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If you are pregnant and considering abortion, you are not alone. Around 1 in 3 UK women have an abortion by the time they are 45. An abortion is classed as a type of procedure that allows you to terminate a pregnancy and the pregnancy is ended either by taking medicines or having a surgical procedure.
Making the choice to end a pregnancy is a big decision for anyone, so making sure you have all of the information and resources available to you in order to make an informed decision, is crucial.
With this in mind, we outline some key information relating to getting an abortion in the UK.
At the start of the process, you will be able to openly and confidentially discuss your feelings regarding your current pregnancy and possible abortion. Often this chat will take place either over the phone or in-person. You’ll likely be able to choose but it’s likely that this will take place over the phone.
You will be given all of the relevant and necessary information you need to make an informed decision and this will allow you fully explore all the options available. All of the information you discuss will be totally confidential.
After the abortion you may opt to see support service for additional guidance, support or emotional after care. Be mindful that some of these support services are geared towards promoting the view of a wider organisation, so make sure that you are using a verified organisation. Contact an organisation through your GP for advice on getting the necessary support in your area.
Lots of our patients will have abortions paid for via the National Health Service (NHS). In some cases, information about your location and GP may be required to see if funding is available. If you are a European national currently in the UK but don’t have access to NHS funding and are more than 10 weeks pregnant, please reach out to the Abortion Support Network for further guidance. You will be able to discuss NHS-funded treatments and see if you are eligible to receive this.
Your well-being should always be a number one priority. At NHS GP, we offer a range of clinical services for everyone including NHS including abortion services, weight loss management, drug and alcohol support and plenty more. Get your body and mind in the right place today and contact us for more information.
As the nights get longer and the weather gets colder, the chances of catching a cold or the flu increase. By getting a flu vaccine, you can be protected from the risk of getting seriously ill.
Read on to find out why you should consider getting a flu vaccine this winter.
A flu vaccine causes antibodies to develop in the body that will help to protect from any influenza viruses that enter your body. Scientists work hard to identify which strains of the flu are likely to be more prevalent this season, designing the flu vaccine to combat these strains. No vaccines contain live viruses so will not give you the flu itself, just act as prevention.
The flu vaccine gives the best protection against flu and if you do catch it, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. It will also stop you from spreading the flu to other people who may be more at risk.
Because of the number of people staying indoors during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are less likely to have built up any natural immunity to protect against the flu this year. If you get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time, you are much more likely to become seriously ill.
By getting vaccinated, you’re protecting yourself from both of these serious illnesses. If you’re eligible for your second dose of the COVID-19 jab or the booster, it is completely safe to have this and the flu jab at the same time.
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS for a few key groups. These are people who:
If you don’t fall into any of these categories, you can still get the flu vaccine, but it will not be available for free. You can have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery, a pharmacy, or at a hospital, depending on their availability. You should book soon to get your appointment as quickly as possible.
Most adults can and should get the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you are currently ill with a high temperature or have had a serious allergic reaction in the past. This may be due to an egg allergy. If so you can ask your GP for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine.
If you’re still unsure and live in the North London area, you can register with NHS GP online and book a video consultation, where a trained practitioner can explain to you the benefits of the flu vaccine. Alternatively, contact us at 0208 902 4792 if you have any questions.
It happens every year. Thousands of students leave home for the first time to travel to university in a different city. In the excitement of moving away, making new friends and getting stuck into the university experience, some tasks are forgotten about. One of these is registering with a new local GP.
Read on to find out why it’s very important not to forget to register with a new GP at university.
Registering with a local GP enables you to access the right health care whenever you need it. Unless you have a serious issue that requires calling 999 or going to A&E, visiting a GP will normally be the place you need to go for physical or mental health concerns.
Students often become ill much easier than other groups, due to new people from many different places mixing together for the first time. There is a lot of danger from different viruses such as mumps, which can spread quickly through students if unvaccinated. You should make sure your vaccines are up to date before you go to university or immediately after arriving. If you have ongoing health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy, it is vital to register to a university GP so you can get guaranteed access to the medicine you need.
Most UK based students will already be registered at their home GP, but we recommend you swap to a GP that is closer to your university address, as this is where you will spend most of your time. If you go home for holidays and need a GP, it is easy to be seen as a temporary patient or for emergency treatment. If you are an international student who is pursuing a full course of study for longer than six months, you are entitled to register with the NHS, meaning you don’t have to worry about not having access to healthcare.
You need to know a few facts about yourself in order to register at your new GP, so be prepared with this information:
For most 1st year students, the most convenient place to register is probably a health centre that is attached to your university. However, once you move away from campus and out into the community, you might find a more convenient local GP near your new accommodation.
If you live in the North London area, register with NHS GP for online GP services. This offers a range of health management tools, GP video consultation and the ability to manage ongoing prescriptions or appointments. For any questions, give us a call on 0208 902 4792 or visit our website now to complete our quick and easy online registration.
A medical issue is always scary, no matter how serious it can be. You may find yourself instinctively typing 999 into your phone for any problem, but could 111 actually be the right choice for your issue?
Read on to find out in what situation you should call 111 or 999.
You should call 111 if you think you may need to go to A&E, but the situation isn’t life-threatening or limb-threatening. A trained operator can provide you with urgent care and assessment over the phone. Problems you may want to call 111 for include:
Through 111 you can have a telephone or video consultation with a clinician, or they may book you an appointment to attend A&E or the Minor Injuries Unit. Booking an appointment with 111 in advance will save you waiting a long time in a hospital waiting room and taking up the space of someone who may need urgent help before you. 111 can be helpful if you’re not registered at a surgery, or you need advice and your surgery is closed for the day.
You should call 999 in a life-threatening medical emergency. This is when you or someone else is seriously ill or injured, putting their life at risk. Here are a few cases when you should call 999 and some of the symptoms:
If you believe you or someone is having a heart attack or stroke, call 999 immediately as every second counts with these conditions.
The simplest way to put it is that 999 is for emergencies and 111 is for non-emergencies.
If you’re unsure about who to call, always make 111 your first choice. They will ask questions about the issue and get you the help you need. They can help book an appointment for you, or get your urgent help if your emergency is more serious. You can even get help online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at https://111.nhs.uk/.
If you have a less serious issue, get in touch with NHS GP for online GP services. It’s quick and easy to register and you get access to a range of health management tools, GP video consultations and ongoing prescriptions or appointments at your local GP Practice in North London. Give us a call on 0208 902 4792 if you have any questions, or register online now.
It’s normal to have moles, but sometimes they can become dangerous. That innocent looking dark mark could be a sign of skin cancer, so checking your moles every few months is essential. If you have a history of melanoma, check even more often. If you notice anything different, check with your doctor.
Here’s when you need to get a mole checked.
There is no one look for moles. They may be any colour from skin tone to a range of browns or even black. While most are flat, some are raised and soft to the touch. However, normal moles should be evenly coloured and will have smooth edges – it’s when changes appear that you should be mindful and seek a professional opinion.
When should you consider seeing a doctor about a mole? Here are the signs you need to get it checked:
It can be difficult to tell a regular mole from a dangerous one, so if you have any concerns about a spot on your skin, it’s best to show it to a dermatologist. They will be able to tell you if there’s cause for concern or not. From there, you may take the recommended steps to either remove the mole or determine if it is cancerous.
If you’re looking for a skin specialist but aren’t ready or able to get to a clinic, you can get online advice from a dermatologist. This allows you to see a doctor without leaving your home and will reassure you if you’re worried about a mole. The doctor will examine your symptoms and photos of the mole and can discuss the options for treatment if needed.
Are you looking for a qualified skin specialist to look at your worrisome moles? Contact NHS GP today to book an appointment with our dermatologist.
Acne is a skin issue that plagues teenagers, but it can also affect you long into adulthood. It can be devastating to your self-esteem to deal with large blemishes on your face and body, not to mention it’s often uncomfortable. What can you do to prevent acne from forming in the first place?
Here are five top ways of preventing acne.
You should gently wash your face every morning and night with warm water and gentle soap. There are some soaps that are specially formulated to help with acne and these may help, but they can also be drying. You may wish to use acne soap just once a day. Washing regularly will reduce the amount of dirt that collects in your pores and can also rinse away oils and sweat that can clog the pores.
The acne products that you may use tend to dry out the skin, which can cause peeling and more issues with your skin. To prevent this, you should look for a moisturiser that says non-comedogenic on the label as it’s a much gentler formula.
You’ll find many acne preventing products are available. These usually use lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. You should always start out with a very small amount, as these products can be drying and may affect your skin adversely. If you notice any issues or sensitivities, you should stop using the product.
If you usually wear makeup, you need to avoid it while you’re dealing with an outbreak. Eye makeup rarely causes issues, but anything that could clog the pores on your face should be avoided. In between breakouts, use oil-free mineral makeup and remove it once you are home.
Your hair can transfer oil to your face, which may contribute to your acne breakouts. Keep hair off the face and be sure to wash it frequently. You want to avoid oily hair touching your face, but it’s also a good idea to skip gels and products that could get on your face and irritate the skin. If it stays on your hair after a shower, it can block your pores, so keep your hair back.
If these tips don’t reduce or eliminate your acne, it’s time to look for professional help. A dermatologist can help you find the routine that works for your face and may recommend a better product to use.
To learn more about how to prevent acne, contact our online dermatologist.
Speaking to your doctor about your health concerns doesn’t necessarily take place in the doctor’s office these days. Thanks to COVID-19, the world of medicine has changed drastically, and patients now have more options than ever. One of these is talking to your doctor online instead of visiting them.
Here are five top benefits of online medical consultations.
There’s no chance of picking up an illness from sitting in the waiting room. Since most people who visit the doctor are ill with something, it’s an area that is ripe with germs and viruses. You can avoid this by staying home and having your consultation without anyone else around.
Often you have to wait for an appointment to see your doctor. However, online consultations allow you to speak to a doctor much sooner. This is ideal if you’re worried about your symptoms or simply want to feel better as soon as possible. In many cases, you can arrange your consultation immediately, even if it’s not an ideal time.
Being sick usually means you just want to curl up in bed and stay there. Now you can talk to your doctor from the bed and be sure to get treatment for your illness without ever leaving the house. Many pharmacies offer delivery now and this means you can simply have the doctor call in your prescription and have it delivered to your home.
No one wants to deal with heavy traffic when they’re not feeling well or if they have a sick child. With online medical consults, you can skip driving or calling an Uber to take you in. You’ll save time and eliminate some of the most stressful parts of visiting the doctor.
You’ll save money by not having to get transportation to the doctor’s office. If you work, you can also ensure that you don’t lose money to take time off for a doctor’s visit. Instead, you can do it from your desk at work if you really need to. It’s a useful alternative to taking the day off to go and see the doctor.
Online consults are a big improvement over always having to go to your doctor. While not all problems can be solved or properly examined and diagnosed online, many issues are simple enough that your doctor doesn’t need to see you in person – this is the new face of medicine and it’s making life much simpler for many.
Interested in getting an online medical consultation? Learn more on the NHS GP.
Any of us can develop a range of skin conditions over the course of our lives. Although, if you have never seen a dermatologist, you may not be totally familiar with what conditions that they treat. This means it is tricky to know whether it’s time for you to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. In this blog, we discuss a few ways you might be able to tell.
If you experience acne, rest assured that you are not alone. It isn’t necessarily the case that an over the counter treatment is going to help and you may want to schedule a visit with a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to determine the kind of prescription treatment that would be most effective for your acne and lifestyle.
A dermatologist will be able to screen you for skin cancer. Talk to your GP or dermatologist about how often you need to be checked for changes to your skin. An annual body check is very important if you are at high risk.
This chronic skin condition is something that will cause irritation, itchiness, and flaky patches of skin. A dermatologist will be able to help find ways to manage your eczema and prescribe any necessary treatment.
If you are worried about minimizing skin damage or looking for ageing skin, a dermatologist can offer you products or lifestyle change ideas that lower your exposure to damaging elements.
You can speak to a dermatologist about any concerns you have about almost any condition that impacts your appearance. An example being, skin conditions ranging from discolourations, stretch marks, to psoriasis can all be treated by a dermatologist.
If you’ve been looking for a skin specialist based in North West London, our dermatology specialist Dr Shazia Siddiqi provides daily consultations and sessions. To find out more, register online with us today to speak with qualified skin specialists and more. You can also find online support whenever you require it. Contact us for more information.
Lots of people with coronavirus (COVID-19) have experienced mild, or even zero symptoms, but can still spread the virus. With regular self-testing now available, we can slow the spread and help protect the most vulnerable in our communities. With this in mind, a crucial step towards doing this has proved to be carrying out home testing as and when it is required.
In this blog, we will guide you through what you need to know before taking an at-home test for
Coronavirus and what steps you need to take to do the test. As well as this, we offer advice on how to register for a home testing kit yourself.
We also list some of the key symptoms of COVID-19 to help you better understand whether you may need to take a test or not, and consider some of the reasons why you might benefit from a home test.
If you have any of the following coronavirus symptoms, whether they are mild, use this service to get a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test as soon as feasibly possible:
If you have any of these symptoms, you and everyone you live with need to immediately self-isolate. Do not leave home until you get your test results, except to post a test kit or for a PCR test appointment.
You might not necessarily have any of the above symptoms, however, you can still justify using one if any of the following apply to you:
You can order a PCR test via the gov.uk website by carrying out a short questionnaire.
PCR tests are by and large intended for people with symptoms of coronavirus. The swab is then sent to a lab in order to get the required results. There is a different process for a PCR test as opposed to a lateral flow test.
If you don’t actually possess any symptoms of COVID-19 but have any reason to believe you may have come into contact with someone with COVID-19 or otherwise, you can order a rapid lateral flow test and follow the instructions to do so at home. There are separate instructions for this set out on the NHS official website.
For reassurance, you will be given detailed instructions with your test kit. If you’re doing the test at a test site and need support, a trained helper can guide you through the overall process.
These are the main steps for doing a PCR test:
Doing a PCR test on someone else
If you’re doing a PCR test on someone else, it might help to:
However, you must use a separate test kit for each person you are doing a test on.
If you do the test at a test site, they will send the swab to the lab on your behalf. If you’re posting a home test kit, you should only post it in a Royal Mail priority postbox. Do not send it to a Post Office or post it in a non-priority postbox.
If you have problems or cannot use the online service, call 119. Lines are open from 7 am to 11 pm.
Symptoms of COVID-19
The main symptoms of coronavirus COVID-19 are:
Children can get COVID-19, but they tend to get it less often than adults and it’s often less serious.
The symptoms of COVID-19 for children are:
If you’re concerned about COVID-19 or think you may have the disease or need advice about how to get tested, register with us today and we can provide you with a range of useful services. Our COVID-19 advice services support you if you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. We can also offer you coronavirus home testing kits so you can be certain whether you have COVID-19 to help you determine whether your cough is anything to be worried about.
As well as all of this, we can also provide NHS coronavirus help to support you during your recovery and keep you up to date with all of the latest advice from the NHS and the government. When registering with us, you have access to four surgeries across North West London in Wembley, Alperton, Willesden and Queen’s Park. Register today for NHS coronavirus testing and much more. Contact us for more information.
Use this service to register with a GP practice in North and East London. You can use this service if you:
You can register for yourself or on behalf of a dependant in your care. Registering takes around 15 minutes.
We’ll ask questions about:
You’ll need to complete your application in one session, so please have these details to hand before you start.
By using this service you are agreeing to our terms of use and privacy policy.
