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General Practice (GP) guides
22 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in General Practice (GP), with clinical review status shown on each page.
Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk review (Hypertension and cardiovascular risk assessment)A private GP appointment that checks your blood pressure, estimates your chance of a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years, and helps plan ways to lower it.Blood tests and interpretation (Venous blood sampling and laboratory analysis (phlebotomy))A blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory to give information about your health, which a clinician then explains in the context of your symptoms, history and any earlier results.Childhood immunisations (Routine childhood immunisation (UK schedule))The vaccinations offered to babies and children on the UK schedule to protect them against serious infections, given at set ages from a few weeks old through to the teenage years.Chronic disease management (Management of long-term conditions)Ongoing GP care for one or more long-term conditions — such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or arthritis — to keep them stable, catch problems early and support you to live well.Coil and implant fitting (Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC): intrauterine device/system and subdermal implant)Fitting a small contraceptive device — either a coil inside the womb or a thin implant under the skin of the arm — that prevents pregnancy for several years.Contraception advice and pill prescription (Contraception consultation and prescribing)An appointment to discuss the contraception options that suit you, with a prescription for the pill or another method where appropriate, and information on the most effective long-acting methods.Diabetes and cholesterol review (Diabetes and lipid (cholesterol) assessment and review)A private GP appointment using blood tests to check your blood sugar (for diabetes or prediabetes) and your cholesterol, and to plan ways to keep them in a healthy range.ECG and heart check (Electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac assessment)A quick, usually not painful test that records your heart's electrical activity, often used in a GP heart check to look at rate, rhythm and some signs of heart strain or damage.Joint and soft-tissue steroid injections (Corticosteroid injection for joints and soft tissues)An injection of a steroid (corticosteroid), often with local anaesthetic, into a painful joint or soft tissue to reduce inflammation and ease pain for a time.Medicals and fit-to-work certificates (Private GP medical examinations and fitness-to-work certification)An appointment with a private GP to assess your health for a specific purpose and, where it is honest to do so, sign a medical or fitness certificate.Menopause and HRT advice (Menopause assessment and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) consultation)A consultation to assess menopause symptoms and discuss treatments, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-hormonal options, so you can make an informed choice.Mental health and stress support (Assessment and management of common mental health problems and stress)Non-judgemental GP support for stress, anxiety, low mood and similar problems, offering talking therapy, lifestyle support and, where appropriate, medication — with clear advice on getting urgent help in a crisis.Minor surgery (cyst, lipoma or mole removal) (Minor surgical removal of skin and soft-tissue lesions under local anaesthetic)A small operation under local anaesthetic to remove a skin or soft-tissue lump such as a cyst, lipoma or mole, which usually leaves a scar and is sent to the laboratory.Mole and skin lesion checks (Skin lesion examination and mole check (including dermoscopy))An examination of a mole or skin spot — or a wider skin check — to assess whether it looks normal or needs further tests or referral for possible skin cancer.Private GP consultation (Private general practitioner consultation (in person or online))A paid appointment with a GP, in person or online, usually for quicker access, more time or a second opinion — with some important limits on what it can do.Private health check / executive health screen (Comprehensive private health screening assessment)A paid package of tests and checks in people who feel well, aiming to assess health and risk — useful in places, but with real limits that are easy to overlook.Referrals to specialists (Specialist referral from primary care)A GP appointment to arrange a referral to a specialist — explaining how NHS and private referrals work, what a referral letter is for, and how to keep your care joined up.Routine vaccinations and boosters (Routine immunisation and booster vaccination (UK schedule))Vaccines and booster doses that keep your protection against serious infections up to date through adult life, following the current UK immunisation schedule.Sexual health screening / STI testing (Sexually transmitted infection screening and testing)Confidential tests — usually urine, swabs and a blood sample — to check for sexually transmitted infections, whether or not you have symptoms.Sick notes and medical reports (Fit notes (Statement of Fitness for Work, Med3) and medical reports)Getting a fit note (sick note) when ill health affects your work, or a medical report or letter for an employer, insurer or other organisation.Travel health advice and vaccinations (Pre-travel health risk assessment and immunisation)A pre-travel appointment that assesses your trip and health, then offers the vaccinations and advice (including malaria prevention) that match where you are going and what you will be doing.Weight management advice (Weight management assessment and treatment, including weight-loss medicines)Support to manage your weight in a healthy, sustainable way — covering diet, activity, behaviour and, for some people, weight-loss medicines, with honest information about what they can and cannot do.
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