Cervical Smear Tests
Cancer of the cervix can be prevented and all adult female patients up to the age of 64 years of age are advised to have regular smear tests. These tests are important because they can detect early signs of disease which is easily treated.
The practice nurses run clinics throughout the week at various times for these routine tests to be carried out. Please ask at reception for details.
Family Planning
All the doctors provide contraceptive services. Coils and caps can be fitted by certain doctors.
Minor Surgery
Minor operations including treatment for warts, verrucae and joint injections are carried out at the medical centre.
The doctor will advise you if your condition is suitable for treatment at the centre and a special appointment will be arranged for you.
Operating Theatre and Recovery Suite
We are one of the few practices in the area to have incorporated a full-size operating theatre and recovery suite into the practice building. The purpose of this is to enable us to carry out minor surgical procedures not requiring general anaesthetic, ie removal of lumps and bumps etc.
These services are available for all our own patients, but we do extend them to some other practices in Warrington, thereby benefiting the community also.
Maternity Services
The doctors provide full antenatal and postnatal care.
Our community midwife holds clinics in the surgery on one afternoon per week and appointments can be made through the receptionist.
We have a maternity pack available for all newly-pregnant ladies. You will be given the pack by your doctor once your pregnancy is confirmed.
If you are planning a pregnancy:
- Check that you are immune to rubella (German Measles).
- Make sure that you have had a recent cervical smear test.
- Recent research shows that an extra dose of folic acid (400 micrograms a day) helps to prevent neural tube defects (eg spina bifida). Ask your chemist for details.
- Stop smoking and avoid alcohol or other drugs unless you have checked with your doctor or pharmacist that they are safe in pregnancy.
For further advice speak to your midwife, health visitor or doctor.
Child Health Development
All children are offered development checks at eight weeks, seven/nine months, 21 months and three years.
These are planned and shared between your health visitor and doctor and are carried out at the medical centre.
You will receive appointments automatically for your children via a computer call-up system.
Immunisations and Vaccinations
Babies
The doctors feel very strongly that it is essential to protect children by making sure they have a full programme of immunisation.
All babies will be offered an eight week development check with a GP and this will be followed by the baby's first course of immunisations.
We try to coordinate these appointments but please note:
If your baby has not had the eight week check with the GP we will not be able to give the immunisation as the doctor checks the health of the baby at that time.
Children
There is a computer call-up system in Warrington and most children will receive an appointment by post at the appropriate time. If, for any reason, you cannot keep this appointment, please contact the medical centre and arrange an alternative appointment.
Adults
We are an accredited travel vaccination centre for yellow fever. Patients from other practices can be vaccinated for yellow fever at Guardian Medical Centre. A fee will be charged for this vaccination.
All vaccinations necessary for travel to other countries are administered by the practice nurses.
For further information please our Travel Information page.
Even for non-travellers it is important to keep up to date with tetanus and polio vaccinations. If you are not sure whether you are currently protected, please contact the practice nurses who will be happy to advise you.
Flu and Pneumonia Vaccination
Each year a programme of influenza vaccination is carried out at the medical centre and it is strongly recommended that patients at greatest risk, ie
- Those over 60 years of age,
- Those with a chronic disease including diabetes, COPD and asthma
- Those with a history of heart disease take advantage of this vaccination.
Patients should contact the surgery every September to make an appointment.
Pneumonia vaccinations are available all year for the same category of patients. One pneumonia vaccination will provide lifetime cover.
Private Services
Some services that are provided at the medical centre are not covered by the NHS.
The following are services for which an appropriate charge will be made:
- Housing certificates
- Private medical certificates
- Holiday cancellation certificates
- BUPA/PPA etc claim forms
- Medical examinations, eg HGV/PSV licences, taxi drivers, elderly drivers, sporting activities, eg sub aqua, reports for third parties, eg employers, insurance companies
- Statement of facts, eg passport applications etc.
A list of standard charges is on