Clinics & Services

Specialist Medical Services Provided by doctors at Cestria (various times)

All of our GPs are highly qualified and several have taken postgraduate courses leading to extra qualifications. We run specialised clinics for the local NHS authorities, and see patients from other GP’s surgeries who have been referred to us.  We have a number of doctors on the Cestria Team who are qualified as GPSIs.  This means that they have a post-graduate qualification giving them extra expertise in specific areas.  At the moment we run GPSI clinics in the following: 

• Skin Surgery - and other surgical procedures, including removal of some skin cancers
• Ear Nose and Throat - specialist clinic dealing with more difficult cases
• Dermatology  - specialist clinic dealing with more difficult cases

We have more GPs currently engaged on various other GPSI qualification courses.

Other services

Ante-Natal Clinic (Tuesday 13:00 – 16:00)

The practice midwives and a GP are present to provide care and advice during pregnancy. Most antenatal care is shared between the GP surgery and local hospital antenatal clinic. Post-natal exams are provided 6 weeks after delivery.

Children’s Checks and Vaccinations 

Developmental checks for 8 week old babies are carried out by a GP. Appointments will be sent out automatically when checks are due.

Your child will be invited for routine vaccinations when these are due, or please enquire if you have any questions about the standard schedule.

Our health visitor team is available for telephone calls on 03000- 268640

Family Planning Clinic 

These clinics cover pill prescriptions, coil and cap fittings, injections for contraception, post-coital contraception (“morning after pill”), breast checks and sterilisation discussion and referral. We prefer our patients to attend the Family Planning Clinic for all family planning matters including provision of condoms. Post-natal examinations are often also performed at this clinic.

Travel Advice Clinic

Our nurses provide comprehensive travel health advice using a special computer program. You will be asked your travel plan details and will receive a printed guidance sheet and, if you wish, vaccinations as appropriate. We make a charge for this service if the required advice is complex or if treatment is not covered by the NHS. More information can be found on the above tab.

Cervical Smears

All women between the ages of 25 and 65 are recommended to have a cervical smear performed every 3 years until the age of 50, then every 5 years until the age of 65. Please contact the nurse receptionist for an appointment or advice regarding arranging a smear test.

Asthma Clinics

Appointments for monitoring and managing asthma are available with the nurse or health care assistant throughout the week. GP appointments are also available.

Diabetic Clinic   

This clinic is held most weeks, and is useful for monitoring and as a “one stop” clinic for diabetes management. As well as the doctor and nurses, there is also a specially trained Chiropodist for foot care, and on the spot blood testing with immediate results to help decide if any changes in medication are needed. Diabetic advice is available from the doctors and nurses at any time during the week if needed.

Cestria’s own patients Minor Surgery clinic

Minor surgical procedures are undertaken in the surgery by suitably trained and experienced GPs.

Physiotherapy

You are now able to self refer for physiotherapy at Chester le Street Hospital or University Hospital North Durham. The highly specialist team can treat back, joint and tendon problems. Please speak to a GP who will check your problem is appropriate for this service.

Warfarin (Monday 12:00 – 13:30)

We have a specialist team who operate a warfarin monitoring clinic. The clinic uses on the spot testing for instant readout, prescription advice and also offers a home visiting service for the housebound.

Counselling

At difficult times in our lives, counselling can be helpful to manage emotional and psychological problems. Please speak to a GP to discuss referral to local services.