Services

Patients with asthma that is not well controlled and stable are encouraged to attend for a regular review in order to optimise control and minimise any symptoms. This review should ideally be annual. Appointments should be booked with one of our specialist nurses. However, if your asthma is well-controlled and stable, you can complete and return our Asthma Review questionnaire to the surgery. 

Complete an asthma review

Learn more about asthma on the NHS website

Cervical screening (previously known as a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. 

The practice nurses do these appointments unless you request otherwise. All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 will be invited for a smear in accordance with the national recall policy (unless the cytologist/consultant recommends repeating the smear more often).

Learn more about cervical screenings on the NHS website

Our nurses offer a comprehensive childhood immunisation service. When your baby is due its first immunisations, you will be sent an appointment for these and for your baby’s 8 week check up. We will then ask you to book further appointments to ensure that your child is fully immunised. 

Learn more about vaccinations and when to have them on the NHS website

COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness for some people. Free vaccination is offered by the NHS twice a year to those whose natural immunity drops off more quickly and needs boosting: older people (75 years and over) and the immunosuppressed. We run clinics in the Autumn and Spring to provide this vaccine.

• Further details are on our seasonal vaccines page
• Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations on the NHS website

We have two very experienced nurses within the surgery who are able to provide comprehensive care for patients with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. There are several other nurses within the nursing team qualified to see patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Patients are able to have their annual retinal screening done at the surgery and are recalled by the retinal screening programme.

As part of improving how we deliver diabetes care, some of your routine diabetes reviews may now be offered as a group consultation rather than a traditional one-to-one appointment.

Read more about this on our diabetes group appointments page

Introduction

Wax is normal – it protects and lubricates the Ear Canal. It is a mixture of Cerumen (a sweat-like substance), Sebum (an oily substance) both secreted by glands in your Ear Canal, which combines with dust, debris, hair etc. to form ear wax. It is normal to have ear wax, and it usually only becomes a problem when it has been pushed deeper into the Ear Canal. Your ears are self-cleaning – if you use cotton wool buds or similar objects, to try to remove the wax, it will only be pushed further into the ear canal and become impacted and block your ear.

Self Care

In most cases drops used for an extended period will disperse the buildup of wax. Here is the best way to apply these:

• The drops should be at room temperature before use.
• Lie on your side with the affected ear uppermost and place three to five drops into the ear canal. Let the drops soak in for at least 5 minutes.
• Repeat three times a day to the affected ear until the wax has gone and your hearing improves.
• Drops should be used two times a day for at least 2 weeks and should result in your hearing improving.
• Cotton-buds or ear candles should not be used as this can-do real damage to the ear canal and drum.

If you have repeated problems with wax blocking your ears, using olive oil ear drops – 2 drops once a week may prevent this.

If you have ear problems such as dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, ‘runny ears’, you will find keeping your ears dry will improve the condition. Avoid shampoo, shower gel and hairspray etc. in your ears.

The easiest way to keep your ears dry when bathing or showering is by using ear plugs or a piece of cotton wool smeared with Vaseline/Petroleum jelly.

Note: Sodium bicarbonate drops are better for dissolving stubbornly hard wax but should not be used for more than 1 week as it may result in irritation to the skin. If you still feel that you have wax after 1 week of using sodium bicarbonate, then you may continue using a further 3 weeks of olive oil drops.

If after 4 weeks you still feel you have blocked ears, then please call the surgery to request a call back from one of the nurses.

If at any time you are experiencing pain, worsening deafness or an unpleasant smelling discharge you should stop using the drops and consult a doctor or nurse at the surgery.

Gloucester Road Medical Centre no longer offers routine ear irrigation (syringing).

Private Microscution Clinic

We offer a private microsuction clinic for anyone who 8 years old and over and is not a registered patient at Gloucester Road Medical Centre.  

The NHSE regulations 2015 sets out the basic exclusion in charging NHS patients for care. The practice therefore only offers this private microsuction service to non-registered patients.  

Further information about our Private Microsuction Clinic

Flu can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness for some people. Free vaccination is offered by the NHS every autumn/winter to older people (65 years and over), those at higher risk due to a medical condition or immunosuppression, and all children from the age of 6 months. We run clinics in the Autumn/Winter to provide this vaccine.

• Further details are on our seasonal vaccines page
• Learn more about flu vaccinations on the NHS website

In the UK, about 30% of GP appointments are for musculoskeletal (MSK) issues. The First Contact Practitioner (FCP) role places physiotherapists directly in GP practices, allowing patients with MSK problems to bypass the GP and receive immediate specialist care. This approach leads to faster access to MSK treatment, longer appointments, reduced waiting times, fewer referrals to other NHS departments, and higher-quality care.

• Meet our FCP team
• Give feedback to our FCP Team

A group consultation is a session where people with similar health needs meet together with an expert clinician and a trained facilitator. It gives you more time with your healthcare team, and you will still receive personalised medical advice during the session.

Why are we offering group consultations?

We want to improve your experience of care and make clinical reviews more helpful, informative, and accessible. Group consultations allow us to

• Offer longer appointment times
• Provide more in-depth education about management of your condition
• Share up-to-date advice on medications
• Create opportunities to learn from others’ questions and experiences

How will our Group Consultations work?

• We will run both face to face and virtual (online) group consultations. You will have the opportunity to book into either depending on availability

What to Expect on the Day

• You will be welcomed by a facilitator and checked in – please arrive on time.
• Any paperwork will be completed before the session begins.
• The facilitator will guide the group discussion and make sure everyone is included.
• You can contribute as much or as little as you feel comfortable, our trained facilitators will ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute and ask questions.
• General health information will be discussed that is relevant to everyone in the room.

Confidentiality and Your Comfort

• Everyone will sign an agreement to keep each other’s information private and respect confidentiality.
• You do not have to share anything personal unless you choose to.
• If you have something sensitive to discuss, you can request a private conversation during or after the session, or you can also request an individual appointment later if you prefer.

Your Choice

• Attending a group consultation is voluntary, and you can leave the session at any time. You may choose a standard one‑to‑one appointment instead. If you are invited to attend a group consultation, we strongly encourage you to take part and experience the benefits for yourself.

How to Prepare

• Bring any questions you want to ask and bring a list of your current medications (if relevant).

If you have any questions before your appointment, please contact the practice team. Our facilitators will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have.

Hypertension clinics are managed by nurses, with support from clinical pharmacists and GPs.

Home blood pressure monitoring is recommended for patients on medication. The BHS advises using only clinically validated BP monitors, which ensure reliable readings regardless of cost.

Your target blood pressure should be 135/85 or lower. If it's higher, please contact the surgery for a review.

Complete a blood pressure reading

We offer an annual health check to all of our adults with learning difficulties who are registered with the Community Learning Difficulties Team. These provide an opportunity to meet with health professionals to discuss any health needs or issues. Of course, this does not stop anyone from accessing our services at any time. Our nominated clinician for patients with learning difficulties is Sister Victoria Anning.

Find easily accessible health information

We perform a number of in-house minor surgical procedures by appointment for our patients.

All eligible patients will be offered a free NHS health check at the practice, to help you prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

Gloucester Road Medical Centre is a place where young people between 13 and 24 years can find free and confidential help and advice on a variety of health issues relating to them. You can talk to us on your own or with a parent/friend/carer, and as part of our service previously known as "4YP" you do not have to be registered with our practice to get contraception or testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).