Knowsley Medical Centre

02/09/2025

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause lung infections like bronchiolitis, making it difficult for newborn babies to breathe and causing 20,000 infants to need hospital treatment each year.

Having the RSV vaccination when you're pregnant is the best way to protect your baby. Talk to your GP or midwife to schedule yours from 28 weeks of pregnancy.

02/09/2025

📅 August at Knowsley Medical Centre – What We've Been Up To! 🩺

August was a busy month here at Knowsley Medical Centre, and we wanted to give you a quick behind-the-scenes look at what’s been happening:

🔹 Family & Friends Feedback
A big THANK YOU to everyone who completed our survey – we’re thrilled that 87% of you would recommend us to your friends and family! Your support means the world. 💙

🔹 Phone Calls
Our reception team handled a whopping 3,512 calls last month, helping patients with everything from booking appointments to answering important health questions. 📞

🔹 Appointments
We booked 1,797 appointments in total – covering phone consultations, sick notes, results, home visits, and care home visits. 🩺

🔹 Missed Appointments (DNAs)
Sadly, 87 appointments were missed without notice. The highest number of DNAs came from the 16–45 age group (29.6%). If you can’t make it, please let us know – every appointment counts and could help someone else. 🙏

🔹 Cancellations & Repeat Appointments
We had 354 cancellations and 418 patients seen more than once during the month – however, 3 patients missed multiple appointments. Please help us reduce avoidable DNAs.

🔹 Referrals
We sent out around 97 referrals to ensure our patients got the specialist care they needed. 📝

🔹 Non-NHS & Admin Requests
We also processed 26 non-NHS medical reports and managed a range of admin tasks, including emails, letter requests, online forms, and medical records. 📋

💬 Thank You!
We’re proud to serve our community and always working to improve your experience with us. Please remember: if you can’t attend your appointment, just give us a quick call – it helps us help others.

01/09/2025

🌡️ Flu & COVID Season is Coming – Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones! 💉
As we head into the colder months, it’s more important than ever to stay protected against flu and COVID-19. Vaccinations help reduce the risk of serious illness – especially for those who are older, pregnant, or have existing health conditions.
🛡️ Flu and COVID vaccines will be available in October at the surgery.
We'll be contacting eligible patients over the coming weeks to invite you in for your vaccination or you can give us a call and we will get you booked in.
✅ If you're eligible, make sure your contact details are up to date with us so we can reach you.
We will have Michelle doing just our flu's and Charles doing our Flu & COVD vaccines.
📞 Got questions? or want to book? Give us a call on 0161 764 1217.
Let’s stay safe together this winter! ❄️💙

01/09/2025

Meet Your Knowsley Medical Centre Team! 🏥✨

At Knowsley Medical Centre, our dedicated team works together every single day to support you and your family’s health — from routine check-ups to caring support when it's needed most. Let us introduce those who make it possible:

Doctors

Dr Naveen Honnappa (Male) (works Mon, Thurs & Fri)
Dr Madiha Mohsin (Female) (works Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri PM)
Dr Nesar Choudhury (Male) (works Tues & Weds)

Advanced Nursing & Clinical Support

Ms Helen Smith – Advanced Nursing Practitioner (Female) (works Tues, Weds & Thurs)
Mr Charles Sabau – Practice Nurse (Male) (works Mon, Tues & Thurs)
Michelle A – Health Care Assistant (Female) (works Weds & Fri)
Mr Robert Walker - Physician's Associate (Male) (works Weds)
Mr George Brear - First Contact Physio Practitioner (Male) (works Fri)

Administration & Practice Leadership

Miss Sharon Smith – Practice Manager (Female)
Gill N – Team Leader (Female)
Caitlin P – GP Assistant & Phlebotomist (Female)
Vanessa W – Medical Secretary (Female)

Care Navigation

Maria A -(Female)
Claire G -(Female)
Josie H -(Female)
Georgina R -(Female)
Mo M - Docman Administrator (Female)

30/08/2025

🎒📚 Back to School Reminders from Knowsley Medical Centre 📚🎒

As the new school year approaches, now is the perfect time to check in on your child’s health. Here are some important reminders to help your family get school-ready:

💉 Immunisations
Is your child up to date with their routine vaccines?
✅ MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)
✅ 4-in-1 preschool booster
✅ HPV (for eligible children in secondary school)
✅ MenACWY & Tetanus boosters

📆 If you’re unsure or your child may have missed a dose, give us a call — we can check and book catch-up appointments.
😮‍💨 Asthma Care
If your child has asthma, it’s vital to have their care plan reviewed before school starts.
✔️ Is their inhaler in date?
✔️ Do they have a spare for school?
✔️ Is their asthma action plan up to date and shared with the school?

📞 Book an asthma review if they have not had one with our nurse team today — we’re here to help keep your child safe and well at school.

📲 Call us on 0161 764 1217 or use the NHS App to manage appointments.
Let’s make sure your little ones head back to school healthy, protected, and ready to learn! 🍎

28/08/2025

🧠 Feeling Stressed, Anxious, or Struggling to Sleep? 🌙

You're not alone — many of us experience stress and anxiety, and it can often affect our sleep too. At Knowsley Medical Centre, we're here to support your mental and emotional well-being as well as your physical health.

Here are some simple tips that can help:

💤 For better sleep:
Try to keep a regular sleep routine — even on weekends
Avoid screens (phones/tablets) at least 1 hour before bed
Create a calming bedtime routine — try reading or gentle stretches
Cut back on caffeine, especially in the afternoon

😌 For managing stress and anxiety:

Breathe slowly and deeply — it really can help
Talk to someone you trust
Take time out: a walk, a hobby, or just 10 quiet minutes
Avoid alcohol or too much caffeine — both can make anxiety worse
Try free NHS resources like breathing exercises or guided relaxation

📲 Need more support?

You don’t have to go through it alone.
✅ NHS Talking Therapies are available locally — no referral needed.
Visit 👉 https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/burytalk or ask us for help.

📞 If you're struggling, please call the surgery or book a chat with one of our team.

We offer support and treatment if you're experiencing symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, low mood, stress, worry or anxiety, feelings of low self worth or panic attacks.

27/08/2025

We’ve all been there... When the night out doesn’t go exactly as planned and things get a bit out of hand...

But don’t worry.. We offer free emergency contraception sent straight to your door for free and in discreet packaging!

Simply head to our website, fill out a quick form and your test will be sent via Royal Mail special delivery.

Visit https://bit.ly/43VUDH4 for further advice and support about emergency contraception and to get your free delivery.

26/08/2025

🛡️ Why Vaccinating Your Baby or Preschool Child Is So Important 🛡️

At Knowsley Medical Centre, we’re here to help give your child the healthiest possible start in life — and vaccination is one of the most important ways to do that.
From just 8 weeks old, babies are offered a series of routine NHS childhood vaccinations that protect against serious illnesses such as:
✅ Measles
✅ Mumps
✅ Rubella
✅ Whooping cough
✅ Meningitis
✅ Polio
✅ Tetanus
✅ Diphtheria
✅ Hepatitis B

These diseases haven’t gone away — and when vaccination rates drop, they come back. Measles outbreaks, for example, are rising again in parts of the UK.

Why vaccinate your child?

🧒 To protect them from serious illness
👶 To protect babies who are too young to be vaccinated
🫶 To protect vulnerable family members and the wider community
🧠 To avoid long-term complications like brain damage, deafness, or developmental delays

Worried your child may have missed a vaccine?
Don’t worry — it’s never too late to catch up.

📅 Book a vaccination appointment today:
📞 Call us on 0161 764 1217 or use the NHS App.

Let’s protect our little ones — together.

26/08/2025

Stay Protected This Winter ❄️💉

Flu season is approaching! Protect yourself and your loved ones by booking your flu jab today for October.

✅ Available for eligible patients (Covid for over 75s as well)
✅ Quick and easy appointments
✅ Helps protect the most vulnerable

📞 Call 0161 764 1217 or use our online booking system to schedule your vaccination.

If unsure whether eligible, please give us a call and we will check this for you.

26/08/2025

🎒📚 Back to School Reminders from Knowsley Medical Centre 📚🎒

As the new school year approaches, now is the perfect time to check in on your child’s health. Here are some important reminders to help your family get school-ready:

💉 Immunisations
Is your child up to date with their routine vaccines?
✅ MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)
✅ 4-in-1 preschool booster
✅ HPV (for eligible children in secondary school)
✅ MenACWY & Tetanus boosters

📆 If you’re unsure or your child may have missed a dose, give us a call — we can check and book catch-up appointments.
😮‍💨 Asthma Care
If your child has asthma, it’s vital to have their care plan reviewed before school starts.
✔️ Is their inhaler in date?
✔️ Do they have a spare for school?
✔️ Is their asthma action plan up to date and shared with the school?

📞 Book an asthma review with our nurse today (please note not due if had from April-now) we’re here to help keep your child safe and well at school.
📲 Call us on 0161 764 1217 or use the NHS App to manage appointments.
Let’s make sure your little ones head back to school healthy, protected, and ready to learn! 🍎

22/08/2025

📢 Bank Holiday Closure Reminder – Monday 25th August 📢

Knowsley Medical Centre will be closed on Monday, 25th August, for the bank holiday.
If you need urgent medical advice during this time:
📞 Call NHS 111
NHS 111 is available 24/7 and can help if you have an urgent medical problem and aren’t sure what to do.
For children under 5, call 111 directly.
For ages 5 and over, you can also visit 👉 111.nhs.uk
🏥 For conditions that are urgent but not life-threatening, you can visit the Urgent Treatment Centre at Fairfield General Hospital.
🚨 In the case of serious accidents, chest pain, severe bleeding, or other emergencies, please go straight to your nearest Accident & Emergency department (A&E) or call 999.
🙏 Please be patient and kind to NHS staff working over the bank holiday — they are doing their best to care for everyone during a very busy time.
Knowsley will be closed on Monday, 25th August, for the bank holiday.. holiday weekend.
I appreciate your understanding, and we hope you have a safe and healthy bank holiday weekend.

21/08/2025

🛡️ Why You Should Vaccinate Your Child with the MMR Vaccine 🛡️

At KMC, we care deeply about protecting your child’s health — and one of the most effective ways to do that is through vaccination.
The MMR vaccine protects against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella — three highly contagious diseases that can cause serious health complications, including:
✔️ High fever
✔️ Painful swelling
✔️ Brain inflammation
✔️ Hearing loss
✔️ Pregnancy complications (if Rubella is caught during pregnancy)
The good news?
The MMR vaccine is safe, free on the NHS, and given in two doses.

🚫 Don’t Fall for MMR Vaccine Myths:
You may have seen misleading information online — but here are the facts:
🔹 Myth: The MMR vaccine causes autism
Truth: This claim has been completely discredited. The original study was found to be fraudulent and has been withdrawn. Extensive global research shows no link between MMR and autism.
🔹 Myth: Natural infection is better than vaccination
Truth: Getting measles, mumps, or rubella can cause serious, lifelong complications. The vaccine provides strong protection without the risks.
🔹 Myth: Too many vaccines at once overwhelm the immune system
Truth: A child’s immune system handles far more every day than what’s in a vaccine. The MMR vaccine is safe and has been used for over 30 years.

✅ No vaccine is 100% effective. Even vaccinated children can occasionally catch illnesses — but they're much less likely to suffer severe symptoms.
⛔ Unvaccinated children can spread disease. They can carry and transmit viruses like measles, putting vulnerable people at serious risk:
Babies that are too young to be vaccinated
Pregnant women
People with weakened immune systems (e.g. cancer patients)
Measles is NOT a mild illness. It can lead to:
Brain swelling
Pneumonia
Deafness
Even death

📌 Why vaccinate?
To keep your child safe
To protect vulnerable people in the community
To stop outbreaks before they start

We’ve recently seen a rise in measles cases across the UK, which makes timely vaccination more important than ever.

📅 If your child has missed a dose and is a patient here , it’s never too late to catch up.
📞 Call us at 0161 764 1217 or book online through the NHS App.

Protect your child. Protect others. Vaccinate.
Let’s keep our community safe — one vaccine at a time.