Clinics

Maternity Care

GPs Role

The GPs are normally responsible for the specific maternity care of a patient registered with the Practice from when she becomes pregnant to fourteen days after the birth of the baby.

A midwife is usually the first and main contact for the expectant mother during her pregnancy, throughout labour and postnatal period. The GP will only normally be involved in other ongoing medical matters or to provide prescriptions if required.

For the delivery responsibility for the care of the mother and baby passes to the midwives or consultant obstetrician at the hospital.

Smears

Based at Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells Branch Surgery

Contact Numbers: Builth 01982 552207

Working Hours: Normal Surgery Hours

Practice Nurses see patients for cervical smears by appointments which can be arranged directly by them, the doctors or reception.

Smear testing can pick up early signs of serious disease in the cervix at a stage when curative treatment is possible.
The Practice uses Liquid Based Cytology testing.

From 1 September 2013 – women born after 1 September 1993 will no longer be invited for smear tests until they reach 25, and women aged between 50 and 64 will be invited every five years rather than every three years.

Child Health

Contact Numbers: Builth 01982 552207

The doctors, practice nurses and health visitors hold “Baby Clinics”.
Health and development are monitored, vaccinations and general advice given.
Clinics take place on Thursdays in Builth.

Chronic Illness

Practice Nurse and Doctor Run Clinics

Based at Builth Surgery and Llanwrtyd Branch Surgery

Flu

Based at Builth Wells Surgery & Llanwrtyd Wells Branch Surgery

Contact Numbers:Builth 01982 552207

Our Flu Clinics for Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells started in October. Please contact reception to arrange a time.

Priority is given to the elderly and those with chronic illness such as heart disease & breathing difficulties.

“Flu” – Influenza

Colds and Flu are caused by viruses. They are passed between people in mucus droplets from sneezing or coughing, or by physical contact (eg unwashed hands). It is difficult to prevent catching colds or flu but you can reduce your risks by keeping away from infected people.

A flu vaccination can greatly reduce your chances of getting the flu.
A new flu vaccination is needed each year.

Frequently asked questions on influenza vaccine

Simple Advice
Colds and Flu (influenza) have similar symptoms and are often confused. Colds are more common and usually less serious. Flu tends to last longer and can leave you feeling under par for 2 or 3 weeks.

Flu symptoms include a fever and chills. A headache, muscle and bone aches. A dry cough, runny nose and sneezing may also occur. There are no cures for colds and flu. Antibiotics are of no use unless you get a chest or ear infection as well.

– Rest
– Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluid
– Take paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin – but follow the instructions on the label.
– Stop smoking

Foreign Travel

PLEASE COMPLETE TRAVEL RISK ASSESSMENT AND SEND TO THE SURGERY AT LEAST 5 WORKING DAYS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT.

https://www.janechiodini.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1.-Travel-risk-assessment-form-2018.pdf

If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

Vaccinations protect you against many travel-related infections, such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A.

In the UK, the childhood vaccination programme protects against a number of diseases, such as tetanus, but it does not cover most of the infectious diseases that are found overseas.

Travel vaccinations

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on this website:

Getting vaccinated

You don’t always need vaccinations to travel abroad. If you do, the type of travel jabs you need depends on which country you’re visiting and what you’re doing.

First off, you need to check if your existing UK jabs are up-to-date if you are unsure please contact your practice for your vaccination history (they can tell from your notes).  If required you will also be able to make an appointment with your practice nurse who will give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health.  Ideally, consultations and travel vaccines should be given 6-8 weeks prior to departure to maximise protection.

Not all vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area.

The following travel jabs are free on the NHS:

  • diphtheria, polio and tetanus (combined booster)
  • typhoid
  • hepatitis A (including when combined with typhoid or hepatitis B)
  • cholera

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Private travel vaccinations

Due to changes in indemnity regulations we no longer provide any private travel vaccinations.  Patients will need to source these vaccinations through a private travel clinic.

You will have to have to pay for private travel vaccinations against:

  • hepatitis B (when not combined with hepatitis A)
  • Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis
  • meningococcal meningitis ACWY 135
  • rabies
  • tuberculosis (TB)
  • yellow fever

Minor Surgery

Based at Builth Wells Surgery & Glan Iron

Contact Numbers: Arranged by your doctor

Minor surgery refers to surgical procedures that do not require a general anaesthetic. Many minor surgical procedures can be carried out by your GP. All the doctors at the Practice perform minor surgery.

Examples of minor surgical procedures include:
-Injections of joints eg knees, shoulders
-Removal of cysts or other skin lesions. This may involve cutting, scraping (curetting), or freezing
-Toenail removal

Minor surgery may require a local anaesthetic to ensure the procedure is painless. Sutures (stitches) may be required.

Your doctor will fully explain any minor surgical operation that is necessary and will only proceed with your consent.

It is important that you fully understand:
-what the procedure involves
-the benefits of any procedure
-and what could go wrong

Warfarin

Based at Builth Wells and Llanwrtyd Wells Branch Surgery

Contact Numbers: Builth 01982 552207

Clinic Times: Appointments are made via reception, your doctor or nurse

Warfarin is a medicine that is taken in tablet form to thin the blood. Thinning the blood can help to prevent blood clots. This may be important if you have had a blood clot in the past, for example, a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or PE (Pulmonary Embolus). It may also be important if you have had heart valve surgery or have longstanding heart rhythm problems.

If your doctor prescribes you Warfarin tablets it is important to have a regular blood test to ensure its effects are optimised and safe. The blood test is called an INR (International Normalised Ratio).

The practice nurses run weekly INR clinics.
At these clinics, blood is taken for testing and the result will be available immediately. Then you will be advised on any alterations in warfarin dosing that may be needed.

Do not alter your warfarin dose unless instructed to do so by the nurse or doctor
The INR range is usually from 1 to 6.
1 is too low and you may be advised to increase the dose.
6 is too high (risk of bleeding) and you may be advised to stop warfarin dosing for a few days.

It is standard practice that the required warfarin dose should be taken at the same time each day. Preferably 6pm each evening.

The frequency of blood testing depends on each INR result. Usually, testing will be necessary every few weeks but may vary, sometimes blood may need testing every few days.

If you take warfarin, please ensure all health professionals involved in your care (eg doctors, dentists, chiropodists) are aware of this.

A booklet is available from reception to help with managing warfarin dosing. It contains further useful advice as well as a place for recording the various INR results.

See this Patient UK Advice Sheet on warfarin.