The Parish Fields Practice

13/09/2025

🩸 Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to infection. Act fast if you notice:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain
• Passing little or no urine
• Severe breathlessness
• Skin mottled, bluish, or very pale

These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Learn more:
https://ow.ly/gpXS50WVGrz
https://ow.ly/8Vxb50WVGry

Slurred speech or confusion, extreme shivering or muscle pain, passing no urine (in a day), severe breathlessness or sleepiness, and more.

10/09/2025

Just to clarify in respect of our post earlier this week regarding the new appointment request system which we will be adopting from Monday 15th September.
Whilst patients will be able submit requests for appointments/medial advice at our Reception window between 8.30am and 6.30pm on weekdays (excluding Bank Holiday) ALL such requests will be forwarded to our clinical triage team.
Our Reception team will NOT be booking directly into GP appointment diaries.
This is in order that all requests, whether received face to face, online, or at the telephone are all assessed and prioritised on a clinical need basis by our Triage Team.

10/09/2025

🕯 World Su***de Prevention Day – 10 September
Thoughts of self‑harm or su***de can be deeply distressing—and often, people don’t reach out for help. You are not alone and help is available.

This resource offers vital information and guidance:
https://ow.ly/Rz4f50WTO8P

UK Helplines — available to you now:

• Samaritans (24/7, free & confidential): Call 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): For anyone in crisis, call 0800 58 58 58 (5 pm–midnight daily)
• National Su***de Prevention Helpline UK: Call 0800 689 5652 (6 pm–midnight daily)
• Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under‑35s or concerned loved ones): 0800 068 4141 (24/7), or text 07786 209 697
• Shout (24/7 text support): Text SHOUT to 85258

You do not need to face these feelings alone—support is available, free, and just a call or text away.

09/09/2025

**IMPORTANT CHANGES TO OUR APPOINTMENT REQUEST SYSTEM - PARISH FIELDS PRACTICE **

With effect from Monday 15th September 2025 we are making significant changes to the way our patients can contact Parish Fields to request appointments and medical advice.

This is in order to give our patients more choice on the way that they contact the Practice, based on what is best for them. It also aligns with the UK government's aim of removing the "8am rush for GP appointments" .

*When and how can you contact Parish Fields with effect from Monday 15th September 2025?

(i) By using our online request form from our website https://parishfields.co.uk/ from 8.00 am until 6.30pm Monday to Friday EXCLUDING Bank Holidays

(ii) By telephoning the Practice on 01379 642023 from 8.00am until 6.30pm Monday to Friday EXCLUDING Bank Holidays.
We utilise an automated telephone system between 8.00 and 8.30am on these days. Our automated telephone system will remain an option for patients to use from 8.30am to 6.30pm. Our telephone system also has a call back facility which retains the callers place in the telephone queue.

(iii) By visiting the Practice between 8.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday EXCLUDING Bank Holidays.

*What if the Practice is Closed ?

If you need urgent help for your physical or mental health when the Practice is closed, please go online to 111.nhs.uk (https://111.nhs.uk), or telephone 111. They will tell you what to do next.

*What if it's an emergency ?

If it is a serious or life threatening emergency at any time, go straight to A&E (Accident and Emergency) or telephone 999 and ask for the ambulance service

*What happens when you contact Parish Fields to request an appointments? (PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY BECAUSE THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM OUR PREVIOUS SYSTEM)

Whether you make you request online, by telephone, or by visiting the Practice you will be asked to give the Practice some details so that our Clinical Triage Team can assess what is best for you based upon clinical need (as opposed to a "first come, first served" basis).

The Clinical Triage Team will consider your request for an appointment or medical advice and tell you WITHIN ONE WORKING DAY what will happen next.

This could be:

An appointment that day OR a subsequent day
A telephone call that day OR a subsequent day
A text message responding to your query
Advice to go to a pharmacy or another NHS service

We hope that our patients find these changes beneficial.

We would be most grateful for your patience and understanding whilst our Practice team implement and adapt to this major change.

Parish Fields Practice

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08/09/2025

⚕️ High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer,” usually has no obvious symptoms — yet it is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

📊 Regularly checking your blood pressure is one of the most important steps you can take for your long-term health. Small lifestyle changes such as improving your diet, increasing activity, and reducing salt can make a significant difference.

📽 Watch this evidence-based video to learn practical strategies to reduce blood pressure: https://ow.ly/awCA50WQqRH

ℹ️ Find more resources and advice here: https://ow.ly/9iAH50WQqRJ

1.5 million1.5 million people have had a free blood pressure check during our annual Know Your Numbers! Week, the UK’s biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.

05/09/2025

🤒 Is My Child Too Ill for School?

Sniffles or something more serious? It’s not always easy to tell when your child should stay home or head to class.

The NHS has clear guidance to help you decide – and to protect other children from spreading illness.

📌 Check the advice here:https://patient.info/news-and-features/when-is-your-child-too-sick-to-go-to-school?utm_source=MSMS

Let’s keep everyone healthy this term!

Deciding when to keep your child away from school is tricky. Here's what the experts say about when a kid is too ill for school.

04/09/2025

BLOOD PRESSURE AWARENESS MONTH AT PARISH FIELDS -SEPTEMBER 2025

This month we are encouraging our patients to check their blood pressure.

Around 1 in 4 adults in the UK have high blood pressure, but many don’t know it.
High blood pressure can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

KNOWING WHAT YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE NUMBERS MEAN COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

We have a standing up blood pressure machine located on the left after the main doors to the Practice. In addition we now we have 2 blood pressure machines located on a table to the left of our Reception desk for for patients to use when they visit the Practice. We also have a sitting down blood pressure monitor at the end of the corridor accessed by turning left after passing our Reception desk.
Please use this opportunity to check your blood pressure. It only takes a few minutes and could save your life.
Please complete the recording forms provided and hand to our Receptionist.
If you need any assistance with this please do not hesitate to ask one of our staff.

04/09/2025

🌍 World Sexual Health Day – 4 September 2025
This year’s theme, "Sexual Justice: What Can We Do?", reminds us that access to accurate and inclusive sexual health care is a basic right for all. Learn more:
🔗 https://worldsexualhealthday.org/world-sexual-health-day-2025/

💊 Curious about the combined contraceptive pill? It’s one of the most reliable forms of contraception. Find out how it works, who can use it, and the benefits here:
🔗 https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/combined-pill/

🌐 Looking for trustworthy sexual health information, from contraception to STIs and relationships?
Explore resources at Patient.info:
🔗 https://patient.info/sexual-health?utm_source=MSMS

03/09/2025

Did you know you can view messages about your care in the NHS App?

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to receive messages from your trusted health care providers.

Turn on notifications for the NHS App to stay up to date.

Find out more: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

31/08/2025

🕯️ International Overdose Awareness Day – 31 August

Today we remember the lives lost to overdose and stand with families, friends, and communities affected around the world.

Overdose can affect anyone – from any background, at any age. Let’s work together to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and take action.

🟣 Learn more and get involved:
https://www.overdoseday.com/

💜 We remember. We act.

29/08/2025

🤰 Just found out you’re expecting? Start your pregnancy care today! You can now refer yourself directly to NHS maternity services using a simple online form—no GP appointment required. If you're over 10 weeks, it's still absolutely okay to apply.

A midwife will contact you to set up your first appointment (ideally by 10 weeks, but sooner is always better).

Find your nearest service and get started here:

Pregnancy care (also called antenatal care) is the care you have while you're pregnant to help keep you and your baby as healthy as possible.You do not usually need to see a GP. If you're registered with a GP, they'll be told about your pregnancy after your first midwife appointment. Information: If...

27/08/2025

☀️ Prickly heat got you feeling uncomfortable?
Heat rash can cause small, itchy red spots—often in skin folds or under clothing.

💡 Top tips to prevent & soothe:
👕 Wear loose, light clothes
❄️ Stay cool & dry
🚿 Take cool showers
💧 Drink plenty of fluids

Keep safe in the heat & look after your skin.
More info from the NHS 👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-rash-prickly-heat/

Find out about heat rash, also called prickly heat or miliaria rubra, which is an itchy rash of small, raised spots and a stinging or prickling sensation on the skin.