McKenzie Group Practice

20/05/2026

Skin cancer can affect anyone—no matter your age or skin tone. Checking your skin regularly and protecting it from the sun can make a real difference. If you notice anything new, changing, or unusual, don’t delay—get it checked.

20/05/2026

Know what to expect at your breast screening – drop-in and find out

University Hospitals Tees is hosting two special drop-in sessions for women to visit the breast screening unit and learn more about the care and advice on offer.

The drop-ins take place on Tuesday 16 June at:

• 9.30am to 12pm at the One Life Medical Centre, Linthorpe Road Middlesbrough

• 1pm to 4pm, at the breast care unit at University Hospital of Hartlepool

Senior radiographer Helen Clyde, said: “We know some women can be nervous about attending their routine breast screening appointments but, it’s a simple process and most scans thankfully come back as all-clear. It is really important that women come for screening.

“The drop-in sessions are a chance to meet our team and tour the unit to find out more about the screening process and what to expect.

“Guests can ask any questions they want – we’re here to help explain and encourage more women to attend their screening appointments.”

The event is open to everyone, but the team particularly welcomes first time attendees, and those with disabilities or special needs, as part of its ongoing commitment to making breast screening more accessible and inclusive.

No scans will take place at the drop-in sessions – scans are by appointment for eligible women only.

Breast screening aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage, often before any symptoms are noticeable, so it’s really important that you come for screening when you’re invited.

Detecting cancer early gives the best possible chance of successful treatment and can significantly improve outcomes. Attending screening when invited is one of the most effective ways to protect long term breast health.

Helen commented: “Unfortunately we do get a number of missed appointments. That’s why we offer these open days – so women are relaxed and familiar with the process.

“Please do not ignore the breast screening invite when it arrives. If the appointment is not suitable, please get in touch and we will change it for you to help make sure you get your regular mammogram.”

As well as regular scans, women are advised to check their breasts and to immediately contact their GP if they notice any of the following changes, even if they recently had a mammogram:
• A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
• A change in the size, shape or feel of the breast
• Skin changes such as puckering, dimpling or redness
• Any changes to the ni**le (such as inversion, discharge, or rash)
• Persistent discomfort or pain in one breast that is unusual for them

For more information on being breast aware, please visit:
https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/awareness/signs-and-symptoms-of-breast-cancer

For more information on these events or breast screening appointments, please contact the breast screening team on 01642 383443 or email: nth-tr.breastscreening@nhs.net

19/05/2026

A healthy mouth helps you achieve better physical health and mental wellbeing, with your diet playing a crucial role in your oral health. Get some advice from here 👉bit.ly/3ErLcaN

18/05/2026

You might notice blood in your p*e just once, or many times. It could be a tiny spot, a few streaks, or it might change the colour of your p*e completely. However it appears, it isn’t normal and should always be checked by your GP.
Read more 👉 bit.ly/3u4QsZO

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

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

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!

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! 💙 See less

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