Torkard Hill Medical Centre

27/01/2026

🚗 A gentle reminder to all patients and visitors 🚗

Please take extra care when driving and parking around the practice. The side road off Farleys Lane is very narrow at the best of times and is often congested with parked cars, which can significantly limit visibility.

We kindly ask everyone to drive slowly and with caution to help keep pedestrians, drivers, and nearby residents safe, and to avoid any accidents.

Thank you for your cooperation and consideration 😊

27/01/2026

Breast Pain

Breast pain is a common symptoms. The good news is that breast pain alone is generally not a of breast cancer (this is a common worry our patients have!)

Find out more about breast pain at:

Find out about breast pain and what can cause it. It's usually linked to periods but can also be caused by injury, infection and taking certain medicines.

27/01/2026

26/01/2026

🩺 Myths You May Have Heard!

MYTH: GPs control how the NHS spends its money.

TRUTH: GPs have no say in how the NHS is run, funded, or which services are commissioned (or lost).

NHS services are managed by NHS England and local bodies like NHS Nottingham & Nottinghamshire. GPs have not had a formal role in these decisions for several years.

In fact, in 2024, the Secretary of State confirmed "GPs are not formally part of the NHS."

It's time to set the record straight. ✔️

26/01/2026

Today NHS has announced that it will lower the threshold at which home-screening kits for bowel cancer will trigger a referral for further testing 📢

From next month, the level at which a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in England will lead to further investigations will lower from 120 micrograms of blood per gram of poo (µg/g) down to 80 µg/g. The NHS will now roll out the lower threshold carefully across England, with national coverage set to be completed by 2028.

The NHS estimates that this change will lead to 35% more screening colonoscopies each year in England to help diagnose, rule out or even prevent bowel cancer.

Read more about this exciting announcement: https://bit.ly/3Ztr5zL

26/01/2026

🦠 Busting Myths About Infections & Antibiotics 💊❌

Not every infection is caused by bacteria.

👉 The truth:

✅ Most infections are caused by viruses, not bacteria
✅ Antibiotics do NOT work against viruses
✅ Many common infections — including sore throats and ear infections — often get better on their own, especially when symptoms are mild; your body’s immune system is usually enough to fight these infections

⚠️ Why we don’t always prescribe antibiotics:

▶ Using antibiotics when they’re not needed can lead to antibiotic resistance
▶ Resistance makes future infections harder to treat
▶ Unnecessary antibiotics can also cause side effects and long-term complications

Antibiotics are important medicines - but they should be used only when appropriate and when the benefits outweigh the risks.

Dr Prakash Kachhala
GP

26/01/2026

📄 Fit (Sick) Notes

Please be aware that we do not issue fit notes for care provided by other services.

If you have been assessed or treated by another healthcare provider (e.g. hospital, specialist, or private service), they are responsible for issuing your fit note.

The fit note should cover the full expected period you are unable to work and should not be limited to 1–2 weeks if a longer recovery is anticipated (for example, following major surgery).

Thank you for your understanding.

25/01/2026

Anxiety & Depression – Treatment Options and Support

If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or low mood, you’re not alone.

Help is available 💙

There is no “one size fits all” treatment, but there are effective options.

🔹 Lifestyle and self-care
Small changes can make a real difference, including:
• Regular sleep
• Gentle physical activity
• Reducing alcohol
• Reducing social media and "screen time"
• Stress management
• Staying socially connected

🔹 Talking therapies
These can help you understand and manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, such as:
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Counselling
• Other psychological therapies
These treatments are evidence-based and often very effective.

🔹 Medication
For some people, antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication can help reduce symptoms and support recovery, especially when combined with talking therapy.

👉 Find local help and support here:
https://nottalone.org.uk/

This website brings together mental health services, crisis support, and community resources available in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

25/01/2026

You may have questions about what to expect during a colonoscopy. We’re here to help you feel prepared and at ease.

Most people who have a colonoscopy won’t have bowel cancer. But, if bowel cancer is detected at its earliest, the more treatable it’s likely to be. That's why if you have an appointment for a colonoscopy, it's important to attend.

To learn more about what a coloscopy involves, go to https://bit.ly/3s9djCF

25/01/2026

📢 Important Notice Regarding Hospital Prescriptions 📢

We are seeing an increasing number of patients attending the surgery with hospital-issued prescriptions and asking us to change them to community prescriptions, or to correct errors 😤.

❗Unfortunately, we are not able to do this.

🔹 If there is an error on your prescription, you must contact the original prescriber (the hospital doctor or clinic) to have it corrected.

🔹 If the hospital has issued you a prescription intended for their hospital pharmacy, you will need to take it there. Alternatively, you can ask the hospital to reissue it as a community (FP10) prescription – they are able to do this. Hospitals can provide a green paper FP10 prescription, and hopefully 'soon', an electronic prescription, for use at your local pharmacy.

To put it bluntly, our doctors, nurses and clinical pharmacists already have a very high workload, and are not able to take on additional inappropriate work to resolve prescription issues that should be managed by the clinics or hospitals.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

25/01/2026

Visit https://yourhealthnotts.co.uk/

25/01/2026

🌟 Get Active, Feel Great Join a parkrun ! 🌟

Torkard Hill Medical Centre is proud to be a registered parkrun practice, joining hundreds of practices across the UK in encouraging patients and staff to get active and involved 😍.

parkrun is a FREE, community-focused 5 km event that takes place every Saturday at 9 am. It’s open to everyone, whether you want to walk, jog, run, volunteer or just cheer others on - everyone is welcome, whatever your fitness level 🤩!

Benefits of parkrun:
💪 Boost your physical health — regular activity supports heart, muscles and overall wellbeing.
😊 Improve your mood — many people find being outdoors and active lifts their spirits.
👟 Build connections — meet others in your community and make new friends.
🤝 Inclusive & supportive — go at your own pace and no one finishes last!

How to take part:

📲 Go to parkrun.org.uk and register for free (one-time sign-up).
🖨️ Print or save your personal barcode — you’ll need it to get a recorded time.
🕘 Head to your chosen parkrun Saturday before 08:50am with your barcode.
👣 Walk, jog, run or volunteer — it’s up to you!

📍 Local parkruns:
• Bestwood Village parkrun – Bestwood Country Park
• Forest Rec parkrun – The Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham
• Wollaton Hall parkrun – Wollaton Hall & Park
• Clifton parkrun – Clifton area, Nottingham
• Rushcliffe parkrun – Rushcliffe Country Park, Ruddington
• Holme Pierrepont parkrun - Holme Pierrepont Country Park
• Gedling parkrun – Gedling Country Park, Arnold
• Beeston parkrun – Weirfields Recreation Ground, Beeston
• Long Eaton parkrun – West Park, Long Eaton
• Sherwood Pines parkrun – Sherwood Pines Forest Park
• Clumber Park parkrun – Clumber Park
• Colwick parkrun – Colwick Country Park

🟩 First time? No problem!
Volunteers are on hand to welcome you, explain how things work, and help you feel comfortable taking part — whether you run, walk or cheer others along. 💬