Our Benefits Adviser from Limehouse project visits the Practice every week and offers appointments for help with benefits, debt and housing. Please book an appointment via Reception. More information.
For other local legal advice you may wish to contact the following organisations:
- The Queen Mary Legal Advice centre offers free legal advice to members of the public and staff and students at Queen Mary.
- Citizen Advice holds sessions at their office in Whitechapel and Chrisp Street Idea Store.
- Tower Hamlets Law Centre provides free legal advice and assistance.
Booking a blood test appointment at the practice
Please ensure you have spoken to a doctor or nurse before booking an appointment for a blood test at the practice (or have received a letter or text message from us) so that the appropriate tests can be requested.
Children’s blood tests
We are unable to take blood from children under 16 at the surgery. There is a Paediatric Blood Test Clinic at the Royal London Hospital.
Please speak to reception for further details and opening times.
Breast cancer screening is offered by the NHS every 3 years to women aged 50-70.
Eligible women should be contacted automatically by post.
Visit the local breast screening team’s website for more information, including information about changing your screening appointment.
Screening appointments are not at the surgery.
We offer cervical screening to women between the ages of 25 and 64 years.
- 25 to 49 every 3 years
- 50 to 64 every 5 years
You will be invited by letter to come for a test at the surgery. Please book an appointment with a practice nurse.
Click here to find out more about the NHS cervical screening programme.
Child Health Drop In Clinic
- Our local Health Visiting team run a weekly drop in clinic on Wednesdays (9:30-11am) at Aberfeldy community centre, Aberfeldy Street, E14 0NU.
- This clinic is for weighing and advice for children aged 0 – 5 years, but not for sick children.
- Please bring your child’s Personal child health record also known as the “red book”.
- The Health Visiting team can be contacted at other times on 020 3950 5680.
6-8 Weeks Developmental Checks
- Mother and baby will be invited to an appointment with a health visitor and GP at the Practice on a Wednesday morning between 9.00 and 12.00 for both postnatal and baby 6-8wk checks.
- This is an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns. The doctor will also examine your baby.
Childhood Immunisations
- Your baby’s vaccination schedule.
Contraception Options
There are several types of contraception available from the practice, including:
- Long Acting Contraception – coils and depot injection
- Contraceptive Pill/patch/ring – ask to see a Practice Nurse to get you started
Please note we no longer offer condoms or implants at the surgery. Please visit the local sexual health clinic.
More information about contraception options
Emergency Contraception
Can be obtained free of charge from local pharmacies without the need to speak to a GP for a prescription.
Facts about flu and the flu vaccine
There are many myths about flu and the flu vaccine. Here are the facts.
- Flu is much worse than a heavy cold
- The flu vaccine cannot give you flu
- Flu cannot be treated with antibiotics
- You need to have the flu vaccine every year
- If you’re pregnant you should have the flu vaccine
- Children can have the flu vaccine
- Even if you think you have had flu, you should still have the vaccination
- It’s not too late to have the flu vaccine in November
- Vitamin C cannot prevent flu
Well One
Well One is a new and exciting initiative where local residents, schools, GPs, community organisations, charities, corporate companies, the Council, housing associations and many others will all be working together to make Poplar an even healthier and happier place to live and work.
Social Prescriber
These often include concerns about:
- exercise
- weight management
- social isolation
- money, debt and benefits
- housing
- employment
Our Social Prescribing team can offer one-to-one support and has links to many local organisations which specialise in these issues.
Please speak to Reception for more information and to book an appointment with the Social Prescribing Team at the Practice.
Planning a pregnancy
The NHS website has lots of advice if you are planning a pregnancy. If you have a long term condition or take regular medication, it may be helpful to speak to your own GP before trying to conceive.
When you are pregnant
Please contact the surgery as soon as possible once you have confirmed pregnancy with a test at home. Pregnancy tests can be purchased from the pharmacy or supermarket.
The next step is to refer you to the antenatal clinic. You have a choice of most of the local hospitals, but most people choose to have their care through the Royal London Hospital. This means you can have your midwife appointments at the practice and may have the option of having your baby at one of our midwife-led birth centres for example Barkantine birth centre.
Your first ‘booking appointment’ will usually take place at Barkantine birth centre and/or Royal London Hospital at around 11weeks. The midwife will spend time discussing your previous health and what to expect during your pregnancy.
The NHS website has information about the appointments, tests and immunisations you will be offered.
Care when you are pregnant
Women booked with the Royal London Hospital will usually see the midwife at the practice and attend the hospital for scans.
Talking about feeling anxious, low or stressed can be difficult, but there are lots of ways to get support. Speak to your GP about how to get help.
Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies
Offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist self-management skills to help you feel better. Visit Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies to find out more information and self-refer.
MIND in Tower Hamlets
MIND is a national mental health charity with a local branch, offering advice, support and talking therapy for mental health problems. Visit MIND to find out more information and self-refer.
Services for Young Adults
Two local organisations specialise in mental health support for young people. You can self-refer to either of these services.
- Step Forward offer free & confidential services for all young people aged 11-25.
- Docklands Outreach offers support for young people aged 14-21.
Community Mental Health Team
The Isle of Dogs Community Mental Health Team provides treatment for people with more severe mental illness, such as Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis, Schizophrenia and Severe depression. You need a GP referral to access this service.
Help in a Crisis
If your mental health is getting worse – especially if you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide – there are many ways to get help:
- Please call the surgery to speak to a GP
- If we are closed, call 111 who can put you in touch with GP Out of Hours services if needed.
In a crisis, you can also call the 24 hour 020 7771 5807.
- There is a mental health team on call at the Emergency Department of the Royal London Hospital 24 hours a day.
- Samaritans offers emotional support over the phone for people in distress. You can call them free 116 123.
How to request a repeat prescription
- Online
- Ask your regular Pharmacy
- Request in writing via reception using the tear-off slip from your last prescription
To ensure accuracy and safety, we do not accept repeat medication requests over the phone. If you need help, please ask at the desk.
Our processing time is 36 working hours to give us time to check your request carefully and arrange a review with a doctor if you need one.
Information about prescription charges and exemptions
Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to discuss with a doctor or nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.
Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
We are moving from paper to electronic prescriptions which get sent straight to a pharmacy of your choice. Please let reception or your pharmacy know your choice of nomination, so it can be set up in your record.
Sexual Health
We offer a number of different tests for sexually transmitted infections including:
- Chlamydia and gonorrhoea screening by swab test (female) or urine test (male)
- Hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis screening by blood test
If you would like to be tested, please either:
- ask for an appointment with one of our practice nurses
- ask for a GP or Nurse to call to arrange for a self test kit (for chlamydia and gonorrhoea only)
- book an appointment at a local sexual health clinic if you don’t want to come into the surgery via their website.
Before you travel please visit Travel Health Pro for further information about your destination.
When travelling please allow as much time as possible to arrange your travel appointment at the Practice. We advise you attend to arrange your appointment at least six weeks before you travel. Please help us to help you better by having as much information as possible to hand including:
- Travel destination (especially multiple destinations)
- Dates of travel
- Any previous vaccinations (especially anything given at private clinics or elsewhere)
We offer a limited number of appointments for this travel service which can be booked by reception. If we are unable to offer you an appointment, there is a range of local services you may wish to access.
