The Westgate Practice

09/02/2026

The HPV virus can lead to some cancers, including cervical, head and neck.

If you missed your vaccination, you can catch up at your GP practice until your 25th birthday.

Find out more www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/

06/02/2026

Regarding the recently shared survey about our Shenstone branch surgery, please follow the link below to view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

We've put some small files called cookies on your device to make our site work. We would also like to use analytical cookies to understand how our site is used and improve user experience. Analytical cookies send information to Google Analytics.

05/02/2026

Brave the Big Talk

Mind's Time to Talk Day is a reminder that talking really can change lives. Whether you are feeling lonely, coping with grief or bereavement, or struggling with your mental health, it's good to be heard and supported.

Read Mind's advice on coping while on a waiting list for therapy: https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/time-to-talk-day/

04/02/2026

🎗️World Cancer Day - 4th February 2026

World Cancer Day is a chance to raise awareness of cancer prevention, early diagnosis and the importance of national screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer. Screening can help find changes early, before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Many who are diagnosed with cancer now, live longer and better lives thanks to improvements in detection, treatment and support. Understanding risks factors, making healthy lifestyle choices and attending screening when invited can all help reduce risk and improve survival. Support is also available for anyone affected by cancer, from diagnosis through recovery and beyond.

Learn about NHS Screening and early diagnosis:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-screening/
Read about causes and risk factors for cancer:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors
Cancer Survival statistics:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/survival

02/02/2026

Key Practice Statistics for January 2026

28/01/2026

Only order what you need

A huge number of medicines are wasted unnecessarily in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent each year. We need your help to reduce this. Find out more information here staffsstokeics.org.uk/only-order-what-you-need

Prescription medicines are not safe to share with anyone else. Help your family and only order what you need. If you have stopped taking any of your medicines or they are no longer working for you, talk to your pharmacy team who can help.

Throwing medicines in household waste can harm the environment. Please return unused medicines to your pharmacy for safe disposal.

Pharmacists and GPs across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are asking people to help the local NHS to reduce medication waste.

23/01/2026

22/01/2026

Cervical Cancer prevention week 19-25 Jan

NHS England is calling on women aged 25–64 to book their cervical screening during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19–25 January 2026) as part of its ‘Love Your Cervix’ campaign.

Cervical cancer causes around 685 deaths in England each year, but thanks to cervical screening and the HPV vaccination programme, eliminating cervical cancer is more achievable than ever before.

The NHS has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, saving thousands of lives every year. Together with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, regular cervical screening is the most effective way to protect against cervical cancer and prevents more than 7 in 10 cases.

Cervical screening saves lives. A few minutes could prevent cancer. If you’ve been invited, please book your appointment.

20/01/2026

Please take a look at our latest Patient Newsletter 👀

Also available to read in surgery.

19/01/2026

East Staffs and Surrounds Diabetes UK Patient Network Meeting Dates for 2026 (Lichfield or Virtual)

13/01/2026

Patient Information: Total Triage

To ensure we can provide you with the best possible care, please follow these guidelines when submitting an online request:

✅Enter Your Personal Details Accurately
Incorrect or incomplete details can delay our response, as your request will remain pending until we can match it to your records: Common errors include:
Entering the submission date instead of your Date of Birth
Using a Parents Date of Birth for a child's request
Typographical mistakes
Please double check all information before submission.

✅Be Clear, Concise and Honest
GP’s are reliant on the information provided within the triage form. This information will allow the GP to determine who is best placed to deal with that medical issue and when you should be seen.

✅Use the Medical Triage Form ONLY for Health Concerns
The 'I have a health problem' form is strictly for medical issues or concerns. This does NOT include requests for medication reviews or repeat medication requests. Please ring the surgery for these matters. If you require an appointment with our nursing team, please also ring the surgery - nursing appointments are not triaged.

✅Use the Correct Form for Other Requests
For administrative or routine care requests such as fit notes, test results, referral follow-ups, or letters, please use the Admin or Routine Care Request Form. This helps us protect GP time for medical triage.

✅Respect the GP's Triage Decision
All medical requests are reviewed and triaged by a GP based on the information provided. We can only triage accurately if the information regarding the medical problem is comprehensive and correct. Not providing accurate information may further delay your request. Our Patient Services Team cannot alter or change the appointment as all decisions are made by the Doctor. The Doctors decision is final.

09/01/2026

*UPDATE*

Our triage forms are now available to access via our website and the NHS App.

Please note that the practice is still operating with fewer staff than normal.

Thank you for your patience and co-operation.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

The practice is open today; however, due to staff shortages and in order to maintain patient safety, we will only be dealing with emergency cases. If you are scheduled to be seen today, please contact the surgery for further advice.

Due to the limited number of doctors on site, we have had to temporarily disable our triage forms.

If you are travelling today, please take care and stay safe.