Weight loss drugs – information for patients

You may have seen media coverage about a new drug which is expected to be made available to a limited number of patients over the coming year, from specialist services (not from GPs)

NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which advises the NHS on use of medicines – is expecting to approve Mounjaro (also known as Tirzepatide) for some patients from March 2025.

It is expected that this will initially include only people who have the most serious need for this medication, based on body mass index (BMI) and having at least one obesity-related health problem. It will be provided along with extra support and advice to help patients improve their diet and exercise, which is vital to maintaining a healthy weight in the long term. It’s important to bear in mind that medicines are not the only way to improve your weight, fitness and health, and for many people they are not the best option.

Our specialist weight management services offer a wide range of support to help patients find a sustainable solution to weight problems. We are working to urgently expand these services, as we know waiting lists are currently longer than we would all like. Our GP practices are currently receiving a high level of enquiries about weight loss drugs.

Urgent – do not buy unregulated medicines

The NHS is warning people in our region about serious dangers from people buying unregulated medicines such as ‘skinny jabs’, often from online sellers.

Unregulated sellers, often operating online, bypass vital consultations with GPs or pharmacists, leaving you vulnerable to serious harm, including life-threatening consequences. Taking prescription-only medication without proper advice from a GP or pharmacist is extremely dangerous. Counterfeit drugs are often expired, diluted, or may not even be the medicine they are advertised as. This can cause harmful side effects, react badly with other medicines you’re taking – or even be fatal. There’s also a serious risk of taking too much medication by mistake.

Tragically, several people in the UK have already died after taking unregulated drugs purchased online.

Unregulated sellers, often operating online, bypass vital consultations with GPs or pharmacists, leaving patients vulnerable to serious harm, including life-threatening consequences.

If you feel you need help, please talk to a GP or pharmacist who will be able to advise you a safe way to meet your needs.

Pharmacy First

You don’t always need to wait to see a GP for some common minor conditions. Pharmacies can offer advice and guidance for conditions that don’t require a prescription, and many pharmacies have specially trained Pharmacists who are now able to diagnose and treat a number of minor illnesses.

Vaccinations:

If you’re turning 65, or are aged 70-79, or are 50 and over, with a weakened immune system, you’re likely to be eligible for a free shingles vaccination. Shingles is an unpleasant illness that can have serious complications, and vaccination improves outcomes and reduces the severity of any outbreak. 

Flu

During the winter, flu circulates in the community, and this winter will be no exception.

-If you’ve been invited for a flu vaccination and haven’t yet booked your appointment, then please get in touch.
If your child has a long-term condition and has been invited for a flu vaccination, you can make an appointment for them to receive their vaccination in the surgery if you would prefer not to wait for the school immunisations.
If you have a child aged two or three on 31st August 2024, they may be eligible for a free flu vaccination. Children can suffer complications as a result of flu, and your child gets the best protection from flu if they’re vaccinated.

Spring Covid Boosters:

Appointments for the Spring Covid Boosters go live for patient booking on 25th March 2025. These appointments are to be booked via the National Booking System or 119.

Here are a list of the Clinic locations and dates available:

Hexham (Sele Medical Practice): Hexham Primary Care Centre, Corbridge Road, NE46 1QJ:

  • Saturday 5th April: 9am-5pm
  • Saturday 12th April: 9am-5pm
  • Saturday 19th April: 9am-5pm
  • Saturday 26th April: To be confirmed

Hexham Mart, Tyne Green, Hexham, NE46 3SG:

  • Tuesday 15th April: 9am-5pm (Will include under 18’s appointments in the afternoon 2-4.45pm)

Prudhoe Waterworld, Front Street, Prudhoe, NE42 5DQ:

  • Wednesday 2nd April: 9am-5pm
  • Wednesday 9th April: 9am-5pm
  • Wednesday 16th April: 9am-5pm

Bellingham Fire Station, Bellingham NE48 2JS:

  • Friday 4th April: 9am-5pm

Haltwhistle Fire Station, Haltwhistle, NE49 9BW:

  • Thursday 10th April: 9am-5pm
  • Thursday 17th April: 9am-5pm

Ponteland Memorial Hall, Darras Road, NE20 9NX:

  • Tuesday 8th April: 9am-1pm

Respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) vaccination

The NHS now offers respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations from 1 September 2024 to older adults aged 75-79, and to individuals from 28 weeks’ pregnancy to protect their baby. This is a one-off vaccination & can be given at any time (but not on the same day as your flu vaccination). please book an appointment with one of our nurses for this.

Bowel Cancer Awareness month:

This April, during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we’re being encouraged to ‘Pass it on’. Pass it on is an awareness campaign aimed at getting bowel cancer sufferers to share their own stories to raise awareness. 

If:

  • You have blood in your poo
  • You’re bleeding from your bottom
  • There are changes in how often you poo, or you’re regularly having constipation or diarrhoea
  • Your losing weight or feel tired all the time but aren’t sure why 
  • You have a pain or lump in your tummy

These can be signs of bowel cancer or other health conditions. It’s really simple to find out whether you need further investigations with a simple at-home test. Contact your GP practice to make an appointment. 

NHS Patient Survey Results

You can see and compare our practice with others on our most recent patient survey carried out by the NHS, click here to view the results.

Links to websites

https://gp-patient.co.uk/compare?practices=A84035#

Accessing your GP-held records via the NHS app or NHS website

As your GP practice, we have been asked to provide you with, no later than 31 October 2023, access to your full medical record going forward via the NHS app (and NHS website) if you have a suitable NHS login.

Your GP medical record contains consultation notes based on conversations between you, your GP and their team: medicines prescribed to you; all test results including hospital investigations; allergies; vaccines; and your medical conditions along with documents that may have been sent from local hospitals, clinics or other agencies, e.g. the police. There is likely to be sensitive and personal information within your medical record.

We are supportive of providing you with access to your record, but we wish to do this safely and make you aware that this is happening so that you can opt out, if you so wish. You may wish to speak with us first to understand what it is that you will see, and the risks which may be involved in having such confidential data either on your smartphone with the NHS app installed, or online if other people might have access to that information through your devices. If you are in a difficult or pressured relationship, for example, you may prefer your records to remain accessible only to those treating you, with them not appearing on your smartphone or online. The Government has been clear that if a patient does not wish to have access, then we do not have to provide it. This is one reason why we have asked if you wish to opt out, or have it switched off for the time being.

It’s important to remember that these documents may, at times, contain information that could be upsetting, especially if they contain news of a serious condition. It can also be a cause for worry seeing results online when it isn’t clear what the results might mean, and no one is available to ask, as can be the case during the evening or at weekends, for example. 

Sometimes people with a mental health condition might prefer not to see documents that remind them of difficult times in their life. Letters from mental health teams sometimes go into detail about past events, and great care would be needed in deciding whether you would want to see these letters. It is possible for individual items to be hidden at your request, and your GP would be happy to talk about any concerns you may have.

Requesting access – what do I need to do?

The easiest way to get access is to create an NHS login through the NHS app. Although, you can also access your GP records via the internet on a computer, the first bit is easiest if done through a smartphone. If you don’t have one, you may have a family member or friend you trust who can help you. You can also ask your practice receptionist, but you’ll need some proof of who you are, e.g. a passport, driving license or household bill.

Travel Vaccination

We no longer provide overseas travel advice. We recommend that those travelling abroad check with their travel company or with a local travel clinic regarding vaccinations at least 8 weeks prior to travelling. Some, but not all, vaccinations may be available on the NHS from the surgery. These will only be given by our nurse if we have written information from a registered travel clinic specifying which vaccinations are advised.

NHS App

If you’re new to using the NHS App and you’re not sure how to access the information, there is lots of information around to help you. Download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via the Google Play or App Store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.

Did you know that using the NHS App can help you access lots of information about your health?

  • Request repeat prescriptions
  • Check the status of your prescriptions
  • See upcoming appointments
  • View your health records

Please copy and paste these links to your browser

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/

Breast Screening:

Had an invite for breast screening? Make sure you mark the date in your diary!

Breast screening uses a test called Mammography which involves taking X-rays of the breasts. Screening can help to find breast cancers early and these cancers are usually easier to treat than larger ones.

It’s important to remember that screening wont prevent you from getting breast cancer but aims to find early breast cancers.

Regular breast screening is one of the best ways to spot a cancer that’s too small to feel or see yourself. It saved around 1,300 lives each year in the UK!

Don’t ignore your invite when it lands on your doorstep!