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Looking After Yourself
CARERS

Looking After Yourself

We all know that looking after yourself is probably the most important aspect of health care. Taking regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, avoiding cigarettes, excess alcohol and preventing obesity are all very important.

Patients Aged 75+

Patients over 75 can ask for an annual check-up. These may not be needed, particularly if they are being seen routinely by their GP. However, if they require a health check they may be seen by one of the Community Nurses at home, by one of the other Nurses in the Surgery or by one of our Health Visiting Team either at home or in the Surgery.

Women: 25 - 65

All women are recommended strongly to have a cervical smear test 3-yearly. This may be carried out by the doctor or the Practice Nurse.

Mammography for all women between 50 - 65 years. Where appropriate, you will be offered routine screening every 3 years as part of the National Breast Screening Programme, which will be in September/October 2010 for our patients.

All Adults

Research has demonstrated that routine general health screening is of very limited value so we do not recall patients for (or offer) routine checks. We will however make opportunistic checks of your blood pressure etc as part of your normal health examinations. Well Person Screening/Checks are carried out by the Practice Nurse. In addition we offer the following health tips (with proviso that you should not make life miserable through trying to be healthy!).

Smoking

We strongly advise our patients to avoid smoking but we do not in any way discriminate against smokers. If you need help to stop smoking then please discuss this with your doctor, Nurse or Health Visitor who will give you more details regarding Smokestop Clinics and available help. Alternatively, contact Judy, our Smokestop Adviser on the main Surgery number or for Smokestop Groups contact Bournemouth Smokestop on 541541/website: http://www.quitwithus.nhs.uk/ or text QUITIT to 64446 for free callback.

Alcohol

The current recommended maximum healthy intake of alcohol is 21 units/week for a man and 14 units/week for a woman. (1 unit = pint beer, 1 glass of wine or 1 single measure of spirits).

Exercise

We advise exercise sufficient to cause mild breathlessness for 20 minutes, 3 times a week

Diet

Avoid crash diets. Instead try to develop a healthy eating pattern that avoids weight gain, is high in fibre, low in sugars and animal fats.