Coronary Programme

This is a new programme designed to compliment the Department of Health National Services Framework for coronary artery disease prevention. Many people think that "cholesterol" is the answer to this problem. It is NOT. It is PART of the picture.

When looking at any patient and assessing their risk of coronary artery disease, we look at 5 EQUALLY important factors

  • Weight/height
  • Blood pressure
  • Smoking habit
  • Cholesterol level
  • Family history of Coronary artery disease

We will be setting up a service to screen patients who have not had any problem - primary screening. Also ensuring those with the problem are taking the correct treatment - secondary screening.

Diabetes clinic

The aim of the Diabetes Clinic is to increase the awareness and understanding of diabetes through education and minimise complications by regular monitoring of the condition.

The Practice Nurses who have completed the relevant training run the clinics most days. We try to maintain a continuity of care for our patients by trying to carry out follow up appointments with the same nurse when possible. This is especially important during the initial appointments following diagnosis.

The lead diabetes nurse usually sees each newly diagnosed patient within the first few weeks and arranges follow up as necessary over the next 6 months. When the condition is well controlled, the patients are seen at six month intervals for blood tests and a full review annually.

Diabetes is fully explained along with the all-important diet advice. Leaflets and information are given to the patient to take home.

Hypertension

Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure. The British Hypertension Society defines raised blood pressure as above the reading of 160/90.

The Nurses will monitor and perform the regular 6 monthly checks on patients with high blood pressure in accordance with the guidelines for the management of hypertension.

Aims:

  • to reduce mortality and morbidity from raised BP
  • to maintain or improve the quality of life of the patient with raised BP

Objectives:

  • to educate patients about their medical problem and associated risk factors
  • to provide advice to promote and sustain healthier lifestyle
  • to monitor the affect of treatment and arrange future reviews At each review:
  • take BP and pulse
  • test urine specimen annually
  • check weight and advise
  • check smoking habit and advise

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Immunisation for Pregnant Women

You may be aware from the media that all pregnant women whose pregnancy has reached 28 weeks or more are being advised to have the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination. This is to offer protection to their babies during their early weeks when the risks of whooping cough/pertussis are greatest.

We are following national guidance recently released by the Department of Health and are offering this vaccination within the surgery.

Please call 01392 201791 to make an appointment for yourself when or if you have reached 28 weeks or more in your pregnancy.

Further information on whooping cough/pertussis can be found in the following NHS publications:

Whooping cough immunisation for pregnant women
Whooping cough and pregnancy

Additional information is available on the pages of NHS Choices

St Leonard's Practice

The Surgery
Athelstan Road
Exeter EX1 1SB

Surgery opening hours
Monday to Friday 08:15 - 18:00
Closed Wed 13:00 - 14:00

Appointment Line: 01392 201 791
General Enquiries: 01392 201 790

Surgery telephone hours
Monday to Friday 08:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 18:00

All calls to and from St Leonard's Practice are recorded. Recordings will only be accessed as required for quality and training purposes and may be used in complaint resolution.

The St Leonard's Practice provides GP and family doctor services to patients in Exeter, Wonford, Heavitree, St Leonard's, Whipton, Stoke Hill and Pennsylvania.