Northfield Medical Centre Blaby

16/12/2025

Foodbanks

There is nothing worse than hunger when you’re cold, and if you’re struggling to feed yourself or your children, a food bank can supply an emergency parcel with enough food for at least three days.

To receive support from a food bank, you’ll need a referral for a food voucher. Contact your local Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/food-bank/using-a-food-bank/

With the cost of living soaring, more and more people are struggling to feed themselves and their families. Remember, if you’re in need, your local foodbank is there to help.
https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank

15/12/2025

Patient Notice: Christmas and New Year Closures

Our opening times over the Christmas/New Year period are as follows:

Wednesday 24th December: 8am to 4pm*
Thursday 25th December: CLOSED
Friday 26th December: CLOSED
Saturday 27th December: CLOSED
Sunday 28th December: CLOSED
Monday 29th December: Open as usual – 8am to 6:30pm
Tuesday 30th December: Open as usual – 8am to 6:30pm
Wednesday 31st December: 8am to 4pm*
Thursday 1st January: CLOSED
Friday 2nd January: Open as usual – 8am to 6:30pm

Please call 111 at all other times whilst we are closed for urgent medical assistance. If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, please call 999.

*Between 4pm and 6:30pm on 24th December (Christmas Eve) and 31st December (New Year's Eve) please note the following points:
• In an emergency patients should phone 111 or 999.
• The practice is being covered by DHU and patients calling the practice will be diverted to DHU, or patients can phone DHU directly on 0300 323 0671.
• Patients can put a request via a patient letterbox of the practice, which will be acted on during the next working day.
• Patients can send non-urgent online requests via NHS App or the practice website, which will be responded to during the next working day.
• Patients can attend the below sites:
o Oadby Urgent Treatment Centre, 18 The Parade, Leicester LE2 5BJ (Closest to Northfield Medical Centre)
o Merlyn Vaz Health Centre, 1 Spinney Hill Rd, Leicester LE5 3GH
o Loughborough Urgent Treatment Centre, 53 Goods Yard Close, Loughborough LE11 5EB

15/12/2025

Prescriptions

Remember, we’re closed on various dates over Christmas. Please ensure you’ve ordered enough medication to cover these dates.

Prescription ordering can be busier than usual in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Please ensure you order your medication with extra notice during this time.

12/12/2025

Care for older adults

Christmas can be a difficult time for older people, especially if they live alone. Changes in routine, loneliness and cold can all be challenging. If you have elderly relatives or neighbours, ensure you keep in touch this festive season – it can make a big difference.

No one should feel lonely over Christmas. For older people in our communities who are waiting for the phone to ring, just having someone to talk to can make their day. Age UK offer a telephone friendship service which can bring much-needed comfort to those in need. Age UK advice line: 0800 678 1602. Free to call 8am–7pm, 365 days a year.

This Christmas, help us tackle the loneliness crisis that's hiding in plain sight.

10/12/2025

Mental health

The festive season can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming. It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions, and it’s important to make time for yourself.
Set boundaries: It’s okay to say no.
Take breaks: Rest is just as important as celebration.
Talk: Speak to someone if you feel lonely or stressed.
Be kind to yourself: You’re doing your best.
However you plan to spend the Christmas period, put your wellbeing on your own to-do list!
https://www.mind.org.uk/

Andy’s Man Club is a safe space for men to come together and talk. It can be intimidating to attend a group for the first time, especially if you’re feeling low, but knowing how welcoming the group can be will help you feel more comfortable about attending.

Discover more here:
https://www.facebook.com/andysmanclub

05/12/2025

Flu

It’s not too late to have your flu vaccination! If you’re eligible, book your appointment as soon as you can.

The flu vaccine helps to protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. Becoming unwell during the cold winter months can leave you even more vulnerable to complications. If you’re eligible for your flu vaccine, contact the surgery today.

03/12/2025

November 2025 information-

86 GP appointments and 86 nurse appointments were wasted. This equates to 39 hours of GP and nurse time. Please cancel any unwanted appointments. Appointments can be cancelled using the NHS app, or by calling the surgery on 0116 3192203 and selecting the option to cancel an appointment.

02/12/2025

Crohn’s and colitis, 1st-7th December

Crohn’s disease and colitis are often invisible to the outside world but they deeply impact on the daily life of sufferers.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is not just a stomach ache; it’s fatigue, uncertainty, flare-ups, strict diets, hospital visits, and strength that often goes unseen. Sharing awareness and showing compassion can help support Crohn’s and colitis sufferers.


https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/

Did you know that 1 in 120 people suffers from Crohn’s disease and colitis? Inflammatory bowel disease can cause a range of symptoms, such as:
Diarrhoea
Blood or mucus in your poo
Stomach pain
Feeling very tired or generally unwell

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms over a prolonged period, it’s worth making an appointment to speak to your GP.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/crohns-disease/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuytsHjQvqc

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, affecting at least 300,000 people in the UK.Yet it is largely a ...

01/12/2025

Contact your Active Blaby Team with the details below

28/11/2025

Mouth cancer awareness

Mouth (oral) cancer can start in any part of the mouth – most commonly, on the side of the tongue or the floor of the mouth. Early diagnosis saves lives.

Know the warning signs:
Mouth ulcer or sore that doesn’t heal after three weeks
Red or white patches in the mouth
Persistent mouth or tongue pain
Early detection changes lives. If you’re worried, make an appointment.

Mouth cancer is also known as oral cancer. The most common symptom is a mouth ulcer that does not heal in 3 weeks.

24/11/2025

Receive personalised support to move more, contact your Active Blaby Team using the details below.

20/11/2025

Carers’ rights, 20th November

Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights that the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid carers are entitled to – to help them get the support they need and the recognition they deserve. This year, the theme is ‘Know your rights, use your rights’. As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you and helps you to reach the support you so need, to reduce the pressure when you’re caring for others.
https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/our-campaigns/carers-rights-day/

Being a carer is hard. There are no set hours and you’re often caring for someone close to you.
Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member or friend. They may not even view themselves as carers. But who looks after you when you’re looking after someone else? All carers deserve to understand their rights and be supported to use them if they wish.

Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid carers are entitled to, and to help them get the support they need and the recognition they deserve.