The Heron Practice

News:

In-House Physiotherapy Service
Unfortunately this service was withdrawn at the end of March, 2010.
We are therefore unable to accept self referrals for physiotherapy treatment.

Telephone Consultations
Patients who want to discuss health problems with a doctor and feel they don't need to be examined can request a telephone consultation; these can be booked up to 1 week in advance.
Please note these appointments are NOT for general information/advice that can be obtained via NHS Choices or NHS Direct.
Please contact reception to book a telephone consultation or for further information.

Announcements

01 May - 01 Aug
Sex - Worth Talking About

Talking about sex doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think. Whether it’s knowing about your contraceptive choices, explaining STIs, coping with emotions or understanding your body, you'll find straightforward information and advice to make it easier to discuss everything to do with sexual health, right here

30 Apr - 01 Aug
Change for Life

Would you like loads of tips and help to make changes for a healthier future? As part of Change4Life, you will receive tons of helpful information, recipes, tools, tips, and games for the kids.

29 Apr - 01 Aug
NHS Smokefree

Find out about all of the free NHS services available to support you as you go try to give up smoking.

BBC Health

Calcium pills 'raise' heart risk

Calcium supplements taken by many older people could be increasing their risk of a heart attack, research shows.

Pregnant women rights questioned

The right of women to choose whether they have home births is being questioned by a leading medical journal.

Drug prescribed after web search

A father persuades the NHS to give his sick daughter a "miracle" drug he found on the internet.

Addiction drugs 'aid weight loss'

A combination pill of two drugs used to treat addiction may help people lose weight, say US researchers.

Child heart op ban 'should stay'

Children's heart surgery should remain suspended at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital where four babies died, a report says.

Public health fear in NHS revamp

The overhaul of the NHS may harm the public health drive, a health think tank is warning.

Say fat not obese, says minister

GPs and other health professionals should tell people they are fat rather than obese, England's public health minister says.

Hip hope from stem cell technique

Doctors may soon be able to patch up damaged bones and joints anywhere in the body with a simple shot in the arm.

Alcohol can 'lessen' arthritis

Drinking alcohol can reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, a study has found

Warning for obese mothers-to-be

Obesity levels among pregnant women have reached epidemic levels, putting the health of their babies at risk, experts say.

Yahoo Health

Chicken producers debate 'natural' label (AP)

In this photo taken Dec. 19, 2008, chickens are seen on a farm near Vacaville, Calif. A disagreement among poultry producers about whether chicken injected with salt, water and other ingredients can be promoted as 'natural' has prompted federal officials to consider changing labeling guidelines. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

AP - A disagreement among poultry producers about whether chicken injected with salt, water and other ingredients can be promoted as "natural" has prompted federal officials to consider changing labeling guidelines.

Hands-only CPR, pushy dispatchers are lifesavers (AP)

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2006 file photo a person participates in an American Red Cross CPR training in Washington. Two new studies conclude that 'hands only' chest compression is enough to save a life. The American Heart Association has been promoting 'hands only' CPR for two years, though it's not clear how much it's caught on. The new studies should help, experts say. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

AP - More bystanders are willing to attempt CPR if an emergency dispatcher gives them firm and direct instructions — especially if they can just press on the chest and skip the mouth-to-mouth, according to new research.

DC pushes female condoms to fight HIV epidemic (AP)

AP - Charlene Cotton will talk to anyone about sex. Several days a week she stands behind a table decorated with a bowl of flavored condoms and safer sex pamphlets, calling to women passing on the street, "Come check out my table. Don't be scared."

NYC looks to stop spreading bedbug infestations (AP)

FILE - In this undated photo released by the University of Florida, a common bedbug is engorged with blood after feeding on a human. One of every 15 New Yorkers battled bedbugs last year, officials said Wednesday, July 28, 2010, as they announced a plan to fight the spreading infestation, including a public-awareness campaign and a top entomologist to head the effort. (AP Photo/University of Florida, File) NO SALES

AP - One of every 15 New Yorkers battled bedbugs last year, officials said Wednesday as they announced a plan to fight the spreading infestation, including a public-awareness campaign and a top entomologist to head the effort.

New program rebuilding faces of soldiers, veterans (AP)

In this photo taken June 23, 2010, Master Sgt. Todd Nelson is reflected in a mirror as Dr. Joe Villalobos makes adjustments to a prosthetics ear at Wilford Hall Medical Center, in San Antonio. Nelson was injured in 2007 by an explosion while serving in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

AP - Master Sgt. Todd Nelson lost his right eye and ear in a flash when a car bomb in Afghanistan exploded, sending fire up his arm and over his head.

Tests aim to settle if fresher blood works better (AP)

Dr. Wenche Jy, research assistant professor, watches as Eleanor De Asis, assistant lab manager, washes blood, Friday, July 23, 2010, at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. This summer, hospitals around the country are launching major new research to settle if fresher blood really is better for at least some patients. And if so, they're also hunting ways to turn back the clock for older blood — like the University of Miami's work to wash away some cellular debris — and offset any deterioration. The University of Miami at Jackson Memorial Hospital is testing whether 'washing' blood before transfusing it could help, by ridding blood of microparticles that accumulate the longer it's stored. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

AP - Facing surgery? You could receive blood that's been stored for a week, or three weeks, or nearly six — and there's growing concern that people who get the older blood might not fare as well.

Knee, Hip Replacements May Aid Weight Loss: Study (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- Weight loss has been noted among patients who've had a knee or hip replacement, a new study says.

New Study Finds HPV Vaccine Protects Against Genital Warts (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, July 20 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects not only against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer, but also helps prevent genital warts and low-grade cervical growths.

Clinical Trials Update: July 29, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:

Health Tip: Dealing With Separation Anxiety (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- It's common for young children to have a tough time when mom or dad leaves them with someone else.

MedPage Today

Risk of MI May Go Up With Calcium Supplements (CME/CE, with video)

(MedPage Today) -- Calcium supplementation appears to increase the risk of myocardial infarction, a meta-analysis showed.

TZD Use Linked to Fracture Risk in Women 50 and Older (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Patients with type 2 diabetes may face an increased fracture risk when treated with thiazolidinedione (TZD) drugs, data from a large observational study suggest.

Renal Troubles Spell Acute Injury Risk (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Reduced kidney function and protein leaking into the urine may be warning signs for acute kidney injury, researchers warned.

Estradiol Spray May Pose Risk for Kids and Pets

(MedPage Today) -- Menopausal women who use a spray form of topical estradiol (Evamist) to control hot flushes should avoid touching children and pets with treated areas of the skin, the FDA warned.

Pandemic Strain Dominated Most Recent Flu Season (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Pandemic H1NI influenza was almost the only type of flu virus circulating in the U.S. during the 2009-2010 flu season -- and it disproportionately affected younger age groups, according to the CDC.

Less Pain, More Gain in OA With Regular Exercise (CME/CE)

(MedPage Today) -- Patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) who stick to a recommended exercise program and increase their overall physical activity have less pain and more improvement in physical functioning, according to a Dutch observational study.

FDA Finds Pneumonia Risk with Daptomycin

(MedPage Today) -- The FDA said that the intravenous antibiotic daptomycin (Cubicin) may be linked to an increased risk of eosinophilic pneumonia -- a rare but serious potential side effect -- and requested that a new drug label warning be added.

Number of Uninsured Varies Greatly by State

Massachusetts (MedPage Today) -- a state with a universal health insurance program -- has the nation's lowest rate of uninsured residents under age 65, at 7.8%, according to data released by the Census Bureau.

Reports Alert FDA to Possible Contamination

(MedPage Today) -- Over a seven-month period, manufacturers and distributors have reported 125 food safety issues directly to the FDA, most concerning Salmonella or allergens, the agency said.

FDA Approves Drug to Control Kids' Chronic Drooling

(MedPage Today) -- A new formulation of glycopyrrolate (Cuvposa) has received FDA approval to treat chronic severe drooling in children ages 3 to 16, the agency said.

Announcements

BBC Health

Yahoo Health

MedPage Today

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