Briarwood Medical Centre

22/10/2025

21/10/2025

Practice Refurbishment – Important Patient Information

From Monday 27th October, our practice will be undergoing essential refurbishment work lasting approximately 18 weeks.

These works are part of our ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality environment that meets both modern healthcare standards and the needs of our patients and staff. Over the years, the building has served our community well, but it now requires updating to ensure we can continue to deliver safe, effective, and confidential care for everyone.

🌟 Why the refurbishment is needed
The improvements will:
• Bring the building up to current regulatory and accessibility standards.
• Create a more comfortable and welcoming environment for patients.
• Ensure the practice layout supports patient confidentiality and efficient clinical care.
• Provide better facilities for both patients and staff, helping us work more effectively.

We understand that any building work can be disruptive, but these changes are necessary to ensure that the practice remains fit for purpose and continues to provide the best possible care for our community for years to come.
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🩺 Appointments and access to care
• The practice will remain open throughout the refurbishment period.
• We will continue to offer the same range of appointments and services, although some will be delivered by telephone triage to help manage space while work is ongoing.
• For some minor conditions or medication queries, you will be directed to your local pharmacy for advice and treatment.
• We ask for your patience if waiting areas or room availability are reduced at times — we’ll do our best to minimise any inconvenience.
• Please arrive at your appointment at your allocated time only, as waiting space and parking are limited.
• Please try to attend appointments alone where possible due to time and space constraints.
• Please only travel to the surgery for appointments only. Use online messaging via https://www.briarwoodmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/, telephone 01772 364999 and email via
Lscicb-gp.briarwood@nhs.net
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🅿️ Parking
During the refurbishment period, onsite parking will be restricted.
• Spaces will be reserved for disabled patients and those with mobility issues only.
• If you’re able to walk or use public transport, we kindly ask that you do so to help us prioritise those who need accessible parking.
• For all able-bodied patients, we would greatly appreciate it if you could make every effort to park off site as the front car park is for disabled use only.
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🧭 Changes inside the practice
• Reception will look a little different for a few weeks while work is carried out.
• There will be no patient toilet available during this time; however, the upstairs staff toilet can be used if required.
• Baby changing facilities can be organised upon request – please speak to a member of the reception team.
• Our staff will be available to assist with any access issues and ensure patients remain comfortable and supported throughout.
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🔊 Noise and Health & Safety
During the refurbishment period, there will be ongoing building work throughout the day, and you will notice increased noise or activity within the practice.
Whilst we will provide clear signage and instructions to help guide you safely around the building, we ask all patients visiting the practice to be vigilant at all times:
• Follow any temporary signs or staff directions carefully.
• Be aware that contractors and equipment may be present in certain areas.
• Avoid entering any spaces marked as restricted or under construction.
• Parents and carers are kindly asked to keep children close at all times.
Your safety remains our top priority, and our staff will ensure that all patients are protected, supported, and informed throughout the refurbishment process.
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💬 Thank you for your understanding

We know this work may cause some temporary inconvenience, and we truly appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. The end result will be a modernised, more comfortable, and confidential environment that benefits everyone who uses our services.
Thank you for bearing with us as we make these important improvements to your practice.

Kind regards,

Dr P R Methukunta

17/10/2025

The 18th October is World Menopause Day

It aims to break taboo and improve women’s health and wellbeing by raising awareness about the symptoms of menopause and the support options available.

Each year there is a theme to shine a light on different topics surrounding the menopause.

The theme for World Menopause Day 2025 is Lifestyle Medicine, the purpose of this theme is to raise awareness of menopause and promote the importance of lifestyle choices in managing symptoms and improving long-term health.

13/10/2025

October is here! The month of crisp mornings, golden leaves, jewelled grass, conker collecting, and that first hint of winter when the heating clicks on.

It’s the perfect time to pull on your coat, grab a pumpkin spiced latte, and step outside.

Shorter days don’t have to mean slowing down. With Walktober, you can celebrate the

Want to make the most of autumn and get rewarded for it? 🍂

Record your walks with BetterPoints Lancashire this October for boosted rewards, prize draws and medals.

Download the free BetterPoints app today to start earning for walking, running, cycling and using public transport https://lancs.betterpoints.uk/stories/walktober-2025

17/09/2025

Raising awareness of testicular torsion in young patients

Testicular torsion (twisting) is most common in teenagers and young adults.

It occurs when the spermatic cord twists and cuts off the blood supply to the testicle.

If a testicle becomes twisted it can die within 6 hours without emergency surgery to restore blood flow.

Testicular torsion occurs in teenage boys aged 13-18 years. This is found to happen in around 1 in 4,000 young men. Newborn babies and younger children sometimes develop this problem. It is uncommon over the age of 25 but does occur sometimes in older adults and can occur at any age.

The typical symptom of torsion of the testicle (te**is) is severe pain that develops quickly - within a few hours, often much more quickly. The pain might be in the lower abdomen (tummy). This is because the te**is and the tummy share a nerve supply. Any boy or young man with abdominal pain that came on quickly and severely should have their te**es checked.

Testicular torsion pain often starts during sport or physical activity. Alternatively symptoms may start in the night and the pain wakes you from sleep. Nausea and vomiting often also occur.

Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if you have:

- Sudden, severe pain in a testicle

- Testicle pain along with feeling sick, being sick or pain in your tummy

- Testicle pain that has lasted more than an hour or continues when you're resting

These can be signs of a serious problem that needs to be treated in hospital as soon as possible.

17/09/2025

Improving human papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common s*xually transmitted infection that can lead to various cancers and other diseases.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common and usually symptom-free virus.

There are more than 100 types of HPV. Some can cause warts and verrucae but “high-risk” types of HPV can cause changes to DNA, increasing the risk of certain cancers.

The HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for children in school year 8, for children aged 12 to 13 years old.

If the routine HPV vaccine delivered through the schools programme is missed:

Girls remain eligible to receive the HPV vaccine up to their 25th birthday

Boys who were born on/after 1 September 2006 are eligible up until their 25th birthday

You can get HPV from:

- Any skin-to-skin contact of the ge***al area
- Vaginal, a**l or oral s*x

You do not have to have s*xual contact with a lot of people to get HPV. You can get HPV the first time you have s*x.

HPV testing is part of cervical screening. There's no blood test for HPV.

During cervical screening, a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix and tested for HPV.

Screening is offered to all women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64. It helps protect them against cervical cancer.

https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/

17/09/2025

Research shows that one in three women experience urinary incontinence in the first year after having a baby and up to three quarters of these women continue to experience this in the following 12 years after giving birth.

A further one in 10 women experience faecal incontinence and another one in 12 will have a pelvic organ prolapse.

These distressing issues can affect women’s ability to work, their s*xual and social relationships, and their mental health.

Please see attached poster for more information.

01/09/2025

01/09/2025

Covid and Flu Vaccines are available at the practice from the 1st of October for eligible patients only

We order vaccines specifically for our eligible patients

The practice will be in touch with those eligible for the vaccinations

PLEASE NOTE THE PRACTICE WILL CONTACT YOU IN DUE COURSE

21/08/2025

Let’s quit smoking together this Stoptober

Leading up to October we urge patients/readers to take part in StopTober
Thinking about quitting smoking? It is the best choice you can make for your health. From feeling healthier to saving money, there are so many reasons to quit.

Based on evidence that if a smoker makes it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit for good.

Studies show that smoking increases the risk of hearing loss and eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes, and vision damage as you age.

The UK Alzheimer’s Society says smoking increases the risk of dementia. It damages blood vessels, which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Chemicals in smoke also harm cells and cause inflammation, making the risk even higher.

Smoking increases inflammation in the body, which can worsen joint pain and damage. It also increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, shoulder tears and osteoporosis.

Studies show that smoking can harm your digestive system, causing issues like heartburn, ulcers, liver problems, and a higher risk of Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, and gallstones.

The good news is your body will start to heal almost immediately after you quit. Within just 20 minutes, your pulse rate will return to normal.

After 8 hours, harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide in your blood will have halved, making room for more oxygen to flow through your body.

And after 10 years, your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of someone who still smokes.

Tips for Quitting:

Set a quit date:
Choose a date and prepare for it with the help of your chosen support service.
Don't be afraid to try different methods:

Experiment with different NRT products or medications to find what works best for you.

Seek support from friends and family.

Important Considerations:

Second-hand smoke: Second-hand smoke can be harmful to others, especially babies and children.

Mental health: Smoking can exacerbate anxiety and depression, and quitting can improve your mental well-being.

Financial benefits: Quitting smoking can save you a significant amount of money.

03/08/2025

Why it matters to attend appointments

All patients are sent 2 appointment reminders before their appointments.

Missed slots mean longer waits.
When people don’t turn up, those times are lost to others who need care.

If you can’t make it, let us know. A quick call frees up the appointment for someone else.

This policy ensures fair access to appointments and helps us manage demand for all patients.

If a patient does not attend a booked appointment without informing us, this is recorded as a DNA on your medical record.

Don’t ignore symptoms. Even small concerns are best checked early - it’s always better to be safe

Your attendance helps us to provide better care for everyone.