The most recent patient survey has shown that patients want to be able to see the clinician sooner (i.e less than 2 weeks) and on time (i.e not have to wait an hour for a scheduled appointment) and feel that all their concerns have been met. It has been independently confirmed that the practice already offers more appointments than the average to its patients.

Being prepared for the consultation greatly helps as does recognising the length of the appointment slot and helping the clinician to stay within the time limit.  

Pregnancy is not a condition but a normal part of life. So this page is to help you and your fetus get the best start in life. Ideally this means that you read these pages even before you decide to try for a baby as there are many things you can and should do before you even start to try to conceive. At this stage, your GP-held electronic health record should say Trying to conceive. Once you do find yourself pregnant, your GP-held electronic health record should say Patient Pregnant. If you are not sure whether you want to continue with the pregnancy then you must ring 0161-367-8800. You do not need to wait to see the doctor or the midwife to access this service. 

Here are some links for pregnancy that you may wish to see: 

• NHS Choices
• Patient.co.uk
• Clinical Knowledge Summaries
• Planning your pregnancy
• Planning to become pregnant
• Find the right place for you to give birth from Which ?
• Abortion facts, explanations, aftercare. For free confidential advice please ring 0161-367-8800
• Netmums – a national / local website on pregnancy and the early years which the local health visitors are promoting 
• Breast Feeding: positioning and attachment
• Pregnancy and Baby
• Best Beginnings
• Healthy eating in pregnancy
• Black and Minority Ethnic Families
• Download Baby Buddy now for Android and iPhone from pregnancy until your baby is 6 months old
• Tameside Hospital Maternity Unit – learn about your award winning local maternity unit
• Postnatal Depression by NHS Choices
• Association for Postnatal Illness

Pregnancy is primarily managed by the midwives under a shared care scheme with the doctors in the practice. 

• The pharmacist knows exactly what medication or over the counter remedies are safe and what is not. Ask if you are not sure. 
• The websites listed above will give you lots of information to help you get to a flying start and help you to ask the questions that matter to you when you see your midwife or doctor. (Please let us know if you find other resources that our patients could benefit from). 

This is easier said than done. Every pregnancy and every baby is very unique. Even before you try to conceive it is important that you modify your lifestyle and check what you can and should take and what you should not. If you are on prescription medication or taking over the counter remedies including certain painkillers or perhaps herbal remedies then it is important to check whether it is safe to take these when you are pregnant. Often you and your partner will go through a multitude of emotions and experiences as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Sometimes you may be confused and want to speak to a trained professional who can understand your needs better especially if you do not think you are ready for a baby just yet. You need to know that you do have time to make decisions and there are always choices and help available for you to make them. 

The typical pregnant person needs the following: 

• Whilst most people wish to carry on with the pregnancy, some people may not. It is important to try to clarify this. 
• Regular appointments with the midwife in the practice with some in the hospital at appropriate times. Your midwife will keep you informed. 
• During the appointments, your midwife will do routine blood pressure checks, urine tests and check for any ongoing issues or new problems as and when they arise. 

As this is a new way of working, it is worth discussing this with the midwife to see how this can be 

• Get access to your GP-held record. Without knowing what is in your records and what you need to do, it will be very hard to know what to do when and with who. This is an essential first step for anybody with any condition or who wants the best from the practice. 
• Bring your blood pressure readings with you to show to the nurse or doctor if you have been checking them at home.
• Look at the web page – pre-consultation care – and go through it prior to your review with the clinician. This can help us to understand your needs better and what you want out of the consultation.