We provide a
confidential service to all our patients, no matter what your age. This
means we don’t tell anyone else that you have seen us or any details about
you, unless you want us to of course. The only reason we might have to
think about sharing details about you with someone else is if we were worried
that you might hurt yourself or someone else, but in this case we would always
try our hardest to discuss this with you first.
Please telephone 01237 426 300 for an
appointment, this should ideally be with your own doctor. If however, you
have something sensitive to discuss and would prefer to see either a male or
female doctor, just say so when you call.
You can also
ask for a telephone appointment with your doctor if your query is
straight-forward and you don’t need to meet face-to-face. If you want to
do this please let the receptionist have your name, telephone number and
message. The doctor will call you as soon as they can.
Please telephone 01237 426 320 to make
an appointment. The nursing staff offer advice (and tests if needed) about
sexual health, contraception including the pill and condoms, travel advice,
weight management advice and immunisations amongst many other things.
If you require urgent advice or
treatment outside normal working hours please ring Devon Doctors on Call 01392
824600. Alternatively you can get free confidential health advice 24/7 from NHS
Direct on 0845 4647.
Your doctor can advise you about
contraception and prescribe it. Or you can attend a family planning clinic, a
specialist confidential clinic that deals only with contraception and does not
pass on information to anyone else, including your doctor and your doctor’s
surgery. For Family Planning Clinic times and information please ring
01271 371761 or 01237 420200. There is a drop-in clinic (no appointment
necessary) for the under 21s at
The emergency contraceptive pill can be
taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. It is available from any GP, family
planning clinic, A&E or can be bought from the chemist. In some cases a coil
can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex and is very effective as
emergency contraception.
See your doctor, family planning
clinic, or nurse as soon as possible. If you can please take a pregnancy
test first. Your doctor and nurse can provide help and advice on all
aspects of pregnancy – from tests, to healthy eating, to contraception, to
abortion.
Lots of
people are worried about sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health
matters. There are lots of ways to get help or advice with this. You
could see your doctor at Bideford Medical Centre, or you could go to the GUM (Genito-Urinary
medicine) clinic at
GUM services
are run by doctors and nurses who specialise in sexual health- these clinics are
strictly confidential, you don’t even have to give your real name if you
don’t want to. And you are quite welcome to go along with a friend or
your girlfriend or boyfriend.
It’s
normal for young people to worry about sex, and there are often simple
explanations for all sorts of symptoms such as discharge from the penis or
vagina, and funny ‘lumps and bumps’, but these can also be signs of
infection, many of which require simple treatment, mostly with tablets. If
you have any worries, or questions to ask about sex and sexual health, or if you
have a rash, an itch, a discharge, pain when doing a wee, pain during sex or any
other symptoms that concern you, please do not hesitate to see your doctor or
the GUM clinic.
Chlamydia is
on the rise, and affects men and women. As it mostly causes no symptoms at
all you can have it without knowing, but testing for it is simple and prevents
long-term problems. Most people are relieved to get answers to their
questions and the sooner any problems get sorted, the better!
You can make
a confidential appointment at the GUM clinic as follows:
Bideford:
Some things
to remember-
Always use a
condom – even if you are using another contraceptive. Condoms
protect against infection.
Lots of
people haven’t had sex but say that they have to fit in.
Having sex
should be your choice – not someone elses. It’s ok to say NO.
Spots are
known medically as ‘acne’. Acne is very common and caused by hormonal
changes, NOT by diet or lack of hygiene. Spots can occur anywhere on the
body but are most common on the face, back and chest. They can very
upsetting for the person who has them.
The most
effective treatments from the chemist contain benzoyl peroxide, this is in the
best ‘available to buy’ acne creams and washes. If your acne does not
improve with such treatments your doctor can help with a variety of tablets,
creams and lotions available on prescription. Don’t suffer in silence !
If you are worried that you are
underweight or overweight please feel free to book an appointment with the
nurses or your doctor. We can tell you what your ideal weight is and
provide advice on healthy diets & exercise.
Heavy, painful and irregular periods
are common and can often be helped – talk to your GP.
Mood swings
and feelings of frustration are very common in people of all ages. All that’s
often needed is regular exercise and relaxation. Talking to family and
friends often helps a lot.
When low
moods persist or if you have thoughts of harming yourself please see your doctor
for help. It may simply be that things will get better by talking to your
doctor, or you may need to think about counselling or medicine, your doctor can
talk these options through with you if they’re appropriate.
Talk to the chemist – most minor
illnesses get better without needing a doctor and a chemist will be happy to
advise on treatments and when you should see a G.P. Alternatively you can call
NHS direct 0845 4647.
If you are
worried about alcohol, drugs or smoking your doctor or nurse can provide
confidential advice. They can discuss with you the problems and health
risks involved in all 3 and can help you come off cigarettes, drugs and alcohol.
These are common problems so the doctors and nurses are experienced in helping
with them and won’t be shocked by anything you have to tell them.
You can also
get lots of helpful advice from Y-Smart or online in lots of websites listed
below.
Y-SMART
Y-SMART is a
project for all young people who are under 19 and who live in the
If you have
a problem with drugs, alcohol or solvents and you want help controlling your
cravings, making sure your drug use is safe or you want help to stay off drugs,
Y-SMART can help.
We can set
up treatment and/or relapse prevention programmes. It is our aim to provide you
with a level of support YOU need to stay in control. Y-SMART offers a
confidential service for young people. Once we have heard from you, one of our
friendly staff will be in touch and will talk to you about YOUR issues and YOUR
needs.
If you think
that you, one of your friends or your child has a problem or you would like some
information or advice please contact us. It is really easy to get in touch
either by phone, email or simply fill in the on-line referral form.
ALL
enquiries will be strictly confidential.
Phone: 01271
388162 / 325500
Email: info@y-smart.org.uk
Web: www.y-smart.org.uk
Other on-line places
to get help –
You can type in a keyword for something you want more information about here
For advice on all sorts of things:
| www.teenagehealthfreak.org |
| www.doctorann.org |
| www.likeitis.org |
| www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk |
| www.childline.org.uk (Look under their ‘Help and Advice’ section) |
For advice especially
about stuff related to sex –
For advice especially
when you’re feeling low, whatever the cause –
