Duddon Valley Medical Practice

22/04/2026

Changes to Benefits Prescription Charge Exemption:

From 15 April 2026, the prescription exemption categories for Income Support (Box H) and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (Box K) will no longer be valid reasons for exemption from NHS prescription charges for people previously receiving these benefits.

Prescriptions dispensed on or before 14 April 2026 with a declaration for the Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance exemption category will continue to be treated as exempt, even if the prescriptions are submitted for payment after this date.

Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance were abolished by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) from 1 April 2026. However, some payments will continue to be made for a two-week run-on period to provide transitional protection.

NHS BSA has produced a poster to communicate the changes to patients currently receiving Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Legacy benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance, Tax Credits and Income Support were replaced by Universal Credit in April 2026. If you claimed free NHS prescriptions due to receiving a legacy benefit, check you’re still entitled before continuing to claim.

21/04/2026

INFORMATION RE THE CLOSURE OF KIRKBY SURGERY BUILDING - 31 JULY 2026


Duddon Valley Medical Practice (DVMP) is NOT closing.

The Kirkby surgery building will cease to be used as a surgery building from 31 July 2026 and the building is to be sold by the current owner.

DVMP will continue to be fully operational nevertheless and will only deliver medical services from Broughton and Askam surgery buildings after the 31 July 2026.

DVMP is not buying the Kirkby surgery property as a going concern, despite being given the opportunity to do so.

This decision was not taken lightly and for many reasons.

Access to Broughton and Askam surgery buildings will be significantly increased after 31 July 2026 to accommodate the needs of our patients when the Kirkby surgery building finally closes.

We apologise for the short notice of only three months re the closure of the surgery at Kirkby.

We hope you understand that the decision NOT to buy Kirkby surgery as a going concern will improve economic resilience and increase stability for patients and staff alike during what is a very difficult economic climate nationally. Rural practices have been closing across the country at a rate of one per week but, DVMP has no intention of closing.

We promise to provide further information to you all very soon re the planning involved re closing the Kirkby surgery building.

In the meantime, we would appreciate your cooperation by not distracting our staff from carrying out their duties by asking for further information about the closure from them. We WILL provide further information to you as soon as possible to help prevent any unnecessary anxieties during this 3-month transition period from three surgery buildings, to two.


Many thanks for your understanding.


Dr LA Wilson and Dr L Gunasinghe

14/04/2026

❗️CLOSURE FOR STAFF TRAINING❗️

Duddon Valley Medical Practice will be closed for staff training at 1pm on Thursday 16th April
2026.

If you require medical assistance during this period, please call the usual surgery telephone numbers to listen to your options.

We will re-open as per usual opening hours on Friday 17th April.

Thank you

01/04/2026

🐣BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURE🐣

Duddon Valley Medical Practice is closed at all sites Friday 2nd April and Monday 6th April. We will reopen on Tuesday 7th April at 8am.

Please listen to our ‘Out of Hours’ telephone message for emergency support whilst the practice is closed.

Thank you🙂

30/03/2026

We are very short staffed today due to staff sickness.

Please be kind to our staff who are working hard to help you all as quickly as possible.

Reminder that you do not need to telephone the practice to check if your repeat medication is ready to collect if you have allowed 7 working days.

Thank you.

27/03/2026

Reminder of the Easter closure next weekend.

If you have not already ordered your repeat medication and you will be due before this closure, you may be given a signed prescription to take to your nearest Pharmacy.

Thank you.

20/03/2026

** EASTER BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURES **

Duddon Valley Medical Practice will be closed on:

Friday 3rd April 2026
Monday 6th April 2026

We will re-open as usual on Tuesday 7th April at 8am.

We ask that orders for repeat medication be placed by Wednesday 25th March to allow seven working days for completion and collection prior to the closure on Easter Thursday.

Thank you.

19/03/2026

Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.

The NHS website has all the information you need, including what to look out for and when to get medical help.

➡️ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

19/03/2026

12/03/2026

❗️CLOSURE FOR STAFF TRAINING❗️

Duddon Valley Medical Practice will be closed for training at 1pm on Thursday 12th March
2026.

If you require medical assistance during this period, please call the usual surgery telephone numbers to listen to your options.

We will re-open as per usual opening hours on Friday 13th March.

Thank you🙂

10/03/2026

Fit Note requests❗️

Can we remind our patients that requests for Fit Notes are NOT urgent, so please do not expect these to be ready the same day. Your employer cannot demand a same day Fit Note.

Please also be mindful that you may be asked to book an appointment with the GP to review.

It is not possible to pre-date Fit Notes, so any requests made before the note is due to expire will be rejected.

We will always let you know as soon as your note has been completed by the GP, so there is no need to attend/telephone the practice to check if it is ready.

If you have been ill for 7 days or less you do not need to see a Doctor. You can complete a Self Certification form yourself by downloading online.

Thank you for your co-operation.

DVMP

10/03/2026

Mental Health Practitioner appointments at DVMP

Did you know that you can access mental health support right here at the surgery?

If you are struggling with low mood, anxiety, stress, grief, seeking review of anti-depressant medications, or just want someone to talk to, then please contact the surgery to organise an appointment.

Please note, if you are already receiving mental health treatment from First Step or the Mental Health Team, you will not be able to access this service.

This service is also only available to those aged 18 and over.

Please call our Reception team today to book your appointment.