We provide annual reviews for patients with long term medical conditions. We will invite you for your annual review in your birthday month. Invites will be sent by text message if you have a mobile phone; or by letter if you don’t. Please contact our reception team to book your review and read the useful information below about what to expect.
For COPD and Asthma, please complete the Assessment Tests and send us the results at least 48 hours before your appointment. Please scroll down to the COPD and Asthma sections below for links to the tests.
All second appointments are currently by telephone.
Diabetic Review
Everyone who has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes should undergo a diabetes care review at least once annually so we can monitor your general health. If you are newly diagnosed, a child or have diabetic complications, we may invite you for a diabetic review more often. You will have two appointments:
At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:
- Take your height and weight
- Take your blood pressure and pulse
- Do blood tests
- Do a urine test
- Check your feet for circulation and sensation.
At appointment 2 with the GP or Lead Nurse, we will:
- Discuss any issues you have with your diabetes or health in general
- Review your medication including any side effects
- Advise of any change in treatment, lifestyle or medication
- People who take insulin should ensure they are having their injection/infusion sites checked.
You will also be invited for Retinal Screening at the hospital. At this appointment the back of the eye (retina) is checked for early diabetic changes which could lead to vision complications if left untreated.
For more information on diabetes, visit nhs.uk or www.diabetes.org.uk
Pre-Diabetic Review
Many more people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is sometimes known as pre-diabetes or Non Diabetic Hyperglycaemia. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased. It is very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated.
If you have a blood test and this shows raised blood sugar levels, you will be invited for a pre-diabetic annual review. You will have two appointments:
At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:
- Take your weight and height
- Check your blood pressure and pulse
- Do blood tests
- Do a urine test
At appointment 2 with the GP or nurse, we will:
- Review your results and give advice to reduce your risk of getting diabetes.
Heart Disease Review
Patients with the following heart conditions will be invited for an annual review:
- Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
You will have two appointments. At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:
- Take your height and weight
- Take your blood pressure and pulse
- Do blood tests
- Do a urine test
At appointment 2 with the GP or nurse, we will:
- Review your symptoms
- Review your diet, exercise, smoking and other lifestyle factors
- Give advice to reduce your overall risk of having a heart attack
- Review your medication
For more information on heart disease, visit British Heart Foundation www.bhf.org.uk, H.E.A.R.T. UK www.heartuk.org.uk, NHS.UK Coronary Heart Disease, NHS.UK Cardiovascular Disease, NHS.UK Peripheral Artery Disease, NHS.UK Stroke and NHS.UK TIA.
Hypertension Review and home blood pressure (BP) monitoring
Persistently high blood pressure (BP), Hypertension, causes strain on the arteries carrying blood around the body, which may eventually lead to Heart Attacks and Strokes.
For those with hypertension it is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly. We encourage patients to purchase a BP device to use at home and send regular readings to us for a nurse or GP to review. Take your BP measurements after relaxing for 10 minutes and note down the best of three readings. Send these to us on a 3 monthly basis unless your GP advises you do it more regularly. You can send your results to us via email [email protected] or via an Engage Online Consultation.
We will invite you for an annual review. This will be with our nurse who will take your blood pressure, discuss your condition and give advice to reduce your high blood pressure. You will also be invited for a 6 month shorter review.
For more information on Hypertension and monitoring your BP at home, visit the following websites:
- nhs.uk
- The British Hypertension Society – provide a list of recommended home BP devices and a home blood pressure diary
- British Heart Foundation – provide guidance on monitoring your BP at home and a list of recommended BP devices
Atrial Fibrillation Review
Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. This can cause problems including heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness. You will be invited to two appointments:
Appointment 1 with the nurse:
- Take your height and weight
- Take your blood pressure and pulse
- Do blood tests
Appointment 2 with the GP or nurse:
- Review your results, medication and give advice on managing your condition.
For more information on atrial fibrillation, visit nhs.uk or the British Heart Foundation.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Review
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should. It is a common condition often associated with getting older. You will be invited to one appointment with the nurse, where we will:
- Take your height and weight
- Take your blood pressure and pulse
- Do blood tests
- Do a urine test
If there are any concerns from the tests at your first appointment, we will contact you to discuss further.
For more information on kidney disease, visit nhs.uk or Kidney Care UK.
Asthma Review
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.
You will be invited for an annual review with the nurse.
Before your review, please complete the Asthma Control Test (PDF) and send it to us at least 48 hours in advance of your review. If you cannot open the PDF document, you can complete the test on the Asthma Control Test Website and print a copy of your results. You can send your results via Engage Online Consultation, email to [email protected] or by post.
At your review, the nurse will review your Asthma Control Test score, discuss your symptoms, check your inhaler technique and talk about reducing your risk of an asthma attack. Please bring your inhalers and spacers with you.
A Peak flow meter is a simple measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. It’s often used to help diagnose and monitor asthma. Your GP or nurse might recommend you buy a peak flow meter to use at home or you may be eligible to have one on prescription. For more information on peak flow, visit nhs.uk.
For more information on asthma, visit nhs.uk and www.asthma.org.uk.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Review
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It includes:
- emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs
- chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways
Before your review, please complete the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) available in PDF or on the CAT website and send it to us at least 48 hours before your appointment. You can send your results via an Engage Online Consultation, email to [email protected] or by post.
You will be invited for an annual review with two appointments. At appointment 1, the nurse will:
- Take your weight and height
- Take your blood pressure and pulse
- Do blood tests
At appointment 2, the GP or nurse will:
- Review of your COPD treatment and lifestyle factors affecting your respiratory health including stopping smoking
- Review your medication and your inhaler technique (please bring your inhaler and spacers with you)
For more information on COPD, visit nhs.uk or British Lung Foundation www.blf.org.uk
Rheumatoid Arthritis Review
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The condition usually affects the hands, feet and wrists.
You will be invited for an annual review with two appointments. At appointment 1 with our nurse, we will:
- Take your height and weight
- Take your blood pressure and pulse
- Do blood tests
- Do a urine test
At appointment 2 with the GP, we will:
- Review your results, medication and give advice on managing your condition.
For more information on rheumatoid arthritis, visit nhs.uk or National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS).
Long Term Mental Health Review
Patients with long term mental health problems will be invited for an annual review with the GP. The GP will do some blood tests and discuss your general physical health.
For more information on mental health, read our Mental Health page or visit nhs.uk.
Dementia Review
Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.
There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia.
You will be invited for an annual review with two appointments. At appointment 1 with the nurse, we will:
- Take your weight and height
- Check your blood pressure and pulse
- Take blood tests
At appointment 2 with the GP, we will do a medication review, check for new symptoms or changes in behaviour, discuss planning ahead and support for carers.
Find out more about dementia at nhs.uk, Dementia UK or Alzheimer’s Society.
Learning Disability Review
People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This does not need to be the case. An annual health check helps you stay well by talking about your health and finding any problems early, so you get the right care.
Our learning disability annual health checks are with Dr Lorna Davey. Find out more about what to expect at your annual review at nhs.uk.
Find out more about learning disabilities in general at nhs.uk.
