Newsletter – December 2025

Dear Patients,

As the festive season approaches and winter truly sets in, we at Highfield surgery want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year! We hope this newsletter finds you well and provides useful information to help you stay healthy and safe during the colder months.

Winter Fuel Payments 2025/2026

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment designed to help with heating costs. For winter 2025 to 2026, if you were born before 22 September 1959, you could be eligible to receive between £100 and £300. Most eligible individuals receive this payment automatically, typically in November or December 2025.

Eligibility and the amount you receive depend on your age and circumstances during the ‘qualifying week’ of 15 to 21 September 2025. Payment amounts can vary based on whether you live alone, with others, and if you receive certain benefits. Please note that if your income exceeds £35,000, HMRC may reclaim the payment. For more detailed information, please visit the official government website.

Winter Fuel Payment: Overview – GOV.UK

Stay Well This Winter: Cold Weather Advice

Cold weather can pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable individuals. Here are some essential tips to help you stay warm and well:

• Heat Your Home: Aim to keep the rooms you use most, such as your living room and bedroom, heated to at least 18°C.
• Layer Up: Wear several layers of thinner clothing rather than one thick layer to trap warmth effectively.
• Stay Active: Try to keep moving when indoors and avoid sitting still for more than an hour.
• Eat and Drink Well: Have at least one hot meal a day and regular hot drinks to help maintain your body temperature.
• Minimise Draughts: Reduce draughts in your home and keep bedroom windows closed at night.
• Check on Others: Please look out for older or vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbours. Ensure they are warm enough and have sufficient food and medicine.
• Vaccinations: If you are eligible, please ensure you have received your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to protect yourself against winter illnesses.

Managing Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms often appear suddenly and can include a high temperature, aching body, tiredness, a dry cough, sore throat, and headache. If you experience flu-like symptoms, here’s what you can do:

• Rest and Sleep: Get plenty of rest to help your body recover.
• Keep Warm: Stay warm and comfortable.
• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
• Pain Relief: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help lower your temperature and ease aches and pains.
• Prevent Spread: Flu is highly contagious. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and dispose of used tissues promptly. Try to stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the virus.
• Antibiotics: Remember, antibiotics are not effective against flu as it is a viral infection.

When to Seek Medical Advice: Contact NHS 111 or seek an urgent GP appointment if you are concerned about a baby’s or child’s symptoms, if you are 65 or over, pregnant, have a long-term medical condition, a weakened immune system, or if your symptoms do not improve after seven days.

Christmas and New Year Prescription Orders

To ensure you have your medications in time for the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, please order your repeat prescriptions by Friday, 19th December 2025. This allows us sufficient time to process your request, especially with the increased demand during this period. We aim to process all requests within 48 hours.

Holiday Opening Hours

Please be aware that Highfield surgery will be closed on the following Bank Holidays:

• Thursday, 25th December 2025 (Christmas Day)
• Friday, 26th December 2025 (Boxing Day)
• Thursday, 1st January 2026 (New Year’s Day)

Emergency Contacts

For urgent medical advice when the surgery is closed, please call NHS 111. This service can provide guidance and direct you to the most appropriate care. For genuine life-threatening emergencies only, please call 999 or attend Accident & Emergency.

Food banks

With the cost of living soaring, more and more people are struggling to feed themselves and their families.

There’s nothing worse than hunger when you’re cold, and if you’re struggling to feed yourself or your children, a food bank can supply an emergency parcel with enough food for at least three days.

To receive support from a food bank, you’ll need a referral for a food voucher. Contact your local Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/food-bank/using-a-food-bank/

Remember, if you are in need, your local foodbank is there to help:
https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank

Wishing you a safe and healthy festive season from everyone at Highfield surgery.