We have equipment that can be used to diagnose two lung conditions - Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is the name for a group of conditions that can cause breathing difficulties and includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it.
In order to diagnose COPD we use a device called a spirometer. You blow into a tube and we can assess the force of your breath and the amount of air you can blow out. This test usually takes around 20 minutes to perform and we use it regularly for people with known COPD to check how they are doing. For diagnosis we do the test twice with a short gap between the tests having administered an inhaler. In that case you will have a 20 minute appointment, followed by a wait in the waiting room and then another 20 minute appointment. In total the tests will take about 1 hour.
For asthma diagnosis we follow a clinical guideline that has different steps depending on your age and the results of tests. The tests that we use include blood tests, peak flow diaries, spirometry and FeNO. The FeNO test involves blowing into a tube to measure your exhaled nitric oxide gases. Because we are measuring the content of your exhaled air, rather than just the amount or force of the blow, there are some things you have to be aware of in preparation for the test. In particular as regards exercise, drinking alcohol and certain foods. The attached sheet provides more information and should be read carefully in advance of your test. The test itself involves blowing steadily for around 12 seconds.
From September 2024 patients aged 75-79 will be eligible for an RSV vaccination. We will routinely call people for vaccination as they turn 75 throughout the year. However we will be calling in everyone aged 75-79 from September, working down from age 79 to age 75. Please note that to ensure best immune response to this vaccine you should ideally not have another vaccine within 7 days.
There have been changes to the shingles vaccination programme. Unfortunately the communications around those changes is contradictory and confusing. A clarification page has now been posted on the Gov.UK website. Until they are rectified, the nationally produced leaflets and advertising say that all patients aged 65 are eligible for shingles vaccination but this is not accurate.
The situation is that patients who turn 65 on or after 1st September 2023 are eligible and we will be contacting patients to make an appointment after their birthday. If you turned 65 prior to 1st September 2023 then you will become eligible for vaccination from the age of 70. Over the next 5 years the programme will gradually bring in everyone aged 65-69 and also everyone already eligible aged 70-79.
Therefore please do not make an appointment for a vaccination unless we have contacted you as you may not be eligible, even if you are 65. We appreciate this may be frustrating but the vaccine is only available in limited quantities and we are not able to vaccinate outside of the national programme which works on date of birth and not current age in years.
To clarify, if your date of birth is 1st September 1958 to 31 August 1959 then you will become eligble for shingles vaccination when you turn 65. In addition anyone aged 70-79 is also eligible, this part of the programme is unchanged.
Updated 25/9/23
We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.
For example, that means you should be able to:
- use your web browser to change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
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- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
- access the website using a mobile or tablet.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
Compliance status
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible Content – non compliance with regulations (if applicable).
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:
- Some PDF documents are not fully accessible to screen reader software
PDFs and other documents
Some of our PDFs are essential to providing our services. For example, we have the national GP registration form in PDF format.
Feedback and contact information
If you need information on this website in a different format like large print:
- email
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Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website.
If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact:
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared in January 2023.
This website was last accessibility tested on 3/1/2023 and we have implemented changes based on this test.
As part of our publishing policy, we carry out regular assessments and checks of documents and pages that are uploaded.
StrepA / scarlet Fever
- There has been much media coverage of the higher than usual rates of infections in younger children, particularly StrepA infections that cause Scarlet Fever. It is important to note that there are various infections circulating at the moment and the vast majority require no medical intervention. That said there is understandable concern among parents and we would encourage anyone with concerns about their children to seek help as appropriate.
A very good source of helpful advice to parents on a wide range of health issues affecting children can be found here. There is an associated App which is also very good, and a handy pocket resource.
Specifically in relation to StrepA/Scarlet Fever the advice is as follows:
As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:
- your child is getting worse
- your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
- your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
- your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
- your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
- your child is very tired or irritable
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- there are pauses when your child breathes
- your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
Who we are
Welcome to Burn Brae Medical Group, one of the longest established Medical Practices in the UK, much older than the NHS itself. We are based in Hexham, Northumberland and our catchment area covers approximately 200 square miles.
Why register with us
We are a recipient of the highest quality award in UK General Practice, namely the Quality Practice Award, which we have held since 2007. We remain one of the few Practices to make it through the five-yearly accreditation process twice.
What we do
We offer a GP led service backed up by a full complement of nursing and administrative staff and the surgery is based in modern purpose-built premises on the Hexham General Hospital site.
How to register
Registering with the practice is straightforward. You can register online or visit the Practice and ask to register. We accept patients onto our list from Hexham and the surrounding areas. You can enter your postcode below to see if you live in our catchment area.
Out of Area Patients
We are able to accept Out of Area patients. These are patients who live outside of our catchment area and could receive most of our services except notably home visits. However, we have a Practice Policy that defines who we are able to accept and who we may decide at any time should no longer be registered as an out of Area patient. It it important that current or prospective Out of Area patients understand and accept this policy. If you would like to register with us as an Out of Area patient you will need to complete and return the signed Out of Area application (see below). This is in addition to the registration process.
Opioid medication used to treat pain can be effective in the sort term but carry risks. See the information leaflet for more.
