surgery on 01480 483100 to make an appointment with one of our Nursing Team.
To find out more please follow the links below.
If you would like to opt out and not be offered smear tests please follow the link below and fill in our opt out form. Once you have filled it in you will need to bring it to the surgery.
Check out our cervical screening videos!
Childhood Immunisation Clinics
These are held throughout the week. Immunisations are an important part of protecting a child’s health. If you need further information about vaccinations, please contact your health visitor. Parents will be contacted about making an appointment.
Chlamydia Screening
This is the most common sexually transmitted infection and 1 in 10 sexually active under 25 year olds will have this without having any symptoms. If untreated, the disease can cause infertility. We encourage all patients aged 15 – 24 years to take a simple test for chlamydia.
This can be done by a simple urine test whilst in the surgery and the result will be sent direct to the patient, via text, email or post.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chlamydia
Q:What is Chlamydia?
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the under 25year age group. It is a bacterium that is passed from one person to another during sex.
Q:How Would I know I had it?
You may not know as 70-80% of infected women and over 50% of men will have no symptoms. If you were to have symptoms it usually occurs 1-3 weeks after coming in contact with the infection, women may notice bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, unusual vaginal discharge or think they have urinary tract infection or cystitis. Men may have pain on passing urine, some penile discharge and some testicular pain.
Q:How can I get tested?
We can test on a urine sample for either men or women, preferably using the first urine sample of the day. Women may also choose to do a self taken vaginal swab. There is no examination involved. You don’t even need an appointment! You may choose to collect a urine sample bottle from reception and return in with your name, DOB and mobile phone number for results.
Q:How will I get my results?
You can receive your results either by text, email or letter depending upon your personal preference, please state how you would like to receive your results on the sample bottle or enclose a note.
Q:What is the treatment?
The treatment consists of a single dose of antibiotics which will either be 2 or 4 tablets taken all at once. You should then either abstain from sexual activity for 1 week or use condoms.You may choose to be re screened after treatment to ensure the infection has cleared; this can be done 6 weeks later.
Chronic Disease Clinics
We run nurse-led clinics to monitor patients with medical conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes and heart disease. The experienced nursing team will advise you if you need to see the doctor about your condition.
HRT / Menopause reviews
Please contact reception for more details on this service.
LARC Long Acting Reversible Contraception
Acorn Surgery is happy to be able to offer appointments for contraceptive implant insertion and removal.
Patients can also access appointments for the fitting, six week checks and removal of coils.
Please contact the Reception for more information.
Please click HERE for information on Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
Mammogram Information (Breast Screening)
Having a mammogram (an x-ray of the breasts) is an important part of health screening and can detect breast cancer early so patients can receive the right treatment. Women are invited for breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 & 71 and receive a letter in the post from the National Screening Service. Patients should get their first invite between the ages of 50 & 53.
If you’re a trans man, trans woman or you are non-binary, you may be invited automatically or you may need to call the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment on 01223 217627. Having this screening is really important, only takes a few minutes and could be life-saving.
If you receive a letter, please attend for your mammogram and if you have any concerns about it or need more information, please visit our website to download a booklet or visit this website.
Minor Injuries
Accident & Emergency
We work closely with our colleagues at Hinchingbrooke Hospital & Addenbrookes Hospital to ensure that NHS services and funds are used appropriately. Please only use A&E departments if you have a genuine emergency or accident which cannot be dealt with by the Acorn Surgery doctors. Unless you have a life-threatening emergency—when you should dial 999— if you need care during normal surgery hours, please contact us first and we will either see you at the surgery or offer appropriate advice over the telephone.
Cambridge University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road, Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
Hinchingbrooke Park
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 6NT
Minor Illness & Injury Units
Minor Illness and Injury Units can treat a range of minor illnesses and injuries such as sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings.
Ely Minor Injury Unit
Princess of Wales Hospital
Lynn Road
Ely
CB6 1DN
Open 8.30am-6pm seven days a week excluding Christmas Day, when this location is closed. X-ray services offered 1pm-5pm on weekends and 9am-5pm on weekdays.
Wisbech Minor Injury Unit
North Cambs Hospital
Wisbech
PE13 3AB
Open 8.30am-6pm Monday through Friday. Closed on weekends and Bank Holidays (including Christmas Day). X-rays offered 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday.
Doddington Minor Injury Unit
Doddington hospital
Benwick Road
PE15 0UG
Open 8.30am-6pm Monday through Friday. Closed on Christmas Day, but open on other weekend days and Bank Holidays between 9am-5pm. X-rays offered 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. No x-rays at weekends.
Peterborough Urgent Treatment Centre
Peterborough City Hospital
Edith Cavell Campus
Bretton Gate
Peterborough
PE3 9GZ
Open 8am-8pm seven days a week, including Bank Holidays.
Minor Surgery Clinics
We perform a wide range of minor surgical procedures at the practice such as joint injections and removal of some types of moles and warts. Ask the doctor for advice.
Please Note – Due to changes in our team this service is temporarily limited to injections while our clinician completes necessary training
NHS Health Checks
Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes or kidney disease but these diseases can often be prevented. We offer the NHS Health Check at the Surgery to adults between the ages of 40 and 74. We will assess your risk and offer personalised advice on how to reduce it. The check includes:
- height & weight measurement
- urine testing
- cholesterol test
- diabetes screening
- blood pressure check
- dietary advice
- smoking advice
- exercise advice
The checks are carried out by our nursing team. If you wish, we can refer you on to a health trainer to give you tailored support and guidance on your health and wellbeing.
Batch Prescriptions
At the Acorn Surgery we work on a 28 day cycle, which means every 28 days a new cycle of medication can be issued.
What is a batch prescription?
A batch prescription is a prescription that issues a multiple number of 28 day cycles of medication.
The pharmacy dispenses these every 28 days, without the patient needing to request their medication from the surgery.
Batch prescriptions can be in sets of 2 cycles, 3 or 6 cycles.
They can only be issued to patients that are on regular medication.
If you no longer wish to be on a batch prescription please let the Prescription Administrator know and they will arrange for you to revert back to regular prescription orders.
What happens when a batch has finished?
When you collect the last of your batch, the pharmacy should let you know its your last one. All pharmacies are different however this may be verbally or a note in with your medication.
It is then the patients’ responsibility to request a new batch from the surgery.
NO REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE PHONE
- Via the NHS App – Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is the most simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. The NHS App is available now on iOS and Android.
- NHS Online Login – You can view your current repeat medication and order the items you require. This is for patients who have a NHS login.
- Contact Us Online – This is the best way to request medication if you don’t use the NHS App, you are requesting medication for someone under 16, are a housebound patient or ordering Acute Medication. Click here to open the form.
- In Person – post in the black prescription box in the waiting room.
- SystmOnline – using the following LINK.
Before a new batch can be issued, you will need a medication review, and for this you may need an appointment, we will let you know once we receive your request.
If you need an appointment it may be for:
- Blood tests
- Medication review with our Clinical Pharmacist
- Blood Pressure, height, weight, oxygen levels and/or pulse checks etc.
- Medical condition review
If your appointment is after the next issue date of medication, one cycle can be issued to cover you until after your appointment.
Please note you will need to request a new Batch Prescription after your appointment.
Items that can not/do not routinely go on a batch
- Controlled Drugs
- Some high risk medication
- Inhalers are not routinely put on a batch unless they are taken everyday on a regular basis – for example, Fostair
- Creams, lotions and emollients
- Blood glucose strips
- Sharps Bins
- Insulin needles
- Lancets
- Warfarin
However if you would like something on batch that is listed above please let the Prescription Administrator know and they will discuss your request with the Doctor.
Emergency Contraception
Contact your pharmacy for the Morning After Pill
Advice:
Search for your nearest pharmacist
Further information about emergency contraception available from NHS UK.
Family Planning
We offer a range of family planning services including emergency contraception (morning after pill), coil insertions and contraceptive implants.
Speak to one of our team for further information.
Non-NHS Services
Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.
Examples include the following:
- Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
- Insurance claim forms
- Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
- Private sick notes
- DVLA reports
- Subject Access Requests
- To Whom in May Concern Letters
The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability. Private work does not take precedence over our routine practice work and therefore will be completed when time allows. Please allow at least four weeks when asking for any private work to be completed.
Please note all ‘To Whom it May Concern Letters’ also attract a fee. These should always be requested from reception and not during a consultation with the Doctor.
There is a charge for services carried out where these are not part of general NHS provision. Please note these charges apply per request for a service.
All requests are to be made in writing online through our contact page or via our Patient Services Coordinators at the Front desk in reception.
Payment in advance is required. This can be by either bank transfer or cash. Unfortunately, we do not currently accept debit/credit cards.
For more information on our Non-NHS services please click here.
Private Providers – Patient Information
Private Referrals
A private provider is any consultant, hospital or other organisation that charges for healthcare.
If the GP was going to refer you to an NHS hospital, but you wish to go private instead, we can supply the referral letter that we would have sent to the NHS hospital; this is free of charge.
Did you know you do not need a GP referral letter for a private referral? Any patient can self-refer to any private provider without any input from a GP. You do not need a GP referral letter. Simply ring up the provider and ask to be seen. If you need, we can supply a summary printout of your record free of charge to take with you to your appointment.
If you decide to be seen by a private provider and that provider requests a referral letter or insurance form completing before they can see you, we can compile a letter or fill out a form for you, but there will be a charge as this constitutes as Non-NHS work. For more information see our Non-NHS Services page
We are unable to a recommend or direct you to a private provider as this could be seen as competitive behaviour.
Where a GP has made a referral to a private provider, whether at your own request or at the GP’s instigation, this does not obligate the GP to carry out any tests, monitoring or prescribing of any medications requested by the private provider. Please see sections below for more information.
If you are concerned you might not get the investigations and medications you need as part of the care from your private provider, you are advised to purchase or negotiate an inclusive package with your private provider. If your private provider tells you not to worry, your GP will do the monitoring and/or prescribe your medication, they are providing you with false assurance.
A private provider themselves can request tests or supply medication to the patient for the appropriate fee.
Acorn Surgery respect the right of any patient to choose and pay for a private provider, but it is not the responsibility of an NHS GP to request tests or prescribe medications on behalf of that provider to reduce the cost burden of private care for the patient or for the purposes of reducing waiting times. Due consideration must always be given towards proper clinical oversight and patient safety.
NHS guidance states that private and NHS care should be kept as clearly separate as possible, so that funding, legal status, liability and accountability are appropriately defined, the patient should bear the full costs of any private services, and that NHS resources should never be used to subsidise the use of private care www.bma.org.uk.
Tests and Medication Requests
NHS GPs are not commissioned and have no obligation to perform any investigations or prescribe medications following attendance at a private provider. The following section describes each type of request in more detail.
Investigations
Acorn Surgery GPs are not commissioned nor obliged to perform or request any tests that are required as a result of a patient attending a private provider. This is especially so, if such a test falls outside ordinary care usually provided by the GP and where the interpretation of the result of such test would fall outside the GPs knowledge, skills and competence. Such tests can be requested and actioned by the private provider themselves.
Medications
Acorn Surgery is not commissioned nor required to prescribe medications that are needed as a result of a patient attending a private provider, nor are they obliged to convert privately issued prescriptions to a GP issued ones.
However, where such requested medications are within the scope of ordinary care from a GP and where we would normally issue such medications, we will consider such requests on an individual basis and if agreed, prescriptions will be processed in line with our non-urgent medication process and timescale. It must be emphasised, if agreed the prescription will be processed as non-urgent. If the private provider indicates that there is an urgent need for the medication, they must supply it themselves, in line with usual hospital processes.
Shared Care Agreements
Shared care is when the responsibility for a patient’s medication and monitoring is shared between the GP and consultant. In these situations, the consultant will decide a patient’s suitability for the medication, perform any necessary baseline investigations, counsel the patient fully regarding the medication and then prescribe the medication, making adjustments to the dose until the patient is stable.
Once the patient is on a stable dose, the consultant then writes to the GP to ask them to consider a shared care agreement. If the request is appropriate and the GP accepts the shared care agreement, they then take over the prescribing and monitoring of the patient, notifying the consultant should any problems arise. It is important to note that the GP signing the prescription is responsible for the decision to prescribe and not the consultant. However, the patient must remain under the care of the consultant. For shared care to be valid, there must also be a written agreement on the duties and responsibilities of each party.
The process of shared care is in the patient’s best interest, to facilitate appropriate clinical oversight and to maintain patient safety.
Having said the above, it must be noted that shared care is entirely voluntary for GP’s and GP’s are NOT obliged or commissioned to enter into this type of agreement, for whatever reason.
Whilst we are supportive of our patients, we need to ensure we are safe and not acting outside of our clinical competencies therefore we generally do not take on a shared care agreement with a private provider if ANY of the following conditions apply (most of these describe situations that are, by definition, not shared care):
- There is no written shared care agreement
- There is a shared care agreement, but it does not match the equivalent NHS shared care agreement for the same cohort of patients
- The private provider is an assessment or diagnosis only service, that does not prescribe medication at all
- The private provider has not completed an appropriate assessment of patient’s suitability for the medication, performed baseline investigations or provided counselling for the medication (for example, information on side effects, interactions)
- The private provider has not initiated the patient on medication and/or has not adjusted dosage accordingly and/or has not stabilised the patient on the medication.
- The private provider has discharged the patient back to sole GP care
- The medication being recommended is one that falls outside the GP’s knowledge, experience or competence to prescribe.
- The private provider is recommending use of medication that falls outside its licensed indications (for instance, it is being used for a different age group or different reason from the manufacturer’s recommendations)
Post Op Bariatric Monitoring
The bariatric surgical provider is responsible for the organisation of structured, systematic, and team-based follow-up of patients for 2 years post-surgery.
After 2 years if all is well the patient can be discharged from bariatric surgery service follow-up, into the care of the GP for monitoring of nutritional status and appropriate supplementation according to need in line with recommendations made in NICE clinical guidelines.
Private patients who’ve had surgery in the UK
Private patients who have had their surgery in the UK should be receiving the same 2 year follow up from their provider as NHS patients. Acorn Surgery will not take on care of any private patient within two years of surgery.
What about private patients who have had surgery abroad?
NHS bariatric services are not able to provide routine follow up to patients who had their surgery done overseas but will manage any surgical bariatric emergencies. Patients are advised to seek a private bariatric follow up programme in the UK for a two-year period, these are available, and many accept self-referrals. After this, the monitoring process is the same as for any other patient and can pass into the care of the GP.
Hormone Therapy Shared Care Agreements with Private providers
Whilst we are supportive of our patients who are trans, we need to ensure we are safe and not acting outside of our clinical competencies therefore we generally do not take on a shared care agreement with a private provider.
There is no guarantee that patient will continue to remain under the private clinic which would then leave the patient and the GP in a difficult situation. In order to support our patients, we can arrange blood monitoring at the practice (provided these are bloods that are typically done by a similar NHS clinic). The patient would be responsible for obtaining the results (which can be done electronically) and ensuring that the private provider interprets them, as again, we do not have the clinical expertise to do so.
It is important to note that Acorn Surgery will be happy to take on shared care agreements when their care is under NHS care but appreciate and sympathise that there is a prolonged wait for this. Sadly, we as GP’s are not able to make up for the lack of adequate commissioning of these services as we would be working outside our competence.
Patient Transport Services
Patients who require non-emergency transport to appointments should contact the East of England Ambulance Service who have been commissioned to provide this service. The number to contact is 0845 603 8117.
PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
For information and guidance on eligibility including how to claim PIP
Travel Information
If you require vaccinations relating to travel, we recommend you visit www.fitfortravel.com website. Once you have checked which inoculations you need for your visit abroad, please contact us and we will check your medical record and organise for you to come in to see our Practice Nurse to have some of the vaccinations that you might need.
Non-urgent advice: Notice
Please note that we are contracted to offer an NHS travel service which includes tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A vaccine.
For other immunisations, because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS, we suggest contacting a provider such as the Cambridge Travel Clinic on 01223 367362, as they are a dedicated Travel Vaccination Service.
For your information there is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below
| Europe & Russia | North America |
| Central America | South America |
| Caribbean | Africa |
| Middle East | Central Asia |
| East Asia | Australasia and Pacific |
Travelling in Europe
If you are travelling to Europe a very useful booklet has been published with advice and guidance to help you get the most out of your holiday. To visit please click: http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/eu_glance/86/en.pdf (this is a large document and may take a minute or two to view).
Which vaccinations are free?
See this link Vaccination information