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Monday 8am - 6:30pm Tuesday 8am - 6:30pm Wednesday 8am - 6:30pm Thursday 8am - 6:30pm Friday 8am - 6:30pm

Watton Medical Practice

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United Kingdom
Thetford
Watton Medical Practice

Patient-focused GP Practice providing exceptional healthcare and diverse services.

13/04/2026

IBS Awareness Month highlights a common condition that can have a big impact on daily life.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system and can cause a range of ongoing symptoms that may come and go.

Common symptoms include:
• Stomach pain or cramping, often relieved after going to the toilet 🤕✨
• Bloating and excessive wind 💨💙
• Diarrhoea, constipation or a mix of both 🚽⚠️
• Changes in bowel habits 📊🩺

Symptoms can often be triggered by stress, certain foods or lifestyle factors. Managing IBS may involve dietary changes, staying active, reducing stress and understanding your triggers. If symptoms are persistent or worsening, it’s important to speak to your GP to rule out other conditions. 💙🌿✨

Read NHS guidance on IBS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
Learn about digestive issues and when it could be something more serious: https://patient.info/features/digestive-health/could-your-digestive-issues-be-ibd

10/04/2026

💊 Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Did you know that Clinical Pharmacists play a vital role in your GP practice? 👀

They’re an important part of the team, working alongside GPs, nurses, and admin staff to help you get the best possible care from your medicines 💙

💊 What do Clinical Pharmacists do?

✨ Support patients with long-term conditions
✨ Help those taking multiple medications (medication reviews & advice)
✨ Provide health checks and expert guidance
✨ Offer safe, effective treatment and prescribing support

🤝 Why is this role so important?

Clinical Pharmacists help to:
✅ Improve patient safety
✅ Ensure medicines are used effectively and appropriately
✅ Deliver better health outcomes

🩺 What does this mean for you?

By having Clinical Pharmacists in practice, GPs can focus on patients with more complex conditions, helping reduce pressure and improve access for everyone 🙌

💬 If you’re invited to speak with a Clinical Pharmacist, rest assured—you’re in expert hands!

💙

10/04/2026

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder of how important screening is, even if you feel well.

The NHS bowel cancer screening programme is designed to detect cancer early, often before symptoms appear, when treatment is more effective and outcomes are better.

If you are aged 50 to 74, you will be sent a free home testing kit every 2 years. The test is simple to do and checks for tiny amounts of blood in your poo, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.

Taking part in screening can:
• Detect cancer early, before symptoms develop 🩺✨
• Help prevent cancer by finding and removing polyps 💙🔍
• Improve survival rates and treatment outcomes 📊🌿

Even if you feel healthy, it’s important to complete your test when invited.

If you notice symptoms like changes in bowel habits, blood in your poo, ongoing tummy pain or unexplained weight loss, contact your GP. Early action can save lives. 💙🎗️✨

Learn more about bowel cancer screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/bowel-cancer-screening/

08/04/2026

📊 March at Watton Medical Practice

March was another busy month for Watton Medical Practice and we'd like to thank our patients and our hardworking team for helping things run as smoothly as possible.

We'd like to share a snapshot of some of the work happening behind the scenes to support our patients every day.

Here’s a look at our March activity:

👥 Registered patients: 14,104

📞 Phone calls received: 4,390
👉 That's nearly 700 more calls than February, meaning our team were even busier supporting patients by phone.

⏱️ Average phone hold time: AM: 15 minutes & PM: 4 minutes
👉 This small increase reflects the rise in call volumes and we truly appreciate your patience.

💻 Online forms submitted: 4,258
👉 More than 300 more forms submitted than in February.

📨 Letters processed: 2,384

💊 Prescriptions issued: 14,573

👩‍⚕️ Appointments provided: 7,003

❗ Did Not Attend (DNA) appointments: 257
👉 This is a significant rise in patients not attending their appointment from February's 193. Please let us know if you can't attend, it helps us offer appointments to other patients who need them.

Our team works hard to answer calls, review requests, process prescriptions, and provide appointments as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and support.

If you are unable to attend an appointment, please let us know so we can offer it to another patient. You can cancel your appointment by:
• Calling the practice 📞
• Visiting the reception desk 🏥
• Cancelling via the text reminder 📱
• Using the practice website- https://wattonmedicalpractice.co.uk/.../cancel-an.../

08/04/2026

Stress Awareness Month is a time to recognise the signs of burnout and take steps to protect your mental wellbeing.

Burnout can build up over time and may leave you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, less motivated or struggling to concentrate. Recognising the early signs and taking action can help prevent things from getting worse.

Common signs of burnout include:
• Constant tiredness or lack of energy 😴💤
• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope 😣💭
• Reduced motivation or productivity 📉💼
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions 🧠⚠️
• Changes in sleep or mood 🌙💙

Taking regular breaks, setting boundaries, speaking to someone you trust and seeking support can all help you manage stress more effectively. You are not alone, and help is available. 💙🌿✨

Learn more about burnout: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/
Read about the symptoms of burnout: https://patient.info/features/mental-health/what-are-the-symptoms-of-burnout

07/04/2026

🌟 Thank You for Your Feedback! 🌟
We’re proud to share the results from our Friends and Family Test over the past month. Your feedback helps us continually improve and provide the best care possible. 🙏💙
📊 Key highlights from last month are shown in the photo below.
We’ve been overwhelmed by your kind words, and we’d love to share just a few of the comments you’ve told us:
💬 "Your Reception area is becoming more welcoming and informative with the information screen definitely interesting. Being a bit deaf I no longer have to worry that I will miss my call"
💬"Appointment was carried out in a professional, efficient and timely manner."
💬"Appointment was on time got first class treatment from the nurses excellent"
💬"The Enhanced recovery worker was great and lovely to speak to helping me with every step of my recovery"
💬"The doctor was very attentive, made me feel relaxed, able to answer my questions . Gave me advice on my medical problems."
💬"Great service, prompt and good patient care"
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. Your kind words and constructive feedback truly make a difference and motivate our whole team. 🌱
💙 Your Voice Matters!
If you haven’t already, please take a moment to share your feedback next time you visit. Together, we can continue to make our surgery even better.

07/04/2026

🚨 DRUG ALERT – NORWICH AREA 🚨

We have received reports that he**in in the Norwich area may be contaminated with highly dangerous synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, xylazine, and nitazenes.

⚠️ HIGH RISK OF OVERDOSE
These substances are extremely potent. Even a very small amount can cause:

Severe breathing problems
Unconsciousness
Death

⚠️ Important Safety Advice
While the safest option is not to use non-prescribed drugs, if you do:

🔹 Go low and slow – Start with a very small amount
🔹 Do not use alone – Make sure someone is with you and has naloxone
🔹 Avoid mixing drugs – Especially with alcohol
🔹 Look after each other – Know the signs of overdose:
- Slow or no breathing
- Unconsciousness
- Snoring or rasping sounds
- Blue lips or fingertips

🔹 Be ready to act
Call an ambulance immediately and use naloxone if available (multiple doses may be needed)

✅ Use Testing Services
Visit https://www.wedinos.org for drug testing services

💙 Stay safe. Look out for each other.

If you need support or advice, please reach out to local services.

07/04/2026

World Health Day is a great time to highlight how digital access is making healthcare quicker and easier for patients. Our “Tap it, type it, we’ll take care of it” approach encourages patients to use online services like the NHS App, GP websites and online forms to get the help they need without waiting on the phone.

Using online access means you can:
• Contact your GP about a health problem quickly and easily 💻📱✨
• Submit requests at a time that suits you ⏰💙
• Get directed to the right care first time 🩺✅
• Help reduce phone lines for those who need them most ☎️💚

Online forms are simple to use and ensure your request is reviewed and prioritised appropriately by the practice team. Digital access helps improve efficiency, reduce waiting times and make care more accessible for everyone. 📲💙✨

Learn how to use an online form to contact your GP: https://ow.ly/2GRb50YB3v9

03/04/2026

Testicular Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder that knowing your body and checking regularly can make a real difference. Testicular cancer is most common in younger men, and early detection is highly treatable. There is nothing to feel embarrassed about when it comes to your health, and getting checked early can save lives. 💙🩺✨

How to check:
• Check yourself once a month, ideally after a warm shower or bath 🛁✨
• Gently roll each testicle between your fingers and thumb 🤲💙
• Get to know what feels normal for you 🧠✨

What to look out for:
• Any lumps or swelling 🩺⚠️
• Changes in size, shape or texture 📏✨
• A feeling of heaviness in the sc***um ⚖️💙
• A dull ache or discomfort in the lower abdomen or groin 🤕✨

If you notice anything unusual, speak to your GP. 💙🩺✨

Learn how to check yourself: https://ow.ly/ftoK50YAFPb
Read NHS guidance on symptoms and treatment: https://ow.ly/GcAn50YAFPg
Find support and information from Orchid: https://ow.ly/2uaF50YAFPe

02/04/2026

It’s National Walking Day, the perfect reminder that moving more doesn’t have to be complicated. 🚶‍♀️💚✨

A simple 10 minute brisk walk can boost your mood, improve heart health and increase energy levels. The NHS Active 10 app makes it easy to track your brisk walking, set goals and stay motivated wherever you are. Little steps really do add up to big health benefits. 🚶‍♂️💙🌿

Download the NHS Active 10 app on Android: https://ow.ly/ECW650YAwMm
Download the NHS Active 10 app on Apple: https://ow.ly/j85C50YAwMg

30/03/2026

Good nutrition and hydration are essential for overall health, energy levels and how your body feels day to day.

Eating a balanced diet with a variety of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and protein helps fuel your body, while drinking enough water supports circulation, digestion and joint health. Hydration also plays a role in keeping connective tissues, including fascia, supple and functioning well. Small, realistic changes to your diet can make a big difference over time, and planning ahead is especially important during periods of fasting to maintain safe hydration and nutrient intake. 🥗💧💙✨

Explore NHS healthy eating advice: https://ow.ly/twXE50YzAVf
Learn about water, drinks and hydration: https://ow.ly/tpvk50YzAVC
Read about making small healthy diet changes: https://ow.ly/ZNkC50YzAVi
Find guidance on fasting safely during Ramadan: https://ow.ly/FjXB50YzAVh

28/03/2026

Don't forget! ⏰

The clocks go forward 1 hour this Sunday for Daylight Saving Time.

If your clocks don't update automatically, remember to change them before going to bed on Saturday night.

A simple change, but an easy one to forget!

Address

24 Gregor Shanks Way, Watton
Thetford
IP256FA

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 6:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 6:30pm
Thursday	8am - 6:30pm
Friday	8am - 6:30pm

Telephone

+441953881247

Website

https://www.wattonmedicalpractice.co.uk/

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