We provide the full range of NHS-recommended immunisations for babies and children - these vaccinations are an important way to protect your child against a range of serious illnesses.

You will automatically be invited for an appointment when your child’s immunisations are due.

All mothers are invited for a post-natal check around 6–8 weeks after delivery - this appointment reviews your health and wellbeing following childbirth. At the same time, your baby will be invited for their first development check. You will receive an invitation when these appointments are due.

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of developing other long-term conditions. For this reason, we regularly check:

• Kidney function – using urine and blood tests

• Cholesterol levels – as diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke

• Feet – high blood sugar can reduce blood flow and cause nerve damage. If not managed, this can lead to foot ulcers and, in severe cases, amputation.

All patients with diabetes are invited to attend regular reviews at the practice. These reviews are an essential part of keeping you well and preventing complications.

You will usually see both our Diabetic Nurse and one of our Healthcare Assistants (HCAs):

• The HCA carries out monitoring checks, such as blood tests and foot assessments

• The Diabetic Nurse reviews your results and provides ongoing care and support

At your review, we will:

• Carry out blood tests to monitor your HbA1c (long-term blood sugar control)

• Check your feet for any changes or early problems

• Take your blood pressure and weight

• Provide lifestyle advice and support with diet, exercise, and self-care

• Arrange referrals to other services if needed, such as a dietitian or podiatrist

Our nurses will also ensure you are enrolled in the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, which checks for early signs of retinal changes. Detecting these changes early helps to protect your eyesight and overall health.

We provide confidential advice and support on all forms of contraception, including:

• Emergency contraception

• Pre-conception counselling (planning a pregnancy)

• Oral and barrier methods

• Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as the coil and contraceptive injections

Appointments to discuss your needs can be made with our Senior Nurse Practitioner.

In addition, we offer fitting and removal of:

• Intrauterine devices (coils)

• Sub-dermal contraceptive implants

These procedures are carried out by Dr Carissa Eldred, assisted by a Practice Nurse.

Hearbase, run by Hidden Hearing, is an NHS-approved hearing aid provider working in our local area.

They hold clinics at the Practice most weeks, offering:

• Hearing tests

• Hearing aid fitting

• Follow-up checks and adjustments

You will need a referral to access this service. If you feel you would benefit, please submit an Anima request.

All patients with heart disease are invited to see one of our Practice Nurse for regular reviews.

These appointments may include blood tests, a medication check, and personalised lifestyle advice to help you manage your condition and reduce the risk of complications.

You will be contacted when your annual review is due - please make sure you attend to ensure you receive the best possible ongoing care.

You can access physiotherapy in two ways:

• First Contact Physiotherapist – You can self-refer without seeing your GP, just speak to one of the practice team. The physiotherapist will assess your condition and, if needed, arrange scans or onward treatment. Appointments can take place at Sandwich Medical Practice or at other GP surgeries within the Deal and Sandwich PCN. You may also be referred for this service by a clinican following a consultation. 

• EKTRA Physiotherapy Clinics – EKTRA physiotherapists run clinics at the surgery most weeks. You may be referred to this service by your GP or by the First Contact Physiotherapist for ongoing care or further investigations.

If you feel you would benefit from talking to someone about your mental health or emotional wellbeing, you can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies

If you are unable to complete the self-referral form, you can call them directly on 0333 0910 414.

Please do not hesitate to call if you need support - help is available, and early support can make a real difference.

All patients with asthma or COPD are invited to attend an annual review with one of our Respiratory Nurses. 

These reviews help monitor your condition, manage symptoms, and prevent complications - we strongly encourage you to attend these important appointments.

During your review, we may:

• Check your lung function

• Review your medications and inhaler technique

• Provide advice on lifestyle and symptom management

• Arrange referrals to specialist services if needed

We offer a range of routine vaccinations, including shingles, pneumonia, RSV, and whooping cough, as well as well as some travel vaccinations. 

Eligible patients will be invited to attend for their vaccinations.

Flu vaccinations are offered from October each year, and we will share details of clinics when they are scheduled.

The practice offers appointments for ultrasound examinations with local providers, such as South East Ultrasound, which have several locations in the area. The nearest location to the surgery is the Foundary Clinic, located within the Co-op car park.

Some examinations may still need to be carried out in a hospital setting - your GP will discuss the most appropriate option with you when planning your care.

Our Practice runs weekly anticoagulation clinics for patients who are taking warfarin - regular monitoring is essential to make sure your treatment is safe and effective.

At each clinic appointment, we will:

• Check your INR (International Normalised Ratio)

• Adjust your warfarin dose if needed

• Provide clear advice, guidance, and follow-up arrangements

If you are prescribed warfarin, you will be invited to attend these clinics at regular intervals - please make sure you attend all scheduled appointments, as monitoring is a vital part of your ongoing care.

These are carried out by either one of our HCA's or Practice Nurses:

• ECGs 

• 24-hour blood pressure monitoring

• Blood tests 

• Spirometry

• Cervical screening

• Contraceptive reviews

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) reviews

• Wound dressing

• Leg ulcer care

• Removal of sutures

• Ear syringing

• B12 injections

We offer certain procedures that can be safely carried out in our treatment rooms by specific GPs. These include:

• Removal of skin lesions such as moles, cysts, or other lumps and bumps under local anaesthetic, often avoiding the need for a hospital referral

• Treatment of inflamed joints with joint injections

• Removal of ingrown toenails

If you think one of these procedures may be suitable for you, please submit an Anima to discuss your options with a GP.

Please note: These procedures are only performed by specific doctors trained in these techniques.