Private Therapists

The Bridge and Littlebourne complementary medical clinics have developed over a number of years and consist of a team of doctors and complementary medical practitioners, providing an extended range of private services to patients. 

For more than 10 years, therapists have practised osteopathy, reflexology, acupuncture, both western and traditional, physiotherapy and podiatry, working in the same environment as NHS doctors and nurses. Whilst some of these have been available as NHS treatments, many have flourished as private therapists. Bridge has become well known as a centre for high quality medical and complementary therapy services.

Acupuncture

Carolyn Crafer 07866 756471 or 01227 728672

email: carolyn.crafer@hotmail.co.uk 

website: www.carolyncrafer.co.uk

Osteopathy

Alison Ley 01227 379588

Podiatry

Adam Wildy 01227 371927 or 07808 069403

Talking Therapies

Psicon 01227 379099

Homeopathy

Claudine Nutley 01304 830275

Electrolysis

Jacqueline Tall 01304 380249

Other NHS Therapy Services

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists deal with human function and movement and help people to achieve their full physical potential. They take an holistic approach to promote, maintain and restore well-being. Physiotherapists are medically trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of physical problems. Your treatment might include massage and mobilization as well as exercise designed to strengthen your body. Physiotherapy is tailored to individual needs to reduce pain and maximize movement and function.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is an established and recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It recognises that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body as well as damage caused by disease.

Osteopathy uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medicine, but its main strength lies in the holistic way the person is assessed from a mechanical, postural and psycho emotional perspective.

Osteopaths use their hands to carry out a variety of manipulative techniques. These may include muscle and connective tissue stretching, rhythmic joint articulations, high velocity thrust techniques to improve the mobility of joints, or gentle releasing techniques, such as cranial osteopathy.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of therapy in which fine needles are inserted into specific points of the body. It is used mainly for pain relief in musculoskeletal conditions.

The benefits of acupuncture include pain relief, relaxation of muscle spasm, an anti-inflammatory effect, improved sleep patterns, improved well-being and increased energy levels.

Acupuncture generally has a cumulative effect and you might not notice improvement until you have had 2 or 3 sessions. You should not be concerned if you experience some aching or a tingly sensation which sometimes continues for a short period after treatment.

Counselling & Psychotherapy

Piscon

The Psicon Group comprises six areas of specialist psychological and healthcare support: Adult Mental Health Services; Children, Young People and Family Services; Community-Based Neurological Rehabilitation Services; Occupational Health Services; Medico-Legal Services; and Neurodevelopmental Lifespan Services. Through these, The Psicon Group provide prompt access to high quality professionals offering consultations, assessments, therapy and rehabilitation options.

If you wish to be seen by The Psicon Group please book an appointment with your GP who will arrange a referral for you; alternatively you can self-refer.

The Psicon Group can be contacted as follows:

15 New Dover Road
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 3AS

Telephone:01227 379099
Fax: 01227 780861
Email: enquiries@psicon.co.uk

More Services

For information on other services available please click here.

Cardiology Services

The Cardiology Service is responsible for the assessment and treatment of a range of Cardiac conditions by a cardiologist specialist doctor and a consultant cardiologist. They will, of course, work closely with your usual GP and be able to organise further opinions, if needed.

Many patients with cardiac conditions do not need to be seen in secondary care by a cardiology outpatient clinic. The cardiology service was therefore set up to provide care within local communities and to ensure patients are seen by the right person, at the right time, closer to home.

It is our opinion that this is a major step forward in improving the care of patients with certain heart conditions.

Echocardiograms

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound examination of your heart and uses the same ultrasound technology as when an unborn baby is scanned during pregnancy. It can help your doctor see how well your heart muscle and valves are working. It also shows the size of your heart and many other potentially important abnormalities.

The test is relatively pain free, although may be a little uncomfortable, due to the position in which you need to lie (on your left hand side) and the gentle press of the ultrasound probe. It is advisable to wear a comfortable two piece outfit on the day of your examination and not to smoke for at least two hours before the test.

Private Patients

Dr Intisar Mirza is a Consultant Cardiologist at East Kent Hospitals. He has a private clinic at Bridge Health Centre which includes diagnostic testing and consultation. For more information please contact Bridge Health Centre on 01227 831900

e-Referral Service

The NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) combines electronic booking with a choice of place, date and time for first hospital or clinic appointments. Patients can choose their initial hospital or clinic appointment, book it in the GP surgery at the point of referral, or later at home on the phone or online.

MORE INFO

Cervical Screening: Smear Tests

Women aged between 24 and 64 should have a cervical screening every 3 to 5 years to help prevent cervical cancer. The screening is quick and painless and can be done here in the practice.

If you are aged over 24 and have never had a smear test, or if it has been more than 3 to 5 years since your last screening, you should arrange an appointment with our Practice Nurse. You should not have the test while you are having a period or in the 4 days before or after your period as this can affect the sample.

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer. It is a method of preventing cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities which, if left untreated, could lead to cancer in a woman’s cervix (the neck of the womb).

A sample of cells is taken from the cervix for analysis. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (a speculum) to open the woman’s vagina and uses a spatula to sweep around the cervix. Most women consider the procedure to be only mildly uncomfortable.

Early detection and treatment can prevent 75 per cent of cancers developing but like other screening tests, it is not perfect. It may not always detect early cell changes that could lead to cancer.

Who is eligible for cervical screening?

All women between the ages of 25 and 64 are eligible for a free cervical screening test every three to five yearsThe NHS call and recall system invites women who are registered with a GP. It also keeps track of any follow-up investigation, and, if all is well, recalls the woman for screening in three or five years time. It is therefore important that all women ensure their GP has their correct name and address details and inform them if these change.

Women who have not had a recent test may be offered one when they attend their GP or family planning clinic on another matter. Women should receive their first invitation for routine screening at 25.

Why are women under 25 not invited?

This is because changes in the young cervix are normal. If they were thought to be abnormal this could lead to unnecessary treatment which could have consequences for women’s childbearing. Any abnormal changes can be easily picked up and treated from the age of 25. Rarely, younger women experience symptoms such as unexpected bleeding or bleeding after intercourse. In this case they should see their GP for advice.

Why are women over 65 not invited?

Women aged 65 and over who have had three consecutive negative results are taken out of the call recall system. The natural history and progression of cervical cancer means it is highly unlikely that such women will go on to develop the disease. Women aged 65 and over who have never had a test are entitled to one.

What about women who are not sexually active?

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites all women between the ages of 25 and 64 for cervical screening. But if a woman has never been sexually active with a man, then the research evidence shows that her chance of developing cervical cancer is very low indeed. We do not say no risk, only very low risk. In these circumstances, a woman might choose to decline the invitation for cervical screening on this occasion. If a woman is not currently sexually active but has had male partners in the past, then we would recommend that she continues screening.

Contraception

Contraception is free for most people in the UK. With 15 methods to choose from, you’ll find one that suits you.

Contraceptive methods allow you to choose when and if you want to have a baby, but they don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms help to protect against STIs and pregnancy, so whatever other method of contraception you’re using to prevent pregnancy, use condoms as well to protect your and your partner’s health.

Where to get it

Contraceptive services are free and confidential, including to people under 16 as long as they are mature enough to understand the information and decisions involved. There are strict guidelines to for care professionals who work with people under 16.

You can get contraception free from:

  • most GP surgeries (talk to your GP or practice nurse),
  • community contraceptive clinics,
  • some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics,
  • sexual health clinics (these offer contraceptive and STI testing services), and
  • some young people’s services (call 0800 567123).

SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES

Many of these places also offer information, testing and treatment for STIs. If you’ve been exposed to the risk of pregnancy, you’re also at risk of catching an STI.

Before you make an appointment, make sure you’re as informed as possible about the contraceptive options available. People’s choice of contraception may vary over time, depending on their lifestyle and circumstances.

Contraception and menopause

Women who have sex with men and don’t want to get pregnant need to keep on using contraception until they haven’t had a period for more than 12 months (menopause).

This is because periods can become irregular before they stop entirely, and pregnancy can still occur during this time. 

FIND OUT MORE

The methods of contraception

There are lots of methods to choose from, so don’t be put off if the first thing you use isn’t quite right for you; you can try another. You can read about each of the different methods of contraception by visiting these pages: 

There are two permanent methods of contraception:

To find your nearest contraception clinic you can use the NHS Choices service search. Enter your postcode, click ‘search’, then click ‘contraception’.

You can find out more about each type of contraception by contacting:

  • FPA: provider of information on individual methods of contraception, common sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy. 

In addition to your chosen method of contraception, you need to use condoms to prevent STIs. Always buy condoms that have the CE mark on the packet. This means that they’ve been tested to the high European safety standards. Condoms that don’t have the CE mark won’t meet these standards, so don’t use them.

Travel Clinic

Please Note: This service is only provided for patients that are registered with Canterbury Medical Practice

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements.

This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.

There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below

Visit Fitfortravel to find out more information about countries and vaccinations required.

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible – at least 6 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are not offered by the NHS and, therefore, cannot be provided at the practice. These vaccinations are typically administered at the nearest travel clinic or at some local pharmacies that offer this service. During your initial telephone appointment, the nurse will advise you on which vaccinations are required for your travel plans, indicating which can be provided by the practice and which will need to be obtained from a travel clinic or pharmacy.

Travelling in Europe

If you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.

Flu & Pneumococcal Immunisation

Does Age Affect The Risk Of Flu?

Yes. If you are aged 65 years or over or you are at higher risk.

Who Is At Risk?

  • If you are aged 65 years or over or if you are on regular inhaled steroids
  • If you have a chronic respiratory disease (including asthma)
  • If you have chronic heart disease
  • If you have chronic renal disease
  • If you are diabetic
  • If you have a weak immune system
  • If you live in a long-stay residential or nursing home
  • If you have a chronic liver disease
  • If you are a carer
  • Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • All children aged 2 to 3 years old

Do I Need To Be Protected Against Pneumococcal Infection?

Everybody aged 65 and over should now be immunised to help protect them against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. Please phone the surgery during September to make an appointment if the above applies to you.


Flu Vaccinations 2023-24 Season 

Flu Update 18/09/2023

Out first delivery of flu vaccinations has arrived at Canterbury Medical Practice and we held our first flu clinic on Saturday 16th September. 

We are running vaccination clinics every Saturday throughout the rest of September and October as well as offering appointments throughout the week during usual opening hours and during our evening clinics on Thursdays. 

We are expecting further deliveries in September and October, as our deliveries are confirmed, our dedicated administration team are sending text messages or phoning those who are eligible to book. Eligible patients may also be sent a ‘self-book’ link to book their appointment,  we are hoping this will help to reduce the number of patients calling the practice to book an appointment, helping with the waiting times on the phone line.

Patients attending for other GP or nurse appointments may be offered a flu vaccine if well enough at that time and we have available stock.

As a priority the practice will also be vaccinating those patients who live in a care home or are currently housebound. If you are housebound and unable to attend the surgery for your vaccination, please contact the surgery to arrange a home visit.

Depending on your age group you will be offered one of the following flu vaccines:

  • Over 65 – Adjuvanted Quadrivalent Inactivated Flu (influenza) vaccine
  • Under 65 – Cell-Based Quadrivalent Inactivated Flu (influenza) Virus Vaccine
  • Under 18s – The live nasal flu vaccine for 2 to 3 years old is called Fluenz which is given via the nostrils.

Please note: we are continuing to work collaboratively with the Sea Cadet Hall for the majority of Covid-19 Autumn Booster vaccinations and we are offering a very limited number of Covid-19 vaccinations at the practice for those in the priority groups.

Patients aged 50-64:

Please note that patients aged between 50 and 64 years old and not in a clinical at-risk group, will not be offered a free flu vaccination this winter. Flu vaccinations in local pharmacies remain available privately for those patients that fall in that age group but still wish to get vaccinated.

This year it is more important than ever to get yourself vaccinated against flu.

For more information about the NHS Flu Campaign, please follow this link 

PROTECT YOURSELF | PROTECT THOSE AROUND YOU | PROTECT THE NHS