Kidsgrove Medical Centre Dr Harbidge & Partners

27/03/2026

📨 How will patients access the new CDC?
Access to the Stoke-on-Trent Community Diagnostic Centre will be through referral.

🩺 Your GP or hospital clinician will refer you for tests where appropriate.
🏥 UHNM will book your appointment.

Important to know:
• The CDC does not provide emergency care
• All visits will be pre-booked appointments
• Patients may be invited to Royal Stoke, County Hospital, or the CDC, depending on the test and availability.

Find out more:
https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk/stoke-on-trent-community-diagnostic-centre

27/03/2026

We're proud to be part of the Newcastle Children and Young People's Coalition. This multi-agency programme brings together health, education, local authority and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for children, young people and families across Newcastle-under-Lyme.✨

The coalition is working on four priority areas this year:
Respiratory health.
-Health literacy
-Service mapping.
-Adverse childhood experiences.

If you are Newcastle-based and your school, organisation or community group would like to get involved, whether as a delivery partner, through our micro-grants programme, or simply to find out more, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact Emma Colclough, Programme Lead: emma.colclough@nhs.net

27/03/2026

💙 Are You a Carer? You Might Be, Even If You Don’t Think So!
If you look after a partner, relative, or friend who’s disabled, ill, or struggling day-to-day, you are a carer. Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it can also be physically, emotionally, and financially challenging.

There is support available to help you:
💰 Financial help – benefits, allowances, or grants.
💬 Emotional support – counselling, p*er groups, and advice.
🛠️ Practical assistance – respite care, home adaptations, and equipment.

Take a moment to check what support you could access:
👉 https://bit.ly/43ytyLM

Remember, looking after yourself is just as important as looking after someone else.
You’re not alone! 💙

27/03/2026

📱 NHS App update – what’s changed & how to use it..
The NHS App has had a major update. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what’s moved and where to find things now 👇

🔄 1. New Home Screen:
What’s changed?
Information that used to be in different sections (like GP Health Record) is now shown on the home page in clear categories.
What you’ll now see on the home page:
• Prescriptions
• Appointments
• Test results
• Vaccinations
• Health conditions / allergies
• Documents.
👉 How to use it:
Just open the app directly on the home screen, you don’t need to go through different menus anymore.

📄 2. GP Health Record content has moved:
What’s changed:
Information like test results, documents and medical info has been moved out of “GP Health Record” and placed into the home page categories.
👉 How to find things now:
• Test results → Home page → “Test results”
• Documents/letters → Home page → “Documents”
• Conditions/allergies → Home page → “Health” sections
✅ Making information easier to find without extra clicks!

📅 3. Appointments section updated:
What’s changed:
• “Consultations and events” are now called➡️ “Appointment notes and other updates”
• These are now found within the Appointments section on the home page.
👉 How to find it:
Home → Appointments → “Appointment notes and other updates.”

💬 4. Contacting your GP (Online consultations)
What’s changed:
When booking an appointment, you now have the option to:
➡️ “Ask about a health problem”
👉 How to use it:
Home → Appointments → Book appointment → Select “Ask about a health problem”
📌 This lets you submit an online consultation instead of calling the practice.

🧭 5. New navigation (simpler layout):
What’s changed:
The app now has just 3 main areas:
• Home
• Messages
• Profile.
👉 How to use it:
Use the menu bar at the bottom to switch between these sections.

👤 6. New “Profile” area (replaces Account/settings):
What’s changed:
The old “Account” section is now called Profile and has more features.
👉 What you can do there:
• Update personal details.
• Manage app settings.
• Set health preferences (e.g. organ donation).
• Access services for someone you care for.

❓ 7. Help is now easier to access:
What’s changed:
There’s now an “App help” button on every screen.
👉 How to use it:
Tap the help icon anytime if you get stuck.
✅ Why these changes are better?
• Everything is now in one place (home screen).
• Fewer menus = quicker to find what you need.
• Easier to contact your GP online.
• Better access to your health information.
• Simpler layout designed using patient feedback.

📲 If you still need help, the NHS App support team have created a detailed video of all the changes and how to navigate them, take a look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3L4LcDTEi4

26/03/2026

💧 Urinary Health Matters 💧
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are common, but spotting them early can prevent complications. Watch out for:
• Burning or pain when you p*e
• Needing to p*e more often than usual
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Tummy or lower back pain.

If these symptoms persist, see a pharmacist or book an appointment with your GP.
Men’s health reminder:
Changes such as painful urination, lumps, itching, or bumps on the p***s are often not serious, but it’s always best to get them checked. Early advice helps prevent issues from becoming serious.

📌 Learn more:
• UTIs: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
• Men’s health: https://patient.info/.../p***s-problems-you-shouldnt-ignore

26/03/2026

📢 We’re pleased to share this opportunity from one of our PCN member practices at Talke Clinic.

If you’re interested, or know someone who might be, please take a look below and apply directly 👇

We are hiring!
✨ FULL TIME VACANCY.
✨ Medical Receptionist/Administrator required for Talke Clinic.
✨ Monday – Friday.
✨ 32-35 hours to be confirmed.

Experience in General Practice is desirable but not essential.
✅ Do you have excellent customer service skills?
✅ Are you able to work as part of a busy, but friendly team?
✅ Are you familiar with EMIS web?
✅ Are you able to cover for holidays and sickness?
✅ Have previous GP Surgery experience?
Then we would like to hear from you!

Pay: Dependant on experience.

📧 All interested applicants should email their CV & covering letter to:
dianne.james@staffs.nhs.uk
Closing Date is Monday 27th April 2026.

*Due to the number of applications received we have the right to close this vacancy at any time*

25/03/2026

💙 You Are Not Alone! Support Is Here 💙
Thoughts of self-harm or su***de can feel overwhelming, and many people struggle in silence. If this is how you’re feeling, please know that help is available and you don’t have to cope alone. Reaching out can make a real difference.

👉 Helpful information and support: https://ow.ly/Rz4f50WTO8P

UK helplines available now:
• Samaritans (24/7, free & confidential): Call 116 123
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight daily)
• National Su***de Prevention Helpline UK: 0800 689 5652 (6pm–midnight daily)
• Papyrus HOPELINEUK (under 35s or worried about a young person): 0800 068 4141 (24/7) or text 07786 209 697
• Shout (24/7 text support): Text SHOUT to 85258

If you’re in immediate danger or feel unable to stay safe, please call 999 or go to A&E.
You deserve support, understanding, and care and help is always within reach.

25/03/2026

💙Please be kind to our staff💙
Behind every desk is a human being doing their best to help you.
Our staff’s wellbeing is important too.

25/03/2026

💚 Social prescribing & your health outcomes...
Social prescribing isn’t just about support, it can lead to real improvements in your health and wellbeing.

By connecting people to the right services and activities, it can help:
✔️ Improve mental health and reduce anxiety or low mood.
✔️ Support better management of long-term conditions.
✔️ Increase physical activity and overall fitness.
✔️ Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
✔️ Build confidence and independence.

Taking a more holistic approach means focusing on what matters to you, and helping you stay well for longer.

If you’d like to find out more, speak to our team about social prescribing.

25/03/2026

🌱 Building resilience in children and young people
Our PCN Social Prescriber, James Treasure, explores the importance of emotional awareness in supporting young people’s wellbeing.

The blog offers practical guidance and a simple tool for parents and carers to help children understand and manage their emotions.

👉 Read the full blog: https://www.newcastlenorthpcn.nhs.uk/pcn-blogs/ #

24/03/2026

🎧 New Podcast from our Social Prescribing Team 🎧

Did you know you can self-refer to a Social Prescriber at our practice? They’re here to support you with a wide range of non-medical needs, including:
💬 Mental wellbeing.
🤝 Loneliness and social isolation.
💷 Finances.
🏡 Housing.
🌍 Connecting you with local services and community support.

Taking that first step is easy, simply complete our online form here:
👉 https://www.kidsgrovemedicalcentre.co.uk/your-care/social-prescribers/

🎙️ Tune in to their latest podcast to learn more about how Social Prescribing works and how it could benefit you.
👉https://tinyurl.com/5etb6mvy

📅 Reminder: Join us tomorrow for our Social Prescribing Day event at the practice (10am–12pm).
Come along to meet our Social Prescribers and a range of local organisations offering advice, support, and guidance, we’d love to see you here!

🎧 New Podcast: How Our Social Prescribing Team Can Support You!
Have you ever wondered how our Social Prescribing team could help you? Our latest podcast explains their role and how they support patients across our PCN.

Social prescribers work with you to look at the wider factors affecting your health and wellbeing. This can include support with loneliness, mental wellbeing, finances, housing, and lifestyle changes. They can also connect you with local groups, services, and community organisations that can make a real difference.

In this podcast, you will learn what social prescribing is, how it works, and how you can be referred. You will also hear about the different types of support available and how the team works alongside other organisations to help you get the right support at the right time.

💬 If you think social prescribing could help you, you can self-refer through your GP surgery's website or speak to your GP practice team about a referral.

📅 Reminder: We are running Social Prescribing Day events tomorrow and Thursday across our five member GP surgeries (Mount Road Practice - Dr Rao & Dr Bradshaw, Kidsgrove Medical Centre Dr Harbidge & Partners, Talke Clinic, Audley Health Centre, Church Street, Audley, Stoke on Trent & Heathcote Street Surgery.

Please check your surgery’s social media pages or websites for full details.

Have a listen to the podcast (link below) and find out how support beyond medical care could help improve your wellbeing. 💙
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/john-king01/episodes/Social-Prescribing---Whats-it-all-about-e3gt30g/a-aci3rcc

24/03/2026

🩸 Blood Cancer Awareness 🩸
Did you know that blood cancer is the UK’s 5th most common cancer? Its early signs can be subtle and easy to overlook, including:
• Persistent fatigue or weakness.
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Frequent infections.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them, early detection can make a real difference.
📌 Where to find support and information:
• https://bloodcancer.org.uk/
• https://patient.info/.../what-are-the-early-warning-signs...

Learn the signs, take action early, and seek advice from your GP if you’re concerned.