Celebrating Di Lord's 45 Years of Nursing

On 3rd May, we proudly celebrate Di’s incredible 45 years in nursing.

Di’s dedication and care for her patients are truly inspiring. She is also a wonderful mentor, always supporting and guiding our nursing team with kindness and patience.

Thank you, Di, for your tireless commitment and for making such a positive difference every day. We are lucky to have you as part of our team at The Hall Practice. 

Congratulations to Jen Lande! 

We are delighted to announce that Jen has successfully completed her GPN Fundamentals Course. The GPN (General Practice Nursing) Fundamentals Course covers a wide range of skills required in General Practice and included a huge commitment to complete, including a notable amount done in Jen’s own time.

We would also like to acknowledge Di Lord, who mentored Jen and remains and inspiration to her nursing team and us all with her enthusiasm and commitment to the next generation of practice nurses, healthcare assistants and the wider nursing community.

We’re proud to have Jen in our team, bringing refreshed skills and enthusiasm to patient care and team support. Well done, Jen!

Thank You to Our Amazing Nursing Team

On 12th May, we will be celebrating Nurses Day, and we want to say a huge thank you to our amazing nursing team, Di Lord, Jen Lande, Victoria Perry-Adlam and Hayley Goodall for their hard work and care. We also send our gratitude to all nurses everywhere. Your dedication makes a real difference every day!

Farewell and Best Wishes to Betsy!

We are sad to announce that our Physician Associate, Betsy Worthley, will be leaving us on 9^th May, as her family is relocating back to the States, after several years living in Europe. 

Betsy has worked incredibly hard and built strong, caring relationships with both patients and colleagues. She will be greatly missed by all of us.

We thank Betsy for her dedication and wish her and her family the very best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.

Plan Ahead for May Bank Holidays - Order Your Prescriptions Early!

With two bank holidays coming up in May, we kindly ask you to order your prescriptions early. Last-minute requests before holidays create extra pressure for our doctors and can lead to delays at the pharmacy.

To avoid any problems:

·         Please order your repeat prescriptions at least 3 days in advance.

·         Check your medication supplies now and let us know if you need a refill.

·         Remember, pharmacies are very busy during bank holidays, so ordering early helps everyone.

Thank you for planning ahead and helping us provide the best care possible!

Staff Training Thursday 15 May

The practice will be closed on Thursday 15 May from 13:00 for essential staff training. If during these times you request urgent medical assistance that cannot wait until the surgery reopens, please contact NHS 111 Service by dialling 111 or visiting NHS 111 Online

For life - threatening emergencies, dial 999 immediately. 

Additionally, our online platform for contacting the surgery, will be inactive from 12:30 on Thursday 15 May until 08:00 Friday 16 May.

Asthma Awareness Month - May 2025

Asthma is a common lung condition that can make breathing difficult. It causes swelling and tightening of the airways, triggered by things like allergens, exercise, or changes in the weather. While asthma cannot usually be cured, it can be well controlled with the right treatment.

To keep asthma under control and live a normal life, it is very important to:

• Attend your annual asthma review with our clinical team
  
  
• Use your prescribed preventer medication every day
  
  
• Know your asthma triggers and how to avoid them
  
  
• Have a personalised asthma action plan to manage flare-ups

Annual reviews help us check how well your asthma is controlled, update your treatment if needed, and teach you how to manage symptoms safely. Missing reviews can increase the risk of serious asthma attacks.

For more advice and support, visit:

• Asthma + Lung UK www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/
  
  
• NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/

World Hypertension Day - 17th May

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects 1 in 4 adults in England and often has no symptoms. It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems. The only way to know if you have it is to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

To keep your blood pressure under control:

·         Get your blood pressure checked at your GP, local pharmacy, or at home.

·         Aim for a reading below 140/90 mmHg (or 150/90 if over 80).

·         Live healthily by reducing salt, staying active, cutting down alcohol, and not smoking.

·         Attend NHS Health Checks if you’re aged 40-74.

Knowing your numbers helps you and your doctor manage your health better and reduce serious risks.

For more information and support, visit the NHS website on high blood pressure www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure/

Thinking About Quitting Vaping?

Vaping means breathing in a vapour from an electronic device that usually contains nicotine. Nicotine is very addictive and can affect your brain, mood, and concentration. Many young people start vaping without realising how hard it can be to stop.

If you want to quit vaping, help is available. The NHS offers free support, including advice, apps, and stop-smoking services that can guide you through quitting for good. Using these tools can double or triple your chances of success.

Remember, vaping is not safe for children or young people, and quitting now protects your health and future.

For more help and tips on quitting vaping, visit the NHS Better Health website https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/vaping-to-quit-smoking/how-to-quit-vaping/