Skelmanthorpe Family Doctors

30/04/2026

📱 NHS App Update – What You Need to Know

The NHS App has had a refresh, making it easier to use and helping you manage your healthcare in one place.

What’s new:
✔️ A new look to help you find services more easily
✔️ All your appointment details are now in one place, including notes and updates
✔️ You can now contact your GP about a health problem without needing to book an appointment

Hospital appointments:
You can now check many hospital referrals and appointments directly in the app. In some cases, you may also be able to cancel or rearrange appointments.

Screening updates:
Invites and results for cervical screening are now being sent through the NHS App, with bowel screening updates also being introduced.

📩 Don’t worry – if you don’t use the app, you’ll still receive letters by post.

Organ donation:
It’s now easier to view or update your organ donation decision in the app.

Make the most of the app:
1. Download or update the NHS App
2. Turn on notifications to stay up to date

Using the NHS App can help you get information faster and manage your care more easily.

👉 Find out more or log in:

Use the NHS App to view your health information and manage your healthcare online using a phone, tablet or computer.

27/04/2026

📢 Patchs Reminder

Just a quick reminder that Patchs is not suitable for urgent requests or queries of a clinical nature.

While we always aim to respond on the same day, this may not always be possible and responses could be provided by the end of the next working day.

Please note that any clinical requests submitted after 4pm will not be reviewed until the following working day.

Patchs is not continuously monitored. For any urgent matters, please contact the surgery on 01484 503515.

24/04/2026

📢 Sample Collection Reminder

To help us ensure your tests are processed on time, please hand in samples during the following collection windows:

🗓 Monday: before 12:00 and before 16:30
🗓 Tuesday: before 12:00 and before 16:30
🗓 Wednesday: before 12:00
🗓 Thursday: before 12:00 and before 16:30
🗓 Friday: before 12:00

⚠️ Please note:
Any samples handed in after the collection times may be refused and will have to be kept overnight. In many cases, this has resulted in the sample needing to be repeated, as the lab does not always accept late or stored samples.

Please ensure that samples are handed in before the collection times, as we are unable to keep samples over the weekend.

🚫 Do NOT post samples overnight in the post box at either site.
If you are posting a sample, please only do so in the morning before the surgery opens.

🏥 When the surgery is open, please can all samples be handed in directly at reception.

22/04/2026

PATIENT FEEDBACK 📝

Your feedback is really important to us. It helps us understand what we’re doing well and where we can make improvements to our services.

After your recent appointment, you may receive a text message inviting you to share your experience with us. We’d appreciate it if you could take a few moments to complete this.

You’re also welcome to leave us a review on our page using the link below.

Thank you for helping us continue to improve our care!

03/04/2026

We’d like to wish all our patients a very Happy Easter! 🐣🌷

Please note that we will be closed from Friday 3rd April and will reopen as normal on Tuesday 7th April.

If you require medical assistance during this time, please contact NHS 111 or visit your local pharmacy. In an emergency, please call 999.

Many pharmacies can provide advice and, where appropriate, treatment for common conditions through the Pharmacy First Scheme (see our post from 26th March).

Please be aware that pharmacy opening hours may vary over the Easter period.

02/04/2026

NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board has launched a new all-age, 24/7 mental health crisis text support service 💚🕒

Delivering an all-age crisis text service is a national NHS England ambition and an important step in improving access to support during times of crisis. Feedback from people in West Yorkshire, alongside national insight, shows that text-based support is a preferred option for many, particularly younger people, those who are neurodivergent, or anyone who finds it easier to communicate via text 📱💬

To use this free, confidential service, simply text BRIGHT to 85258 💬📲

This service is provided in partnership with Shout, powered by Mental Health Innovations (registered charity number 1175670). Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who may be struggling with their mental health.

Shout’s trained mental health professionals can support with a range of challenges, including anxiety, stress, panic attacks, loneliness, low mood, self-harm, relationship issues, and suicidal thoughts or feelings.

The service is anonymous, does not appear on phone bills, and is free to use on all major UK mobile networks.

If you’re struggling to cope, support is available, anytime, day or night.

👉 For more information about mental health support, including crisis help, visit: https://www.wypartnership.co.uk/our-priorities/mental-health-learning-disability-and-autism/get-help

02/04/2026

Spring COVID-19 Booster Update 🌼💉

We will be offering the Spring COVID-19 booster to those who are eligible:

- People aged 75 and over.
- Individuals who are immunosuppressed.
- Residents in care homes for older adults.

We have also started sending invites to those who are eligible to book into our clinics.

Please note that we have been allocated a limited number of vaccines, which will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

If you fall into one of these groups and have not yet received an invite, please get in touch to arrange your appointment.

30/03/2026

📢 Social Prescribing Drop-In Session

We’re pleased to share details of an upcoming Social Prescribing Drop-In taking place in the local community:

📍 Skelmanthorpe Library
📅 Monday 18th May
⏰ 10:15am – 12:00pm

Social prescribing can help improve your health and wellbeing by connecting you to local services, support and community activities.

Come along to meet Social Prescriber Ali Bramald, who will be available to offer advice and signpost you to services across the Kirklees area.

📞 For more information, please call 07581 472842

No appointment is necessary, just drop-in.

27/03/2026

Weekly Carers Count Update 💙

🌿 Growing Old Grace-fully
A new project supporting unpaid carers in the Diocese of Leeds, offering emotional and spiritual support while helping reduce isolation. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other carers and build supportive relationships through shared faith.
Find out more: https://www.growingoldgracefully.org.uk/
Or email: carersproject@growingoldgracefully.org.uk

🚭 Support to Stop Smoking
In partnership with CLEAR and the Women’s Centre, carers can access support to begin their stop smoking journey. During monthly mental health sessions at Folly Hall, you can speak directly with a Mental Health Support Worker for guidance.
For more information, call 0300 012 0231 (option 2).

📅 Easter Bank Holiday Notice
Please note Carers Count will be closed on Friday 3rd April and Monday 6th April, reopening Tuesday 7th April.

26/03/2026

📢 Pharmacy Opening Hours – Easter Bank Holiday 2026

Please be aware of the upcoming bank holidays:
• Good Friday – 3rd April 2026
• Easter Sunday – 5th April 2026
• Easter Monday – 6th April 2026

Pharmacy opening hours may vary during this period. While information is correct at the time of publication, opening times can change, so we recommend checking the NHS website to find the most up-to-date details on which pharmacies are open.

💊 Need advice or treatment?
Many local pharmacies offer the Pharmacy First service, where you can get advice and, where appropriate, treatment for common conditions such as:
• Sinusitis (12+)
• Sore throat (5+)
• Earache (ages 1–17)
• Infected insect bites (1+)
• Impetigo (1+)
• Shingles (18+)
• Uncomplicated UTIs (women 16–64)

You can walk into a participating pharmacy without an appointment. If you’re outside these age ranges, pharmacists can still offer advice and support for self-care.

ℹ️ Referrals to Pharmacy First can also be made by your GP, NHS 111, or urgent care services.

Please plan ahead and make sure you have any essential medications in time for the bank holiday period.

Thank you.

18/03/2026

⚠️ Meningococcal Disease Update in Kent

Following recent confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent, current guidance from the UK Health Security Agency advises that individuals born before 2015 are unlikely to have received the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine; however, vaccination is not currently being recommended for the general public at this time.

An exception may apply to students living in Canterbury campus halls at the University of Kent, where specific advice is being followed.

GP practices have been advised to offer precautionary antibiotics to anyone who visited Club Chemistry between 5 and 7 March, as well as to University of Kent students.

Patients are advised to remain vigilant for early symptoms of meningitis, which can include fever, headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, and rash, and to seek medical advice promptly if these occur.

The MenACWY vaccine, introduced in 2015 as a school leavers' booster, remains part of the routine vaccination schedule, and eligible individuals will continue to be offered this in line with national guidance.

We will provide further updates should there be any changes to current recommendations.

For more information, please follow the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cases-of-invasive-meningococcal-disease-confirmed-in-kent

17/03/2026

📢 Practice Closure Reminder

The practice will be closed today from 12:00 PM for staff training and will reopen tomorrow at 8:00 AM.

If you require medical assistance while the practice is closed:
📞 Please contact NHS 111 or visit your nearest walk-in centre.

🚨 In case of an emergency, please call 999 or attend your nearest A&E department.