The Belgrave Clinic offers the opportunity to patients in good health to screen for medical diseases and conditions. There is much debate in medical circles as to the appropriateness of certain screening measures and programmes. There is a wide availability at individual and corporate levels. In the Clinic, much screening is carried out during the course of routine consultations.

However, we offer and promote the following specific health-screening plan, consisting of three stages:

• Initial consultation
• Investigation
• Follow up consultation

We feel that this approach is patient centered, cost efficient, easily accessed and minimises the side effects and concerns raised by indiscriminate mass screening.

Initial consultation:
The patient will identify at reception that they want to make an appointment for a 20-minute appointment for a “health screening exam” with the doctor.

The doctor will take a medical history from the patient identifying risk factors for poor health, lifestyle patterns, concerns and beliefs and wishes the patient may have in relation to certain conditions or any symptoms they might have.

The doctor will carry out a medical examination relevant to the age and sex of the patient.

An agreement will be made with the patient as to the appropriate investigations that may need to be carried out. It will be clarified how and where these investigations will be carried out.

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Investigation:
Investigations may include blood testing for cholesterol, blood sugar, prostate, thyroid function, full blood count, liver function, kidney function or others as indicated. Blood tests may be all that are required and can be taken by the practice nurse on the same visit if this is before 11.30 am. (link to protocol)

Urinalysis, 24 hr blood pressure monitoring (link to protocol), ECG, ABI measurement of peripheral circulation, smear test and mini-mental exams can also be carried out by the practice nurse at the Clinic.

Chest x ray, Exercise ECG (stress test), ECHO Cardiogram, Cardiac Event Monitoring, Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Dexascan for osteoporosis, MRI scan, Mammogram and other tests can all be accessed easily at nearby clinics. Investigations that are available via the public service will be identified to patients to make the screening cost effective.

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Follow up consultation:
The patient will be asked to make an appointment to discuss the results of the screening process with a doctor of the Clinic. Appropriate plans and goals are made at this consultation. Referral may be made to relevant clinics, consultants or other health-care workers.

Clarity is given to any ambiguous results.

The results of the health screening are incorporated into the patient's medical record to be used in the future by the patient and doctor in monitoring the patient's health.

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