Carlisle Healthcare

19/11/2025

Learn more about the process of Triage in this short clip…

18/11/2025

📱 info on the NHS app…

Yes, we’re feeling nostalgic today (remember developing photos? No?... Just me? 😅). And while we’re still waiting on hoverboards, the tiny computer in your pocket is basically Star Trek-level tech…

✨ Which brings us to the NHS App.
Just a quick reminder — not a debate...

💬 We’re not touching the whole Digital ID hot potato.
💬 And yes, some of us still avoid self-service tills wherever possible.
💬 This post is literally just about the NHS App and its features.

But honestly - use whatever works best for you... You don’t have to use it - traditional methods are absolutely still there if you prefer🙌

But if you have everything else on an app and want another way to manage parts of your healthcare, it can help:

📩 Get reminders & messages
📆 Manage appointments (where available)
💊 Order repeat prescriptions
📍 Find NHS services
📖 View your GP health record

It’s free, available 24/7, and there’s even a website version if apps aren’t your thing. 💙💚

We've left a handy guide in the comments.

Right, I’m off to stick Footloose in my Walkman and dance on the outskirts of town…🕺💃

17/11/2025

149 missed appointments. One month. One practice.
Here’s why it matters — and how a tiny action can help another patient.

Aspatria Medical Group recently reported 149 missed appointments in just one month — that’s 149 clinical slots where staff were ready, but the patient didn’t attend and didn’t let the practice know.

This isn’t just happening in one area. It’s something practices across the whole county are dealing with, so we wanted to take a moment to highlight the issue and gently remind everyone:
👉 If you can’t make your appointment, please let your practice know as soon as possible.

We all regularly see comments on social media saying “I can never get an appointment!” (usually with a mix of laughing, angry or frustrated emojis). And we understand — accessing care can feel difficult at times...

But local practice teams are working incredibly hard to offer timely, appropriate appointments in the face of rising demand. More of us are living longer with more complex health needs, which means capacity can sometimes be challenging.

Here’s the important bit:
💙 Cancelling an appointment you can’t attend directly helps another patient get seen sooner. It frees up a slot for someone who genuinely needs it.

Later on in the week we’ll also be re-highlighting more about how modern triage helps ensure patients are directed to the right care, first time — from GPs to nurses, physios, mental health teams, pharmacists and more.

But for now, this small action from patients can make a big difference in reducing avoidable pressure on practices.

💚 Thanks to everyone who does cancel when they can no longer attend — it really does help.

Wishing everyone a good week ahead.

13/11/2025

⚠️🌧️ Stay safe out there - After a night of heavy rain across - there are instances of flooding and surface water on many roads out there.

As advised by Cumbria Police if you are traveling today, please do so with caution and listen to travel updates. Do not drive through flood water if coming across flooding – take an alternative route. Stay tuned to your local channels for updates.

🌧️ If it is not safe for you to travel to health or care appointments today, please contact your provider to let them know so they can advise accordingly — your safety comes first.

🌧️ With the adverse weather conditions, some practices may also experience staff travel difficulties today. You may wish to keep an eye on your local practice’s channels for any updates on their services, related to staff and appointments.

For updates on road closures visit 👀:
Cumberland Council / Westmorland and Furness Council

Find out more about the multi-agency response at:
https://www.news.cumbria.police.uk/news/multi-agency-response-continues-to-deal-with-effects-of-surface-water-flooding-in-cumbria

If you are experiencing any weather related issues please see a list of agency contacts at: https://www.cumbria.police.uk/police-forces/cumbria-constabulary/areas/campaigns/campaigns/weather-safety/

& Check for flood warnings and alerts at:
https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding
https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/alerts-and-warnings

💙💚🌧️

13/11/2025

UPDATE: The M6 is open on the northbound carriageway between junctions 41 and 42.

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UPDATE: 7.15am - Further issues with surface water flooding are being reported on numerous roads this morning.

Areas affected as well as those stated earlier include: Carleton village, near Penrith; Etterby Road, Carlisle; the Aspatria area; the A596 at Waverton; Victory Terrace, Maryport; the A594 Maryport to Dearham road; Isle Road, Cockermouth; the A66 Cockermouth bypass; Castle Gardens, Workington; the A6 at Plumpton; Stainburn and Harrington, near Workington; the A595 at Meadow Road, Whitehaven.

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5:50am alert:

Cumbria is currently experiencing problems with surface water flooding across many roads this morning following overnight heavy rain.

Among the main issues are:

- A closure on the northbound carriageway of the M6 between junctions 41 and 42

- A blockage of the A595 at the Greenhill Hotel at Red Dial.

If you are traveling this morning, do so with caution and listen to travel updates.

Do not drive through flood water if coming across flooding – take an alternative route.

If you are experiencing any weather related issues please see a list of our partner agencies contact details here: https://www.cumbria.police.uk/police-forces/cumbria-constabulary/areas/campaigns/campaigns/weather-safety/

Check for flood warnings and alerts at: https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding

12/11/2025

🤧 Coughs, Colds & Winter Wellness ❄️
It’s that time of year when coughs, sore throats and colds are on the rise — and flu is starting to make an appearance.

For most coughs and colds, there’s no need to see a GP. Keep your medicine cabinet stocked with the basics — like paracetamol or ibuprofen, throat lozenges, decongestants and a thermometer.

(Our friend Gizmo seems to have a good supply — though he reminds us that other brands are, of course, available! 💊🧺)

✅ Always follow the instructions carefully, stay hydrated, and rest where you can — we know that’s easier said than done!

🩺 Flu symptoms can include:
🌡 A sudden high temperature
🤕 Aches, tiredness or headache
😷 Dry cough or sore throat
🤢 Loss of appetite or nausea
Most people recover within a week with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicines. If your symptoms get worse or you’re worried — especially for children, those over 65, or anyone with a long-term condition — contact NHS 111 for advice.

💉 For flu vaccination clinics, check with your local GP surgery or pharmacy for details.

Over the next few weeks, health and care organisations across Cumbria will be sharing more winter wellness tips as usual, to try and help everyone stay as well as possible this season. 💙💚

11/11/2025

Do you live in and have ?
For 2026 - Friendly support groups are available through Cumbria Deaf and Hearing Loss Services and BID Services

Carlisle:
🗓 2nd Wednesday of every month
📍 Cave Room, St James Church Parish Centre, St James Road, CA2 5DP
⏰ 10:30am – 11:30am

For more info:
📧 cumbria@bid.org.uk
📞 01768 868510
📲 07745 540182

11/11/2025

Episode 11 of The 20 Minute Clinic is here! 🎧 💊 🎙️

This week, we’re talking about medicines safety and optimisation with Helena Gregory, Strategic Head of Medicines Optimisation for North Cumbria and Medicines Safety Lead at North East and North Cumbria NHS

Join Dr Robert Westgate and Helena as they discuss:
- The role and impact of medicines optimisation
- Patient choice in treatments
- Career pathways in pharmacy
- Medicines safety initiatives in the North East and North Cumbria Medicines Strategy
- Approaches to palliative care
- How personalised care shapes better outcomes for patients

All links to the podcast and resources mentioned in the episode are in the comments below.

It's a podcast primarily for health and care staff - but patients may also find it really useful to learn more about medicines optimisation and other topics discussed. 💚💙

09/11/2025

🌺

🌺 Remembrance Sunday - Today we pause to remember the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of all those who served and gave their lives in times of war and conflict.

We honour not only those who fell, but also those who returned—forever changed—so that we might live in peace.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
— Laurence Binyon, 1914

We remember. We give thanks. We promise never to forget.

🌺 💚💙

07/11/2025

Find out more about the Yellow Care scheme mentioned at:
https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

05/11/2025

There are many many things that frustrate us and potentially make us angry...

- Bad weather and politics.
- Waiting and delays.
- Being behind someone driving slower than you want to drive.
- Being in front of someone who’s practically on your bumper when you are driving the speed limit.
- Endless advert breaks on online videos now (“Skip ad”), including everyone promoting things within the videos themselves too... “today’s video is brought to you by Dr Drake Ramoray.”
- & perceived patronising posts on social media that talk about what makes us frustrated and angry. 🤔

Anyway, the point we’re making is that sometimes all this can understandably build up - and occasionally, that frustration ends up being taken out on the people who are just trying to help.

It really saddens us that in recent weeks, some GP practices have reported incidents where members of staff - particularly reception teams - have experienced abuse and threatening behaviour from patients. This behaviour is unacceptable, and practices will respond accordingly to protect their teams. In serious cases, practices have the right to remove patients from their list if they are violent or abusive.

We completely understand that everyone can feel anger or frustration at times - healthcare can be especially stressful for both patients and staff. But at the end of the day, we’re all human.

And yes, this should absolutely work both ways. Healthcare staff should treat patients fairly, kindly, and respectfully too. If you have concerns about your care, there are formal complaints routes to raise them safely and effectively - abusive behaviour is never the right route.

This message doesn’t just apply to GP practices - it includes all wider healthcare teams: dentists, opticians, pharmacists, hospital staff, community services, and everyone working hard to support patients across our area.

Maybe technology and outside factors have changed our patience, concentration, and expectations, but unfortunately not everything can be instant. Healthcare teams are working hard to provide the best care possible in a system under huge pressure.

So, in a world where so many things seem to be sadly increasing in cost, remember - kindness is still free to share. 💚💙

03/11/2025