Gladstone House Surgery

14/05/2026

📢 A message from our team

We've noticed that our phone lines have been busier than usual recently, with longer call times and increased wait times for patients trying to get through.

To give you an idea of how busy things are, last month alone our team handled an average of 798 calls and 435 eConsults each working day. That's over 1,200 patient contacts per day.

We think one of the reasons calls are taking longer is when patients call us to request an appointment, our admin team are often filling in an eConsult form on their behalf during that call. Whilst we are always happy to help, this does make each call longer and means other patients are waiting longer to get through.

If you are able to, we'd kindly encourage you to submit an eConsult yourself. This helps our team manage demand more fairly and means we can give everyone the time and attention they need.

✅ It only takes a few minutes
✅ You don't need to wait on hold
✅ It helps us respond to everyone more quickly

You can access eConsult via our website.

We know that eConsult isn't right for everyone, and our phone lines are always open. If you are unable to use eConsult for any reason, please do not hesitate to call us, we are always here to help.
Thank you so much for your continued patience and support

13/05/2026

A healthy mouth means a healthy body, reducing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and certain cancers. Now is the perfect time to reassess your oral health. Read more 👉bit.ly/3osTKFU

12/05/2026

Blood in your p*e is the most common sign of bladder cancer. If you notice something that doesn’t feel right, even once, get it checked by your GP. It may turn out to be nothing, but it’s worth making sure. Early diagnosis can make a real difference.
For more information visit 👉 bit.ly/3u4QsZO

11/05/2026

Be smart about skin cancer and enjoy the sun safely this summer. If you have had more than 5 sunburns, you have doubled your risk of melanoma skin cancer. Don’t take that risk!

11/05/2026

It's important that we all do what we can to protect our mental health, particularly if you have a cancer diagnosis to deal with too. Even the smallest of actions can help. Get help and support from 👉 bit.ly/4tyluFM

08/05/2026

The symptoms of ovarian cancer vary from person to person and can be similar to other problems, such as IBS. That’s why it’s important to recognise what is or isn’t normal for you and see your GP if you have any concerns. Find out more from 👉 rebrand.ly/ovariancan

08/05/2026

📱 NHS App

If you’re new to the app or need a bit of guidance, there’s plenty of help available:

▶️ Step-by-step walk-through videos to show you exactly how to use it - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnhASgDToTkuPtdsIVQStTmgo4Bij5T4k

▶️ NHS App help pages with more useful tips and information
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/help/

We encourage all our patients to explore the app and make the most of these helpful features! 💙

Find out how to use the NHS App and get help with problems.

07/05/2026

💬 April Friends & Family Feedback - Thank you!
We received 8️⃣7️⃣7️⃣ responses in April.
72.3% of feedback rated their overall experience Very Good
18.4% of feedback rated their overall experience Good
3.4% of feedback rated their overall experience Neither Good nor Poor
3.2% of feedback rated their overall experience Poor
2.3% of feedback rated their overall experience Very Poor
0.4% of feedback rated their overall experience Don't Know

Here’s some of the positive feedback we received:
⭐ “Receptionist very friendly and the doctor was amazing.”
⭐ “Seen quickly and my issues were listened to and acted upon.”
⭐ “Very considerate of a patient wellbeing.”
⭐ “Easy getting an appointment.”
⭐ “Staff very helpful and friendly.”

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share feedback regarding your experience.

05/05/2026

We are currently experiencing extremely high volumes of calls.

If you require a GP or Nurse Practitioner appointment, or need to arrange a medication review, you can submit an eConsult online via the surgery website.

You do not need to phone and wait in the queue, using eConsult is quicker and helps us direct your request to the most appropriate clinician.

You may also be able to receive advice and treatment directly from your local pharmacy through the Pharmacy First scheme, without needing a GP appointment.

Pharmacies can assess and treat the following conditions:

* Sinusitis (age 12+)
* Sore throat (age 5+)
* Earache (age 1–17)
* Infected insect bites (age 1+)
* Impetigo (age 1+)
* Shingles (age 18+)
* Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (age 16–64)

Thank you for your understanding and support.

30/04/2026

Patient Notice⚠️
Unfortunately, we are experiencing staff shortages today, which may mean longer waiting times when you contact the practice.
We are sorry for any delays experienced. Thank you for your understanding.

28/04/2026

URGENT UPDATE – COVID VACCINATION CLINIC
We have now run out of COVID vaccine stock and are unable to continue vaccinating today at our walk-in clinic at Victoria Road, Hartlepool.
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.