Services

Every woman should know how her breasts look and feel. A general check, for example whilst showering or bathing, every now and then is very sensible. If any lumps or other changes develop, they should be reported to your doctor without delay. From 50 to 64, all women should have a mammogram performed every three years and the surgery helps the NHS Breast Screening Service in this.

Learn more about breast screenings

A blood test is when a sample of blood is taken for testing in a laboratory. Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test. For example, a blood test can be used to:

• assess your general state of health
• confirm the presence of a bacterial or viral infection
• see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are functioning

A blood test usually involves the phlebotomist taking a blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm and the usual place for a sample is the inside of the elbow or wrist, where the veins are relatively close to the surface. Blood samples from children are most commonly taken from the back of the hand. The childs hand will be anaesthetised (numbed) with a special cream before the sample is taken.

Learn more about blood tests on the NHS website

Ways to book

• Book online with Watford General Hospital or St Albans City Hospital
• Book online with Red House in Harpenden using the NHS App or contact reception

Between the ages of 25 and 64, women who are or have been sexually active should have a smear test taken.   

Cervical screening is for women and people with a cervix. The programme sends screening invitations to people with a cervix who are registered as ‘female’ or ‘indeterminate’ at the following ages and intervals.

• Age 24.5: first invitation (invitations to first screen are issued at 24.5 years).
• Ages 25 to 49: 3-yearly screening. From 1 July 2025, most women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for HPV – meaning they are at very low risk of developing cervical cancer over the next five years – will be invited at five-year intervals rather than three. This applies to samples taken on or after 1st July and next test due dates remain the same for any samples taken before this date.
• Ages 50 to 64: 5-yearly screening.
• Ages 65 plus: screening of those who have not been screened since age 50, or those who have not yet met the criteria to be ceased from the programme.

Please make an appointment with our nurse for this to be done.

Children's Health Checks

The surgery offers routine child development checks for babies at approximately 6 weeks old.

Learn more about your child's development reviews

Children's Immunisations

A lot of infectious diseases are preventable by adequate immunisation and the surgery provides the full range of vaccines for children.

Invitations for routine childhood vaccinations are sent to you by the health authority. Please contact the surgery to make an appointment with the practice nurse when you have received your letter.  Please contact the surgery or health visitor to discuss any concerns you may have about vaccinations.

Read the NHS information on vaccinations and when to have them

Get information about COVID-19 vaccination, who can get it, and safety and side effects

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations on the NHS website

We are providing large numbers of ear syringing appointments, and this is reducing the availability of nurse appointments for more serious illness and procedures.

Earwax is produced by the ear as part of its natural process and actually protects against dust dirt and bacteria. It only needs removing if:

• Loss of hearing, pain, tinnitus or vertigo
• Obstructing view for examination or for hearing aid assessment

Before syringing please use drops from pharmacist for at least 2 to 4 weeks before appointment (this may solve the problem)

• use the drops for 2 weeks before booking the appointment and then continue until the appointment date
• Drops can be olive oil or sodium bicarbonate – pharmacist can advise.
• Need to be used 3 to 4 times daily

Ear canals have a self- cleaning mechanism so please do not use cotton buds, hairgrips, etc to clean your ears. These can damage the delicate lining of your ear canal and may even perforate your ear drum.

Find information about the flu jab, including who should have it, why and when

Learn more about flu vaccinations on the NHS website

All patients with a long term health condition such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, COPD will be offered an annual check with one of our practice team. Of course, when needed, patients will be seen on a more regular basis to ensure their condition is stable and well controlled.

See our support pages for advice and support

Asthma reviews

If your symptoms are deteriorating or you have any concerns, please make an appointment with the respiratory nurse or a doctor.

The NHS Health Check is your chance to get your free midlife MOT. For adults in England aged 40 to 74 without a pre-existing condition, it checks your circulatory and vascular health and what your risk of getting a disabling vascular disease. If you would like a free NHS health Check - please telephone your surgery to make an appointment.

Learn more about NHS health checks

• wound care
• 12 lead ECGs
• 24 hour blood pressure monitoring for diagnosing high blood pressure
• ring pessary removal and insertion
• chronic disease monitoring
• Sexual Health and Contraceptive Services
• vaccinations against shingles, pneumonia, RSV, COVID, and flu in adults
• childhood vaccinations
• Ear irrigation and wax removal
• Ambulatory home BP monitoring
• Spirometry
• Phlebotomy
• ABPI test/doppler
   

The surgery provides routine 6-week postnatal checks for all women as well as babies. Please call the surgery to arrange this on 01582 712021.

• Find additional support from our local health visitors
• Find further support information for pregnancy and maternity

Many people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is sometimes known as pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased.

It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated. There are currently five million people in England at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If these trends persist, one in three people will be obese by 2034 and one in 10 will develop Type 2 diabetes.

There is strong international evidence which demonstrates how behavioural interventions, which support people to maintain a healthy weight and be more active, can significantly reduce the risk of developing the condition.

The practice offers all patients who have been diagnosed with pre diabetes an annual blood test and a referral to National Diabetes Prevention Programme to reduce the risk of developing the condition.

Learn how to prevent diabetes or learn how to prevent type 2 diabetes

Our clinicians are available to assist with any questions regarding family planning or sexual health. Please schedule an appointment with a nurse to discuss your options. The practice provides a comprehensive range of contraceptive methods, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants.  

Routine Contraception

Contraceptive services are also available at your local pharmacy. The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service enables pharmacies to offer contraceptive management, including the initiation of oral contraception and emergency contraception, free of charge.

Find support and advice from local and national services

Dr Molvik and Dr Goodwin offer various joint and soft tissue injections through the NHS.  

Conditions that can be alleviated by steroid injection are:

• Frozen shoulder and other shoulder conditions
• Tennis elbow
• Golfers elbow
• Carpal tunnel
• Various wrist conditions including RSI
• Trochanteric bursitis
• Osteo arthritis of knee and ankle

Dr Molvick also undertakes minor surgical procedures and Dr Ingram can provide ingrowing toe-nail removal on the NHS. If you would like further information, please contact us online.

An X-ray is a widely used diagnostic test to examine the inside of the body. X-rays are a very effective way of detecting problems with bones, such as fractures. They can also often identify problems with soft tissue, such as pneumonia or breast cancer.

If you have an X-ray, you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a surface so that the part of your body being X-rayed is between the X-ray tube and the photographic plate.

An X-ray is usually carried out by a radiographer, a healthcare professional who specialises in using imaging technology, such as X-rays and ultrasound scanners.

Learn more about x-rays on the NHS website