Our Health and Wellbeing Coach Helen will be providing a drop-in clinic at Greystoke Surgery.
This will run Wednesday Mornings between 8.15 and 10.15. (Not June 12th)
If you are a patient at Greystoke surgery pop along any time between 8.15 and 10.15 for a chat, please book in at reception first so that we can let Helen know you are waiting.
Each appointment is 10 minutes long, but following on from that appointment you can request a longer appointment with Helen if needed. Helen can offer coaching and support on a range of conditions and issues that are impacting your health and wellbeing such as:
- Weight loss support – healthy eating habits
- Diet and lifestyle changes – if you’ve been told you are pre-diabetic.
- Stress
- Anxiety and low mood
- Self -esteem and self-care
- Sleep hygiene
- Health anxieties
Protect others from norovirus – wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water
🚽 After going to the toilet
🥗 Before you prepare any food
Alcohol gels won’t kill norovirus, so keep washing your hands! More info ▶ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/
#StopNorovirus
New Northumbria Healthcare Maternity Process – Badgernet
Found out you’re pregnant?
As soon as you find out you are pregnant you are able to book for maternity care directly with Northumbria Healthcare Maternity Services instead of contacting your GP. We recommend that you do this as soon as possible so that we can arrange your 1st booking appointment for between 8 – 10 weeks. This also helps us offer screening tests for you and your baby at the correct stage in your pregnancy.
Once you have confirmed your pregnancy and you are more than six weeks pregnant, please follow the simple steps in the link below to register with the service:
| Registering your pregnancy :: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Once you have submitted the registration form, a member of our community midwifery team will contact you by telephone to arrange your booking appointment. www.northumbria.nhs.uk |
For all other maternity information:
| Maternity :: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
www.northumbria.nhs.uk |
HRT DROP-IN CLINIC FOR ALL WELL UP NORTH PATIENTS at Alnwick Medical Group
Every Monday from 5-6pm, in Alnwick Lower Building usually with Dr Helen Moor and Violet Anderson our admin HRT lead.
No appointment needed, and as part of Well Up North PCN’s Enhanced Access, this group is now available to all patients registered at surgeries within our Well up Well Up North Primary Care Network
Please see the link below for surgeries in our PCN:
https://wellupnorth.co.uk/our-primary-care-network
Please note that this is a GROUP drop-in clinic, not individual appointments.
Dr Moor can answer questions and provide information within a small group which often helps others too.
This is for any patients who would like information and advice on anything relating to HRT.
Please note that masks need to worn again in all areas due to an increase in Covid cases.
Help and support for patients waiting for a hospital appointment or operation
The My Planned Care website supports people waiting for a hospital appointment, operation or treatment, and gives them advice and support while they wait. This includes access to average waiting times at their hospital and other useful advice and local services.
Patients can check the website of their allocated hospital for any information they may need before contacting their hospital or GP practice. Carers, friends, relatives and NHS teams can also see this information and, if needed, help guide people through the detail.
The site is easy-to-use and updated weekly with other advice and information on how to manage pain, keeping healthy, looking after their mental health, accessing financial help and other local support services. The site can also help people to prepare for their appointment or operation, including practical suggestions about how to manage symptoms and help prevent these from getting worse.
This is a film explaining the signs and symptoms of cancer for those with a learning disability made by those with a learning disability.
Be Cancer Aware | Signs of Cancer – YouTube
This is an easyread newsletter re the changes to primary care re the ICS
ISL152 21 NHS newsletter 14 (england.nhs.uk)
Vaccines are the number one defence against measles, mumps and rubella. Make sure your child gets both scheduled doses of the #MMR vaccine to offer them the best possible defence against these serious diseases.
Our latest blog shares key information on why it’s so important to be fully vaccinated
https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/…/what-do-i-need-to-know…/
The Little Orange Book: Practical expert advice for parents and carers of under-fives
A really useful resource for parents and carers of children under five years with practical information about common childhood conditions is now available to view and download on the CCG website. It covers everything from common minor ailments like teething, constipation and colds, through to more serious conditions like urinary tract infections, wheezy chests and meningitis. A traffic light system helps parents and carers decide what action to take when their child is sick, suggesting appropriate health services if further help or support is needed.
https://www.northumberlandccg.nhs.uk/…/The-Little…
Social Friday Group – More information: Social Friday Groups
Urological cancer awareness campaign backed by former footballer and legendary TV pundit
Urgent referrals for suspected urological cancers in the North East and North Cumbria have dropped during the pandemic, prompting cancer specialists to urge people to seek medical advice if they have any symptoms.
Over the last 18 months, there has been a significant reduction in the number of patients presenting to primary care with symptoms suggestive of urological cancers.
Analysis of figures has shown the number of urgent referrals by GPs in the region in 2020/21 fell by 23.9% (from 11,696 to 8,899) compared to the same period in 2019/20 .
The number of people receiving treatment for a urological cancer in the North East and North Cumbria in 2019/20 was 3,380 compared with 2,531 in 2020/21.
Cancer specialists are now urging people to look out for the possible signs and symptoms of urological cancers during Urology Awareness Month.
The Northern Cancer Alliance has launched its public awareness campaign, with the tag line “Problem peeing… you need seeing”, to encourage people across the region to talk to their GP or nurse if they are concerned about signs or symptoms of cancer.
Urological cancers include bladder, prostate, kidney, testicular and penile cancer. Symptoms can include difficulty and/or pain when passing urine, blood in the urine, a need to pass urine more frequently particularly during the night, a swelling or lump in the area of the kidney, fevers and night sweats, tiredness, unexplained weight loss, muscle spasms in the bladder, a lump or swelling in one testicle which may or may not be accompanied by an ache or heavy sensation, changes to the skin on the penis including thickening, growths, sores or a rash.
Former Sunderland AFC footballer Maurice Hepworth has shared his experience of prostate cancer in a bid to raise awareness of the condition and to encourage others to be aware of the symptoms.
Maurice, 67, from Sunderland, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2017 after noticing changes in the frequency of urination, the pressure when he did go and experiencing some pain.
He said: “When I noticed the symptoms I contacted my doctor and who saw me pretty quickly. I had a blood test and I was referred to a consultant who put me on a fast-track cancer pathway. I had all the tests done within three weeks and it was after these that I was told that I needed to undergo surgery or I was going to die.”
The father-of-six, who has nine grandchildren, is now in his fourth year recovering from level 4 prostate cancer.
“From start to finish the clinical teams I’ve worked with have been incredible. The NHS has saved my life. I know people, men in particular, can feel scared to contact their doctor through fear of being told they might have cancer. And there’s the pride and the masculinity element of not wanting to have someone examine or do tests on their private areas – and I totally get that but it needs to change.
“If by telling my story I can get one person to go and speak to their doctor about any cancer worries or concerns, then I will be happy. Try and put aside your pride and your fear that it might change your life, because it could save your life,” Maurice added.
Football pundit Jeff Stelling, who is an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, has also added his support to the campaign.
He said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. One in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. You’re more likely to get prostate cancer if you’re aged 50 or over, you’re black, or your father or brother has had it. Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms but if you experience problems peeing, you need seeing so speak to your GP.”
Cancer specialists believe the drop in the number of urgent referrals for urological cancers could be because many of the early symptoms of urological cancers can be deemed by the public to be age-related and because people are reluctant to contact their GP at a time when the NHS is perceived to be under extreme pressure.
At the beginning of the pandemic in April last year, referrals for urological cancers dropped by 62.9% when compared with the same period in 2019. Although referral rates have demonstrated a recovery over the last year, they have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Dr Darren James Leaning, Northern Cancer Alliance Clinical Lead for Urological Cancers and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s concerning to see the drop in referrals for urological cancers across the region, and while they have been steadily increasing over the last year, they’re not where we would like them to be.
“It’s important for people to be aware of the common symptoms linked to urological cancers. These can include going for a wee more frequently, not getting to the toilet on time, the flow of urine not feeling quite the same, feeling unable to empty the bladder fully, a change of colour of the urine, blood in the urine, or for men, noticing a change in erectile function.
“If anyone has any of these symptoms, then we’re urging them to see their GP as soon as possible. Changes to your waterworks do not necessarily mean you have cancer, but the chances are that we can help and if the changes are due to cancer, the sooner we act upon the symptoms, the sooner we can start the necessary treatment. Remember, if you have a problem peeing, you need seeing.”
Dr Patrick Wright, Primary Care Lead for Prostate Cancer for the Northern Cancer Alliance, said: “The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging, and we understand there may be some hesitancy from the public to contact their GP for a matter they may not think is urgent.
“During the pandemic, significantly fewer men have been to see their GP about suspected prostate cancer across the North East and North Cumbria. However, GP practices and the wider NHS are open and are here to help anyone who has any worries or concerns about possible signs of symptoms of cancer.
“We want people to feel comfortable when they access NHS support and most GP surgeries now offer phone and video consultations, as well as face-to-face appointments. Please do not delay seeking medical advice if you think you may have cancer symptoms.”
Find out more about the Northern Cancer Alliance’s public awareness campaign and access useful resources and information about urological cancers at: https://bit.ly/NCAurology
Over 50s Alcohol Helpline
With You has launched an Over 50s Alcohol Helpline which provides advice and support to individuals aged over 50, concerned others, and professionals, who are worried about their own or someone else’s drinking. Furthermore our Over 50s Alcohol Helpline continues to offer an enhanced service for individuals who are considering making changes to their alcohol use. Our enhanced service provision offers callers up to four additional appointments, during which time Helpline alcohol advisors use evidenced based interventions to support callers to achieve their goals. This service is available seven days a week. The Helpline is open Monday to Friday 12pm – 8pm and 10am to 4pm at weekends. The freephone number to call is 0808 801 0750. To make an online booking for a phone call or video chat, over 50’s, concerned others, and professionals, can access appointments slots by visiting the With You website.
https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/help-and-advice/over-50s-alcohol-helpline/
https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Community-Champions.aspx
Please see the Keeping Well for Winter Bulletin from North East and Cumbria Learning Disability Network along with information from local organisations:
Attachment 8 – Keeping Well for Winter Bulletin 13 jan – 30 jan. pptx (0…
Greystoke Surgery now have 2 GP Link Workers, Miranda and Andrew – please see poster below which gives more information about their role and how they can help our patients.
County Lines – Parent and Carer Leaflet, with contact details: County Lines -V2-final Parent and Carer Leaflet
Domestic Abuse:
Local & National helplines : –
NDAS – 01434 608030, website – http://www.nda.services
DASSN – 01670 820199, 24 hr help line
GRACE – rape crisis services, 0191 2220272, http://www.gracenrc.org.uk
Police – 999 or 101.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
Northumberland IMATT Service (Physio)
Patient Information Guide and new telephone number: 0191 250 4235. N’Land IMATT patient guide 2018