As GPs, we are committed to making sure that local people are able to access health services in the most appropriate way.

If you’re taking oral anticoagulant medication such as warfarin, you might be able to receive the monitoring of this closer to home in a way that’s more convenient for you.

Anticoagulant therapies, such as warfarin, mean that you will need to have regular blood tests, known as INR (international normalisation ratio) tests. This monitors how long your blood takes to clot. The dose of anticoagulant needed to achieve your target INR level will vary and it’s important to maintain regular monitoring.

The Newham Community Anticoagulation Service from NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) allows you to receive this monitoring at a clinic and a time that best suits you and your lifestyle.

We run regular clinics at a number of healthcare sites across Newham. To accommodate people with work commitments, some clinics are also available on a Saturday or in the early evening.

An average appointment will last just 10 minutes.

These clinics offer a one-stop point of care. A simple finger prick test monitors your INR levels.

The Newham Community Anticoagulants team is then able to give advice on dosages and make any adjustments needed, all in one visit.

We also offer a home visit service for patients who are housebound or rely on hospital transport.

The service will also support you if you want to take a more active role in monitoring your condition, offering you information and advice on self-testing or self-managing your treatment.

At NHS Newham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), we’ve recently launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the service and to encourage more people to join it. Look out for our posters and leaflets coming to your local GP surgery soon.

Full details of the anticoagulant therapy clinics are on our website newhamccg.nhs.uk. If you are aged 16 or over and are registered with a GP in Newham, you can join the service by contacting your provider of choice directly. Alternatively, you can speak to your GP directly for more information.