Antenatal Care
If you are pregnant, we participate in the HSE Maternity and infant Care Scheme which provides free ante-natal care to expecting mothers, a 2 week baby check, and a 6 week baby check for mother and baby.
See your GP as soon as possible to confirm you are pregnant. Your GP will refer you for your first hospital antenatal appointment and dating scan. You can discuss the options available to you for antenatal or maternity care and your GP can register you for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme.
Maternity and Infant Care Scheme
Every pregnant woman who is ordinarily resident in Ireland is eligible for maternity care under the Maternity and Infant Scheme. Being ordinarily resident means that you live in Ireland or intend to live here for at least one year. Under the scheme, maternity care is provided jointly by your GP and a hospital obstetrician, a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and childbirth.
For a first pregnancy, your GP will carry out an initial examination, ideally before 12 weeks of pregnancy. You will then attend a further five check-ups, alternating between your GP and the maternity hospital or unit. Depending on your individual circumstances, your GP or obstetrician may adjust this schedule.
If you have been pregnant before, you will receive an initial examination followed by six additional appointments.
If you develop a significant pregnancy-related condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you may be entitled to up to five extra GP visits. However, treatment for illnesses unrelated to your pregnancy is not covered under the scheme.
The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme also includes two postnatal GP visits:
- A check-up for your baby at two weeks old
- A six-week examination for both you and your baby
In addition, mothers are entitled to free public hospital inpatient and outpatient services related to their pregnancy and childbirth.
Midwife Jill Graham
At Seabury Medical our antenatal care is led by midwife Jill Graham and we encourage you to attend her through your pregnancy.
Vaccines
There are 3 vaccines you should get during pregnancy: whooping cough, flu and COVID-19. Getting these vaccines protects you from becoming ill with these conditions. You'll also protect your child while they're in your womb and for the first few months of their life. You can get these vaccines from your GP at the same time. All these vaccines are free if you have a medical card or GP visit card.
Whooping Cough Vaccine
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for babies. You should get the vaccine:
- during each pregnancy
- between week 16 and 36 of your pregnancy.
Flu Vaccine
If you are pregnant you should get the flu vaccine because you are at increased risk of severe complications from flu. The vaccine protects you during pregnancy. Getting the flu increases the risk of complications during your pregnancy and birth. The flu can lead to premature birth, smaller babies and stillbirth. The flu vaccine can reduce the risk of stillbirth by over 50%. Getting the vaccine during pregnancy also protects your baby after birth. It reduces your baby’s risk of being admitted to hospital due to the flu.
COVID-19 vaccine
Evidence shows COVID-19 vaccines are safe for you and your baby and protect you from getting very unwell. Most pregnant women who get COVID-19 get mild to moderate symptoms. They give birth as planned and the risk of passing on COVID-19 to their baby is low. But you are more likely to get very unwell and need treatment in intensive care than a woman who is not pregnant. The virus may also cause complications for your baby.
Children's Health
All of our GPs have completed paediatric hospital training as part of their specialist General Practice training. Our team has extensive experience caring for children in the community, managing common childhood illnesses, and supporting parents with any concerns about their child’s health and development.
Uunder 8 Doctor Visit Card
All children under 8 years of age living in Ireland are eligible for a free GP Visit Card.
The Under 8s GP Visit Card covers:
- Free GP visits
- Out-of-hours urgent GP care
- Asthma care for eligible children
Please note that medication costs and hospital charges are not included.
Free GP care can only be provided once your child has a valid Under 8 GP Visit Card number. If your child has not yet been registered after their 6-week check, standard consultation fees will apply until the card is active.
Applying for an Under 8 GP Visit Card
To register your child online, you will need:
- Your PPS number
- Your child’s PPS number
- Your GP’s details
Immunisations
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect children from serious infectious diseases. The benefits of immunisation greatly outweigh the risk of minor side effects.
We provide all vaccines included in the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule and are happy to answer any questions you may have about your child’s vaccinations.
Through the HSE school immunisation programme children in Junior Infants are offered the 4-in-1 and MMR vaccines.
Children aged 2–17 years can receive the nasal flu vaccine free of charge, even if they are not in a high-risk group. Vaccination helps protect your child from flu and reduces transmission to family members and others in the community.
Please contact reception to arrange a flu vaccine appointment for your child.
Teen Health
Adolescence is a period of major physical, emotional, and social change. Alongside the challenges of growing independence and identity development, young people today may also experience additional pressures related to school, relationships, and social media.
We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and confidential environment for teenagers and young adults. Whether concerns relate to skin conditions, weight, stress, bullying, family difficulties, sexual health, contraception, gender or sexual identity, alcohol, or drugs, our team is here to listen and help without judgement.
Common Adolescent Health Concerns
- Anxiety, low mood, and depression are common during adolescence and are highly treatable. If you are struggling with your mental health, we encourage you to reach out for support.
- Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can develop during adolescence. If you are worried about your relationship with food, body image, or weight, our GPs can provide support and discuss treatment options.
- Sexual Health - Young people often have questions they may find difficult to discuss with parents or peers. We provide confidential advice and a full sexual health service, including STI screening and testing.
- Contraception - If you are sexually active, it is important to understand your contraceptive options. We offer comprehensive contraceptive advice, prescriptions, and support for any contraception-related concerns.
Information for Parents
Where appropriate, we encourage parents attending appointments with their teenager to share any relevant concerns before allowing the young person time to speak privately with their GP. This helps build trust, independence, and open communication.
Adolescence involves significant emotional and intellectual development as young people seek greater independence and form their own identity. These changes can sometimes lead to behaviours that are difficult for parents to interpret, making it challenging to know what is part of normal development and what may require additional support.
If you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, mental health, behaviour, or any of the issues outlined above, we recommend arranging an appointment with a GP. We can work with both you and your child to determine the most appropriate support and treatment where needed.
Women's Health
We provide comprehensive healthcare services for women of all ages, including family planning, contraception, sexual health advice, antenatal care, and cervical screening. Our experienced team also manages a wide range of gynaecological concerns, including menstrual problems, menopause symptoms, urinary issues, and pelvic pain.
For further information, please see the links below.
Cervical Screening
If you have received a CervicalCheck invitation letter, please contact reception to arrange an appointment.
Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer by detecting abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix before cancer develops. It is not a test for cancer itself, but an important way to monitor cervical health. CervicalCheck, Ireland’s national screening programme, provides free cervical screening for women aged 25 to 65.
The test is quick, straightforward, and highly effective in identifying early cell changes. Most results are normal, but some women may require further monitoring or treatment if abnormal cells are detected. Regular screening plays an important role in reducing the risk of cervical cancer.
Breast Screening
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Ireland. While it is more common in women over 50, younger women and, rarely, men can also develop breast cancer.
BreastCheck is a national screening programme that offers free mammograms every two years to women aged 50 to 69. The aim of the programme is to detect breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.
Women of all ages are encouraged to be familiar with their breasts and to regularly check for any lumps, skin changes, or other unusual symptoms. If you notice any changes or have concerns, please arrange an appointment with your GP.
Men's Health
We provide comprehensive healthcare services for men of all ages, including cardiovascular health reviews, prostate and testicular examinations, sexual health concerns such as erectile dysfunction, and mental health support.
Regular health checks are an important part of maintaining overall wellbeing and can help identify potential health issues at an early stage. Research shows that men are less likely than women to attend their GP regularly, which can delay the diagnosis of important health conditions. We encourage men to seek medical advice if they notice any changes in their health or have ongoing concerns.
Common Men’s Health Concerns
We provide assessment, advice, and treatment for a wide range of men’s health issues, including:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low libido and sexual health concerns
- Prostate health and prostate cancer screening
- Testicular examinations and testicular cancer concerns
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening
- Heart disease risk assessment
- Mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, and depression
Senior Health
As we age there are some conditions and illnesses that we are more likely to develop. We are here to help and place an emphasis on preventative medicine focusing on risk factors for chronic disease, such as heart disease and diabetes, and try to address these risk factors before they evolve into a life limiting condition.
Please see the links below for further information.