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Last Month's (July) Statistics

• 2613 Face to face appointments conducted by GPs and ANPs.
• 1393 Telephone consultations conducted by GPs and ANPs
• 3385 Nurse and HCA appointments booked.
• 5955 eConsults/triages processed.
• 6524 Reception managed and processed incoming calls.
• 2452 Prescription requests processed.
• 356 Did not attend (DNA) their appointments (or cancel them).

Cervical Screening Update for Women Aged 25-49

• From 1 July 2025, changes have been made to the cervical screening programme for women with a cervix aged 25 to 49.
• If you have /had a cervical screening test (smear test) on or after this date and test negative for HPV (human papillomavirus), you will now be invited for your next screening every five years, instead of every three. This change is based on strong evidence showing that people who test HPV-negative are at very low risk of developing cervical cancer in the following years.
• This update only applies to samples taken on or after 1 July 2025. If your test was taken before this date then your next test will still follow the previous three-year interval.
• HPV testing has been part of the NHS cervical screening programme since 2019 and is the most effective way to identify people at risk. The extended interval helps reduce unnecessary appointments, without comprimising safety.
• If you're due for a smear test, we encourage you to attend - it's a quick test that could save your life.

Flu & Covid Clinics

We have started sending out invitations for the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination to all our patients aged 75 and over. If you fall into this age group, please keep an eye out for your invite. We'll also be inviting further patients over the coming weeks - starting with those aged 65 and over, followed by those under 65 - to ensure the most vulnerable are prioritised first.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines offer vital protection, especially for those most at risk. Invitations are being sent out in phases, so please look out for yours and respond promptly when contacted.

Avoiding ticks

Peak tick season in the UK usually begins in March, with most ticks being active between the months of April to August, although ticks can be active all year round. They are particularly common in grassy and wooded areas with you being most at risk if hiking, cycling or camping, but ticks can also sometimes be found in urban gardens. There are many ways you can reduce the chances of being bitten and if you are bitten, what you can do to safely remove the tick:

• Regularly Check: clothing and exposed skin for ticks that might be crawling on you and brushing them off immediately.
• Stay on Clear Paths: to avoid brushing against vegetation (e.g. long blades of grass) where ticks may be present.
• Wear Light-Coloured Clothing: so that ticks crawling on clothing can be spotted and brushed off immediately.
• Wear Long Trousers and Long-Sleeved Tops: to reduce the likelihood of direct exposure of ticks to your skin, making it more difficult for them to find a suitable area to attach.
• Using Insect Repellent: that can repel ticks and prevent them from climbing onto clothing or attaching to skin (always follow the manufacturer's guidance).

Note: If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible. You can do this by calling the practice directly or using our online appointment system (if available). This helps us offer your appointment time to another patient who may need it.

Weight Loss Injection Clarification:

Recently we have had quite a lot of queries regarding these injections. For clarity, to be eligible for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on the NHS for weight loss, you need a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 for certain Asian, Black, or Middle Eastern ethnicities) and at least four obesity-related health conditions like: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, or high cholesterol.

Access is currently limited to those with the highest medical need, and the treatment is provided with essential lifestyle support. Important Information:

• Phased Rollout: Mounjaro is being introduced gradually, prioritising patients with the highest health risks.
• Wrap-around Care: This treatment is part of a broader weight management programme, which includes advice on diet, physical activity, and regular support.
• Must be used: alongside diet and exercise, not on it's own.
• If stopping Mounjaro: this often leads to weight regain, so long-term maintenance strategies are important.