News
COVID VACCINES SPRING 2024
Message from West Northumberland Primary Care Network: This spring Be wise, immunise!
This spring those most vulnerable and at greatest risk from COVID-19 will need extra protection. You are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
- aged 75 years & over (by the 30th June 2024)
- aged 6 months and over and are immunosuppressed
DO NOT CALL YOUR GP PRACTICE AS THEY ARE UNABLE TO BOOK THIS FOR YOU
TO BOOK if you are eligible: search ‘NHS COVID-19 vaccine’ online, use the NHS app or telephone 119.
We are offering appointments at: HEXHAM MART
choose this location – if this is not available when you go to book, please try again at another time, more appointments are being added all the time.
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Zero Tolerance
Sadly, we have noticed a recent increase in the abuse suffered by our staff. This has come face to face and over the phone. We have also received abusive emails.
Our staff are following processes and procedures determined by the GP partners, which are put in place for patient safety.
We are aware that navigating healthcare systems can be difficult and sometimes frustrating, but we are happy to explain our procedures and pathways if given the chance to do so. We are also aware that patients can be ill or anxious and make allowances for that, but none of our staff should be upset by interactions with patients.
We therefore ask that you treat our staff with courtesy and respect as they try their best to help.
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Think Pharmacy First
You may have seen publicity about this recently expanded scheme. You can attend a pharmacy yourself or one of our reception team may refer you. There is no charge for the consultation but prescription items are chargeable (if you pay).
The pharmacist will call you within 3 hours (which may be the following day). Please remember that pharmacists are skilled clinicians who communicate appropriately with our GPs if necessary.
Conditions which can be dealt with by a pharmacist:
Aches and pains - back pain, headache, migraine, muscle ache, period paid, teething, toothache
Allergies - bites and stings, hay fever, skin reaction
Colds and flu - cough, congestion, sore throat, fever/temperature(including fever following immunisation)
Ear care - earache, ear infection, ear wax
Eye care - bacterial conjunctivitis, styes
Gastrointestinal care - diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, piles, reflux, threadworms, vomiting
Head lice
Mouth care - cold sores, oral thrush, ulcers
Skin Care - athlete's foot, chicken pox, contact dermatitis/atopic eczema, fungal skin infections, nappy rash, itching, scabies, warts, verrucas
Urine infections - women aged 18-64
Vaginal thrush
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Feedback
Our appointment reminder system allows us to request feedback after your appointment and we thank those who take the time to do this.
We realise that many people are wary of clicking on links or may not have smartphones to allow them to do this.
We are happy to take feedback via any means patients refer and take on board any suggestions for improvement.
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AAA Screening
If you receive (or may have already received) a letter from the QE Hospital Gateshead, inviting you to attend Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening, please make arrangements to do so. This is a one off, painless ultrasound scan that measures the aorta in the tummy area. The scan will be local to where you live, only takes 10 mins and you get the results on the day. AAA are most common in men over 65, don’t usually have symptoms and can be fatal if left undetected.
Please don’t ignore the appointment; it could save your life!
If the appointment is unsuitable, please contact AAA screening on 0191 4458747
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Enhanced access hub
there will be some availability at Hexham on Saturday 23 December and Saturday 30 December.
The enhanced access hub will be open 9am-1pm on 26th December and 1st January at Corbridge. Hub appointments will be available to book by clicking on the following link Select a location (herohealth.net).
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Shingles vaccination programme (from gov.uk website)
From 1 September 2023, the vaccine programme is being offered to healthy people turning 65 or 70 years on, or after, that date.
The roll out will continue at these ages until all those aged 65 years in 2023 have turned 70 and been offered vaccination (in 2028).
In 2028, the vaccine offer will also be extended to those turning 60, as well as those turning 65.
In 2033, the Shingrix shingles vaccine will become a routine offer at age 60 (by which time all those turning 65 years will have already been offered the vaccine). Once you have become eligible, you will remain eligible for the shingles vaccine until your 80th birthday.
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Autumn Covid Booster Vaccines
As from Monday the 18th September, the NHS has started to invite patients to book their Covid Autumn Booster in priority order of risk.
Those eligible* are now able to book an appointment via the National Booking Service website (NBS), and appointments will appear bookable at the Mart, Hexham, Tyne Green, NE46 3SG.
Patients can also book appointments in the NHS APP, or by ringing 119.
You will be offered a location(s) where vaccine is available.
If your preferred location is not available at the time of booking, please continue to try again later.
Some eligible patients may receive an invite to book into one of our local booking service (for limited local pop-up appointments only)
Please be patient and do not contact your GP practice.
Eligible patients:
- Care Home Residents and staff.
- All adults aged 65 and over.
- People aged 5 to 64 years, in a clinical risk group (including Immunosuppressed). (Self-declare on the National Booking Service)
- Frontline Health & Social Care Workers.
- People aged 12 to 64 who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression, as defined in the UKHSA Green Book.
- People aged 16 to 64 years who are carers (as defined in the UKHSA Green Book) and staff working in care homes.
(Self-declare on the National Booking Service)
(Patients aged 6 months to 4yrs old, in a clinical risk group will be invited separately.)
For any covid queries please contact the NHS Covid telephone line by ringing 119 or visit www.nhs.uk
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Flu clinics
Our main flu clinic is at the Primary Care Centre on Saturday 30 September. Appointments are available to book online. We also have other sessions available for those unable to attend on 30 September. These are Thursday mornings in October.
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Carer Organisations
Please ensure that you check appropriate registrations e.g. with the NMC and/or CQC for carers or care organisations coming into people's homes.
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Accessibility
We have added the Userway icon to our website to allow viewers to change settings, tailoring the contrast etc to their needs.
Our latest newsletter is available in the newsletters section.
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Travelling Abroad
Whilst abroad, please be aware that we cannot:
- consult or provide any medical advice by phone, email, fax or video link
- provide electronic transfer or faxed prescriptions should you run out of medication
- source a doctor or medical assistance
- ensure there are suitable medication supplies at your intended destination.
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Reviews
We are introducing a ‘birth month’ annual review system for patients who have regular check-ups and blood tests. Patients will be contacted by letter in the month of their birthday inviting them to book their annual reviews, and we will aim to streamline our systems into one process which should reduce visits to the practice for lots of our patients. We ask that you bear with us whilst we are introducing this system.
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Group A Strep infections
There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs circulating. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell.
As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:
- your child is getting worse
- your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
- your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
- your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
- your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
- your child is very tired or irritable
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- there are pauses when your child breathes
- your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections.
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Saturday Hub
The local extended access hub operates from Sele's premises every Saturday. If you need to see someone on a Saturday or can't get to a smear appointment through the week, please ask to be booked into the 'hub'.
Ear syringing is also available at the hub for those who need this.
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First Contact Physiotherapists
If you have aches and pains which you think might need a referral for physiotherapy, please ask for an appointment with our first contact physiotherapist who works with us on Mondays.
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Pregnancy care
You can self refer for pregnancy care without needing to see a GP.
Please click on the link for more information: Pregnancy Care
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Appointment Times
Most of our appointments are for a duration of 10 minutes and we request that you attend in time. We do try our best to work to time but there are occasions when consultations take longer than anticipated for many reasons, so please bear with us.
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Contact details
Please ensure that we have up to date contact details for you. Mobile contact details are particularly helpful for us to send text messages inviting you to attend for vaccinations etc. If you have changed your mobile phone in the past few months, we may not have the correct number.
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Polio
Polio vaccine is part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination schedule. It's given to babies and children when they are:
- 8, 12 and 16 weeks old as part of the 6 in 1 vaccine DTaP/IPV/Hib/ HepB
- 3 years and 4 months old as part of the 4 in 1 pre school booster (DTaP/IPV)
- 14 years old as part of the 3 in 1 teenage booster (Td/IPV)
You need to have all of these vaccinations to be fully vaccinated against polio.
If you have missed out for any reason, you can have polio vaccination for free on the NHS at any age. You should get vaccinated even if you've had polio before as the vaccine protects against different types of polio.
Having been declared polio free in 2003, genetically related polio virus has recently been found in sewage samples in London. This suggests it is likely there has been some spread between closely linked individuals in North and East London and that they are now shedding the type 2 poliovirus strain in their faeces. Please consider having a polio vaccination if you need one.
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening (AAA)
Our eligible patients will shortly be called for screening under this national programme. We would encourage anyone invited to engage with the programme.
Research Project - June 2022
The practice is participating in a research project called PATHOR which is assessing the impact on mental health of pregnancy and childbirth.
We are sending text messages to eligible patients. who may wish to participate.
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Breast Screening
eligible ladies will soon receive an invitation from the NHS breast screening service asking them to make an appointment. The invitations are not issued by the practice.we would encourage all eligible patients to attend for this very important check.
February newsletter available here
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MMR
The risk of catching Measles, Mumps or Rubella increases when your child goes to nursery. If they are not vaccinated, they are left exposed to becoming seriously ill if they are infected. Protect your child and make an appointment for a vaccination.
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West Northumberland Primary Care Network wants your help
Are you enthusiastic about the health and wellbeing of your community?
Are you a patient of Branch End Surgery, The Bellingham Practice, Burn Brae Medical Group, Corbridge Medical Group, Haltwhistle Medical Group, Humshaugh and Wark Medical Group, Prudhoe Medical Group, Scots Gap Medical Group, Sele Medical Group or White Medical Group?
Then the West Northumberland Primary Care Network (PCN) wants your help.
The GP practices across the Tyne Valley are working together to give you a more co-ordinated and wider range of services. We want to set up a Patient Participation Group (PPG) to understand what patients and carers experience in our services and what they want in the future.
Although not members of the PCN, Adderlane Surgery and Riversdale Surgery receive services from our PCN, so patients from these surgeries are also welcome to join our PPG.
Being part of the PPG means having a voice and participating in the development of the range, shape and quality of our services.
PPG members are volunteers and meet regularly (virtually at the moment).
You may already be part of a PPG at your local practice, and we are keen for you to bring your experience to this new wider group. If you have never been involved before then there is lots to do and it’s an exciting time to get involved. We can put you in touch with an existing member of the PPG to hear first-hand about what a great opportunity this is.
What to do next
To arrange an informal chat with Jeni Langdown, the PCN Manager email norccg.westnorthumberlandpcn@nhs.net.
Come to a meeting at 6pm on Thursday 17 February 2022, hosted by Healthwatch Northumberland. The meeting will be online.
Book at norccg.westnorthumberlandpcn@nhs.net and you will be sent the link
Email info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk to book your place and then you will be sent a link
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Dr Walker
We wish to announce that Dr Walker will be retiring at the end of March. We thank him enormously for his years of support and dedication to the practice and his patients.
We hope to be able to let you know about his successor very soon.
Home
When using e-consult to request letters etc. please note that these may incur a private charge.
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Welcome to Sele Medical Practice
Please see our News page for updates on covid boosters.
To see a doctor in Hexham, join us at Sele Medical Practice. Sele is a long established NHS GP practice based in central Hexham, providing a wide range of medical services within friendly, comfortable and modern purpose-built premises in the Hexham Primary Care Centre. There is an on-site car park, easy access for the less mobile, with all consulting rooms on the ground floor, and facilities for disabled people and families with toddlers and babies.
We pride ourselves on our personal service which includes escorting patients from the waiting area to consulting rooms.
We are actively involved in research and in teaching medical students at various stages of their training.
We achieve high standards as assessed against the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and we have a low level of complaints which is why we can be proud of the high standard of service we offer.
If you are new to the Hexham area, please don't wait until you need to see a doctor, register with a GP now. You will be registered with a named GP but you do not have to consult with that particular GP.
The GP surgery is open and appointments are usually available, during the opening times listed on this website. To see a Doctor or Nurse please telephone us or come to the surgery to book an appointment. our reception is staffed continuously during our opening hours and appointments are available at various times throughout the day, including lunchtimes. Appointments are available until 8pm and on Saturdays at the Corbridge Hub. these can be booked though our receptionist
PLEASE CONTACT 111 IF YOU NEED URGENT MEDICAL ADVICE WHEN WE ARE CLOSED.
ALWAYS DIAL 999 IN AN EMERGENCY WHERE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE RATHER THAN CONTACTING US:
- suspected heart attack eg. chest pain, even if you haven't previously had heart problems;
- sudden and severe shortness of breath
- loss of consciousness
- suspected stroke
- sudden and severe allergic reaction eg. facial swelling or breathing difficulty
Coronavirus update
We request that patients with high temperatures or a new cough or patients living with others that have these symptoms DO NOT visit the Practice. You can access 111 online or phone if you have either of those symptoms, or are isolating and require further advice.
You can leave prescription requests in our postbox outside or in the box just inside the door or you can order your medication online if you have signed up to the service. We are working to government guidelines with regard to issuing medication. Pharmacies are taking longer than usual to process prescriptions so please factor in dispensing delays when ordering your medication. Most pharmacies are requesting 7 days' notice.
If you are entering the building for any reason, please wash your hands as you come in, hand sanitizer is also available.
When you book your appointment, you will be given the choice of a face to face or telephone consultation. After a telephone consultation, the GP may ask you to attend the practice in person for further examination.
National Screening programmes
We recommend that anyone invited to participate in any of the national screening programmes does so. For the vast majority of people, the results give the all clear.
Bowel screening kits are posted out to eligible patients and, whilst the collection process is not pleasant, the result usually gives peace of mind. If, unfortunately, there is evidence of early bowel cancer, swift action can help the prognosis.
Cervical screening is also vital in playing a part in the early detection of cervical cancer. We recommend that anyone invited makes an appointment with one of our practice nurses or with a nurse at the Saturday hub (on Sele's premises) or extended access hub weekday evenings at Corbridge.
Breast screening is very helpful in detecting early cancers and therefore useful for starting treatment early. Again, we commend anyone invited to make an appointment. Appointments are usually available very locally in Hexham but can be made elsewhere if more convenient.
All our jobs are posted on the NHS jobs website.
Opening Times
Opening Times
We are open for you to see a doctor or a nurse at the following times:
| Times | |
| Monday | 8:00 am to 6:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:00 am to 6:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:00 am to 6:30 pm |
| Thursday | 8:00 am to 6:30 pm |
| Friday | 8:00 am to 6:30 pm |
| Saturdays |
Extended Access hub at Sele 9.00am to 5.00pm 01434 613072 -on Saturday only |
| Sundays and Bank Holidays | closed |
Our telephone lines are open between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. To see a Doctor or Nurse please telephone us or come to the surgery to book an appointment.
Our reception is staffed continuously during our opening hours and appointments are available at various times throughout the day, including lunchtimes.
Appointments are available until 8pm, Monday to Friday at the Corbridge Hub. These can be booked though our receptionist.
Anyone needing medical advice or care before 8am or after 6.00pm will be directed to call 111. In an emergency of life threatening situation call 999.
Contact Details
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