Harborough Field Surgery

11/08/2025

From September, NHS plans to start sending results from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, utilising the NHS App.

In September, those who have a negative test result will be notified of this by an NHS App message. It will also appear as an NHS App notification. If the NHS App message isn’t read within 72 hours, a letter will be sent as a failsafe.

Abnormal result letters will continue for the time being to be delivered by post.

This change follows the successful rollout of digital invitations and reminders in June 2025, where since the launch, 9 out of every 10 invitations are being sent digitally, with the remainder being sent by post.

05/08/2025

Macmillan have published a new video on their YouTube channel ‘Travel and cancer’ presented by Danielle for any patients planning a holiday etc.

If you are planning a holiday, it may not be as straightforward if you have a cancer diagnosis.Macmillan Information & Support Lead, Danielle Bates, talks th...

05/08/2025

We are reaching out to kindly ask for your support.
Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) at Harborough Field Surgery are looking to expand the small collection of books for our waiting area. These books provide comfort, entertainment, and a positive distraction for patients of all ages while they visit the surgery.
If you have any gently used books at home—fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, or health and wellbeing titles—we would be very grateful for your donation.

Donations can be dropped off at reception during our regular opening hours.

Thank you in advance for helping us create a more welcoming and supportive space for everyone who visits.

05/08/2025

We’ve received a great deal of positive feedback from patients, highlighting the care, professionalism, and compassion shown by our healthcare team. Many have praised the friendly and efficient service, the clear communication from staff, and the attentiveness shown during appointments. This feedback is incredibly valuable, as it reflects the dedication of our team and motivates us to continue providing high-quality care to our community.

We actively discuss negative feedback with our staff to help improve patient care and ensure we’re continually learning and evolving.

05/08/2025

Missed or uncancelled GP appointments place significant pressure on healthcare providers. Each no-show represents a wasted time slot that could have been offered to another patient, adding to already long waiting lists and increasing the workload on staff. This not only disrupts the daily schedule but also leads to inefficient use of limited resources. By simply cancelling in advance, patients can help free up appointments for others in need, reducing strain on the system and supporting smoother, more effective care for all.

16/07/2025

09/07/2025

During the summer months there is often an increase in the number of UTIs in adults. Dehydration can increase the risk of developing a urinary tract infection. Keeping hydrated in the hot weather can be a challenge for some patients. Below are some suggestions aimed at encouraging patients who are prone to UTIs to increase their fluid intake.

Ways to increase hydration

The recommended fluid intake is at least 1,500 ml/6-8 mugs or glasses per day, per day, unless fluid restricted.
• For patients identified as ‘at risk’, discuss daily hydration targets and advise ways that this can be achieved. For example, having a full glass of water with their medication, a drink with each meal and additional drinks throughout the day.
• Encourage patients to choose different drinks to add variety.
• Discuss the benefits of having food high in fluid, such as jelly, ice cream, ice lolly, watermelon, smoothie or custard.
• Educate patients and their carers of the risks of dehydration and how to recognise signs such as dry skin, dry lips, dry mouth, headaches, new confusion or drowsiness.
• Don’t forget about your own hydration - even mild dehydration can affect concentration.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/

08/07/2025

Emergency alert testing 7th September 2025
The national system for sending emergency alerts to mobile phones in the UK will be tested again this September, the government has said.

It will see compatible phones vibrate and make a siren sound for 10 seconds while displaying a message at 15:00 BST on 7 September, even if they are set to silent.

The alerts are intended for situations in which there is an imminent danger to life, such as extreme weather events or during a terror attack.

The government stresses that emergency alerts should remain switched on, but has published a guide for domestic abuse victims on how to opt out.

Read more at:

About emergency alerts service testing

02/07/2025

Changes to Cervical Screening Invitations

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves thousands of lives every year by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix that could develop into cancer, if left untreated.

How often people need to have cervical screening is changing in England from 1st July 2025. Improvements in HPV testing enables the NHS to now offer a more personalised approach to preventing cervical cancer, which means those identified as lower risk won’t need to be screened as frequently, and those at higher risk will continue to be monitored more regularly.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical cancers. Since December 2019 all cervical screening samples taken in England have been tested for high-risk HPV. It is a more sensitive and accurate test than the previous method and is the best way to find out who is at higher risk of developing the cell changes that over time could lead to cervical cancer.

At the moment, in England, women and people with a cervix aged 25-49 years are routinely invited for screening every 3 years. Now we have this better test for HPV, the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) has recommended that those testing negative, and with no recent history of HPV, won’t need to come for a cervical screening quite so often – every 5 years instead of every 3. If your cervical screening shows you have HPV, you may be invited for more frequent screenings to check HPV has cleared and if not, if any cell changes have developed.

This change is strongly backed by robust scientific evidence. Studies have shown that if a person tests negative for HPV they are extremely unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer within the next 10 years. Research published by King’s College London showed that 5-yearly screening is as safe as 3-yearly; the same number of cancers will be prevented and less frequent cervical screening tests are needed.

This move brings England into line with Scotland and Wales who have introduced this change, and with women aged 50 – 64 who are already invited every 5 years.

The positive impact of the HPV vaccination is also starting to be seen, with studies in England showing that the HPV vaccine stops 90% of cervical cancer cases. The latest HPV vaccine type introduced in the UK in 2021 is predicted to further reduce cases of women’s cancer and HPV attributable deaths by 16% and 9%, compared to the previous vaccine type.

For women aged 25-49 who have had a cervical smear before 1 July 2025, routine screening will continue every three years. Following that smear, if all tests are negative, the screening interval will change to every five years, unless HPV is detected.

02/07/2025

Thanks for continuing to complete the feedback after appointments.

We actively discuss negative feedback with our staff to help improve patient care and ensure we’re continually learning and evolving.

Where possible please add feedback so we can look at ways of improving.

02/07/2025

DNAs are on the increase again. We will be sending DNA leaflets to patients who DNA more than 2 appointments.

Remember, all it takes is a simple call to the surgery if you can no longer make any scheduled appointments.