Madeley Practice

20/12/2025

19/12/2025

🤧🦠 Cold or flu - knowing the difference might not seem urgent, but it can help you act right. A cold often develops slowly and stays mostly around your nose and throat, while the flu tends to hit fast, affects your whole body and leaves you feeling really unwell.

👉 Check what to expect and when to seek help:
https://patient.info/features/infections/difference-between-cold-and-flu
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold/

Rest well, keep hydrated and if things feel worse than “just a cold”, don’t hesitate to seek advice.

17/12/2025

💊✨ Did you know your local pharmacy can do far more than just hand out prescriptions? Under the Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can now help with a range of common conditions — often without needing a GP appointment! 🙌

💬 They can offer advice, treatments and even prescribe for minor illnesses. So next time you’re under the weather, head to your local pharmacy first.

Find out more here:
👉 https://patient.info/features/general-health/pharmacy-first-getting-the-most-from-your-pharmacist
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/

Pharmacists are healthcare experts right on your doorstep. 🌟

15/12/2025

Resident Doctors’ Strike Action – Important Information for Patients and the Public

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced strike action by resident doctors, which will take place from 7am on Wednesday 17 December until 7am on Monday 22 December 2025.

The NHS acknowledges that industrial action comes at a real cost to patients and the wider workforce. This latest round of strikes coincides with the busiest winter period, as flu cases rise and our hospitals experience significant pressure.

During the strike period, all other NHS staff, including consultants and other specialist doctors will continue to work, with a focus on maintaining as many services as possible safely. Nationally, the NHS is working closely with the BMA to address any patient safety concerns, ensuring emergency care remains available.

While every effort is being made to minimize disruption, some appointments and procedures at Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford may need to be postponed. Patients who have not been contacted should attend their appointments as planned, and those whose appointments need to be rescheduled will be contacted directly.

It remains crucial that patients seek urgent medical care as normal, especially for emergency or life-threatening situations. UHNM staff will prioritise life-saving care during the strikes, which may mean longer waits for less urgent cases. Patients are encouraged to use NHS 111 online for non-urgent care and only call 999 for serious emergencies.

Dr Di Adamson, UHNM Chief Medical Officer, said:

"We understand that industrial action can be concerning for patients. Our priority remains patient safety, and we are working hard to ensure essential services continue to operate safely. We ask patients to seek care when it is urgent and to help us ensure our teams can focus on those who need life-saving treatment the most. I would encourage the public to look after themselves, loved ones and check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours during this period and thank you to patients and the public for their understanding and continued support during this period.”

15/12/2025

❗️IMPORTANT❗️

NHS Digital Pilot from December 2025 - February 2026:

You may receive a notification from your NHS App, Email, SMS or Letter asking you to confirm your home address.

This is a legitimate notification from NHS England. Please try your best to follow the digital route to confirm your address. If you are unable to do this digitally, please contact them on 0300 311 22 33.

If your address hasn't changed, please continue to follow the steps provided from NHS England or call the above number to advise them that your address has not changed.

Thank you.

15/12/2025

The festive season is a time for fun, family and celebrations - but it’s also easy for drinking habits to creep up. Being mindful can make all the difference to your health and safety.

🎄 Here’s how to keep things balanced:
👉 Tips for drinking sensibly this festive season: https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/how-to-drink-sensibly-over-the-festive-season
🚗 Check if alcohol or medication could affect your ability to drive safely: https://patient.info/doctor/primary-care/fitness-to-drive
💬 Need advice or support? The NHS has great resources: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/

Enjoy the celebrations — just do it safely and stay in control.

14/12/2025

The Geminids return this December, bringing their trademark burst of colorful, fast-moving meteors—but their real intrigue lies in the object behind them. Instead of a comet, the shower is powered by debris from 3200 Phaethon, an asteroid that grows a gaseous tail astronomers say shouldn’t exist.

Peaking from the night of December 13 to the morning of December 15, this shower is one of the sky’s most spectacular shows. To find out how to view it at its best, head to: https://on.natgeo.com/4iVZKzl

13/12/2025

Some people choose not to drink alcohol, and no matter the reason, their choice deserves respect 🫶

Don't pressure others into drinking or question their decision this festive season.

Be kind and respect boundaries ❤️

12/12/2025

As winter approaches, it’s more important than ever to take action to avoid slips and falls — especially for older adults. 👣❄️

Knowing the risks and making small changes can make a big difference. Check out these helpful guides:
👉 https://patient.info/signs-symptoms/dizziness/prevention-of-falls-in-the-elderly
👉 https://patient.info/features/general-health/step-to-take-this-winter-to-avoid-falls
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/falls/

From improving lighting and removing trip hazards to building strength & balance, it’s all about staying steady and safe. Let’s keep moving with confidence this season. 💪🧤

10/12/2025

🧬💊 Keeping on top of your medicine cabinet and daily medications is more important than you might realise. From having the right medicines at home to organising your routine and checking expiry dates — it all matters.

Check these helpful guides:
👉 https://patient.info/treatment-medication/medicines-to-keep-at-home
👉 https://patient.info/features/treatment-medication/when-did-you-last-check-your-medicine-cabinet
👉 https://patient.info/features/treatment-medication/how-to-manage-your-medications-at-home

Staying organised means you’re ready, safer and more in control of your health. ✅

09/12/2025

Prescription answerphone
Our phone provider has been working to try and solve the problem of cutting patents off.
This had improved but seems to have been worse again over the last few days so we have raised it again.
We think there may have been a problem over night (the night of Monday 8th - Tuesday the 9th December) as there were no messages this morning, if you think you left a prescription request on the answerphone last night please could you double check with reception if this has gone through.