We aim to provide a clean and welcoming Medical Centre. A range of information leaflets are available in the display racks. Keep an eye on our notice boards for details of health-related topics and events.

We ask as a courtesy to other patients that you please turn off mobile ‘phones when entering the Medical Centre.

The baby changing unit is located in the female patients’ WC off the waiting room. Please ask the receptionist if you need a private area to breastfeed your baby.

Both the male and female toilets, located off the waiting room, are suitable for disabled patients.

We have only a very limited number of parking spaces, which are restricted for use by staff and the short-term use of the disabled and those whose illness prevents them from walking far. Please park responsibly allowing access for ambulances and for the doctors to leave quickly to attend emergencies, and remember that vehicles are parked at your own risk.

Carers

Carers are people of all ages looking after relatives or friends who, because of disability, illness or old age, cannot manage at home without help.

We are aware that the life of a carer is restricted by the need to take responsibility for the person they care for.

We recognise that this can place a great deal of pressure on carers and that they may need support.

There are several organisations that provide support for carers, and our own community staff can help too.

Please let us know if you are the main carer for a relative or friend and we will be happy to put you in touch with support groups if you wish.

Flu Clinics

• These are available from late September to late December for the annual flu vaccination programme. Adult & children’s flu vaccinations are given by the practice nurses.

Travel Clinic

• Offering travel vaccinations and health advice by our practice pharmacist or lead nurse.
  Click here for more information on our travel clinic.

Non-NHS Patient Services

Although some travel vaccinations are available on the NHS, many are not. Patients travelling abroad are advised to complete a travel form (available from Reception), so that the nurse can advise you of any NHS or non-NHS vaccinations you might need. Both types of vaccination are available through the travel clinic, although there will be a charge for non-NHS vaccinations.

Occupational health services, such as Hepatitis B vaccination should be available from your employer’s occupational health service. We can provide these services, but there will be a charge. Please obtain authorisation from your employers before booking these services if you wish us to invoice them.

Specialist nurse-led appointments are available for patients with:

• Asthma
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• COPD
• Heart problems including coronary heart disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation
• History of previous Strokes
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Regular monitoring of these conditions is important to maintain health and to make sure your medicines are working well for you.

You will be invited to attend for an annual review around the time of your birthday, and you may be seen at other times for ongoing management of your condition.

You might also find these self-help tools useful:

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/ for advice on how to use your inhaler if you have one

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/feet/touch-the-toes for how to examine your feet if you have diabetes

• Patients with Dementia will have an annual review with the GP
• Patients with Learning Disabilities will have an annual review with both the GP and the nurse

If you have type 2 Diabetes, be sure to take advantage of the DESMOND programme that helps to turn you into an expert on how to manage your condition.

DESMOND stands for Diabetes Education and Self -Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed

• It’s a way of finding out more about Type 2 Diabetes
• It’s a resource to help you manage the changes diabetes will bring to your life
• It’s an opportunity to meet and share experiences with others

Course Duration: 9.30 to 4.30pm (to include breaks), plus a mixture of half day sessions and occasional Saturdays. To book a place Tel:  (01772) 777620 or

email: desmond@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

Locations in Blackpool

Moor Park Health & Leisure Centre, Bristol Avenue, Blackpool,  FY2 0JG

Whitegate Drive Health Centre, 150 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES

South Shore PCC, Lytham Road Blackpool FY4 1TJ

Blackpool Cricket Club, Stanley Park, Barlow Crescent off West Park Drive, Blackpool,  FY3 9EQ  ** New Venue for 2018**

Curriculum basis for the day covers:

• Introduction and housekeeping
• The Participants Story
• Type 2 Diabetes and Glucose
• Managing Blood Glucose
• Food Choices: Glycaemia and Insulin Resistance

Reflections so far

• Long term effects of Type 2 Diabetes
• Physical Activity
• Food Choices – Focus on fats
• Diabetes Self-management Plan
• Questions and future care

Further information on Desmond can be found on the Lancashire Care website at : https://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/desmond

Please complete the COPD assessment test prior to your review.

Please write your name and date of birth on the test/form and e-mail it to us at st.pauls.medicalcentre@nhs.net.

To record your home Blood Pressure readings please use this form and e-mail it to us at st.pauls.medicalcentre@nhs.net

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Please complete the Asthma Control form prior to your review.

Please write your name and date of birth on the form and e-mail it to us at st.pauls.medicalcentre@nhs.net.

After its success last year, the Healthy Living Programme is being relaunched by the PCN team. Designed and delivered as a project to help people lose weight, and improve their overall health and wellbeing, we aim to empower you to make sustainable changes. 

If you have been directed here by the surgery, you have been invited to engage in the Healthy Living Programme.  Please read on to discover why you have been invited, and what you can expect from joining the programme.

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This programme is currently by invitation only

As our records show you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30+ (or 27.5+ for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic patients), we would like to invite you to participate in our Healthy Living Programme set up to tackle high BMIs and their root cause. There are many health benefits to losing weight if you are overweight; it can also help you to feel happier and more confident. The programme is specifically designed to help you lose weight, identify any problem areas in your current lifestyle and support you in your journey to improve your health and wellbeing.

If you have not already had an annual health check in the last 12 months, you will first have an appointment with one of our nurses for a health check to take accurate measurements of height, weight, BMI etc.

Having had your health check, you will then have a consultation with the social prescriber, who will walk you through a discussion about how you feel about your own health. We hope to utilise local resources such as better lifestyle charities and weight management services in Blackpool and the surrounding areas to best support you. 

We will invite you to 5-10 follow-up appointments with the social prescriber over the course of the next 12 months to gauge how you are progressing. You will be invited to submit your weight and waist measurement after six months and to attend a further health check after 12 months if appropriate. 

This programme is part of the national Complete Care Community Programme, which supports Primary Care Networks to identify and narrow health inequalities in their local area.

If you are ready to make changes and would like to join the Healthy Living Programme, please contact the surgery at your earliest convenience on 01253 623896.

We look forward to hearing from you.