Clinics and Services

This clinic not only helps to treat asthma but we will also help you understand any triggers for asthma, which inhalers are best to treat asthma and how to use your inhaler. We will also carry out a comprehensive asthma review.

What is an Asthma Review?

An asthma review is a routine check-up for people with asthma, usually conducted annually by a GP or asthma nurse. The purpose is to assess asthma control and exacerbations and ensure you have the appropriate asthma treatment plan. At Bredbury Medical Centre, we undertake these reviews during your month of birth.

Extra reviews can be booked at any other time as clinically needed.

What Happens During an Asthma Review?

During an asthma review, your asthma nurse/GP will:

• Discuss recent symptoms, including how often they occur, and if they interfere with daily activities or sleep.
• Check your inhaler technique to ensure you’re using it correctly.
• Review your current medication, and possibly adjust it to improve symptom control.
• Discuss any lifestyle factors, like smoking or exercise, that might impact your asthma.
• Develop or update your asthma action plan (AAP) to help you manage symptoms and recognise early signs of an asthma attack.

What is the Asthma Control Test?

The Asthma Control Test (ACT) is a simple, self-assessment questionnaire that helps to judge the level of asthma control. It asks questions about:

• How often you’ve experienced symptoms like breathlessness or wheezing.
• If asthma symptoms have affected your daily activities.
• How frequently asthma has woken you up at night.
• Your overall sense of asthma control.
• Each response is scored, and the total score helps your healthcare provider.
• Understand your asthma control level and guide any necessary adjustments to your treatment.

Benefits of asthma review

Asthma reviews are an important part of managing asthma effectively. The benefits of regular reviews are:

• Personalised Medication Management: The nurse can adjust your medication to keep symptoms under control, ensuring you’re on the right dose and the right type of inhaler.
• Inhaler Technique Review: Incorrect use of inhalers can reduce their effectiveness. Demonstration of the proper technique can help you get the most from your inhalers.
• Asthma Action Plan Updates: A tailored action plan helps you recognize worsening symptoms and know when to seek help, keeping you safer and in control of your condition.
• Lifestyle Advice: Managing asthma triggers and exercise play a key role in asthma management. We will discuss these aspects with you.

Regular asthma reviews can greatly reduce the risk of flare-ups, and they’re essential to maintaining good lung health. If you haven’t had an asthma review recently, make sure to book one with us at Bredbury Medical Centre.

Our blood pressure clinics monitor and treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering bloods pressure can help risk of different complications and we help you lower your blood pressure by medication, excercise and dietry modification. You can record your blood pressure readings using our secure online form

We also carry out a number of blood tests including those for iron levels, folic acid and Vitamin B12. 

Patients are asked to request a blood tests by telephoning the practice. If you have been asked to arrange blood tests by a GP/clinician at the practice these can be booked over the phone. 

You will receive 1st appointment for your baby healthcheck at 6 to 8 weeks of age, this appointment will also include baby weight checking and baby vaccinations.

This and further appointment will cover vaccinations for rotavirus, meningitis B, "6-in-1 vaccine" (protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, polio, tetanus, whooping cough), pneumoccocus and flu. 

Patients will be invited to attend for chronic disease reviews when they are due by the practice. If you think are due or wish to arrange one and have not been invited then please raise your query by telephoning the practice.

New contraception or for a pill check?

Patients can book in to discuss starting contraception with a GP, this can be done via our online system: Patient Access, or telephone reception to book an appointment.

If you are already taking the contraceptive pill and need more again please contact us by telephone. Pill checks can also be arranged in person with the nurse routinely.

Contraception can also be arranged via the Locala Service in Stockport

Coil or contraceptive implant fitted or removal 

Patients wanting a coil should request an appointment with a GP to discuss this. Reception can complete the form on patient’s behalf where necessary. After assessment we can refer patients to a local surgery for coil or contraceptive fitting or replacement.

Patients can also self-refer to the Locala Sexual Health Service for coil or contraceptive fittings or changes.

Some of our GPs are trained to remove coils.

COPD clinics can not only help diagnose and treat this condition but also offer a range of inhalers used to treat COPD. We can also refer you for smoking cessation services to help you quit smoking. 

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We offer dedicated cryotherapy clinics. 

Cryotherapy: What is it?

Cryotherapy is a quick, effective, and non-invasive treatment for skin lesions. In this article, we will discuss how it works, its risks and benefits, and aftercare.

How Does Cryotherapy Work?

Cryotherapy involves the application of liquid nitrogen, usually by a spray gun (or a cotton swab) directly to the affected skin area. The liquid nitrogen freezes the targeted area, causing a controlled burn that destroys the lesion. The treatment is most commonly used to address skin issues such as:

• Warts and verrucas
• Seborrheic warts
• Sun-damaged areas (solar keratoses)
• Small non-cancerous lumps and bumps

The procedure typically lasts between 10 to 30 seconds and is bearable for most people.

How Does It Work?

Cryotherapy delivers a carefully controlled freeze to the lesion. The cold burn causes inflammation, which helps destroy the unwanted tissue. After treatment, the area may become red, swollen, and sometimes form a blister. Over the following days, this blister dries up, and a small scab forms. This scab will naturally fall off after about 10 days to a month, depending on the size of the lesion, taking the damaged cells with it.

Benefits of Cryotherapy

Quick and simple: Most treatments take only a few minutes and can be performed during a routine appointment at your local clinic.

Non-invasive: Unlike surgery, cryotherapy doesn’t require cutting into the skin. This reduces recovery time.
Effective: For many patients, cryotherapy can remove the lesion entirely, eliminating the need for more invasive procedures like surgery.

Potential Side Effects

While cryotherapy is quite safe, there are some potential side effects that are worth a mention:

Partial removal: In some cases, the lesion may not be fully destroyed after one session and may require additional treatments.
Skin color changes: After healing, the treated area might appear lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, especially in people with darker skin tones.
Scarring: There is a small risk of scarring, although this is rare.
Infection: It is essential to monitor the area closely during the healing process to look out for signs of infection.

Aftercare advice

After your cryotherapy session, it’s important to follow these aftercare guidelines to ensure the best healing outcome:

• Keep the area dry: While it’s best to avoid getting the area wet, don’t worry if it does—just gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
• Avoid products: Don’t use soap, creams, or lotions on the treated area while it heals. Once healed, you may use an unperfumed moisturizer like E45 to soothe the skin.
• Pain management: If the area feels sore, you can take a mild painkiller, such as paracetamol, to manage discomfort.
• Blister care: If a blister forms, keep the area clean and dry. If it becomes uncomfortable, use a clean needle to release the fluid, then cover it with a dry dressing.
• Do not pick the scab: Allow the scab to fall off naturally to avoid scarring.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Contact Bredbury Medical Centre if you experience any of the following after treatment:

• Excessive pain or discomfort
• Increased redness or swelling
• Blistering beyond the initial days after treatment
• The lesion does not dry up or heal as expected

Cryotherapy offers a simple, quick solution for many common skin lesions. If you’re dealing with warts, sun damage, or other skin conditions, speak to your GP at Bredbury Medical Centre to see if cryotherapy could be right for you.

Our Diabetes clinics use a combination of diabetes diet, exercise and medication to help you manage your diabetes. We also do blood tests and urine tests to check cholesterol level and kidney health.

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You can book an appointment with your GP via our online services or contact reception on 0161 983 9730 for mental health issues.

We also have some appointments available with our Mental Health Practitioner, please note some of their appointments may be over the telephone.

Other mental health services can be found on our Mental Health support page

You should contact reception on 0161 983 9730 when you have a positive pregnancy test. The reception team will then book you in with the midwife. Our midwife is in every Wednesday.

We offer minor surgery service to help remove warts, skin tags and sebaceous cysts. Local anaestheic is used to numb the area before the surgery is performed.  

We offer NHS Health Check to any one aged 40 to 74 years.

What is an NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is a free health assessment offered every 5 years in England to adults aged 40 years to 74 years.

Its main purpose is to detect early signs of health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease.

Who can have NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is available to adults between the ages of 40 and 74.

Individuals without certain pre-existing conditions, such as:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Type 2 diabetes

People who are already receiving treatment for these conditions are monitored by their doctor and don't require the NHS Health Check.

What blood tests are done on NHS Health Check?

NHS health checks not only involve blood tests but also other investigations as well.

These include:

• Blood pressure: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, and visual problems.
• Cholesterol levels: A blood test checks your cholesterol to assess heart disease risk.
• Body Mass Index (BMI): Your weight and height are used to calculate BMI, which indicates if you have a healthy weight.
• Blood sugar levels: This can help identify your risk for type 2 diabetes. This can also help detect Pre-diabetes (Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia).
• Lifestyle assessment: This involves questions to assess your physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, and smoking status.
• Family history: Any family history of illnesses like heart disease or diabetes is noted.
• Kidney function (optional): Depending on your risk factors, a kidney function test may be done, especially if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Results of the Health Check

After the check, you'll receive your results, which will help assess your risk of developing certain health conditions.

Your results may include:

• Risk score for cardiovascular disease (called "Q risk" score): This score calculates your risk of having a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years. It takes into consideration your demographics, BMI, blood results, blood pressure, and family history. A score of 10% or more usually indicates the need for statin or cholesterol-lowering medication.
• Cholesterol and blood pressure levels indicate whether further action is needed, such as medication or lifestyle changes.
• Diabetes risk: If you're at risk for type 2 diabetes, your GP may refer you for further testing or support through programs such as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Based on your results

You may be given advice or referrals relating to lifestyle changes to improve your health, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, or increasing physical activity. You can also be offered smoking cessation services if this is what you wish.

If necessary, you could be offered medication to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol.

The NHS Health Check is an opportunity enabling you to prevent any health problems before they occur. If you're eligible, please book an appointment with us at Bredbury Medical Centre.

We have in-house physiotherapy service available. The physiotherapist can help diagnose and treat different conditions such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee or hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and sciatica.

What is the Maternal Postnatal Check?

Scheduled around six weeks after giving birth, this postnatal check allows mothers to discuss their recovery and ask questions. It’s conducted by one of our GPs and is tailored to assess health, both physical and mental.

Areas Covered in the Maternal Postnatal Check

During the appointment, your GP will typically cover the following aspects:

• Physical healing: Discussion on any ongoing pain or issues following vaginal delivery, C-section, or episiotomy (if applicable).
• Blood Pressure Check: To check that blood pressure is normal especially if there were concerns about blood pressure during pregnancy e.g. due to pre-eclampsia.
• Pelvic Floor Health: Bowel and bladder weakness are not uncommon after delivery. If present, we will offer appropriate support for these.
• Breast Health: Opportunity to discuss any issues with breastfeeding (including pain, milk supply concerns, or signs of infection like mastitis).
• Postnatal Depression Check: Screening for any signs of postnatal depression or anxiety and offering support options if needed.
• Contraception: Different contraception options will be discussed whilst taking into account your needs and preferences. 
• Diet and Exercise Guidance: Advice on healthy eating and returning to physical activity safely.

In practice, we collect most of this information in a questionnaire sent to you before the appointment. This allows you more time to discuss any questions that you may have.

Remember: If you have any questions before or after your six-week check, please contact us at Bredbury Medical Centre

Vasectomy is a form of birth control for men, usually performed under local anaesthetic, and you can be referred for this after assessment by a clinician. 

Vasectomy: What you need to know

Vasectomy is a method of permanent contraception for men. We present an overview of this procedure and other information that you may need to know in case you are considering this procedure.

What is Vasectomy?

Vasectomy, also known as "the snip", is a surgical procedure that blocks or cuts the vas deferens (tubes carrying sperm from the testes), preventing sperm from mixing with the semen.

What does Vasectomy Procedure Involve?

• Usually performed under local anesthesia in a GP surgery or hospital clinic.
• The scrotum skin is opened using small incisions or punctures.
• Suture, heat, or clips are used to cut, tie, or seal each vas deferens.
• The procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes and you can return home the soon after this.

What Are the Possible Risks with the Procedure?

Even though vasectomy is generally safe, there are a few uncommon and usually mild potential side effects. The potential risks are listed below in order of probability:

• Mild Pain and Swelling (1 in 10): Temporary discomfort or swelling is common, and typically resolves with rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain relief.
• Infection at the Incision Site (1 in 100): Minor infections can occur but are generally managed effectively with antibiotics.
• Procedure Failure (1 in 2,000 to 1 in 4,000): Very rarely, the tubes reconnect naturally, which can allow sperm back into the semen. Failure may occur soon after the procedure or even years later.
• Haematoma (1 in 1,000): Blood collecting within the scrotum can cause discomfort; in rare cases, drainage may be required.
• Chronic Testicular Pain (1 in 1,000): A small number of men experience ongoing scrotal pain post-vasectomy, which may need additional treatment.
• Sperm Granuloma (1 in 2,000): A lump that forms due to sperm leakage from the cut vas deferens. This generally resolves on its own but occasionally requires treatment.
• Vasectomy Regret: A small proportion of men, later on, regret having the procedure. This number is typically between 5-10 out of every 100 men, with rates potentially higher in those who underwent the procedure at a younger age.

Factors Contributing to Vasectomy Regret

• Age at Time of Procedure: Younger men, particularly those under 30, report higher rates of regret later on. This is due to changes in life circumstances and desire to have children over time.
• Changes in Relationships: Regret is more common after significant life events such as separation, remarriage, or loss of a child.
• Pre-Procedure Uncertainty: Men who felt uncertain about the decision to begin with are more likely to experience regret. This highlights the importance of taking your time to weigh up the options.
• Socioeconomic Factors: Financial or family pressure may influence the decision of a vasectomy, leading to regret if the procedure feels more imposed than chosen.

How Quickly Can I Resume Unprotected Sexual Intercourse?

It can take 12 weeks and at least 20 ejaculations to clear remaining sperm from the tubes. A semen analysis test is then carried out to confirm zero sperm count. Until this confirmation, continue using alternative contraception.

Does Vasectomy Affect Ejaculation?

• Vasectomy does not affect ejaculation.
• The quantity and appearance of semen remain the same, because sperm only make up a small portion of the semen volume.
• Sexual desire and function are not affected by the procedure.

Is Vasectomy Reversible?

• While vasectomy reversal is technically possible, the procedure is complicated with a low success rate.
• Reversal procedures are not covered by the NHS, and have to be paid for privately.

Summary

Vasectomy is a reliable and generally low-risk procedure for permanent contraception. It is important to weigh all options and consider the small but potential risks before making a decision. For further guidance, consult your GP at Bredbury Medical Centre

We provide a range of services for womens' health including:

• Antenatal Clinic
• Cervical Smear
• Contracetpion Services
• Pregnancy Testing
• Post Natal Clinics
• Termination of Pregnancy Services
• Menopause Care
• Thrush
• Bacterial Vaginosis