First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) are qualified autonomous clinical practitioners who can assess, diagnose, treat and manage musculoskeletal (MSK) problems and undifferentiated conditions and – where appropriate – discharge a person without a medical referral. FCPs working in this role can be accessed by contacting the practice who can direct patients to them to establish a rapid and accurate diagnosis and management plan to streamline pathways of care.

We have FCP clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Athena Medical Centre. Please contact the reception to book you in to see a Physiotherapist at the practice.

There are many things that impact our health and wellbeing, including feeling isolated or struggling with practical challenges. We have Social Prescribers in our practice who can speak with adults registered with the practice. They will ask you about what is happening in your life, what you enjoy, and what is getting in the way. The Social Prescriber might suggest services and activities that might help you or simply work with you to build your skills and confidence. They can tell you about community based services, e.g. lunch clubs, gardening groups, benefits advice, exercise groups.


Please ask your GP to refer you to social prescribing.

For further information – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZKjJMyLKvQ&t=63s

To learn more about social prescribing – https://www.family-action.org.uk/social-prescribing-city-and-hackney-service/

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

Europe & Russia	North America
Central America	South America
Caribbean	Africa
Middle East	Central Asia
East Asia	Australasia and Pacific

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible – at least 6 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

Travel Health Questionnaire

To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse.

Travelling in Europe

If you are travelling to Europe a very useful booklet has been published with advice and guidance to help you get the most out of your holiday. To visit please click:- Travelling in Europe | Learning Corner (europa.eu) (this is a large document and may take a minute or two to view)

Medicals

For jobs, insurance etc, are made by special arrangement.  If you need a medical, please ask at reception.

Special Services

Such as the signing of passports, are also available.  Such non-NHS service incurs a fee.  A deposit of £10.00 may be requested when making the request, for which a receipt will be issued.

Homerton Health Visiting

Health visitors are nurses or midwives with specialist training in family and public health. They help parents and their families to improve health and wellbeing during pregnancy, after the birth and all the way through until your child is five.

The nearest drop in health visitors clinic is at:

Daubeney Children’s Centre

Tuesday 1:30-3:30

Daubeney Road

E5 0EG

Tel: 020 8525 7040

Click the link below for more information:

Homerton Health Visiting – Information for parent and carers living in Hackney and The City of London for health visiting services including; feeding your baby and toddler, becoming a parent, growth and development of your child. (hackneyandcityhealthvisiting.nhs.uk)

For when you have an urgent medical problem

To make it easier for you to get the right help when you need it urgently we are offering a Duty Doctor Service in this practice. Duty Doctor is in place from 8.00am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

When you phone with an urgent problem, the Duty Doctor will ring you back within 2 hours and will decide the best way to help you. The doctor may:

• Give you advice straight away over the phone
• Arrange for you to come into the practice to see a doctor or nurse or other member of staff
  • Arrange for a home visit if you are not well enough to come to the surgery and the doctor thinks you need to be seen
  • Direct you towards other services which can help

If you need urgent medical advice for you or someone you care for, please call the practice on our usual number and ask the reception team about speaking to the Duty Doctor. They will ask you a few questions and if they decide the duty doctor is the right person to help they will arrange for them to call you back WITHIN 2 HOURS.

This service offers you quick access to your GP practice, where they know you and have your full medical record. We recommend this service instead of going to A&E.

There is a special clinic run on Tuesday mornings, once a month. Patients attending this clinic are seen by the nurse, dietician and by special arrangement, the diabetic nurse Specialist.