School Lane Surgery

21/11/2025

Let’s avoid a ‘Flu ami’!

We are a bit concerned about flu this year because the season is starting unusually early. According to the latest UK Health Security Agency data, flu is already circulating more than we would normally expect at this time. With the cold snap, that is not going to help anyone either.

Key points:

If you are eligible for a flu jab, try to get it soon. We are actively contacting all eligible patients, and clinical staff are offering the vaccine to those who attend the surgery.

It can take up to 14 days from when you have the vaccine for your body to reach the best level of protection. Get ahead of Xmas now and have the jab before you start to see others. Protection sooner could make a big difference.

The injection does not contain a live virus and therefore the vaccine cannot give you flu. It contains inert components of the virus that allows the body’s defensives to start to recognise what the virus looks like and start to develop a defence against it. (A bit like when people on the Thetford Forum post Ring doorbell footage of others up to no good. It helps the rest of us to recognise them!)

For more information on the flu programme, check out our F(lu)AQ’s on the website here: https://schoollanesurgery.co.uk/news/flu-aqs-helping-you-stay-healthy-this-flu-season/

Don't forget, if you are eligible for a covid booster, for example if you are over 75 or have a weakened immune system, and you have not had it yet, now is a good time to go for it. Clinics are held at the HLC and you can have the flu vaccine at the same time.

(Graph Source : National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report: 20 November 2025 (week 47))

21/11/2025

🥦🧠 It’s Malnutrition Awareness Week - and while it’s often associated with undernutrition, malnutrition can affect anyone, even those trying to lose weight.

Healthy eating isn’t just about cutting calories - it’s about getting the nutrients your body needs to thrive 💪

💡 Did you know?
⚠️ Weight loss medications like Mounjaro, Wegovy or Saxenda can reduce appetite so much that people may miss out on essential nutrients.
⚠️ Malnutrition symptoms can be subtle - like fatigue, slow healing, or feeling cold all the time.
⚠️ Even if you're eating, you could be missing key vitamins or minerals.

✅ Learn more:
🍽️ NHS Better Health tips: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/
📋 Malnutrition symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/symptoms/
💊 Weight loss med side effects: https://onlinedoctor.boots.com/weight-loss/wegovy-saxenda-side-effects
🥕 10 nutrients you might be lacking: https://patient.info/news-and-features/10-essential-nutrients-you-might-be-lacking

Eat well. Stay strong. Be informed. 💚

20/11/2025

MIND Enhanced Recovery Service at School Lane

We would like to let our patients know about a change to the MIND Enhanced Recovery Worker (ERW) service that has been based at the surgery. This service, run by MIND, provided support to patients, but it has been less used in recent months. After reviewing the range of mental health options already available locally, it was agreed that patients can continue to access a full range of support through other MIND and NHS services.

In Thetford, MIND offers two welcoming alternatives:

• The MIND REST Café – a safe space to talk and find support
• The MIND REST Hub – located in the Breckland House lobby for support

You can find more information about these services via the link below.

Link: https://www.norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk/rest-thetford

Patients can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for emotional wellbeing and mental health support without needing to see a GP. More details are available via the link below.

Link: https://www.nandwtalkingtherapies.org.uk/

For those needing more intensive or ongoing support, Christel, our dedicated Mental Health Practitioner, remains available at School Lane Surgery to continue offering expert care.

We also have Andrea, our in house Social Prescriber. A social prescriber in a GP surgery is someone who helps patients with non-medical needs that may be affecting their health. Instead of giving clinical treatment, they talk with patients to understand issues such as loneliness, stress, money worries or housing problems. They then connect the patient with community groups, support services, or activities that can improve wellbeing. Working alongside the surgery clinical team so that patients get practical support for the life factors that influence health.

We would like to sincerely thank both of our Enhanced Recovery Workers for their time and contribution to the surgery and wish them all the best for the future.

We're Norfolk and Waveney Mind, the mental health charity that believes no one should have to face a mental problem alone.

20/11/2025

🎄 Christmas Opening Hours and Support 🎄

With the festive season just around the corner, we want to help you plan ahead and make sure you have the right information for your healthcare needs over Christmas and New Year

Surgery Opening Hours
Our full schedule of opening times, including closures on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, is available on our website via the link below

Link: https://schoollanesurgery.co.uk/news/christmas-new-year-opening-hours-for-2025/

If you need medical assistance while we are closed

• For emergencies, call 999
• For urgent mental health support, call 111 and select Option 2
• For non-urgent medical help, contact NHS 111 online at www.111.nhs.uk or by phone

• Pharmacies: Many local pharmacies will be open and can provide advice and over-the-counter remedies for common conditions such as coughs, colds, and stomach upsets. You can find your nearest open pharmacy at www.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy

Be Ready for the Holidays
It’s a good idea to check you have enough medication and basic supplies at home, such as pain relief and first aid items. Please order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time

With just 35 days to go, we wanted to make sure that you are keep up to date with when the surgery is open overt he festive period.

We've put some small files called cookies on your device to make our site work. We would also like to use analytical cookies to understand how our site is used and improve user experience. Analytical cookies send information to Google Analytics.

19/11/2025

👨‍⚕️📋 International Men’s Day is approaching – and it’s the perfect moment to prioritise our health checks!

Did you know the NHS offers a free health check for adults to help spot risks like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and more? Check it out:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check

Want to know what happens at the check? Learn more at:
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-to-expect-at-an-nhs-health-check

📌 This is important for every man – whether you feel fine or not. Strong health starts with awareness and action.

18/11/2025

Millions of people are using the NHS App to manage their health the easy way, from ordering a prescription to checking their records.

Find out more about the NHS App ➡️ nhs.uk/app

18/11/2025

If you catch a winter virus, you’re more likely to have milder symptoms and recover quicker, if you’ve had your vaccine.

If you’re eligible, book your free flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines today.

17/11/2025

We are expecting a spell of cold weather this week and it is a good time to make sure you and those around you are ready for winter conditions.

Cold temperatures can affect older people, anyone with long term heart or lung conditions and others in vulnerable situations.

We have shared guidance on staying warm at home, looking after yourself, supporting others and finding financial help if you need it.

Please take a moment to read the advice and share it with anyone who may benefit.

Full guidance is available on our website here:

We've put some small files called cookies on your device to make our site work. We would also like to use analytical cookies to understand how our site is used and improve user experience. Analytical cookies send information to Google Analytics.

17/11/2025

Good news! If you haven’t yet had your covid autumn booster, there’s still time to get protected!

Vaccination clinics at the Healthy Living Centre are still open and the next clinic are on:
• Friday 21 Nov
• Thursday 27 Nov

You can book your appointment easily via the link below
Link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

Or by simply calling 119 if you cannot use the link.

Who can get the booster?
This season, the covid booster is being offered to the same patients who are eligible for the Spring booster. These are patients who are:
• Aged 75 or over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• People aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed

Having the autumn booster helps reduce your risk of severe illness or hospitalisation from covid, especially through the winter months.

As an added bonus, if you have yet to have the flu vaccine, you can have that at the same time too!

Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.

17/11/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Children in Need fundraising.

We are so happy to share that we raised £450!!!!! Every single person who donated, purchased a ticket or helped in any way has shown amazing generosity and community spirit.

It was lovely to see so many people taking part, despite the weather!

Your support means so much and will help make a real difference for children who need it most.

A special thanks to Lesley and Becky for manning the stand! 😀

Thank you again to everyone who got involved and helped us reach this amazing total.

17/11/2025

🦠💊 Antibiotics are powerful medicines - but they aren’t always the answer. Using them when they’re not needed can cause harm and make future infections harder to treat.

Here’s what you should know:
✔️ They only work against bacterial infections, not viruses like colds or flu.
✔️ Overuse is driving antibiotic‑resistance (“superbugs”) - which means common infections can become untreatable.
✔️ Do these things to help protect their effectiveness:
‑ Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional
‑ Complete the full course exactly as directed
‑ Never save antibiotics for later or share them with others

📚 Learn more here:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antibiotics/antibiotic-antimicrobial-resistance/
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/why-antibiotics-should-not-be-overused

16/11/2025

Not sure where to turn for help with your health?

Find out about the range of NHS services you can get through the NHS App, and other ways to access primary care services like pharmacies and GP practices.

https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/support-primary-care/improving-access-to-primary-care/