A learning disability is different for everyone. No two people with a learning disability are the same.
Learning disabilities usually start in childhood, but some people are not diagnosed until they are adults. Learning disabilities are lifelong conditions.
Someone with a learning disability might take longer to learn new things or understand complex information. They may learn in a different way, or need information presented to them in lots of different ways.
This could affect someone’s ability to do lots of everyday things, like managing money or socialising.
Many people with learning disabilities can live independently. Other people might need more support with day-to-day life.
A learning disability is different for everyone. No two people with a learning disability are the same.
Learning disabilities usually become apparent in childhood, but some people are not diagnosed until they are adults. Learning disabilities are lifelong conditions.
Someone with a learning disability might take longer to learn new things or understand complex information. They may learn in a different way, or need information presented to them in lots of different ways.
This could affect someone’s ability to do lots of everyday things, like managing money or socialising.
Many people with learning disabilities can live independently. Other people might need more support with day-to-day life.
The NHS provides most health care to most people free of charge but there are exceptions: prescription charges have existed since 1951 and there are a number of other services for which fees are charged. Sometimes the charge is made to cover the cost of treatment, e.g. dental fees; in others because the service is not covered by the NHS, e.g. providing copies of health records or producing medical reports for insurance companies. See below a list of some of the services that are charged for:
Accident/sickness certificates for insurance services
Holiday insurance certificates
Reports to health clubs to certify that patients are fit to exercise
Life assurance and income protection reports for insurance companies
Reports for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
Medical reports for local authorities in connection with adoption and fostering
It is important to understand that many GPs are not employed by the NHS; they are self-employed and they have to cover their costs – staff, buildings, heating, lighting etc, the same way as any small business. The NHS covers these costs for NHS work, but for non-NHS work the fees charged by GPs contribute towards their costs.
With certain limited exceptions, e.g. a GP confirming that one of their patients is not fit for jury service, GPs do not have to carry out non-NHS work for their patients. Whilst GPs will always attempt to assist their patients with the completion of forms, e.g. for insurance purposes, they are not required to do such non-NHS work.
The BMA suggests fees that GPs may charge their patients for non NHS work, these are set as a guide and the doctor is not obliged to charge the rates the BMA suggests.
For more information about the BMA guidelines and suggested non NHS fees please click here. If you have a form or a question about a form that may require a charge, please contact the surgery and you will be advised about the fee.
Clinics Held At The Practice
We have a large clinical team here at Kidderminster Medical Centre, with appointments available from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. Our GP appointments are a telephone triage in the first instance to assess your needs. You will be invited into surgery for a face-to-face appointment if the GP needs to examine you.
Doctor’s Name
Clinical Interests/Specialisms
Dr Naomi Chapman
Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal medicine, Child health.
Dr Emma Cull
Dermatology, Women’s health.
Dr Simon Gates
Older people, Men’s Health, Cardiovascular.
Dr Tristan Brodie
Diabetes, Child health and Safeguarding.
Dr Rabia Hassam
Diabetes, Lifestyle and Health Inequalities.
Dr Alastair Jackson
Respiratory Medicine, Dermatology, Minor surgery.
Dr Faustyna Popkiewicz
Women’s Health, Child’s Health, Dermatology, Mental Health, Safeguarding adults and children, Health Inequalities, Learning Disabilities, Cancer, Drug & Alcohol Addictions.
Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Nurses,Physician Associates, Clinical Pharmacists, Mental Health Nurses
Social Prescribers
Cervical Smears Vaccines Dressings Blood tests ECG’s Health Checks Long Term Condition care Anti-coagulation Long Term Condition Clinics eg. Asthma, Diabetes, COPD, Coronary Heart Disease
Lifestyle Advisors Alcohol and drug dependency Support
Travel Vaccinations
If you are travelling abroad we advise that you contact reception on 01562 546740 or contact us online by clicking here, at least 2 months before you are due to travel. Reception will then arrange a telephone call back from one of our travel nurses. The travel nurse is then able to advise you over the telephone as to which vaccines you may require and then offer you an appointment in one of our nominated travel clinics. We have a high demand for our travel clinic service and strive to offer the best clinical advice in a timely manner, in turn benefiting patient health for their time abroad. If you give us less than 2 months notice of your travel arrangements we may not be able to accommodate you in one of our available clinics and you will then be advised to contact a travel clinic at your own convenience.
Please note some vaccines will be free of charge whilst others will incur a fee, the nurse will advise you about this when she speaks to you.
You will be asked to pay for the vaccines prior to the appointment, so that we can order them in for you.
You can also fill out the form below which will be submitted to the site.
Travel Questionnaire
Dentist
Need a Dentist?
If you need to register with a dentist please click here to identify an NHS dentist in your area.
If you need help out of hours telephone NHS111 click here for further information about dental treatment and fees that may be chargeable.
Immunisations
Childhood Doctors recommend full protection for your child who will normally be called for appointments for routine vaccinations at our regular immunisation clinic by the local health authority computer system. However, immunisations may be arranged at other times if necessary. If you think your child may have missed any injections, do let us know.
Adult Have you been immunised against tetanus and polio within the last 10 years? Flu vaccinations are available during October/November for some people and others may become available. Please check with the practice nurses.
Once seen by your doctor about a suitable problem they may suggest a minor operation at site rather than send you to the hospital. Minor operations are carried out by one of our doctors across our 5 sites within Wyre Forest Health Partnership. They were paused during the pandemic but we are restarting these once again, and plan to hold clinics twice a month at Bewdley Medical Centre and Kidderminster Medical Centre. Patients who require a minor surgery will be added to a waiting list and contacted by our central booking team.
The list of the minor operations we run are the following –
The practice offers a full programme of health checks and general health and wellbeing advice for children up to the age of 5. Children are offered an appointment for a health and development check at 8 weeks alongside their immunisation’s appointment, carried out by one of the GP’s or Advanced Nurse Practitioners at the surgery with the support of practice nursing team. Health visitors also offer a wealth of advice and support for the health and development of the Newborn up to age of 5 years and hold regular baby clinics and other groups such as feeding support groups throughout the week.
