If you are concerned about your own or someone else's drug or alcohol use, help and support are available. Please book an appointment with a GP to discuss your concerns. We can provide advice and refer you to appropriate local support services.

Further information:

RESET provides free and confidential support for people affected by drug and alcohol use, including advice, treatment and recovery services.

If you need advice about housing, benefits, travel passes, Blue Badges, carers' support, or help completing forms, support is available through local advice and social prescribing services. Please speak to a member of our team who can help direct you to the most appropriate service.

Further information:

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, please book an appointment with one of our GPs. We provide antenatal and postnatal care in partnership with local maternity services and can support you throughout your pregnancy journey.

Further information:

Six week checks every Wednesday 1.30pm–3.00pm and vaccines for children under 8

Bereavement Support

Losing someone close to you can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. Everyone experiences grief differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel.

At St.Katharine Docks Practice, we understand that bereavement can affect both your emotional and physical wellbeing. Our team can offer support, advice, and signposting to local and national bereavement services.

If you are struggling following the death of a loved one, please contact the practice to discuss how we can help.

What You May Experience

Grief can affect people in many different ways. You may experience:

  • Sadness or tearfulness
  • Shock or numbness
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Anxiety or worry
  • Anger or frustration
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Physical symptoms such as tiredness, headaches, or loss of appetite

These feelings are a normal part of bereavement and often improve with time. However, support is available if you are finding it difficult to cope.

How Your GP Practice Can Help

We can:

  • Provide emotional support and advice
  • Discuss how bereavement is affecting your health and wellbeing
  • Signpost you to specialist bereavement counselling services
  • Refer you to appropriate mental health or wellbeing services where necessary
  • Support carers and family members affected by loss

Local Bereavement Support in Tower Hamlets

City & East London Bereavement Service (CELBS)

The City & East London Bereavement Service provides specialist bereavement counselling and support for adults living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The service supports individuals and couples who have experienced bereavement and offers counselling in a range of languages. Self-referrals and GP referrals are accepted.

Telephone: 020 3022 5177
Email: admin@celbs.org.uk
Website: City & East London Bereavement Service

Tower Hamlets Connect

Tower Hamlets Connect provides information, advice and signposting for residents, including guidance on bereavement, practical support following a death, and links to local and national services.

Website: Tower Hamlets Connect Bereavement Support

Practical Help After a Death

You may need to:

  • Register the death
  • Inform government departments and organisations
  • Arrange a funeral
  • Manage financial and legal matters

Tower Hamlets Council provides guidance on registering a death and accessing local support services. [

Website: Tower Hamlets Council - Register a Death

National Bereavement Support

Cruse Bereavement Support

Provides free bereavement support, information and advice for adults, children and young people affected by grief.

Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Website: Cruse Bereavement Support

The Good Grief Trust

Provides a range of bereavement resources, support services and practical guidance for people who are newly bereaved.

Website: The Good Grief Trust

National Bereavement Service

Offers practical and emotional support following a bereavement.

Website: National Bereavement Service

Children and Young People

Bereavement can affect children and young people differently from adults. Specialist support is available through:

  • Child Bereavement UK
  • Hope Again
  • Grief Encounter

These organisations provide age-appropriate support, information and counselling services for bereaved children, young people and families.

When to Seek Additional Help

Please contact us if:

  • Your grief is significantly affecting your daily life
  • You feel overwhelmed or unable to cope
  • You have ongoing symptoms of anxiety or depression
  • You are concerned about a child or young person affected by bereavement
  • You need support accessing specialist services

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need urgent emotional support, seek help immediately through NHS urgent mental health services or by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option.

St.Katharine Docks Practice is here to support you during difficult times. If you would like to speak with a member of our team, please contact the practice.

 

Breast Awareness and Breast Screening

Being breast aware means knowing what is normal for your breasts or chest so that you can notice any changes as soon as possible. Anyone can develop breast cancer, so it is important to check your breasts or chest regularly and report any concerns promptly.

At St.Katharine Docks Practice, we encourage all patients to be breast aware and to attend NHS breast screening appointments when invited.

What Does Being Breast Aware Mean?

You should become familiar with how your breasts or chest normally:

  • Look
  • Feel
  • Change throughout your monthly cycle
  • Change with age

There is no special technique or specific time to check, but regularly looking and feeling for changes can help you notice anything unusual.

What Changes Should I Look For?

Please contact the practice if you notice:

  • A new lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit
  • Changes in the size or shape of a breast
  • Dimpling or puckering of the skin
  • Redness or unusual skin changes
  • Nipple discharge, particularly if blood-stained
  • A nipple that becomes inverted (turns inward)
  • A rash or persistent crusting around the nipple
  • Persistent pain that is unusual for you

Most breast changes are not cancer, but it is important to have them checked.

How to Check Your Breasts

You should check your breasts or chest approximately once a month.

  1. Look at your breasts in a mirror with your arms by your sides and then raised above your head.
  2. Feel each breast and armpit area using circular movements.
  3. Check the area up to your collarbone and under each arm.
  4. Look and feel for any changes that are unusual for you.

You may find it easier to do this in the shower or while lying down.

NHS Breast Screening Programme

The NHS Breast Screening Programme aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage, before it can be seen or felt. Early detection can improve treatment outcomes and save lives.

Who is invited?

Women registered with a GP in England are routinely invited for breast screening:

  • First invitation between ages 50 and 53
  • Then every 3 years until age 71

Women aged over 71 can still request breast screening every three years, although they are no longer routinely invited.

What happens during screening?

Breast screening uses a special X-ray called a mammogram to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel. Most people screened will not have any signs of cancer, but screening helps identify problems at an earlier stage when treatment is often simpler and more effective.

Family History of Breast Cancer

If you have concerns about a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, please speak with a GP. We can assess your risk and, where appropriate, refer you for further advice or genetic assessment.

How Your GP Practice Can Help

We can:

  • Assess breast symptoms
  • Provide advice on breast awareness
  • Refer patients urgently where appropriate
  • Support patients through diagnosis and treatment
  • Answer questions about breast screening invitations

Useful Resources

NHS Breast Screening

Find out more about NHS Breast Screening

NHS: How to Check Your Breasts or Chest

Learn how to check your breasts or chest

Breast Cancer Now

Provides information about breast awareness, breast cancer, support services and treatment.

https://breastcancernow.org

When to Contact Us

Please contact St.Katharine Docks Practice as soon as possible if you notice any unusual breast changes or have concerns about your breast health. Early assessment can provide reassurance and, where necessary, ensure prompt investigation and treatment.

St.Katharine Docks Practice is committed to supporting patients with breast health concerns and promoting the early detection of breast cancer.

Every weekday mornings

Who to see:

  • Nurse
  • Health Care Assistant
  • Assistant Practitioner
  • Most local Pharmacist

If you need help with daily living, caring responsibilities, support at home, or access to social care services, please speak to a GP or contact your local Adult or Children's Social Care team. Advice and support are available for carers, older people, disabled adults, children, young people and families.

Further information:

Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation from the NHS.

  • Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 49 are usually invited every 5 years.
  • Women and people with a cervix aged 50 to 64 are usually invited every 5 years.
  • More frequent screening may be recommended if further monitoring is needed.

Please contact the practice to book an appointment with the Practice Nurse when you receive your invitation.

Further information:

Note: Screening intervals are based on the current NHS cervical screening programme and may change if national guidance is updated.

Our GPs can provide contraceptive advice and discuss the options available to you.

For more information and specialist contraception services, visit All East Sexual Health.

Family Planning

If you are thinking about having a baby or would like advice on contraception, please book an appointment with a GP. We can provide family planning advice, pre-pregnancy guidance and discuss the contraception options available to you. Family planning services are provided as part of our primary care services.

Further information:

NHS Family Planning and Contraception: -https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/

Health Visitor Service

The Health Visiting Service supports families from pregnancy until a child starts school. Health visitors provide advice on child development, feeding, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing and parenting support.

Patients can contact the Tower Hamlets Health Visiting Service directly through the 0-19 Single Point of Access: Telephone: 020 4551 1414

Further information:

Removal of Stitches and Incontinence

Who to see:
Nurse
District Nurse

If you are thinking about having a baby or would like advice on contraception, please book an appointment with a GP. We can provide family planning advice, pre-pregnancy guidance and discuss the contraception options available to you. Family planning services are provided as part of our primary care services.

Further information:
NHS Family Planning and Contraception: - https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/

The Health Visiting Service supports families from pregnancy until a child starts school. Health visitors provide advice on child development, feeding, healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing and parenting support.

Patients can contact the Tower Hamlets Health Visiting Service directly through the 0-19 Single Point of Access: Telephone: 020 4551 1414

Further information:

Healthy Lifestyle Advice

We offer advice and support to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This may include guidance on healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption. Please book an appointment with a GP to discuss your health goals and the support available.

Further information:

We offer advice and support to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This may include guidance on healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation and reducing alcohol consumption. Please book an appointment with a GP to discuss your health goals and the support available.

Further information:

The doctor does home visits after morning surgery as necessary

  • Practice Pharmacist
  • Community Pharmacist
  • Doctor

All newly registered patients are offered a New Patient Health Check. This appointment allows us to review your medical history, current medications and general health, and helps us ensure your records are up to date.

Please contact reception to arrange your appointment after registering with the practice.

Further information:

Our Practice Nurse provides a range of services, including vaccinations, cervical screening (smears), wound care, blood pressure checks, travel health advice, and monitoring of long-term health conditions.

Please contact reception to book an appointment with the Practice Nurse.

Further information:

Home pregnancy tests can be purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets. If your test is positive, please book an appointment with a GP or contact your local maternity service to start your antenatal care.

Further information:

If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, emotional wellbeing, stress, anxiety or low mood, please book an appointment with a GP. We can discuss your concerns and, where appropriate, refer you to local psychological therapy and mental health support services.

Further information:

We offer access to a First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) at the practice. If you have muscle, joint, back, neck or other musculoskeletal problems, you may be booked directly with the physiotherapist, who can assess your condition, provide treatment advice, recommend exercises and discuss further management if needed.

Please contact reception to book an appointment.

Further information:

Many of our patients observe Ramadan. If you are fasting and have concerns about your health, medications, diabetes, pregnancy, or other medical conditions, please speak to a GP or healthcare professional for advice. We can help you manage your health safely during Ramadan.

Further information:

  • Please let us know 48hrs before you need a repeat prescription.Please order your repeat prescription at least 48hours before you run out. The quickest and easiest ways to do this are online using the NHS App (Click here). If you have not yet activated your online access, please ask reception for your PIN. Proxy access is also available for children or those you care for.
  • Drop in your request in writing at reception
  • nelondonicb.skd@nhs.net (email request)
  • Local pharmacies can also offer a repeat ordering service.

You can view your test results through the NHS App. If your results require further discussion or treatment, a member of the practice team will contact you.

Please allow sufficient time for your results to be received and reviewed by a clinician before contacting the practice.

Further information:

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. We can provide advice, support and access to local stop smoking services to help you quit.

Please book an appointment with a GP or healthcare professional to discuss the support available.

Further information:

We provide confidential advice on sexual health, contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Please book an appointment with a GP if you would like advice, screening or information about local sexual health services.

Further information:

If you are travelling abroad, please visit our website travel section for further advice. We can advise on recommended vaccinations and travel-related health risks for your destination.

Please note that some travel vaccinations may not be available on the NHS and may incur a charge.

Further information:

If you have an urgent medical problem that cannot wait, please contact the practice as early as possible. Our team will assess your needs and arrange the most appropriate care.

If you need medical help when the practice is closed, please call NHS 111. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or attend the nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.

Further information: