Additional Services
24hr blood pressure monitoring
This involves fitting an ambulatory BP machine to you, which will take readings of your blood pressure over a 24 hour period. Then, on returning to the practice to have the machine removed, we will interpret the results to decide the best course of medical action, if required.
Cardiovascular Disease Screening
Cardiovascular disease is the medical term for heart attacks, strokes and other diseases of the circulation. These serious conditions are common causes of both death and severe disability, particularly in western society. In the UK the further north you live, the greater the risk you have of developing these serious problems.
Both men and women are affected (although women are largely protected from heart disease until after the menopause) and for so many people problems of the circulation tend to run in families. However, there are many risk factors that can be identified and treated, either by your doctor or yourself, or more commonly a combination of both.
At Marple Cottage Surgery we are keen to help you to prevent heart attacks and strokes from occurring and recurring. To do this, we test people (screen) for the presence of risk factors, eg smoking, high blood pressure and high blood fat levels (cholesterol), which can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Once identified there is a lot that we and you can do to reduce them.
We operate a screening recall programme and will routinely send out appointments to our patients.
Menopause
Menopause literally means the last menstrual period. It occurs when the function of the ovaries ceases. This does not happen instantaneously and so many women are aware of symptoms for many months or years before their last period. Sometimes these same symptoms can last for years after a woman’s periods have stopped. The average age in the UK is 51. However, many women experience symptoms years before this. Symptoms include hot flushes, mood changes, and problems with passing urine frequently, among many others. Information leaflets can be found on www.thebms.org.uk/factsheets.php
However, many women prefer to talk to a healthcare professional and our patients are able to come in and talk to any of our team.
www.menopausematters.co.uk
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Patient Leaflet
Alternatives to HRT Patient Leaflet
Smoking Cessation
If you are ready to give up smoking there is help available:
You can access a website at: www.givingupsmoking.co.uk
You can ring the Stop Smoking Service at 0161 474 3141 or email START@stockport.gov.uk
You can ring the NHS Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044
The Costs of Smoking
22% of all male deaths and 11% of all female deaths are due to smoking. Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of developing many smoking related illnesses. Within 10-15 years of giving up, an ex-smokers' risk of developing lung cancer is only slightly greater than someone who has never smoked.
The costs of smoking are high and we're not just talking money. Consider some of the less obvious costs below and the price a smoker may have to pay.
Physical
- Wheezing, shortness of breath
- Lack of energy, poor concentration
- Dull skin, nicotine-stained fingers, premature wrinkling
- Reduced fertility, risky pregnancy, baby at risk
- Damaged taste buds, stained teeth
- Lung cancer, emphysema, stroke, heart attack - the list goes on
- Damaged circulation, gangrene, amputation
Social
- Polluting the air with carcinogens
- Children at higher risk of asthma, cot-death, bronchitis and glue ear
- Smoke gets in your eyes
- Dusty, stuffy home. Nicotine stains your walls as well as your fingers.
- Spoilt clothes and furniture
- Increased risk of fire in the home
Financial
At today's rates, a 20-a-day smoker will spend £31,025 over the next 20 years. Holidays you could have enjoyed; savings you could have built up; a home, car or important possessions you could have owned; toys and experiences you could have brought for your children.
Emotional
- Being a turn off to potential partners and the possibility of missing out on relationships
- Feeling a slave to cigarettes
- Ever present, nagging sense of guilt that you should give up
- Disapproval and dislike, increasing pressure from a society that doesn't want to be subjected to smoke
Counselling Service
We offer you the choice of referral under the NHS and referral to a Trainee Counsellor at the practice.
What is a Trainee Counsellor?
All trainee counsellors are part-qualified counsellors, currently working towards their Diploma in Counselling, and members of the BACP.
The counsellor sessions are run by students who are currently undergoing a counsellor qualification at Stockport College.
As part of their training they need to gain practical experience of counselling patients, as they would if they were fully qualified, before they can work in the private sector.
Although not employed by the practice they are bound by the same confidentiality rules as all the staff at the practice, and all sessions are kept completely confidential.
How am I referred to a counsellor?
If you are deemed to require a referral to a counsellor a clinician will give you a choice of referral to the NHS counsellors or to one of the trainee counsellors at the practice. If you choose to see a Trainee Counsellor you will be added to a short waiting list at the surgery and someone from the Reception team will be in contact as soon as a free appointment becomes available.
Weight
Our current busy lifestyles are making it difficult for people to keep their weight down and, as we age, our joints prevent us from being as active as we once were. More than half the adults in the UK are heavier than recommended. About 2 in 5 adults are overweight, and about a further 1 in 5 are obese.
You are at increased health risk if the extra fat you carry is mainly around your waist ('apple shaped'), rather than mainly on your hips and thighs ('pear shaped').
As a rule, a waist measurement of 40 inches or more for men and 34.5 inches or more for women increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
There are things you can do to lose weight. It's never too late to try new ways. Becoming more active; walking is a great form of exercise, and eating sensibly such as reducing meal portion sizes will help. Remember your body gets used to what you feed it and if you are used to overeating you will feel hungry when you cut down. A sensible eating plan can help you to lose weight without the hunger.
We have a wide range of information available and expertise. Please ask for further advice.
Stockport Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)
The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye conditions.
The service is provided by MECS accredited optometrists (also known as opticians)
Minor eye conditions that can be treated by the service include:
- Red eye or eyelids
- Dry eye gritty and uncomfortable eyes
- Irritation and inflammation of the eye
- Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
- Recently occurring flashes and floaters
- Painful eye
- Ingrowing eyelashes
- Recent and sudden loss of vision
- Foreign body in the eye
Who is the service for?
The service is for people registered with a GP in Stockport. It is for people of all ages - adults and children. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.
How do I book an appointment with the service?
The service is provided by a number of MECS registered optometrists across these areas. To find out more information, or a list of Optometrists local to your address, please visit http://www.gmpec.co.uk/service/Minor-Eye-Care-Conditions
List of Optometrists (within 5km of the Practice)
Ridings Opticians Tel: 0161 427 4945
Address:- 20 Stockport Road, Marple, Stockport, , SK6 7AB
Opening Times:- Mon-Fri:09.00-17.30 | Sat:09.00-13.00 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract | Minor Eye Conditions | Enhanced Sight Test for Learning Disabilities |
Roger Fisher Opticians Tel: 0161 427 1319
Address:- 29 Stockport Road, Marple, Stockport, , SK6 6BD
Opening Times:- Mon-Fri:09.30-17.30 | Sat:09.00-13.00 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract | Minor Eye Conditions | Enhanced Sight Test for Learning Disabilities |
John Glover Opticians Tel: 0161 494 5000
Address:- 45 Compstall Road, Stockport, , SK6 4DB
Opening Times:- Mon-Wed:09.00-13.00 | Mon-Wed:14.00-17.30 | Thurs:09.00-13.00 | Fri:09.00-13.00 | Fri:14.00-17.30 | Sat:09.00-13.00 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract | Minor Eye Conditions |
Taylor & Dewhurst Tel: 0161 430 2037
Address:- 33 Compstall Road, Stockport, , SK6 4BT
Opening Times:- Mon-Tue:09.00-17.00 | Wed:09.00-12.30 | Thurs-Fri:09.00-17.00 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract | Minor Eye Conditions |
Harries Opticians Tel: 0161 483 9009
Address:- 313 London Road, Stockport, , SK7 4PS
Opening Times:- Tue-Fri:09.00-18.00 | Sat:09.00-13.00 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract | Enhanced Sight Test for Learning Disabilities |
The Spectacle Studio Tel: 0161 487 4335
Address:- 155 London Road, Stockport, , SK7 4HH
Opening Times:- Mon-Tue:09.00-17.00 | Thurs-Fri:09.00-17.00 | Sat:09.00-14.00 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract |
Garlands Opticians Tel: 0161 430 5198
Address:- 14 Berrycroft Lane, Stockport, , SK6 3AU
Opening Times:- Mon:09.00-12.30 | Tue:09.00-12.30 | Tue:14.00-17.00 | Wed:09.00-12.30 | Thurs-Fri:09.00-12.30 | Thurs-Fri:14.00-17.00 | Sat:09.00-12.30 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract | Minor Eye Conditions |
Warburton Optometrists Tel: 0161 480 6432
Address:- 415 Hempshaw Lane, Stockport, , SK1 4QA
Opening Times:- Mon-Fri:09.00-17.30 |
Services:- | Glaucoma | Cataract | Minor Eye Conditions |