Cervical Screening

Our practice is proud to support the NHS Cervical Screening (smear test) Programme. If you’ve been invited for cervical screening, we hope you’ll choose to have it.

Cervical screening saves lives because it allows us to find changes in the cervix before they develop into something more serious and before you may have symptoms. It tests for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is the most common cause of cervical cancer. The test is free, takes around five minutes and is available to anyone aged 25 to 64 with a cervix.

If you have questions about cervical screening or need information about cervical screening in another language, the links below should help you:

Cervical Screening Easy Read Leaflet
Jo’s Trust Easy Guide to Cervical Screening
Jo’s Trust Guide to Cervical Screening Video (available in Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Gujurati, Hindi, Kurdish, Mandarin, Pashto, Roma, Somali, Tamil, Ukrainian and Urdu)

You can also contact us here at the practice and chat with one of our practice nurses. They’ll be happy to help.

Cervical Smear Testing

Smear tests are conducted by our Practice Nurses. The Cytology Department in Leicester will send you a reminder when you are next due – normally 3 yearly for women aged 25-50, and 5 yearly for those over 50, unless advised differently by your GP.

Bereavement Support

We are here to help and support you through this difficult time.

The death of someone close can be shattering. Everyone experiences grief differently; there is no ‘normal’ or ‘right’ way to grieve. How we react will be influenced by many different things, including our age and personality, our cultural background and religious beliefs, our previous experiences of bereavement, our circumstances and how we cope with loss.

Asthma / COPD

Annual reviews are undertaken by the Practice Nurse. During these reviews patients will have a check of lung function, and be given advice on acute asthma attacks. Advice is available for those wishing to stop smoking, avoid trigger factors and improve lifestyle.

Asthma – If your condition is stable, you are able to submit an online Asthma Review form, you can also arrange a telephone call with the Practice Nurse. If your symptoms are deteriorating or you are having any concerns please make an appointment with our Nurse.

Mental Health Support

Living with a mental health problem can sometimes feel like too much to cope with and make day-to-day activities difficult. On top of this, the way we are living due to the pandemic adds to the impact of mental health issues. People with existing problems can find it especially stressful, and those who have not previously experienced mental health issues may struggle to cope with isolation and the immense changes to our way of life.

We would like you to know that you are not alone. There is help and support available both at your GP practice and in the wider community. The 4 Rutland GP practices are open 8am-6.30pm. Talk to us if you need help with your mental health – you can book an appointment online or by telephone. In an emergency, you can also call 999 or go to A&E.

Below are other services which are available outside of the GP hours or as an alternative/ additional support.

Adult Mental Health Services

Mental Health Central Access Point

If you need urgent NHS mental health support, you should call:
0808 800 3302

This is a 24/7 Freephone helpline for people of all ages in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, provided jointly by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) and Turning Point

Using Turning Point’s established Freephone number, the mental health central access point is for people of all ages, offering round-the-clock access to urgent support and solution focused conversations, signposting and referral for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

Calls are handled by Turning Point’s skilled and experienced recovery workers who can access clinical advice from Leicestershire Partnership Trust specialist clinicians when needed. They will talk with you to agree the best support for your urgent mental health needs.

5 Ways to Wellbeing

The five ways to wellbeing have been researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation and adopted by leading mental health organisations in the UK, such as the NHS and Mind. They are a set of evidence-based public mental health messages aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of the whole population. Click here to see a useful guide to the 5 ways of wellbeing.

Free 24-hour Listening Support

When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that is troubling you, no matter how difficult. Call free on 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website.

Shout offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support for times when you need immediate assistance. Text “SHOUT” to 85258.

Vita Health Group

Vita Health Group celebrates life. Improving lives physically and mentally drives everything they do. They work in partnership with the NHS to provide mental and physical health services, which patients over the age of 16 can self-refer to. Visit the website below for more information and to self-refer to the service, or call 0330 094 5595.
Visit the Vita Health Group website

Rutland Community Wellbeing Service

Our Advisers can provide information, support, and signposting to overcome some of the factors which may have a negative impact on your emotional wellbeing, such as poor housing, economic disadvantage, serious illness, bullying, abuse, bereavement, or isolation. We can help with volunteering opportunities in a wide range of settings that could assist you to build self-esteem, confidence, and combat isolation.

Complete the online referral form now or call us on 01572 725805 to see if we can help – remember, all of our services are free and confidential.
Visit the Rutland Community Wellbeing Service website

Peppers Café

Peppers Café is a safe place and there is no charge, no agenda and no pressure. Just an opportunity to meet a friendly face, take some time out to improve your mental health and look after your mind. They offer a range of activities from just sitting, talking and listening whilst enjoying a coffee or a bowl of home-made soup, to cookery and art classes, tai chi sessions for calming relaxation, music making, first-aid training and film nights. It is all there to help you meet new people, regain your confidence and get you back into the swing of things. Their centre on the High Street in Oakham is bright and airy with lots of comfy chairs on which to rest and talk, a kitchen where you can make yourself a drink and a computer on which to browse and catch up on the news.
Visit the Peppers Cafe website

Menstrual Cycles and Mental Health

There is a link between menstrual cycles and mental health – mood, sleep, and energy levels are affected during periods. Understanding premenstrual syndrome and its more severe form premenstrual dysphoric disorder (their physical and emotional effects, what to look out for, and how PMS and PMDD symptoms mimic other mental health conditions) can help you to tackle it. The below website has this information plus useful self-care tips and wellbeing advice for during your cycle. It explains how the right diet, exercise, emotional and stress management practices help, and provides other useful advice and resources for women.
Visit Yoppie for more support

Parents, Guardians and Carers of Young People

If you are a parent/carer, a professional or an education provider in Leicestershire, you can speak to an Educational Psychologist via the Leicestershire Educational Psychology Service Helpline: 0116 305 5100 (Wednesdays 9am to 11.30am).

Parents, guardians and carers of children aged 0-19 can also contact chat health, a free text messaging service on 07520 615 382. They respond within 24 hours, 9 am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays)

Mental health services for young people

Health For Teens

Young people can use the free and confidential text messaging service on to contact their local school nurse for help and support. Text 07520 615 387 for a response within 24 hours, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).
Visit the Health for Teens website

Kooth

Join Kooth for access to an online support community, free articles and tools about mental health, or to chat to their team for help.

Shout

24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text 85258.

Childline

Childline is a free, private and confidential service that you can access online and on the phone. They can provide help and support for people up to their 19th birthday. Call 0800 1111.
Visit the Childline website

OK Rehab

Learn about how we assist people in rebuilding their lives. Addiction treatment should not just be about attending meetings or seeing a ‘professional’. Instead, treatment needs to be accompanied by deep and lasting lifestyle changes, including a shift in what you feel you are capable of achieving.
Visit the OK Rehab website