Briton Ferry Health Centre - Appointments and opening times. How to make an appointment to see your doctor or nurse at the surgery

Dr J Lethbridge & Partners
Briton Ferry Health Centre
Hunter Street
Briton Ferry
Neath, SA11 2SF
Tel: 01639 813272

Drs Lethbridge, Murphy, Hopkins, Clement and Courts would like to wish all their patients a Happy and Healthy New Year!

SEASONAL FLU VACCINATIONS 2011

Patients over 65 years old Patients on a chronic disease register and Patients who are pregnant are invited for a Flu Vaccination.

Extended Surgeries

We provide one late evening surgery and two early morning surgeries specifically for patients who are working and have difficulty in attending during the day. The appoinments MUST be booked in advance.

Tuesday 6.30pm to 7.00pm

Wednesday 7.30am to 8.00am

Thursday 7.30am to 8.00am

The practice is continually striving to deliver a prompt and accurate service to our patients

Health Charities

01 Dec - 28 Feb
Marie Curie

Marie Curie Cancer Care is a UK charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal cancer and other illnesses. Over the financial year 2010/11, we reached a total of 31,799 patients

01 Dec - 28 Feb
YouthHealthTalk

Youthhealthtalk enables young people, their family and friends, and professionals such as doctors and teachers to understand young people's experiences of health, illness and life in general. The website feature real-life accounts of issues such as effect on work and education, social life and relationships, consulting health professionals and treatment.

03 Sep - 28 Feb
Macmillan Cancer Support

One in three of us will get cancer and it’s the toughest thing most of us will ever face. If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or a loved one has, you’ll want a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.

BBC Health

GMC guidance on assisted suicide

The General Medical Council launches guidelines on assisted suicide to help it decide if doctors should face a disciplinary panel on the issue.

NHS translation bill 'tops £23m'

The NHS in England spends £59,000 a day on translating documents and providing interpreters, according to a health think tank.

Campaign to cut smoking in cars

A campaign to stop people smoking in cars when carrying children - and which could pave the way for a ban - is launched by the Welsh government.

Transplant jaw made by 3D printer

An 83-year-old woman is fitted with a jaw made by a 3D printer in what doctors say is the first operation of its kind.

'Birth defect risk' for diabetics

The risk of birth defects increases four-fold if the pregnant mother has diabetes, a study of 400,000 pregnancies in England suggests.

'A little too much drink' warning

Drinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.

Malaria toll 'is twice as high'

The number of deaths worldwide from malaria has been underestimated, according to data published in the medical journal the Lancet.

Health bodies reject NHS reforms

Physiotherapist leaders have joined the Royal College of GPs in calling for the health bill in England to be scrapped, increasing pressure on the government.

Under 10s have eating disorders

A number of children under 10 are treated in hospitals in Northern Ireland for eating disorders, the Department of Health says.

Weekend hospital admission fears

Research which suggests that patients are more likely to die in hospital if they are admitted at the weekend is backed up by a major study.

Health Protection Agency

Current alert level: Level 3 - Cold Weather Action in one or more regions of England

There is a 100% probability of severe cold weather between 1000 on Monday and 1000 on Friday in parts of England.

Health Protection Agency confirms new incinerator study

A new study to further extend the evidence base as to whether emissions from modern well run Municipal Waste Incinerators affect human health has been approved by the Health Protection Agency.

HPA helps solve radon problems in West Oxfordshire homes

Hundreds of homes across West Oxfordshire have been found to have high levels of radioactive gas radon. Last summer, the Health Protection Agency invited about 9,000 householders across West Oxfordshire to apply for a free test for radon, a naturally occurring gas present in all homes.

HPA helps solve radon problems in Orkney homes

Hundreds of householders across Orkney are being advised to act to protect their health, after HPA tests detected high levels of radioactive gas radon.

Cornish radon hotspot targeted

Thousands of households in a part of Cornwall with historic radon problems are being offered a free test for levels of the radioactive gas radon.

New Guidelines to Control Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infections in UK Hospitals Launched

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) together with the group A streptococcal (GAS) Working Group* has today launched new guidelines for the investigation, control and prevention of GAS infection in acute healthcare settings, including maternity units, in the UK.

Whooping cough cases increase

Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England and Wales have more than doubled from 421 cases in 2010 to 1040 in 2011. Increases in levels of whooping cough are seen every three to four years and figures in 2011 are in line with cases reported in the last peak year of 2008.

HPA publishes second migrant health report

The Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) second report on Migrant Health, and the first UK-wide report is published today.

Levels of norovirus within seasonal norms

Norovirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.

HPA warns winter sun seekers to seek protection from malaria

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is reminding UK travellers visiting friends and family or taking winter sun holidays to ensure they take anti-malaria tablets when visiting countries where malaria is prevalent.

Monday - Friday:

08:00 to 18:30

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SURGERY WILL BE CLOSED EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH FROM 12 MIDDAY FOR STAFF TRAINING

You may request to see a GP of your choice and we will do our best to carry out your request depending upon availability

We encourage patients who not had a consultation in the last three years to attend for a health check, in addition patients over 75 can request a consultation every twelve months.

Routine appointments

All patients have the right to see a primary care professional within 24 hours and a GP within 48 hours.

On the day you need to see a doctor either telephone the surgery or call in person when reception is open (lines are open from 8.00am). All consultations are by appointment only. We do have a limited number of advance appointments available up to two weeks in advance.

IF YOU CANNOT KEEP AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE LET US KNOW SO THAT WE CAN OFFER THE APPOINTMENT TO SOMEONE ELSE

Emergencies & Urgent Appointments

If you need to see a doctor urgently during opening hours then please explain briefly what the problem is, your call will triaged by a doctor who will ask you to attend if there is need.

Telephone Advice

A duty doctor is available from 8.00am - 6.30pm. Please explain the nature of your problem and the duty doctor will be happy to provide advice over the telephone.

Out of Hours

Any emergencies between 6.30pm - 8.00am weekdays,every weekend and every Bank Holiday are dealt with Swansea GP Out of Hours Service. The ABMU Health Board is responsible for Out of Hours and have appointed Swansea GP Out of Hours Service as their provider. Telephone the main surgery number and the recorded message will provide you with the necessary information to contact Swansea GP Out of Hours Service.

Home Visits

In general it is better we see you at the surgery where we can examine you and carry out tests more efficiently. You should only request a home visit when the patient is to ill to attend or is house bound. Please contact us as early as possible and the doctor will decide if a home vist is necessary.

Further Information

For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS Direct