Practice Newsletter – November 2026
Winter is coming – look after yourself
As the colder weather arrives, coughs, colds and other winter illnesses become increasingly common.
A few simple things can help you stay well:
🧥 Keep warm, particularly if you have a long-term health condition.
💊 Make sure you have enough of your regular medication.
💧 Keep hydrated and rest if you’re unwell.
💉 Take up any vaccinations you are eligible for.
🏠 Keep a few basic over-the-counter remedies at home.
Your local pharmacy can also provide advice and treatment for a number of common conditions.
If you become seriously unwell or are worried about your symptoms, please seek appropriate medical advice.
A reminder about antibiotics
Not every infection needs antibiotics.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections but they do not work against viruses, such as those that cause many coughs and colds.
If a clinician advises that antibiotics aren’t needed, it doesn’t mean your symptoms aren’t being taken seriously. They will consider your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Using antibiotics only when they are needed helps keep them effective for everyone.
Ordering your repeat prescription
A little reminder about repeat prescriptions:
📱 Where possible, you can order your regular repeat medication through the NHS App.
Once you have submitted your request, you don’t need to contact the surgery to check whether it has been issued.
If there is a problem with your request, or we need further information from you, the practice will contact you.
You can also use the NHS App to check the progress of your prescription and see when it has been issued.
Once it has been issued by the practice, please contact your nominated pharmacy regarding when your medication will be ready for collection.
Thank you for helping us keep our prescription service running smoothly.
Have you switched on your NHS App notifications?
Are your NHS App notifications turned on? 📱
The NHS App is increasingly used to send patients important information and messages.
Please take a moment to check that notifications are enabled on your phone and within the NHS App.
Keeping notifications switched on means you’re less likely to miss an important message about your healthcare.
It’s also worth opening the NHS App regularly to check for messages and updates.
Winter vaccinations
Have you had your winter vaccinations?
Vaccinations are an important way of protecting yourself against serious illness during the winter months.
Eligibility differs between vaccination programmes, so please respond to any invitations you receive from the practice or NHS.
If you’re eligible and haven’t yet taken up your vaccination, we’d encourage you to do so.
Thank you for helping us protect our patients and our wider community this winter.
Why don’t I always see a GP?
When you contact the surgery, a GP isn’t necessarily the only healthcare professional who may be able to help.
Modern general practice includes a wide range of healthcare professionals, who may include:
👩⚕️ GPs
🩺 Advanced Clinical Practitioners and Nurse Practitioners
💊 Clinical Pharmacists
💉 Practice Nurses
🩹 Healthcare Assistants
🏃♀️ First Contact Physiotherapists
Our reception team may ask you a few questions so that your request can be directed to the most appropriate member of the healthcare team.
This isn’t about stopping you from seeing a GP. It’s about helping you get the right care from the right person.
Why is my clinician running late?
We know it can be frustrating when your appointment doesn’t start at exactly the planned time.
GP practices can’t always predict what will happen during a consultation. A patient may need more time because their problem is particularly complex, an urgent issue may be identified, or someone may simply need a little more support than expected.
Clinicians also have other responsibilities between appointments, including reviewing results, prescriptions and correspondence.
We appreciate your patience when clinics occasionally run behind.
Remember, if you ever need a little extra time or support during an appointment, we’ll want to give you that same care too.
Are you winter ready?
A little preparation now can make things easier when winter really gets underway.
✅ Check that you have enough of your regular medicines.
✅ Keep basic remedies at home for minor illnesses.
✅ Make sure vulnerable friends and relatives are keeping warm.
✅ Keep NHS App notifications switched on.
✅ Know where to get help if the surgery is closed.
Your local community pharmacy can help with many minor conditions, and NHS 111 can help if you need medical advice and aren’t sure where to go.
For a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.
November – let’s talk about men’s health 👨
November is a good opportunity to remind the men in our community to look after their health too.
It’s easy to put off asking for help, particularly when you’re busy or hoping that something will simply go away.
But if you’ve noticed a persistent change in your health, new or unexplained symptoms, or you’re worried about something, please don’t ignore it.
Getting advice doesn’t necessarily mean something is seriously wrong, but it’s better to speak to an appropriate healthcare professional rather than continue worrying.
Don’t put your health at the bottom of your to-do list.
Looking after your mental wellbeing this winter
Shorter days and darker evenings can be difficult for some people.
Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as looking after your physical health.
Things that may help include:
🌤 Getting outside during daylight hours when you can
🚶 Staying physically active
👥 Keeping in touch with friends and family
😴 Maintaining a regular sleep routine
💬 Talking to someone if you’re struggling
And remember, you don’t have to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for help.
🏥 GP, Pharmacy, NHS 111 or 999?
Not sure where to go for help?
💊 Community Pharmacy
Your pharmacy can offer advice and, where appropriate, treatment for a range of common conditions.
🏥 GP Practice
Contact us for medical problems that need assessment through primary care.
☎️ NHS 111
If you need medical help but aren’t sure what service you need, NHS 111 can help direct you.
🚑 999 / A&E
For serious or life-threatening emergencies.
Choosing the right service helps you get the most appropriate care.
📅 Can’t make your appointment?
Plans change. We understand.
If you no longer need your appointment, or you can’t attend, please cancel it as soon as possible.
Even an appointment cancelled at relatively short notice may be offered to another patient who is waiting to be seen.
If you’ve booked an appointment and no longer need it, please don’t just leave it unused.
Cancel it and give another patient the opportunity to be seen.
