Oldham Family Practice

03/02/2026

We’re pleased to help share details of free Dementia Music Cafés running locally for people living with dementia and their carers 💛
These friendly, inclusive sessions use music to support wellbeing, connection, and communication in a relaxed and welcoming environment. No musical experience is needed — just come along and enjoy being together.

🎵 What to expect:
a safe, supportive space
opportunities to connect with others
music that can lift mood, spark memories, and bring joy
sessions designed for people with dementia and those who care for them

📍 There are sessions available locally in Oldham and Royton, including:
Primrose Centre, Oldham – Mondays, 12.30–2pm (term time)
Tandle View Court, Royton – Fridays, 1.30–3pm (term time)
These cafés are free to attend and are part of a wider programme across Greater Manchester.

If you or someone you care for may benefit, please take a look at the posters for full details, including accessibility and contact information, or visit musicinmind.org.

Sometimes it’s the simple things — music, connection, and shared moments — that make the biggest difference. 🎶✨

03/02/2026

Menopause support is coming to Oldham Family Practice 💛

Menopause and perimenopause can affect far more than just periods.

Many women experience changes in mood, sleep, energy, confidence, weight, joint pain, and concentration — often for years — before realising menopause could be the cause.

At Oldham Family Practice, we know how significant this stage of life can be, and how frustrating it can feel when symptoms are misunderstood or brushed aside.

That’s why we’re pleased to share that we’ll soon be launching a specialist Menopause & Lifestyle Service for our patients.

This female GP-led service is being developed to offer:

✨ time to really listen and understand your symptoms
✨ evidence-based menopause care, including HRT where
appropriate
✨ lifestyle and wellbeing support alongside medical treatment
✨ personalised plans — not one-size-fits-all advice

We’re building this service because menopause matters, women’s health matters, and you deserve care that takes your experience seriously.

📅 Coming soon
📲 Booking information will be shared shortly (appointments will
be available via the NHS App)

If menopause or perimenopause is affecting your quality of life, help is on the way.

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

21/01/2026

We want to hear from you 👋

Are you 25+ and registered with our practice?
Would you like a say in how GP services develop?

Join our Patient Participation Group (PPG) and help us:
✔ improve access and communication
✔ shape services for working-age adults
✔ represent a wider range of patient voices

You can be involved as little or as much as suits you.
Most input is online.

Scan the poster or contact the practice to find out more.

12/01/2026

A Child’s Voice – After School, I Need You to Know
The Child Who Masks

Earlier today I shared the swan model.

The one that looks calm on the surface, gliding through the school day — while underneath, it’s paddling fast just to stay afloat.

This is that same child, speaking now.

When I come out of school, I’m not being “dramatic”.
I’m not suddenly difficult.
I’m not undoing all the good behaviour you were told about.

I’ve been holding it together all day.

I’ve pushed feelings down so I didn’t stand out.
I’ve copied others so I could fit in.
I’ve kept my stims small and hidden.
I’ve smiled when I didn’t feel OK.
I’ve tried to remember every rule so no one got cross.
I’ve ignored what felt too loud, too bright, too much.

And by the time I reach you, there’s nothing left in the tank.

What looks like defiance, tears, shutdown, or anger after school is often exhaustion from masking.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone — and neither is your child.

To SAVE, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.
If you’d like the boy version, comment BOY below.

My Masking Toolkit supports parents and educators to understand masking, recognise the hidden load, and reduce the pressure children carry just to be accepted. Link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

12/01/2026

Movement matters to all of us and we know there are groups who are more likely to be inactive than others. To support active lives for all, Greater Manchester Moving are working to design movement and physical activity into health and social care for the benefit of patients and staff, clinical and n...

12/01/2026

Interested in accessing one of our Oldham Family Hubs parenting support programmes? New groups are starting next week! 🥳

Being a parent or carer is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but we all know it can be difficult.

Our Parenting team is here to support you and your family, offering a range of free programmes that build skills and promote emotional health and wellbeing 🩵

And there's never been a better time to get involved, with the groups below starting new courses in the next couple of weeks across Oldham:

👶 Baby Bonding
For new and expectant parents – discover gentle ways to connect and support your baby's development.

🧒 Positive Parenting (Ages 2–9)
Struggling with tantrums, fussy eating or bedtime battles? Join our friendly discussion groups and pick up real-world strategies that work.

🧑‍🎓 Positive Parenting for Teens
Get support navigating the ups and downs of the teenage years.

🏫 Youth Connect 5: In Transit
Support your child’s smooth and confident transition to high school.

💞 Nurture Programme (Ages 2–12)
Develop your relationship skills and positive behaviour management strategies.

🧠 Youth Connect 5 (Ages 11–16)
Help your child build emotional resilience and mental wellbeing (please note: this programme is restarting in March).

📩 To register for a programme, email parentsupporthub@oldham.gov.uk stating the name of the course you're interested in.

And, for more information, visit:
familyhubs.oldham.gov.uk/parenting-support-programmes

31/12/2025

✨ A New Year Message from Oldham Family Practice ✨

As we step into the New Year, we do so with a strong sense of purpose and pride, proud of our team, proud of what we have achieved together, and proud to serve the community of Oldham.
The past year has been one of progress and development, achieved alongside the daily realities of modern general practice: rising demand, increasing complexity, and the responsibility of caring for patients with diverse and often challenging needs. These challenges are real, and they are not diminishing, but neither is our commitment to meeting them in the best interests of our patients.

At Oldham Family Practice, patients remain at the centre of everything we do. Our decisions, our ways of working, and our future ambitions are shaped by the needs of the community we serve. We are particularly grateful for the continued support and challenge provided by our Patient Participation Group (PPG), whose voice and partnership help ensure our services remain responsive, grounded, and patient-focused.

Over the past year, we have taken important steps forward. We are proud to now be a GP training practice, contributing to the development of the future general practice workforce, and to have continued evolving how we deliver care in ways that strengthen access and sustainability for our patients.

None of this happens in isolation. We value the relationships we have built and maintained across the system and would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Primary Care Network, Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, our Voluntary Care, Faith and Social Enterprise and the commercial and delivery partners we have worked alongside this year. Their collaboration, expertise, and shared commitment have supported meaningful progress in challenging circumstances.

We are not naïve about the pressures facing general practice, but we remain resolute. We will continue to adapt, to learn, and to work together, always guided by our values of kindness, respect, professionalism, and compassion. How we care for one another as a team matters, because it directly shapes how we care for our patients.

As we look beyond our immediate community, we also hold in mind those across the world who continue to live with conflict, instability, and war — including colleagues and partners we have worked with in different settings. Our thoughts are with them, and we hope the year ahead brings greater peace, safety, and healing.

As we enter the New Year, we do so with gratitude for our staff, our partners, our patients, and our wider Oldham community. We look ahead with determination, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing the very best for those we serve.

With warmest wishes for a healthy, peaceful, and hopeful New Year,
Dr Julie Wooton & Dr France
Partners, Oldham Family Practice

16/12/2025

🎄 A Christmas Message from Oldham Family Practice 🎄
(revised - due to a well spotted typo from our Practice Manager)

As the year comes to a close, we , Dr Wooton, Dr France, and the whole team at Oldham Family Practice , would like to thank you for your continued trust and for being part of our Oldham community.

Oldham is a place built on resilience, kindness, and looking out for one another, and it remains a privilege to care for you and your families.

Practice opening over the Christmas and New Year period
Our surgery will be closed on Bank Holidays:
📅 Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day)
📅 Friday 26 December (Boxing Day)
📅 Thursday 1 January (New Year’s Day)
We will be open as usual on all other weekdays.

We know that health needs do not stop during the festive period.
Please help us by using the right NHS service for your needs:
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately for life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty), severe breathing problems, collapse, or loss of consciousness.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day for urgent medical advice when the practice is closed and can direct you to the most appropriate local NHS service.

If you need urgent mental health support while the practice is closed, please contact NHS 111

If there is an immediate risk to life, please call 999 or go to A&E.
For confidential emotional support at any time, you can also contact Samaritans on 116 123, free and available 24/7.

If you are unsure which service to use, NHS 111 can help.
We wish you a peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year, and we look forward to continuing to care for our Oldham community in the year ahead.

With warmest wishes,
Dr Julie Wooton, Dr France & the Team
Oldham Family Practice

16/12/2025

Oldham Parish Church

15/12/2025

Centre of Wellbeing, Training & Culture is hosting two Christmas events for those in need or want to socialise during this festive time.
There is two sessions, Monday's event is for Men Only on Monday 15th December 2025 from 10.30am - 1.00pm in which there will be free food, singing, games and prizes to be won.
If you are looking for a time to socialise and have some food during this festive time be sure to come down or register below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1976717754014...

For Women's Event on Tuesday 16th December 2025 from 10.30am 1.00pm we will have Music, Poetry, Painting, Karaoke and more.
If you are interested please be sure to come down or register below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1976717893431...
Venue:
CWTC, 5 Barn St, Medtia Chambers 1st Floor, OL1 1LP, Oldham Central
Please be sure to bring family or children down and to enjoy the time!
Looking forward to seeing you there.