Bedlingtonshire Medical Group

27/05/2026

💙 Have Your Say at Bedlingtonshire Medical Group – Join Our Virtual Patient Group! 💙

At Bedlingtonshire Medical Group, we’re always looking for ways to improve the care and experience we provide to our patients — and your voice matters.

We’re inviting patients to join our Virtual Patient Participation Group (PPG) — a simple, flexible way to share your views, ideas, and feedback from the comfort of your own home.

📩 No meetings to attend
📱 No time pressure
💬 Just occasional emails asking for your thoughts on how we can improve services

Whether it’s appointment access, online services, communication, or patient experience — your feedback helps shape the future of our surgery.

✨ Why join?
✔ Help improve local healthcare
✔ Share your opinions easily
✔ Make a real difference in your community
✔ Stay informed about what’s happening at the practice

Everyone is welcome — all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.

👉 Interested in joining?
Simply contact Bedlingtonshire Medical Group reception on 01670 822695 and we will pass your details onto Joanne Hodge, our Patient Experience Manager or email us at nencicb-nor.bedlingtondoctors@nhs.net with the subject line “Virtual PPG"

22/05/2026

Patient Information - Bank Holiday

The Practice is closed over the bank holiday weekend. The practice will reopen on Tuesday 26th May 2026.

If you have an urgent medical problem that can not wait for the practice to reopen, please contact NHS 111 or visit the Wansbeck Urgent Treatment Centre.

In an emergency, please attend NSECH Cramlington, or call 999.
Minor ailments such as sore throats, UTIs in women aged 18-64, and insect bites can be treated by your local pharmacy.

The following pharmacies are open over the bank holiday weekend on Monday 25th May 2026:-

Asda Ashington - Open 10am - 4pm
Asda Blyth - Open 10am - 4pm
Blyth Healthcare - Open 9am - 2pm.

We would like to wish all of our patients a very happy bank holiday weekend

14/05/2026

Patient Information - Parents and primary caregivers. You'll probably be familiar with the Red Book. The NHS is carrying out some research to understand how you use it as part of looking after your child's health.

Do you have 10 minutes to help out? Follow the link to complete our survey - thank you!

➡️ https://feedback.digital.nhs.uk/jfe/form/SV_5vGwvkdSffnJNAO

14/05/2026

Taking action for mental health can make a real difference, whether it’s for yourself, for someone else, or for all of us.

Raising awareness is important, but meaningful change happens when we turn that awareness into everyday actions.

Simple ways to take action include:
• Checking in with yourself and taking time to rest and recharge 💙🌿
• Reaching out to someone who might need support 🤝✨
• Talking openly about mental health to reduce stigma 🗣️💬
• Getting involved in your community or supporting others 🌍💛

Small actions can have a big impact on wellbeing, helping create a more supportive and understanding environment for everyone. 💙✨

Learn more and get involved: https://ow.ly/CYut50YWv0b

01/05/2026

Patient Information - Bank Holiday

The Practice is closed over the bank holiday weekend. The practice will reopen on Tuesday 5th May 2026.

If you have an urgent medical problem that can not wait for the practice to reopen, please contact NHS 111 or visit the Wansbeck Urgent Treatment Centre,

In an emergency, please attend NSECH Cramlington, or call 999.
Minor ailments such as sore throats, UTIs in women aged 18-64, and insect bites can be treated by your local pharmacy.

The following pharmacies are open over the bank holiday weekend on Monday 4th May 2026
Asda Ashington - Open 10am - 4pm
Asda Blyth - Open 10am - 4pm
Blyth Healthcare - Open 9am - 2pm.

We would like to wish all of our patients a very happy bank holiday weekend.

30/04/2026

PATIENT INFORMATION
As of Tuesday 5th May the procedure for handing in samples will change.
Samples will be posted in the post box pictured next to the patient toilet 🚻 Samples need to be dropped in before 4pm, this ensures there is plenty time to process the sample before they are transported to the hospital for testing.
🔴 Please note - Any Samples posted after this time or not requested will be disposed of.

29/04/2026

Patient Information - Diabetic Eye Screening

Diabetic eye screening is an important part of diabetes care and helps protect your sight. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss if not detected early. Screening checks for early signs before you notice any changes, meaning treatment can start sooner and help prevent serious damage.

If you have diabetes and are aged 12 or over, you will usually be invited for screening every 1–2 years. The test is quick and involves taking photographs of the back of your eyes to check for any changes.

Attending your screening appointment can:
• Detect problems early before symptoms develop 👁️✨
• Help prevent or reduce sight loss 💙🩺
• Support long-term eye health as part of your diabetes care 🌿📊
Even if your vision feels fine, it’s important to attend when invited. 💙✨
Learn more about diabetic eye screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and.../diabetic-eye-screening/

29/04/2026

Patient Information - Childhood Vaccinations

Childhood vaccinations are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from serious diseases.

Vaccines help the immune system recognise and fight infections like measles, meningitis and whooping cough before they can cause harm. By keeping up to date with vaccinations, you are not only protecting your child but also helping protect vulnerable people in the wider community.

Without vaccination, children are at higher risk of serious illness, complications, hospitalisation and, in some cases, long-term health problems. Outbreaks of preventable diseases can spread more easily when vaccination rates drop.

Benefits of childhood vaccinations include:
• Protection against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases 💉🛡️
• Reduced spread of infections in schools and communities 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨
• Long-term protection and peace of mind 💙🌿
• Helping protect those who cannot be vaccinated ⚠️💛
Keeping vaccinations up to date is a simple step that can make a lifelong difference. 💙✨
Learn about NHS vaccinations and when to have them: https://www.nhs.uk/.../nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have.../

29/04/2026

Allergies are common and can range from mild to severe. They happen when the body reacts to something harmless like pollen, food, dust or animal fur. Symptoms can vary depending on the trigger and the person.

Common allergy symptoms include:
• Sneezing, runny or blocked nose 🤧✨
• Itchy eyes, skin or throat 👀💙
• Rashes, hives or swelling 🌿⚠️
• Breathing difficulties or wheezing 🫁💨

Most allergies can be managed, but some reactions can be serious. Call 999 immediately if someone has signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, feeling faint or collapsing. 🚑⚠️

Understanding triggers, knowing the difference between allergies and intolerances, and taking early action can help keep you and your family safe. 💙✨

Read NHS advice on allergies: https://ow.ly/vxhs50YNVlw
Learn the difference between food allergy and intolerance: https://ow.ly/l17650YNVkX
Find advice on protecting babies against allergies: https://ow.ly/FNik50YNVlk

29/04/2026

Patient Information - Repeat Prescriptions

Due to an increase in costs, we will no longer be sending a text message notification when your repeat prescription has been issued.

Prescriptions will continue to be processed as normal – please allow the usual time before collecting from your nominated pharmacy.

You can check whether your prescription has been issued using the NHS App. We recommend patients enable NHS App notifications to receive updates from the surgery. For information on the NHS App and to sign up, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

We appreciate your understanding as we make this change to help manage rising costs while continuing to provide quality care.

Use the NHS App to view your health information and manage your healthcare online using a phone, tablet or computer.

15/04/2026

IBS Awareness Month highlights a common condition that can have a big impact on daily life.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system and can cause a range of ongoing symptoms that may come and go.

Common symptoms include:
• Stomach pain or cramping, often relieved after going to the toilet 🤕✨
• Bloating and excessive wind 💨💙
• Diarrhoea, constipation or a mix of both 🚽⚠️
• Changes in bowel habits 📊🩺
Symptoms can often be triggered by stress, certain foods or lifestyle factors. Managing IBS may involve dietary changes, staying active, reducing stress and understanding your triggers. If symptoms are persistent or worsening, it’s important to speak to your GP to rule out other conditions. 💙🌿✨

Read NHS guidance on IBS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
Learn about digestive issues and when it could be something more serious: https://patient.info/.../could-your-digestive-issues-be-ibd