Pendleside Medical Practice

21/01/2026

🔔 Contraception Guideline Update

National guidance for some types of contraception has recently changed.

💉Depo Provera

Not advised if you have 2 or more of the following:
smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol.

💊Combined contraception (pill / patch / ring)

Not advised if a close family member (parent, sibling or child) has ever had a blood clot in the leg or lung.

🔹 This will be reviewed at your next routine annual contraception review.
🔹 If you feel you are overdue an annual contraception review or feel you may have a family history as mentioned above, please book an appointment to discuss your contraception with a GP or ANP.
🔹 Do not stop your contraception without medical advice.

13/01/2026

🩷Don't put it off - Book your smear today! 🩷

Cervical screening (smear) is a test to check the health of the cervix and help prevent cervical cancer. All women aged 25 - 64 are invited for cervical screen every five years.

🩷What happens at your cervical screening appointment?
Cervical screening involves taking a small sample of cells from your cervix for testing. This test is carried out by a member of our nursing team. The Nurse will put a smooth tube-shaped speculum into your va**na and open your cervix. Using a soft brush, they will take a small sample of cells from your cervix. Once the sample has been taken the nurse will close and remove the speculum and leave you to get dressed.

Whilst we understand some women may feel anxious about having their cervical screening, please note that our nursing team have undergone extensive training and are equipped to support you through your appointment.

🩷After your test
Your cervical screening results are usually sent to you in the NHS App or by letter. Sometimes you may be asked to call your GP to get the results.

07/01/2026

07/01/2026

💉 MMRV is now part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme, replacing the MMR vaccine.

🛡️ It protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

🤒 Chickenpox is very common and can sometimes lead to serious complications, so vaccination helps reduce the risk of serious illness as children grow.

📞 You don’t need to do anything — your GP will be in touch when your child is due. 💙👶

For further information, we ask that all parent and guardians read the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mmrv-vaccination

25/12/2025

From laughter shared to care each day,
Our Pendleside team is proud to say —
Thank you to our patients, near and far,
You’re a special part of who we are.

Merry Christmas from Team PMP! ❤️🥰

17/12/2025

🧪 Free NHS Virology Home Self-Swab Kits 🧪

Our practice is supporting a national NHS virology surveillance programme. Eligible patients with symptoms of a respiratory infection (such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose or fever) can request a free home self-swab kit — no appointment needed.

✅ Quick and easy to do at home
✅ Helps monitor and protect public health
✅ Kits are posted directly to you

👉 Request your kit here: https://takeatestuk.com/

When prompted, please enter:
• Voucher code: P81069
• Your NHS number

The online system will automatically check your eligibility and let you know if you can take part.

For more information and short “how-to” videos, visit:
👉 https://takeatestuk.com/phe-home/

Thank you for helping support NHS surveillance and research 💙

12/12/2025

Important Notice - We are currently experiencing a major internet outage affecting GP surgeries across Lancashire.

We are still open but please be aware there may be delays. For urgent issues, our reception team will assist as best as they can. Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.

12/12/2025

IMPORTANT NOTICE - We’re currently experiencing an internet outage affecting GP surgeries across Lancashire. This means we have limited access to clinical systems.

We are still open, but please be aware that there may be delays.

For urgent issues, our team will assist you as best as we can.

Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this.

06/12/2025

A festive highlight in clinic this week: Santa attended his appointment with Sr Alison Hargreaves.
After a thorough assessment, we can confirm he’s well, cheerful, and fully cleared for Christmas duties 🎄

25/11/2025

🧠🔍 What Does the Herbert Protocol Form Do?

The Herbert Protocol is a simple but life-saving tool designed to help find vulnerable people — especially those living with dementia or memory loss — if they ever go missing.

📄 What the form does:

Stores important information in advance (photo, medical needs, routines, favourite places).

Helps police act faster by giving them everything they need right away.

Points officers toward the places the person is most likely to go.

Reduces stress for families during an emergency.

Improves the chance of a safe, quick return.

You can keep the form safely at home or in a care setting, or stored digitally online, making it easy to share with police if needed.

It’s simple, free, and can make a vital difference. 💙

If you care for someone who may be at risk of going missing, completing a Herbert Protocol form is a powerful step in keeping them safe.

For more information:
https://herbertprotocol.com/frequently-asked-questions/
https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/living-with-dementia/herbert-protocol/
https://www.lancashire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/missing-person/missing-persons/vulnerable-people-at-risk-of-going-missing/dementia-missing-risk-herbert-protocol/