Clinics & Services

This page provides an overview of the clinics and services available at Parkwood Surgery.

Services are grouped below to help you find the care or support you need more easily. Some services require an appointment, while others may involve referral to another provider or self-referral. Where this applies, further information is included within each section.

 

Long-Term Conditions & Reviews

Routine reviews to help monitor and manage long-term conditions such as asthma, COPD and diabetes.

Asthma and COPD

Our respiratory nurse has specialist training in the diagnosis and management of asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). We recommend an annual review to:

      • Check that your medication is working effectively
      • Review your symptoms and inhaler technique
      • Help organise the management of your condition

More information about your annual Asthma review or COPD review can be found on our website.

Diabetes Care

We provide diabetes care and annual reviews for all patients with diabetes to help monitor and manage their condition.

Your review may include:

      • a comprehensive assessment by a trained clinician and pharmacist
      • review of medications
      • discussion of blood test results
      • support with lifestyle management

We also carry out screening blood tests to help identify patients who may be at risk of developing diabetes in the future.

For more information about what is involved in your annual review, please see the relevant page here.

Blood Pressure Checks

We offer blood pressure checks and provide advice and support for people with high blood pressure (hypertension) or those monitoring their blood pressure.

This may include:

      • blood pressure measurements
      • advice on lifestyle changes
      • review of home blood pressure readings
      • medication reviews where appropriate

Please contact the surgery if you think you may need a blood pressure check.

 

Screening & Health Checks

Preventative checks and screening programmes to support early detection and long-term health.

NHS Health Checks

If you are aged 40 to 74 years old and have not been diagnosed with a long-term health condition, you may be eligible for a free NHS Health Check.

An NHS Health Check helps to assess your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease, and provides advice on how to reduce your risk.

For more information about what an NHS Health Check involves, please see here.

Screening – Provided by NHS Services

We offer and support the following NHS Screening Programmes:

      • Cervical screening (smear test)
      • Breast Screening
      • Bowel cancer screening
      • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
      • PSA testing (where clinically appropriate)

 

Vaccinations & Immunisations

Seasonal and routine vaccinations to help protect you and your family from preventable illness.

Child Health & Child Immunisations

Our nursing team provides routine childhood vaccinations in line with the NHS vaccination schedule.

Vaccinations help protect babies and children from serious infectious diseases and are an important part of keeping your child healthy.

You can find up-to-date information about:

      • which vaccines are offered
      • why each vaccine is important
      • how vaccines work
      • common side effects and aftercare advice

by visiting: Vaccinations – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

This information also includes helpful vaccination tips for parents and carers.

For additional independent, evidence-based information about vaccines and infectious diseases, you may also find the Oxford University Vaccine Knowledge Project helpful: Home | Vaccine Knowledge Project (ox.ac.uk).

If you have questions about your child’s vaccinations or are unsure whether your child is up-to-date, please contact the surgery.

Travel Advice

We provide travel advice and a range of travel vaccinations in line with NHS guidance.

For details of current charges, please see: Fees for Non NHS Services .

We recommend contacting the surgery at least 6-8 weeks before you travel to allow enough time for advice and vaccination schedules.

Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:

These vaccines are provided free of charge because they protect against diseases considered to pose a significant risk to public health.

Which travel vaccines will I need to pay for?

You may need to pay for the following travel vaccinations:

Please note that yellow fever vaccination is only available from designated centres, and cannot be provided by the GP surgery.

Shingles Vaccination

The shingles vaccine helps reduce the risk of developing shingles and the long-term nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia) that can follow. Shingles can be more severe as we get older, and vaccination offers important protection.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for the shingles vaccine if you are:

  • Aged 70 to 79, or

  • 50 years and over with a weakened immune system

Eligibility is set nationally by the NHS. If you are eligible, we will contact you to invite you for vaccination.

How the vaccine is given

We run dedicated shingles vaccination appointments with our nursing team. These are planned clinics to ensure the vaccine is given safely and appropriately.

Some patients may require two doses, depending on the type of vaccine recommended for them.

If you think you may be eligible

If you believe you may be eligible and have not yet been contacted, please contact the surgery and we will be happy to check this for you.

Women’s Health

Support and services relating to contraception, menopause, cervical screening and maternity care.

Contraception and Family Planning Advice

We offer confidential contraception and family planning advice to support you in choosing the option that is right for you.

Our nurses and GPs provide information and guidance on the full range of contraceptive methods, including:

      • oral contraceptive pills
      • contraceptive injections
      • implants
      • intrauterine devices (coils)

Appointments include time to discuss your options, benefits and possible side effects, so you can make an informed decision.

For additional advice and support with sexual health and contraception, you can also visit:  SH:24

Maternity Care

If you think you may be pregnant, you will need to self-refer directly to the maternity services. The GP surgery does not make referrals for maternity care.

You can self-refer online using the following link: Refer yourself for NHS pregnancy care – NHS

After completing your self-referral:

      • a midwifery team will contact you to arrange your first antenatal (booking) appointment
      • you will be given information about your pregnancy care and screening options
      • you antenatal care plan will be explained, including where your appointments will take place

You do not need to see a GP to self-refer for maternity care unless you have a medical concern or need advice unrelated to your pregnancy referral.

 

Tests, Monitoring & Procedures

In-practice tests and monitoring services, including blood tests and routine clinical checks.

Phlebotomy/Blood clinics

Blood tests may be carried out at either the surgery or at Hemel Hempstead General Hospital (HHGH) Phlebotomy Clinic, depending on availability and patient need.

Blood tests at the surgery

We have limited availability every morning for blood tests at the surgery for patients who are unable or prefer not to attend the hospital blood clinic. Availability is restricted, and appointments may be subject to clinical priority.

Please contact the surgery to discuss whether a blood test can be arranged at the practice.

Hemel Hempstead General Hospital (HHGH) Phlebotomy Clinic

The HHGH phlebotomy clinic is no longer a walk-in service.

Appointments must be booked in advance, either:

Further information about the clinic can be found here: Blood tests :: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Children and babies

      • Under 5s – Children under five years old can only be seen at the Peace Children’s Centre in Watford.
      • 5-11 years – Children aged five to 11 years old can have a blood test at the Peace Children’s Centre or at any of our local hospitals (Hemel Hempstead, St Albans City and Watford) by using the online system.
      • 12 and over – Children aged 12 years or over should book into the adult clinic at HHGH using the online system.

Please note, that the surgery are only able to take blood from patients aged 16 or over.

Blood Pressure Checks

We offer blood pressure checks and provide advice and support for people with high blood pressure (hypertension) or those monitoring their blood pressure.

This may include:

      • blood pressure measurements
      • advice on lifestyle changes
      • review of home blood pressure readings
      • medication reviews where appropriate

Please contact the surgery if you think you may need a blood pressure check.

Support Services & Additional Help

Services to support wellbeing, carers, social needs and end-of-life care.

Support for Carers

If you provide unpaid care for a family member or friend, you may be entitled to additional support from the practice.

We can offer:

  • Help identifying you as a carer on your medical record

  • Access to health checks and appropriate clinical support

  • Assistance with accessing appointments and services

  • Signposting to local carers’ organisations and support services

If you are a carer and have not yet informed the practice, please let us know so we can ensure you are aware of the support available to you.

Further information about carers support at Parkwood Surgery can be found here.
Carers

Counselling

If you would like support with your mental health, you can book an appointment with our Mental Health Nurse.

They can:

      • listen to your concerns
      • help assess your needs
      • support you in accessing appropriate care or services
      • assist with onward referrals to relevant external services

Exercise and Weight Management

We offer advice and support to help patients improve physical activity levels and manage their weight.

This may include:

      • lifestyle advice
      • discussion of local or NHS-Supported programmes
      • referrals to appropriate exercise or weight management services, where suitable

For additional advice and support to help you make sustainable changes to your weight management and physical activity, please visit:

Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle Medicine focuses on practical, evidence-based ways to support your health through everyday habits such as movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management and social connection.

This approach works alongside medical care and can help support long-term wellbeing, particularly for people living with ongoing health conditions.

You can find more information, resources and the Lifestyle as Medicine newsletter here: Lifestyle as Medicine

Right to Choose – ADHD and Autism

Information about ADHD and autism assessment pathways, including the NHS Right to Choose process, Shared Care Agreements, and how medication prescribing works between specialist services and your GP.

Find out more here: Right to Choose – ADHD & Autism Support

Smoking Cessation Clinic

We offer access to specialist cessation support to help you stop smoking.

These are one on one telephone appointments that may include:

      • personalised care
      • discussion of nicotine replacement or other treatments

Please contract the surgery to find out how to access smoking cessation support.

Social Prescribing

Social prescribing can help if you need additional support with your health, wellbeing, or social needs.

Our Social Prescriber can:

      • help you access local community services
      • support you with local issues such as loneliness, housing, finances, caring responsibilities, or lifestyle changes
      • work with you to identify non-medical support that may improve your wellbeing

This service is available for patients, carers, and families.

Specialist MSK Physiotherapy Service

We offer appointments with a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) for problems related to muscles, joints, bones and soft tissues. This service is provided by Circle MSK.

For many musculoskeletal problems, seeing a FCP is often more appropriate than seeing a GP. FCPs are specialists in accessing and managing muscle, joint, and bone conditions and are trained to provide expert care at the first point of contact.

You may be suitable to see a FCP for:

      • back or neck pain
      • joint or muscle pain
      • arthritis
      • ligament or soft tissue injuries
      • chronic pain or mobility issues

FCPs are highly trained clinicians who can:

      • assess, diagnose, and manage musculoskeletal conditions
      • provide first-line treatment and self-management advice
      • arrange investigations, such as scans or blood tests
      • refer to secondary care services using the same pathways as GPs
      • provide injection therapy

Appointments are person-centred and focus on helping you manage your condition effectively. The often includes advice on self-management, physical activity, and pain management.

If your issue is not musculoskeletal in nature or requires medical input, FCP will ensure that you are directed to the most appropriate clinician.

Sexual Health

We offer confidential sexual health advice and support for patients of all ages.

Sexual health services are designed to help you look after your physical and emotional wellbeing, whether you have symptoms, concerns, or simply want advice.

What support is available?

At the surgery, we can provide:

      • general sexual health advice
      • guidance on contraception and family planning
      • signposting to appropriate local and NHS Services

Due to limited availability of sexual health screening at the practice, we recommend using SH:24 for most sexual health needs.

SH:24 – Online Sexual Health Service

SH:24 is a free NHS service that provides:

      • confidential advice and information
      • home testing kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
      • access to treatment where appropriate
      • contraception services in some areas

Palliative Care

Palliative care focuses on providing comfort, dignity, and support for patients with life-limited illnesses, as well as supporting their families and carers.

We work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including:

      • Rennie Grove Hospice Care nurses
      • heart failure nurses
      • community respiratory nurses
      • district nursing teams

Wherever possible, we aim to support patients to be cared for at home, if this is their wish. We also work closely with local hospice services when additional support is needed.

Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning gives you the opportunity to think about and discuss your wishes for future care, including what is important to you if your health changes.

This may include:

      • your preferences for future treatment and care
      • where you would prefer to be cared for, if possible
      • who you would prefer to be cared by, if possible
      • documenting your wishes in an Advance Care Plan or other recognised forms

Advance care planning is not about giving up treatment. It is about making sure your wishes are known, respected, and shared with the healthcare professionals involved in your care. Our team can support patients and families with these discussions and help ensure that plans are recorded and shared appropriately.

If you would like to discuss advance care planning for yourself or a loved one, please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment.

Veterans Support

We are proud to support current and former members of the UK Armed Forces. Veterans may be entitled to additional NHS services, including priority treatment for service-related conditions. Please let us know if you are a veteran so we can ensure this is recorded on your medical record and help you access appropriate support.

Find out more about Veterans Support: Veterans Support at Parkwood Surgery

Non-NHS Services

Some services provided by the practice are not covered by the NHS. Where this is the case, a private (non-NHS) fee will be charged in line with BMA guidance.

Examples of non-NHS services include:

      • Private medical letters or reports
      • Private health insurance forms
      • Pre-employment or occupational health medicals
      • Certain travel vaccinations
      • Medical certificates and private forms

Please note that non-NHS work is completed outside of NHS contracted services and may take longer than routine NHS requests.

Our reception team will be happy to advise on fees, timescales, and appointment availability before you proceed.