TEENAGERS

You are entitled to completely confidential help and advice from all members of staff: reception staff, doctors and nurses.

All the information on this page can be found in our Practice leaflet for teenagers. Click here to open and print off a copy of the leaflet (or click on the image).

Can your doctor keep your secret?
All our staff (doctors, nurses and receptionists) have a professional code which means that even if you are under 16 you have the same right to confidentiality as adults.

We will not pass on any information about your visit to anyone unless we feel you are in serious danger (a very rare situation) and even then we would always discuss this with you first.

How to contact us
Stenhouse Medical Centre is open
Mon-Fri 8.3Oam-6.3Opm
Tel: 967 3777

You can arrange to see a nurse or doctor, or to speak to them by phone, on 967 3777. You can also come in and speak to the staff at the reception desk.

You do not need to tell the reception staff what your problem is, and they will not ask you. They may ask if your problem is urgent and if you need to be seen on the same day.

If you have an urgent problem after 6.3Opm phone 967 3777 and you will be connected directly to medical advice. You can also phone NHS direct 0845 46 47 (24 hours).

Your Appointment
We have four nurses who are female. If you wish, you can ask to see a male or female doctor.
If you would like to bring a family member or friend to your appointment - fine!
Occasionally you may need an “intimate examination”. We will always discuss this with you first. You have the choice to refuse this, come back another time or attend another clinic. If you decide to have the examination we will offer you a chaperone (another member of staff -usually a nurse- to attend, if you wish).
Common Health Problems These are some common problems that may affect you:

• Skin problems
• Period problems
• Headache/migraine
• Family/relationship problems
• Stress/low mood
• School/college problems - exams/work/bullying Lifestyle: weight/eating/diet
• Lumps and bumps: testicles, breasts, vagina, or skin
• Peer pressure - being encouraged to do something by your friends that you don’t feel happy about
• Worries about alcohol/smoking/using drugs
• Having sex/safe sex/contraception/sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• (We can help with all contraception, including emergency contraception, including if you are
  under 16)
• Free condoms are available - please make an appointment for the nurse
• Pregnant?
• Sexuality - straight or gay?

Information
We have an information rack for teenagers just inside the front door on the right. This contains many helpful leaflets - please use these.

The information rack also contains a card that you can take to reception if you need to see a doctor about emergency contraception. You will then be offered an appointment as soon as possible.

Where else can I go for help?
Some teenagers are worried about going to the doctor’s surgery for help. We hope this leaflet will make it easier for you to see us. If you prefer, there are many other places you can get confidential help and advice:

• Parent or family member
  Can be surprisingly helpful and are often more aware than you might think. We may encourage you to discuss your problem with your parent(s) but only if you are happy to. We will not pass on any information to them ourselves, even if you are under 16.
   
• School nurse
  Contact her through your school
   
• Victoria Health Centre
  Glasshouse Street 9509151
  Family Planning, Teenage Clinic, Counselling
   
• Local Family Planning Clinic
  Arnold Health Centre 967 0888
   
• Sexually transmitted infection (GUM) Clinic
  City Hospital 962 7747
   
• Base 51
  Centre for young people age 12 to 25 in Notts.
  Offer advice, information, support, health-care, counselling and more.
  Telephone advice/drop-in/by appointment 51 Glasshouse Street, Nottingham NG1 3LP
  952 5040
   
• NHS Direct     0845 46 47 (24 hours)
  NHS information and advice service, providing advice and details of medical services including where to go for emergency contraception.
   
• Nottingham NHS Walk-in Centre
  Open everyday from 7.OOam to 1O.OOpm for health and social services advice and information, including emergency contraception. Island Site, London Road,. Nottingham. It’s near the Ice Stadium and next door to the BBC East Midlands Centre.
   
• Websites     Phone lines
  Here are some excellent websites and phone lines you can start with. Websites will contain links to others.
  
  www.childline.org.uk  0800 1111 (24 hours)
  
  www.teenagehealthfreak.org
  
  www.brook.org.uk  0800 018 5023
  
  www.ruthinking.co.uk  Sexwise confidential advice line 0800 282930 (7am-midnight)
  
  www.fpa.org.uk 0845 310 1334
  Sexual health direct run by family planning association help line (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Confidential information and advice on contraception and sexual health and details of family planning and sexual health clinics.
  
  www.mariestopes.org.uk Marie Stopes  0845 300 8090
  
  www.BPAS.org.uk British Pregnancy Advisory Service 08457 30 40 30 Sexual Health Line 0800 567123 (24 hours)
  Free confidential advice on STIs, sexual health and where to find local services.
  
  For parents
  http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Comments/suggestions/complaints?
If you have any ideas that might improve our service to you, we have a suggestion box at reception. You could also talk to the reception staff or Practice Manager.

Any serious complaint should be put in writing and addressed to the Practice Manager.