Other Information

Advice Before Your Blood Test

On waking please drink two or three glasses of water.
Take any medication you would normally take at breakfast time. Eat breakfast, preferably something sweet eg toast and marmalade/honey, porridge or cereal.
Please do not drink coffee before a blood test as this makes your peripheral veins contract.
Keep yourself warm.

Advice Before Your Fasting Blood Test

Have a snack no later than 9.00pm and nothing to eat at all after 10.00pm the evening before your blood test.

It is important to drink plenty of water.

Do not eat sweets or chew gum as this may affect your results.

If you are diabetic do not take insulin until you are ready to have your breakfast after the blood test.

Take your medication as normal unless it needs to be taken with food or milk, in which case please delay taking your medication until you have had your blood test.

Accurate results can only be obtained if you follow these instructions.

Advice Before You Have Your Ears Syringed

Put two or three drops of olive oil in your ear twice daily for five to seven days using a dropper or syringe, or use any ear drops prescribed.

Lie on your side and pull your earlobe upwards and backwards to ensure oil gets inside your ear to soften the wax. Remain on your side until the oil has been absorbed. Please do not use cotton wool as a plug as this absorbs the oil and stops it being effective.

You may find that your hearing improves as the wax softens and comes away. If so, please cancel your appointment.

Forms Requiring A Signature

The number of forms doctors are being asked to complete is growing rapidly. In some cases someone other than a doctor can sign the form for you.

Private Medical Insurance Claim Forms
These forms can be signed by your specialist.

Certificates For School
These should be signed by a parent.

Certificates For Sickness
Certificates for periods of less than a week should usually be signed by the patients themselves using Form SC2 (available from your place of work or from our reception). A medical certificate is not normally required.

Holiday Cancellation Insurance
This does not need a doctor’s letter – it needs an official form obtainable from your insurers (a doctor usually does fill in a part of it.) A fee is normally charged for a private certificate. Please ask at reception for details.