Other Services

We provide a comprehensive list of GP services.

Womens' Health

We offer advice on a wide range of symptoms and illnesses specific to females. Whether your query relates to your menstrual cycle, PMT (premenstrual tension), contraceptive choice, breast complaints,gynaecological problems, menopausal and postmenopausal problems, fertility concerns, sexual and psychosexual health issues, STI screening (sexually transmitted infections), mental health problems or any other issues, we can offer advice, examinations and further investigations if necessary.

We are registered with the National Cancer Screening Service for provision of cervical cancer screening (smear tests). These are available free of charge if you are currently due a smear test (every 3 years for women age 25-45, every 5 years from age 45-60). This test is to detect early pre-cancerous changes in the cervix (neck of the womb). Please note that it is not a test for sexually transmitted infections, although these can be done at the same visit if you arrange this in advance. More details about smears are available on their website www.cervicalcheck.ie, where you should also check if you are eligible for a free smear. Please bring your invitation letter or CSP ID number with you when coming for a smear. Please note that if you are not eligible for a free smear, you can have it done privately with us for €90, but it is preferable to remain within the Cervicalcheck protocols.

Well Woman

This requires a double appointment and will be adapted to your age and specific complaints, taking into account your past medical history and family history. It will include comprehensive history taking, full physical examination and urinalysis. Smear test is included if you are due a smear. Blood tests and ECG may be done if appropriate (if you would like a cholesterol test you should be fasting for 12 hours so book an early morning appointment). We will also check your BMI (body mass index) and cardiac risk and advise accordingly.

Mens' Health

In addition to regular GP services, we can provide relevant advice and screening for various conditions to men. These include cancer (prostate for men over 40, testicular for men over 20); hypertension (blood pressure checks); diabetes; hypercholesterolaemia; erectile dysfunction; mental health problems, sexual and psychosexual problems, STI screening and fertility issues. We can also check your cardiac risk and arrange further investigations if necessary, either in our surgery or by further referral.

Well Man

This requires a double consultation and will be geared towards your age and specific complaints, taking into account your past medical history. It will include comprehensive history taking (including family history), full physical examination and urinalysis. Blood tests may be done as appropriate (you should fast for 12 hours for cholesterol and diabetes screening so book an early morning appointment). ECG will be done if aged over 50. We also check your BMI (body mass index) and cardiac risk and advise accordingly.

Fertility care

If you are concerned by a delay in becoming pregnant, or simply want to find out more about your fertility, please come and talk to either of our doctors. We can arrange preliminary investigations if required and arrange further referral if it becomes necessary.

Antenatal care

Are you planning pregnancy? Did you know that all scheduled GP visits for antenatal care are provided free of charge via the HSE (Health Service Executive)? This is to improve womens' health in pregnancy and therefore improve the outcome for the baby.

Childhood vaccines

We offer the full childhood vaccination service, further details are available on www.immunisation.ie. The HSE provide the necessary funding to ensure that all babies are eligible to receive the scheduled childhood vaccines free of charge through their GP.

Cryotherapy

This involves local application of liquid nitrogen to 'freeze' certain skin lesions. This causes the destruction of the lesion from deep under the skin and usually causes it to disappear. Cryotherapy can be suitable for treating simple warts, verrucae, skin tags, seborrhoeic keratosis and certain other conditions. This is done by arrangement with the doctors. In some cases, your health insurance (VHI, Quinn, Hibernian) may cover the full cost of such a procedure.

STI Screening

At Galway Bay Medical Centre, we offer a full screening service for sexually transmitted infections. Unfortunately there are a large number of such infections in circulation, many of which can be picked up easily by men or women. They include Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, genital warts, trichomonas, hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis, herpes. In many cases you may not even know you are infected so therefore can pass on an infection to a partner without realising it.

Dr Murphy, Dr Curran and Nurse Browne all have specific further training in this area so can do all of the necessary swabs and blood tests. A morning appointment is preferable so samples reach the lab in good time. This service is beneficial whether you have symptoms of infection (these include discharge, pain, lumps, sores, burning in urine), or if you and your partner simply want to know you are both free of infection. We realize this is a sensitive subject so we provide the service with discretion and confidentiality.

You may find it easier to come for such testing in the privacy of a GP surgery rather than a busy public STI clinic in a hospital. This service can be provided for females at the same time as a smear test (if due) but please mention this in advance.

Suturing

Many cuts can be sutured (stitched) in our surgery by the doctor instead of having to spend many hours in casualty. In some cases, your health insurance (VHI, Quinn, Hibernian) may cover the full cost of suturing by our doctors. This can save you money as well as avoiding a trip to hospital.

Health Check

Our new ‘Health Check’ service is available to new and existing patients by appointment with the nurse. It includes a medical background check and measurement of blood pressure, height, weight, BMI, urinalysis and other relevant tests, along with advice on any suggested follow-up. Fasting cholesterol, diabetes and other relevant blood tests can also be done. In addition, you can have a quick diabetes or BMI test with our nurse for €15, or as a free add-on to any standard consultation with our doctors or nurse.

Cervical Cancer/HPV vaccinations

Females aged 9-26 and males aged 9-15 can now avail of a course of vaccinations in our surgery to protect them against Human Papilloma Virus, the virus responsible for over two-thirds of cases of cervical cancer in women and the vast majority of genital wart infections in both sexes. This service is now available for the reduced price of €409 in total. Please phone us for further details.