Pinfold Medical Practice

27/07/2025

Mental Health & Carer Wellbeing Drop-In Event
Supporting All Carers (Paid & Unpaid) and Individuals Aged 65+ Experiencing Isolation

Are you experiencing feelings of isolation, stress, or carer burnout? This event is designed to provide support and resources tailored to your needs.

Who Should Attend?
This session welcomes:
🔴️Young adults (18-30) providing care for family members
🔴️ Individuals aged 65+ affected by loneliness or anxiety
🔴️Professional paid carers seeking support
🔴️Unpaid family carers needing assistance

🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️
Event Details:
Location: Butterknowle Village Hall (fully accessible venue)
Date: Wednesday, 21st August 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (drop-in format, no appointment necessary)
🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️🔹️

Available Support Services:
✔️Mental Health Assistance
Specialist representative from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust on-site to provide guidance and service navigation

✔️Carer-Specific Resources
• Information and signposting to relevant support services
• Advice on managing carer responsibilities

✔️Community Engagement
• Opportunity to connect with others in similar circumstances
• Complimentary refreshments served in a welcoming environment

"Prioritising your own wellbeing is the foundation of effective caregiving." – Dr Shashi , Pinfold Medical Practice


Share and Connect:
Medical Practice

17/07/2025

At Pinfold Medical Practice, we know that health extends beyond medical treatment. Whether you're struggling with mental health, bereavement, addiction, or financial hardship, help is available. Below is a curated list of free and confidential support services for you and your loved ones.

🌿 Mental Health & Crisis Support
Shout 85258 – Free 24/7 crisis text service. Text "SHOUT" to 85258.
Durham & Darlington Talking Therapies (IAPT) – Self-refer here.
Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) – Short-term support for emotional distress. Learn more.
Papyrus UK (Su***de Prevention) – Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967.
RSACC – Support for survivors of sexual violence. Visit RSACC.
Darlington Mind – Local mental health charity. Explore services.

💙 Bereavement & Grief Support
Cruse Bereavement Care – National helpline: 0808 808 1677.
The Good Grief Trust – Find local support here.
St Teresa’s Hospice & Butterwick Hospice – Specialist bereavement counselling.

🤝 Addiction & Recovery Services
Humankind – Support for substance/alcohol misuse. Contact here.
Addictions North East – Counselling services. Call 0191 514 8415.
Recovery College Online – Free courses on mental health recovery. Join here.

🌈 LGBTQ+ & Specialist Support
Arcus LGBT CIC – Nationwide counselling. Visit website.
Daisy Chain – Autism & neurodiversity support. Learn more.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Community Support
If U Care Share – For families affected by su***de. Call 0191 387 5661.
Community Peer Mentors (Durham) – Find a mentor.
UTASS – Upper Teesdale community aid. Call 01833 641 009.

👨‍⚕️ Veterans, Farmers & Anger Management
The Veterans Hub – Support for ex-military. Get involved.
RABI (Farmers’ Charity) – Helpline: 0800 188 4444.
Staying Cool Course (Durham Council) – Anger management support.

🧠 Wellbeing & Mindfulness
Wellbeing for Life (P*P) – Holistic health programmes.
Mindfulness Therapy (TEWV NHS) – Free courses. [Refer via your GP].
The Witham (Barnard Castle) – Creative wellbeing activities.
How to Access These Services
✔ Self-refer via the links/numbers provided.

09/07/2025

📣Join Us for a Mental Health & Wellbeing Walk-In Session 📢

Are you or a loved one affected by cancer or bereavement? You’re not alone. 💙

Pinfold Medical Practice invites you to a supportive and friendly walk-in session designed to help with mental health and wellbeing.

📍 Where: Butterknowle Village Hall
📅 When: Thursday, 17th July 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Come along for:
✅ A safe space to talk
✅ Support from healthcare professionals
✅ Connection with others who understand

No appointment needed—just drop in. Let’s walk this journey together. 🌿



Please share with anyone who might benefit. 💙

02/07/2025

01/07/2025

Practice closures
July 2025
Thursday 24th from 12.30
Tuesday 29th from 12.30

30/06/2025

We are aware of the increasing usage of weight loss injections through private online companies, we urge you to be fully honest while filling the online forms in and consider all the implications.

Oral contraceptives might not work as well. Consider extra protection like the implant, coil, or condoms.

Speak to a healthcare professional for advice. 👩‍⚕️

For more information on medicines in pregnancy visit➡️https://ow.ly/8h5050WaM7U

29/06/2025

🌞 With the summer months comes an increase in pesky bugs! 🦟

If you've been bitten and need relief, head to your local pharmacy for treatments.

Infected insect bites is one of 7 common conditions you can get NHS treatment for through .

27/06/2025

Please keep our phone lines free for our patient's needing to access our services, currently our local ICB have not finalised the details for the roll out of the mounjaro.

The link below explains who will be eligible for the first roll out, we will update our patients as soon as we know more.

Want to know if it could help you? Find out more at 👉 https://ow.ly/P23n50WcUS6

26/06/2025

Dear Patients

We’d love to invite you to our Practice Open Day on Saturday, 28th June at the Surgery between 9am-11am. This is a chance for us to chat openly about the recent changes in the NHS, including budget pressures and how they affect the way we deliver care.

Like many GP practices, we’re facing growing demand with limited resources. To help bridge this gap, we’ve moved to a "total triage" system—meaning all requests are assessed urgently to ensure those most in need are prioritised. While this has helped manage the imbalance between capacity and demand, we know it’s not always easy for patients.

💬 Discuss the recent NHS changes, budget pressures, and how they impact your care.
⚕️ Learn about our move to total triage—helping us prioritise urgent needs despite rising demand.
🤝 Share your thoughts—our Patient Participation Group (PPG) will be there to hear your feedback too!

Like all GP practices, we’re working with finite resources, but we’re committed to providing the best care possible—together.

Drop in anytime—no need to book! Let’s chat openly about how we can navigate these challenges as a community.

23/06/2025

📣New NHS weight loss treatment UPDATE❗

A new weight loss treatment called Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) will start being used by the NHS from 23 June. But it won’t be offered in all GP practices or available straight away.

Only people who meet certain medical conditions will be able to get it.

Please be patient while the NHS rolls out this treatment safely and fairly.

Want to know if it could help you? Find out more at 👉 https://ow.ly/P23n50WcUS6

20/06/2025

18/06/2025

If your call to the practice is not urgent, can we request you call after 10am, please leave the phone lines free for people needing to access our services.
as always thank you for your co-opertion