You can book your blood test by contacting the practice on 01606 544241 we have a phlebotomist clinic on a Tuesday morning or you can book a blood test online at another location, please ensure if you book your blood test online you have collected your blood form from the practice (if you have an appointment at another location without your blood form they will not be able to carry out the blood test)

If you would like to book a blood test at another location please use the following link https://patientconnect.uhnm.nhs.uk/booking/services

Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test.

For example, a blood test can be used to:

• assess your general state of health
• check if you have an infection
• see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are working
• screen for certain genetic conditions

Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete and are carried out at your GP surgery or local hospital by a doctor, nurse or phlebotomist (a specialist in taking blood samples).

Read about some common types of blood test.

For more information about a wider range of tests, search the blood test A-Z index on Lab Tests Online UK.

Preparing for a blood test

The healthcare professional who arranges your blood test will tell you whether there are any specific instructions you need to follow before your test.

For example, depending on the type of blood test, you may be asked to:

• avoid eating or drinking anything (fasting) apart from water, for up to 12 hours – read more about eating and drinking before having a blood test
• stop taking certain medicines

It’s important to follow the instructions you’re given, as it may affect the result of the test and mean it needs to be delayed or carried out again.

What happens during a blood test?

A blood test usually involves taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm.

The arm is a convenient part of the body to use because it can be easily uncovered. The usual place for a sample to be taken from is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface.

Blood samples from children are often taken from the back of the hand. Their skin may be numbed with a special spray or cream before the sample is taken.

A tight band (tourniquet) is usually put around your upper arm. This squeezes the arm, temporarily slowing down the flow of blood and causing the vein to swell. This makes it easier for a sample to be taken.

Before taking the sample, the doctor or nurse may clean the area of skin with an antiseptic wipe.

A needle attached to a syringe or special container is inserted into the vein. The syringe is used to draw out a sample of your blood. You may feel a slight pricking or scratching sensation as the needle goes in, but it shouldn’t be painful. If you don’t like needles and blood, tell the person who is taking the sample so they can make you more comfortable.

When the sample has been taken, the tourniquet will be released, and the needle will be removed. Pressure is applied to the skin for a few minutes using a cotton-wool pad. A plaster may be put on the small wound to keep it clean.

After the test

Only a small amount of blood is taken during the test so you shouldn’t feel any significant after-effects.

However, some people feel dizzy and faint during and after the test. If this has happened to you in the past, tell the person carrying out the test so they’re aware and can help you feel more comfortable.

After the test, you may have a small bruise where the needle went in. Bruises can be painful, but are usually harmless and fade over the next few days.

Blood test results

After the blood sample has been taken, it will be put into a bottle and labelled with your name and details. It will then be sent to a laboratory where it will be examined under a microscope or tested with chemicals, depending on what’s being checked.

The results are sent back to the hospital or to your GP. Some test results will be ready the same day or a few days later, although others may not be available for a few weeks. You’ll be told when your results will be ready and how you’ll be given them.

Sometimes, receiving results can be stressful and upsetting. If you’re worried about the outcome of a test, you may choose to take a trusted friend or relative with you. For some tests, such as HIV, you will be offered specialist counselling to help you deal with your results.

The treatment for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia depends on what’s causing the condition. Most people can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.

Treating vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin.

At first, you’ll have these injections every other day for 2 weeks (Loading dose) or until your symptoms have started improving.

Your GP or nurse will give the injections.

After this initial period, your treatment will depend on whether the cause of your vitamin B12 deficiency is related to your diet or whether the deficiency is causing any neurological problems, such as problems with thinking, memory and behaviour.

The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK is pernicious anaemia, which is not related to your diet.

Diet-related

If your vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by a lack of the vitamin in your diet, you may be advised to take vitamin B12 tablets every day between meals, which can be bought over the counter at any pharmacy.

Or you may need to have an injection of hydroxocobalamin twice a year.

People who find it difficult to get enough vitamin B12 in their diets, such as those following a vegan diet, may need vitamin B12 tablets for life.

Although it’s less common, people with vitamin B12 deficiency caused by a prolonged poor diet may be advised to stop taking the tablets once their vitamin B12 levels have returned to normal and their diet has improved.

Good sources of vitamin B12 include:

• meat
• salmon and cod
• milk and other dairy products
• eggs

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, or are looking for alternatives to meat and dairy products, there are foods that are fortified with vitamin B12, such as some yeast extracts, breakfast cereals and soy products.

Check the nutrition labels while food shopping to see how much vitamin B12 different foods contain.

Not diet-related

If your vitamin B12 deficiency is not caused by a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, you’ll usually need to have an injection of hydroxocobalamin every 2 to 3 months for the rest of your life.

If you have had neurological symptoms that affect your nervous system, such as numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency, you’ll be referred to a haematologist and may need to have injections every 2 months.

Your haematologist will advise on how long you need to keep taking the injections.

For injections of vitamin B12 given in the UK, hydroxocobalamin is preferred to an alternative called cyanocobalamin. This is because hydroxocobalamin stays in the body for longer.

Treating folate deficiency anaemia

To treat folate deficiency anaemia, your GP will usually prescribe daily folic acid tablets to build up your folate levels.

They may also give you dietary advice so you can increase your folate intake.

Good sources of folate include:

• broccoli
• brussels sprouts
• asparagus
• peas
• chickpeas
• brown rice

Most people need to take folic acid tablets for about 4 months. But if the underlying cause of your folate deficiency anaemia continues, you may have to take folic acid tablets for longer, possibly for life.

Before you start taking folic acid, your GP will check your vitamin B12 levels to make sure they’re normal.

This is because folic acid treatment can sometimes improve your symptoms so much that it masks an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency.

If a vitamin B12 deficiency is not detected and treated, it could affect your nervous system.

Monitoring your condition

To ensure your treatment is working, you may need to have further blood tests.

A blood test is often carried out around 7 to 10 days after starting treatment to assess whether treatment is working.

This is to check your haemoglobin level and the number of the immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) in your blood.

Another blood test may also be carried out after approximately 8 weeks to confirm your treatment has been successful.

Most people who have had a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency will not need further monitoring unless their symptoms return or their treatment is ineffective.

NHS Health Check

What is an NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as:

• heart disease
• diabetes
• kidney disease
• stroke

During the check-up you’ll discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions.

If you’re aged over 65, you’ll also be told about symptoms of dementia to look out for.

Who is the NHS Health Check for?

The check is for people who are aged 40 to 74 who do not have any of the following pre-existing conditions:

• heart disease
• chronic kidney disease
• diabetes
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• atrial fibrillation
• transient ischaemic attack
• inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
• heart failure
• peripheral arterial disease
• stroke
• currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol
• previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years

You should have regular check-ups if you have one of these conditions. Your care team will be able to give you more information about this.

How do I get an NHS Health Check?

If you’re aged 40 to 74 and do not have a pre-existing health condition, you should be invited to an NHS Health Check by your GP or local council every 5 years.

If you think you are eligible but have not been invited, contact your GP surgery to find out if they offer NHS Health Checks or contact your local council to find out where you can get an NHS Health Check in your area.

Some pharmacies also offer NHS Health Checks.

What happens at an NHS Health Check?

Your NHS Health Check will be done by a healthcare professional. This will usually be a nurse, but it could also be a doctor, pharmacist or healthcare assistant.

The check takes about 20 to 30 minutes and usually includes:

• measuring your height and weight
• measuring your waist
• a blood pressure test
• a cholesterol test, and possibly a blood sugar level test, which is usually a finger-prick blood test. You may be asked to have a blood test at or before the NHS Health Check

You’ll also be asked some questions about your health including:

• whether any of your close relatives have had any medical conditions
• if you smoke, and how much
• if you drink alcohol, and how much
• how much physical activity you do

Your age, gender and ethnicity will also be recorded.

Your NHS Health Check results

You’ll usually be told your NHS Health Check results during the appointment.

You’ll be given your cardiovascular risk score of developing a heart or circulation problem, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes or kidney disease, over the next 10 years.

The healthcare professional may describe this risk score as low, moderate or high.

Everybody’s cardiovascular risk rises with age, so the next time you have an NHS Health Check your risk score may be higher, even if your test results are the same.

There are some things about your risk which you cannot change, such as your age, ethnicity and family history. But the most important factors in your risk score (such as smoking, your cholesterol level and blood pressure) can be changed.

Your NHS Health Check results should also be broken down into:

• your body mass index (BMI) score
• your blood pressure
• your cholesterol levels
• your alcohol use score
• your physical activity assessment result
• your diabetes risk assessment

At the end of your NHS Health Check, you’ll have the chance to discuss your results and how to improve your scores, including where you can get support.

This could include talking about how to:

• improve your diet
• increase the amount of exercise you do
• lose weight
• stop smoking
• reduce the amount of salt in your diet
• reduce your alcohol intake
• reduce your cholesterol

You may also be referred to local services, such as stop smoking and physical activity services, to help you make any changes.

Information:

Find out more

• Alcohol advice
• Quit smoking
• Physical activity guidelines for adults
• Calculate your heart age
• How to lower your cholesterol

Benefits of the NHS Health Check

The NHS Health Check aims to lower your risk of getting conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

Many of the warning signs for these conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, do not have symptoms.

The NHS Health Check helps you find out if you are at risk of getting these conditions so you can take action to improve your health. This could include making lifestyle changes or taking medicines.

The risk factors assessed during the health check are often shared by other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, preventable cancers and respiratory illness. An NHS Health Check could help you to reduce your chance of getting these conditions too.

Dementia and heart disease also share common risk factors.

Your 6-week postnatal check

You should have your postnatal check 6 to 8 weeks after your baby’s birth to make sure you feel well and are recovering properly.

Your GP surgery should offer and provide you with a postnatal check. You can request an appointment for a check yourself, especially if you have any concerns. It’s a good idea to make a list of questions to take along with you.

Your baby’s health should also be checked at around this time by a GP. This check is known as the baby’s 6 to 8 week check.

Your postnatal check can be done immediately before or after your baby’s 6 to 8 week check. But it can also be done at a separate time if you would like it to be.

You can read more about what happens at your baby’s 6 to 8 week check.

What may happen at your postnatal check

The following is usually offered at your postnatal check, although this may vary according to where you live:

• You’ll be asked how you’re feeling as part of a general discussion about your mental health and wellbeing.
• You’ll be asked if you still have any vaginal discharge and whether you’ve had a period since the birth.
• Your blood pressure will be checked if you had problems during pregnancy or immediately after the birth.
• You may be offered an examination to see if your stitches have healed if you had an episiotomy or caesarean section.
• If you were due for cervical screening while pregnant, this should be rescheduled for 12 weeks after the birth.
• You’ll be asked about contraception.
• You may be given advice about the use of vitamin D supplements if you’re breastfeeding (vitamin D should help both you and your baby).
• If you’re overweight or obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, you may be weighed. Your doctor should give you weight loss advice and guidance on healthy eating and physical activity.

Tell your doctor if…

• you’re feeling sad or anxious – looking after a baby can sometimes feel overwhelming. Do not feel you have to struggle alone or put on a brave face. It’s not a sign that you’re a bad mother. You need to get help, as you may have postnatal depression. Your doctor or health visitor can provide help and support.
• you’re having trouble with farting or holding in your pee, or you’re soiling yourself with poo
• having sex is painful
• you’re not sure you’ve had all of the current recommended adult vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine

If you are registered with a local GP in Northwich you can use this service. It is for people of all ages – adults and children – and you do not need a GP referral. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.

You can search our directory to find out whether the service is available in your area by entering the postcode for your GP Practice.

If you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, this is not covered by this service. In this case you should consult your usual optometrist or hospital eye service directly for advice in the usual way.

Who should have cervical screening

All women and people with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.

How often you are invited depends on your age.

You can book an appointment as soon as you get a letter.

If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait for a letter to book an appointment.

New for 2023/24 – The PCN Nurse Hub appointments will be available on a Saturday to book into for child immunisations. Please ask at reception for more information.

What is cervical screening? – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Newborn vaccinations and schedule

When you have your baby the Practice will be notified and an appointment will be sent out to you for your postnatal check, baby newborn check and vaccinations.

The schedule of vaccinations will be explained to you at your first appointment and the Nurse will book you in for future appointments.

A relative or carer can bring baby for the immunisations as long as you have given consent for this.

Please remember to bring your red book with you.

Child Immunisations

Children have an immunisations schedule and Child Health (NHS) will contact you directly to remind you to book in for the appointment.

Immunisation appointments are with the Practice nurse and can be booked up to 3 weeks in advance.

There are catch-up immunisation programmes running throughout the year.

Please note, some vaccinations are intended to be given at school and we cannot give some of these in Practice until after the schedule has passed (as a catch up).

New for 2023/24 – The PCN Nurse Hub appointments will be available on a Saturday to book into for child immunisations. Please ask at reception for more information.

When somebody loses a loved one, it is usually very difficult and trying time. The emotions you are going through are probably quite normal. Often, people think they’re going mad or crazy because they either see things or can’t quite get their ‘head’ straight. But all of this is quite normal.

Some Normal Grief Reactions You Should Be Aware Of:

The following is a list of things commonly experienced by people who have lost a loved one. These are quite NORMAL and they will soon disappear. None of them mean that you are going mad and many are often out of proportion (like guilt or anger). Try not to be too preoccupied by them – don’t obstruct them, just let them happen. There’s no right way of coping with a death – people respond to a loss in their own individual way.

More Information

People who experience bereavement often wonder whether they are depressed, most of the time, they are not – instead, what they are experiencing is a grief reaction – where one’s mood is expected to be low. You may find comfort in knowing that most people manage to carry on with their lives a few months after a loved one has passed on. Grief usually passes through three stages, but these stages are not separate, nor do they necessarily follow in sequence.

1. An initial stage of shock or disbelief when it is difficult to believe that the death has occurred. This stage may last minutes or weeks.
2. A stage of acute anguish or anger that usually lasts from weeks to months when the feelings of depression occur. Planning the future may be difficult.
3. A phase of resolution after months, or even years.
   It can take between 6 months to 1 year to go through these three stages. The average is probably around 6 months.

When Should I See A Doctor

As we said before, it takes on average 6 months for a person to get through a bereavement. In some circumstances, people get stuck in the bereavement pathway, and it is in these cases where they may need a doctor to help them move on.

If you think someone would benefit from talking further or needs more specialist support (by phone or online), you can direct them to any of the national organisations listed below.

Oakwood Medical Centre is now a Veteran Friendly Accredited Practice. A veteran is anyone who has served in the UK Armed Forces This page gives patients who are Veterans an idea of what to expect and what they can access.

Click here for information about the program