Our Services

We are conscious that some patients registered at Pembroke Road Surgery may be affected by current events in Afghanistan.  Pembroke Road Surgery is accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners as one which specialises in the care of military veterans and their families. All the team have been trained in the care of military veterans and their families. If recent events have affected you and you wish to seek help, please come forward.

We are pleased to have been accredited as a Veteran Friendly Practice by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

If you are an Armed Forces Veteran please let us know so that we can ensure you are getting the best care and treatment that you are eligible for.

There are some health services available specifically for military veterans and our clinicians can refer you to these if you are eligible and they could be of benefit to you.

Asthma reviews are booked in with our on-site Pharmacist. Please book a routine telephone call.

Clinics are held regularly. We like to see patients with asthma once or twice a year for a check-up. If you are on asthma medication and have not been seen recently, please make an appointment in the Asthma Clinic. Two of the Nursing Team hold a Diploma in asthma.

Further Information

• Asthma UK

All new babies are invited to the surgery at 6-8 weeks for a GP ‘baby check’ examination and immunisations at 2, 3 and 4 months. There is lots of excellent information about the vaccines on these websites: 

• Vaccine Knowledge Project
• NHS Vaccination Schedule
• Patient Info Website

We are delighted to announce that we are restarting Poorly Poppets parent education sessions. We will aim to do two a year so try to come to one at some point, ideally around 3-9 months of age. It is a one hour session giving advice on what to expect as your baby’s immune system develops, what to do if they are feverish, having difficulty breathing, unwell or choking,  (amongst other things….), and when to worry. Your baby is welcome to come along too and we will be serving hot drinks and homemade cakes. Dr Perks will run the session and they are held at Hope Chapel in Hotwells, in the same place our health visitors run their drop-in clinics. We will text invites to eligible parents near the time. We look forward to seeing you there.

Further Information about Baby Health is available on our website

We are offering some routine blood tests for certain medication monitoring or if it has been requested by the GP. If not, you will need to have a telephone call with the doctor first.

Our blood taking services are available as shown below:

• Monday: Pre-booked appointments from 8.20am
• Tuesday: Pre-booked appointments from 8.20am
• Wednesday: Pre-booked appointments from 8.20am
• Thursday: Pre-booked appointments from 8.20am
• Friday: Pre-booked appointments from 8.20am
• Saturday: No blood taking services available

We have a range of appointments available throughout the day (weekdays). Appointments can be made on-line, via our automated phone booking service and through the Reception Team.

Drug problems affect lots of people. A national poll in 2009 showed that almost one in five adults have been personally affected by drug addiction: that's over 82,000 people in Bristol.

Tackling a drug problem is tough - but there are people making major changes in their lives every day. Bristol Drugs Project helps over 3,000 people a year to make those changes.

Shared Care Workers from Bristol Drugs Project are employed to support the GPs in the assessment, management and care of opiate-dependent patients.

A full needs and risk assessment is usually carried out before substitute medication such as Methadone or Subutex may be prescribed for patients. The aim of the shared care service is to reduce illegal street drug use, maintain stability whilst on regular prescriptions and in the long term to achieve abstinence.

We have a non-judgmental approach to the provision of this service. 

To find out more please follow this link to the Bristol Drugs Project website

Pembroke Road Surgery is a 'C card' Practice

Previously a scheme ran in Bristol called 4YP Bristol. This aimed to ensure young people could feel assured of receiving prompt, confidential help and advice for health issues, with a special emphasis on sexual health, relationships and contraception. Pembroke Road was proud to be a 4YP site for many years.

Now the scheme is called C card, and Pembroke Road Surgery is committed to continuing to provide this service to young people. It gives the same free, confidential and easily accessible advice about sexual health and contraception, and can also provide free condoms to people aged under 20 years old.

The service is available to young people, whether or not they are currently registered with the Practice. Special cards are made available for fast-track appointment requests, free condoms are supplied on the 'C-card' scheme, chlamydia testing is encouraged and contraceptive advice offered. Speak to a member of staff for further information on how to access this service. 

For more information on C card services in the city please follow this link

If you have had a letter inviting you for cervical screening, please contact Reception to book an appointment.

We are offering all pre-school child immunisations. Please contact Reception to book an appointment.

If you wish to have a Coil/Implant fitted or changed, you will first need to speak to one of our dedicated coil/implant doctors. This would be booked as a routine telephone call.

Coil clinics run most weeks at the surgery and consist of a half an hour appointment with a HCA or nurse and the fit done by one of our Doctors.  Currently this is Dr Elise Taylor, Dr Becky Nuttall, Dr Kirstie Pearson or Dr Freya Evans.

The clinic is in high demand and we sometime have to operate a waiting list.  When this happens we do endeavour to put on extra clinics.  If you cannot make you appointment it is vital that you contact us in good time so that the appointments can be offered to other patients and the time is not wasted.

Booking for a Coil Fit

Please contact reception team on 0117 9733790 and they will book you a telephone slot to discuss your requirements and go through the risks and benefits.  Please do not book a coil slot online into a normal appointment as we will not have the time / support staff and you may be asked to rebook.

Further information is available on the Sexwise website

Prior to the fit it is important to be sure that you are not pregnant.  We will ask you about this on the day of the fit but please do be careful with your current contraception. Take painkillers 90 mins before the fit such as paracetamol and Ibuprofen (800 mg double dose can work well) as it can be unconformable and crampy.

Request a routine telephone call with the nurse

We have a service for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.Designated diabetes clinics with morning and evening appointments are run by an experienced diabetes prescribing nurse practitioner (Sister Lynn Wrathall) with GP support from Dr Claire Perks.We have close working relations with specialist teams in hospital services and community teams.

Invitation to the clinic is sent by post to patients directly from clinic reviews, GP requests or specialist request.We support with diet management, medication including insulin initiation, dose changes and referral to external agencies.We run a quarterly virtual clinic  with senior specialist practitioners to ensure current up to date treatment and clinical management are maintained.

Further Information

• Diabetes UK

We are offering dressing appointments with the nurses.

You are being given this information because you suggested that your ears are blocked and you have seen a health professional who has confirmed that the blockage is due to a buildup of wax.

Caring For Your Ears

• Wax is normal – it protects and lubricates the Ear Canal. 
• It is a mixture of Cerumen (a sweat-like substance), Sebum (an oily substance) both secreted by glands in your Ear Canal, which combines with dust, debris, hair etc. to form ear wax. It is normal to have ear wax, and it usually only becomes a problem when it has been pushed deeper into the Ear Canal.
• Your ears are self-cleaning – if you use cotton wool buds or similar objects, to try to remove the wax, it will only be pushed further into the ear canal and become impacted and block your ear.
• If you have repeated problems with wax blocking your ears, using olive oil ear drops – 2 drops once a week may prevent this.
• If you have ear problems such as dry skin, eczema, dermatitis, ‘runny ears’, you will find keeping your ears DRY will improve the condition. Avoid shampoo, shower gel and hairspray etc. in your ears.
• The easiest way to keep your ears dry when bathing or showering is by using ear plugs or a piece of cotton-wool smeared with Vaseline/Petroleum jelly.
• Your ears should only be cleaned by a nurse trained in ear care as they can see into your ear canals – you are unable to do this!

Ear Syringing- An alternative

Evidence suggests that ear syringing may not be as safe as we thought. Even though syringing is undertaken by trained staff syringing may result in inflamed and infected ear canals. Only very rarely should syringing be necessary. The application of ear drops should disperse excessive wax and regular application of drops will prevent the buildup of wax. The drops are inexpensive to buy from a chemist or pharmacy or indeed some large supermarkets but unfortunately we are unable to provide these on prescription.

Here is what to do:

You can self-manage the buildup of ear wax.

In most cases the application of ear drops will disperse the buildup of wax.  Drops should be used three times a day for at least 4 weeks. Cotton-buds or ear candles should not be used as these can do real damage to the ear canal and drum.

Once the ears are clear of wax, it can be helpful to continue to use the drops twice a week to help keep them clear.  If during the application of the drops you continue to suffer from hearing loss or if you have other ear symptoms such as unpleasant discharge or pain, you should see a doctor or nurse.

How to use ear drops

• Use olive oil, sodium bicarbonate ear drops or other branded products that are available for dispersing ear wax. These are available from chemists or pharmacies and the Pharmacist can explain the different types. Brandnames you may have heard of include Earex, Cerumol and Otex (there are others).
• The drops should be at room temperature before use.
• Lay on your side with the affected ear uppermost and place three to five drops into the ear canal. Let the drops soak in for at least 5 minutes.
• You can use some cotton wool (dampened with water or Vaseline) placed at the entrance to the canal to stop drops running out as you get up afterwards.
• Repeat three times a day to the affected ear until the wax has gone and your hearing improves.

This process should result in your hearing improving after 2 weeks.

Sodium bicarbonate drops are better for dissolving stubbornly hard wax but should not be used for more than 2 weeks as it may result in irritation to the skin. If you still feel that you have wax after 2 weeks of using sodium bicarbonate, then you may continue using a further 2 weeks of olive oil drops.

After 4 weeks if you still feel you have blocked ears then you should arrange an appointment for possible ear syringing with our practice nurse. This should be a routine nurse’s appointment, not an urgent one.

If at any time you are experiencing pain, worsening deafness or an unpleasant smelling discharge you should stop using the drops and consult a doctor or nurse at the surgery.

Alternatively, or the drops aren't working, there are various local private options for microsuction:

• Specsavers
• Bristol Ear Care
• The Independent General Practice
• Regent Pharmacy
• Boots Hearing Care

We are currently offering the following injections:

• Vitamin B12
• Depo (not contraception)
• Zoladex
• Decapeptyl
• Hormonal injections

If you are eligible for the pneumonia vaccination, you will be contacted by the surgery to arrange an appointment

If you require a referral for an ongoing problem, you will need to book a routine telephone call with one of the doctors.

Further information regarding referrals to private hospitals and clinics can be found here. We would recommend you review this information prior to requesting a private referral.

If you are eligible for the shingles vaccination, you will be contacted by the surgery to arrange an appointment

To provide good care for your wellbeing, we need to consider the mixture of physical, mental, social and environmental factors that affect your health.

Often, solutions can be found through accessing non-clinical services and support. This is where Social Prescribing fits in.

You can meet with our Social Prescribing Link Worker to:

• Talk about your wellbeing and what is important to you currently.
• Discuss your challenges and health priorities.
• Gain access to non-clinical resources including a whole range of groups and services locally that could support your health. This may include creative activities, physical activities, counselling support, social activities, learning opportunities, training, employment or housing and money support! 

Appointments are 45 minutes in a block of up-to six. They take place at the surgery. Please speak to your GP for a referral to Social Prescribing.

Our Link Worker can support you with the following things:

• Social isolation and loneliness 
• Practical support needs (e.g. benefits, letter writing, housing, debt, etc.) 
• Bereavement 
• Improving self-care (e.g. diet and exercise)  
• Low confidence and self-esteem (including mild-moderate depression/anxiety)