Heaton Road Surgery

23/06/2025

From 1 July 2025, routine cervical screening intervals will be extended from 3 to 5 years for participants aged 25-49 who test negative after attending cervical screening on or after this date.

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves thousands of lives every year by checking for high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (hrHPV) which causes almost all cervical cancers.

In England, women and people with a cervix are currently invited every 3 years between the ages of 25-49 and every 5 years if aged 50-64 years.

In December 2019, HPV primary screening was fully implemented in England. This is a more sensitive and accurate test than the previous ‘smear’ test, which only looked for cervical cell
changes.

HPV testing is the best way to find out at an early stage who is at higher risk of developing the cervical cell changes that over time could potentially lead to cervical cancer if
left untreated. This enables us to offer a more personalised approach to cervical cancer prevention based on an individual’s risk.

Studies have shown that if a person tests negative for hrHPV they are extremely unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer within the next 10 years. A study1 in England, published by King’s College London, showed that 5-year screening intervals are as safe as 3-year intervals; the same number of cancers will be prevented and less frequent cervical screening tests are needed.

The UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) reviewed all the robust scientific evidence and recommended a change to a 5-year screening interval for participants aged 25-49 years who test negative for hrHPV at their routine screen. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has accepted this recommendation.

Next test due dates will not be changed; individuals will be invited at the interval in which they were advised of at the time of their last test.

There will be no change to the clinical pathway for those testing positive for HPV. Where there are no cell changes, they will be invited for screening again in 1 year. If cell changes
are found alongside a positive HPV test, they will be referred directly to a hospital clinic for a colposcopy to check the cervix more closely. An individual will only move onto a 5 year
screening interval after this when they meet the clinical criteria.

13/06/2025

‼️Reception Sickness‼️

Unfortunately, due to sickness we have less reception staff able to answer the phone lines today. We apologise for the delay in answering your phone call. Our reception staff are working hard to answer your call as soon as possible.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Thank you.

15/05/2025

Our service is regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Please offer feedback on care you have received from us via Give Feedback on Care. You can also call CQC on 03000 616161.

07/05/2025

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her periods stop as a result of the reduction and loss of ‘ovarian reproductive function’.

Ovaries produce the hormones oestrogen, progesterone
and testosterone. When a woman approaches the menopause, less oestrogen is produced causing her body to behave differently. This process is usually a gradual one that progresses over several years. Oestrogen also plays an important role in maintaining bone and heart health as well as brain function during the reproductive years.

The menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. The average age in the UK is 51. It is defined as when a woman has had no periods for one year or more. Before then a woman will experience ‘early peri-menopause’ and ‘late peri-menopause’.

The most common symptoms are hot flushes and night sweats, experienced by 70-80% of women. Other symptoms include disturbed sleep and insomnia, low energy levels, low mood, anxiety, low libido and low sexual drive, impaired memory and concentration, a sensation of ‘brain fog’, joint aches, headaches, palpitations and vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms.

If you would like to discuss the menopause please contact us to arrange an appointment with a GP.

Dr Gall is our menopause champion and ensures the practice is up to date with the latest guidance and advice
Useful and trusted links:

https://www.imsociety.org/for-women/
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/
https://www.daisynetwork.org/

28/04/2025

Please be aware that on Monday 5th May the Surgery will be closed for the bank Holiday.

If you are due a prescription over the Bank Holiday, please request your prescription a minimum of 3 working days prior to the Surgery being closed. If you need medical advice when the Surgery is closed, please contact 111.

In the event of a medical emergency, please call 999.

If you are deaf, you can use the 999 BSL app or website in a medical emergency for a video relay service with a BSL interpreter - https://999bsl.co.uk/

24/04/2025

The Newcastle Community Health Bus is back to provide health checks and advice by a team of nurses and Pharmacists. No pre-booked appointment is needed. See below posters for more information on dates and location of the bus.

18/04/2025

Information on drinking sensibly, knowing your limits and getting support for alcohol abuse. Many people are drinking more than the low-risk guidelines.

With so many different drinks and glass sizes, from shots to pints – not to mention bottles – it's easy to get confused about how many units are in your drink.

See below video for a guide on alcohol units.

With so many different drinks and glass sizes, from shots to pints – not to mention bottles – it's easy to get confused about how many units are in your drin...

17/04/2025

The Surgery will be closed on Friday 18th April and Monday 21st April for the bank holiday.

For urgent mental health help:

111 Mental Health - Call 111 and press option 2 for mental health support

Crisis team for adults – call 0800 652 2863

Crisis Team for children and young people – call 0800 652 2864

Crisis Team for people who are deaf and/or have communication difficulties – Text 07919 228 548

You can find contact numbers for mental health support via the link below

If you need help with your mental health, here are some of the options available to you.

15/04/2025

It's important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.One of the best ways to protect your child against diseases like measles, rubella, tetanus and meningitis is through immunisations.

As well as protecting your own child, you're also protecting others by preventing the spread of disease.

Vaccinations are offered free of charge in the UK – just book your appointments with your GP.

You can find out more about each of the vaccinations via the link below
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

14/04/2025

One in six of us will experience mental ill health. At some point in our lives we will know someone who is struggling. That could be us personally or a partner, family member, friend or colleague. Sooner or later, we will all know someone who is struggling.

CNTW have written a series of self help guides covering a wide range of topics such as depression, anxiety and stress which offer users the opportunity to find out more about the causes of mental health issues and provide tools to work through feelings and emotions.

You can find the guides via the link below.

One in six of us will experience mental ill health. At some point in our lives we will know someone who is struggling. That could be us personally or a partner, family member, friend or colleague. Sooner or later, we will all know someone who is struggling.

11/04/2025

If you are deaf, you can use the NHS 111 BSL Service via the link below https://signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/

Alternatively, you can call 18001 111 using the Relay UK app on your smartphone, tablet or computer, or via a traditional textphone

NHS 111 is here to make it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

https://youtu.be/4O0js0832Ng?si=SMvkqkHjpKBSjwW5

This video demonstrates the different methods of accessing the NHS 111 British Sign Language Service, via the Web and the InterpreterNow app.

11/04/2025

There are limited Pharmacies open during the Easter Bank Holidays - please see below link to see which Pharmacies are open as well as the opening hours during the Easter Bank Holidays.

Find your nearest open pharmacy for the Easter bank holidays below. These are opening times for bank holidays ONLY, please visit Find a Pharmacy for other information.