AGE 13 +?

At Withycombe lodge we offer a number of services which are readily available to everyone including our young patients, below is a list of those services.  You will also find lots of information under this section through the tabs above which we hope will help you to access our services without fear of embarrassment or age prejudice. 

• Smoking Cessation
• Healthy eating and weight management
• Alcohol misuse
• Substance misuse
• Counselling service (mental and emotional wellbeing)
• Family Planning and Contraceptive advice including sexual health

We are acutely aware that the GP's surgery may not seem appealing to teenagers however we would like to change this and would appreciate any suggestions to make you feel more welcome.

Please take a look through these pages and familiarise yourself with what we offer.

Remember ITS UP TO YOU to make use of US

You can now also sign up to the Torbay Care Trust on FACEBOOK - www.facebook.com/torbaycaretrust

A new brand for sexual health and contraception services including a website for young people has been launched in Torbay which aims to provide young people with all the information they need to make informed choices about available contraception and looking after their sexual health. 

For more information visit

www.s-wize.co.uk 

Confidentiality

We have a duty of care and confidentiality to all our patients including those under the age 16.  The NHS offer free advice in a number of areas of your life whatever your age.  We are not here to judge or to make assumptions but to help and give advice.  You are welcome to visit your GP or a Nurse at the practice to discuss any issues you have or just to ask for advice and it will remain confidential.

The confidentiality policy applies not just to GP's but to all of the practice staff, however should you wish to see a Dr or a nurse you can do this without having to inform any other member of staff the reason for your appointment. 

WIHYCOMBE LODGE - OUR POLICY

We ask you for information so that you can receive proper care and treatment.  Everyone working in the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential.  We ensure that all your information is kept safe and secure.  We will only ever pass on information about you if people have a genuine need for it, you have provided your consent or there is a legal requirement to.

Contraception Information

Contraception is available without cost throughout Torbay.  It is a serious issue which is not just about preventing pregnancy but also about preventing the spread of diseases and ensuring you have a healthy future. 

In addition to the specialist clinics you can also visit Withycombe Lodge for advice and contraception from your own GP or Nurse. 

Different methods of contraception suit different people at different times – choose a method that suits you.  

Contraceptive methods - There are 13 methods of contraception and they all work in different ways, however to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases it is advisable to go Double Dutch (use a condom as well as one of the other methods).  The following methods are those most suitable for young people

1. Male and Female Condoms
   Male and female condoms are barrier methods of contraception. They stop the sperm meeting an egg. Condoms are 98 – 99% effective if used carefully. Anti-allergy condoms are available for people who are allergic to latex. Condoms will give some protection against sexually transmitted infections.

2. The Combined Pill
   The combined pill is usually just called the pill. It contains two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones women produce in their ovaries.  The combined pill is over 99% effective against pregnancy if taken regularly. It does not give any protection against sexually transmitted infections, so it is advised that condoms are also used with this method.

3. The Progestogen-only Pill(Mini-Pill)
   The progestogen-only pill contains the progestogen hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone hormone that women produce in their ovaries. Progestogen-only pills are different to combined pills because they do not contain any oestrogen. There are two main types of progestogen-only pill.
   The progestogen-only pill is around 99% effective against pregnancy if taken regularly. It is an easy to use method that requires the user to take a pill each day. It does not give any protection against sexually transmitted infections. 

4. Contraceptive Injections
   Contraceptive injections contain a progestogen hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone that women produce in their ovaries.  The contraceptive injection is over 99% effective against pregnancy. It is useful for people who cannot remember to take a pill each day. It does not give any protection against sexually transmitted infections.

5. Contraceptive Implants
   A contraceptive implant is a small flexible rod that is placed just under the skin of the upper arm. It releases a progestogen hormone similar to the natural progesterone that women produce in their ovaries.
   The contraceptive implant is over 99% effective against pregnancy. It is an easy to use method which stays in for 3 years. It does not give any protection against sexually transmitted infections, so it is advised that condoms are also used with this method

6. Intra-uterine Device (IUD or the Coil)
   An IUD is a small plastic and copper device that is put into the womb.
   The IUD is 98-99% effective against pregnancy. It lasts for 5 years. It does not give any protection against sexually transmitted infections.

7. Intra-uterine System (IUS or Mirena)
   An IUS is a small plastic device which is put into the womb. It contains a progestogen hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone that women produce in their ovaries.
   The IUS is 99% effective against pregnancy. It lasts for 5 years. It does not give any protection against sexually transmitted infections.

8. The contraceptive patch (Evra)
   The contraceptive patch is a small, thin patch which looks a bit like a beige plaster. It is about 5cm x 5cm in size. It is stuck on the skin and releases two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones that women produce in their ovaries, and like those use in the combined contraceptive pill.
   The contraceptive patch is 99% effective. It does not give any protection against sexually transmitted infections, so it is advised that condoms are also used with this method.

9. Emergency contraception
   If you have had unprotected sex, that is, sex without using contraception, or when you think your contraception might have failed, you can use emergency contraception if you don’t want to become pregnant. There are two methods of emergency contraception:

   1. • Emergency Hormonal Contraception, sometimes called the ‘Morning After Pill’, and

   2. • The copper IUD.

The sooner Emergency Hormonal Contraception is taken (preferably within 24 hours of the unprotected sex), the more likely it will work to prevent a pregnancy.

List of orginisations who can help

Below you will find a list of helpful contact numbers for services available to you, however please remember that we your GP also can help with all of these issues and you are welcome to also contact us for advice.

Talk to Frank

0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM

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Samaritans

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgmental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.  Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone.

They offer service via telephone, email,  letter and face to face in most branches.

The Website Address is:http://www.samaritans.org/

The Telephone Number is: 0845 7 90 90 90

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Eddystone

Eddystone is a charitable limited company providing information, training, and support for anyone affected by HIV and AIDS in the Devon & Cornwall areas of the UK.  They also provide services related to Hepatitis C, and wider sexual health. The telephone number is : 01803 380692

The website address is : http://www.eddystone.org.uk/

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Childline  

The website address is: http://www.childline.org.uk/

The Telephone Number is:  0800 11 11

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Stop Smoking Services

Whatever your age you are welcome to access the NHS stop smoking service.  You can do this through Withycombe Lodge or through the information below

NHS Free Smoking Helpline: 7 Days a week, 7am to 11pm. 

Call: 0800 022 4 332

or visit: http://smokefree.nhs.uk/

To find out more about local services call 0845 111 1142 from 9am – 5pm

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Alcohol Advice

Alcoholism is a rough word to deal with. Yet nobody is too young (or too old) to have trouble with booze. That's because alcoholism is an illness. It can hit anyone. Young, old. Rich, poor, and it doesn't matter how long you've been drinking or what you've been drinking. It's what drinking does to you that counts.

The website address is: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

The Telephone Number is: 0845 769 7555

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Family Planning Advice

FPA (Family Planning Association) is the UK's leading sexual health charity. Our purpose is to enable people in the UK to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health.

The website address is: http://www.fpa.org.uk/

The Telephone Number is: 0845 122 8690

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Help with bereavement

The leading bereavement charity in the U.K. Winstons Wish help young people deal with their feelings of grief.

The website address is: http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/

The Telephone Number is: 0845 20 30 405

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Young Carers

Young carers are children or young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or a substance misuse problem. They may be taking on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that an adult would normally do.  You can speak to our own carer support worker Trish Darke on Mondays at the surgery or you can contact Carers Direct as follows:

The website address is: http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect

The Telephone Number is: 0808 802 0202

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Healthy Eating and Weight Management

Would you like loads of ideas and help to give your family a happier, healthier future? Then you know why you should join Change4Life. For help and advice on healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle contact Change4Life ,

The website address is: http://www.nhs.uk/Change4life

The Telephone Number is: 0845 20 30 405