Almost all pharmacies now offer the Pharmacy First service, giving advice and, if needed, NHS medicines to treat seven common health conditions – and all without the need for a GP appointment.

Ask your local pharmacy for more information about this free NHS service.

The local NHS across Humber and North Yorkshire is embarking on We Need to Talk – a four-week conversation with people through social media and in-person focus groups about the future of the NHS in our area.

Starting 14 October, it lays bare some of the difficulties faced by the NHS, whilst giving people an opportunity to signal how they might want the NHS to change to meet the challenges of today and the demands of the future. There's further information about We Need to Talk and details of how people can get involved in the conversation at www.ourNHS.org as well as a short survey to complete.

You can watch a short video about the reasons for the campaign here.

We are very proud to announce that we won a number of awards at the recent Safecare Awards Ceremony which recognises contributions in Primary Care across North Lincolnshire.  All 19 surgeries are eligible for nomination in a number of categories and we were successful in winning four awards: GP of the Year (Dr Hussain), Practice Manager of the Year (Faith Woodcock), Reception Team of the Year and also a Clinical Improvement Award for Diabetes.  

We are very sad to share that our well-loved colleague and friend, Alan Westrip, has passed away peacefully following a period of ill health.  As many of you will know, Alan worked for Church Lane as a Specialist Paramedic and mainly provided support to patients in care homes.  He also held clinics on site where he had a special interest in Mental Health and always strived to help those who needed it.  We received many a thank you letter from patients who he had helped during difficult periods. He was also a very kind and supportive colleague to everyone and would go above and beyond to help everyone out.

Having been with the NHS for many years, he started as an Ambulance Driver and was very proud to be in the first intake of paramedics in the UK and qualified in 1992.  After 35 years in the Ambulance service, he achieved additional qualifications at master’s Level to work within primary care and become a Prescribing Paramedic.

Alan will be fondly remembered and missed by all.

Following feedback from patients, we have had a new appointment self-check in system installed in reception.  The screen is straight ahead as you enter the building.  There are two ways to check in - either by using the touchscreen or by scanning the QR code with a mobile phone and using this to check in.  A short instruction video is available here. Please do make use of the screen when you do not need to speak with a receptionist to ensure you are seen quicker and reduce queues for other patients.  Please note if you arrive too early or too late for your appointment the screen will re-direct you to speak with reception. Thank you.

Measles is more than just a rash and during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight.

Cases are on the rise and the disease is highly infectious. There is no treatment or cure for measles but the MMR vaccine protects you against this dangerous disease.

Getting vaccinated isn’t just for children. It is important at any age. So if you are planning a pregnancy and not fully vaccinated, make an appointment with your GP to catch up on any missing vaccinations. You should avoid getting pregnant one month after the vaccine. If you are pregnant or have just had a baby, you should speak to your GP or practice nurse.

For more information visit Let’s Get Vaccinated.

Measles is more than just a rash and can lead to serious complications including meningitis and blindness, particularly in babies and young children. In fact, 1 in 15 children who contract measles develop serious complications.

Cases are on the rise and the disease is highly infectious.

The best way to protect your children from this serious and preventable disease is to keep their vaccinations up to date. The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and has been used since the early 1980s.

All children should receive their two doses on time at 12 months and again at 3 years and 4 months.

Check your child’s red book and make contact with your practice to catch up oany missing vaccinations.

For more information visit Let’s Get Vaccinated.

Winter is the busiest period for the NHS, with increases in the number of people needing help across all services. Throughout Humber and North Yorkshire, Accident and Emergency departments in the region’s hospitals have been extremely busy.

Using services wisely can help to reduce pressure on the NHS and may help patients to be treated sooner than attending local hospital emergency departments, allowing medical staff to focus on treating those people who need it most.

To help staff prioritise care for those who are sickest and most vulnerable, the NHS is urging people who need urgent medical help to use NHS 111 via phone, the NHS App or online to 111.nhs.uk.

Highly trained advisors at NHS 111 will assess and direct people to the most appropriate local service, including urgent treatment centres, GP practices, and consultations with a pharmacist. If needed, staff can also arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or paramedic.

NHS 111 is an easy and convenient way for people to get urgent help for a wide range of health problems from the comfort of their own home.

However, people should still call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency – when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Did you know you can manage repeat prescriptions from Church Lane Medical Centre in the NHS App?

You can easily choose where your prescriptions are sent. So, if you know you'll be away from home or you are moving home, you can change your nominated pharmacy from within the app.

You can also order your prescription at any time that suits you. There's no need to wait to join a telephone queue or wait until the GP surgery opens.

It's easy to use, and, if you hit a snag, you can go to 'help' in the top right-hand corner of the app or visit www.nhs.uk/helpmeapp. Find out more about the NHS App at www.nhs.uk/NHSapp

It has been reported nationally that fraudsters have phoned patients, pretending to be from a pharmacy. The caller has said they are ringing to arrange the delivery of medication, but have asked the patient to confirm their full name, date of birth, address and some banking details.

Fraudsters can be very convincing and so we ask that if you have any vulnerable friends or relatives, you let them know about this scam. They should be particularly mindful of such calls if they do not usually pay for a prescription medication delivery service.

We recommend that if such an unsolicited call is received, that the patient hangs up and contacts their pharmacy as they usually would. We advise that either a different phone is used, or to wait for a period of at least 20 minutes before making any verification phone calls just in case the fraudster has jammed the line.

Patients can find out more information to protect themselves from fraudsters by visiting Action Fraud.

LiveWell North Lincolnshire is a one-stop place for residents  to find a wide range of organisations; support groups, community groups, events and activities that can help improve their health and wellbeing.

The website includes an easy to follow, online directory and includes links to financial advice and support, employment and training activities and Emotional and Welbeing support together with activities suitable for all ages.

For more information please visit their website:Live well in North Lincolnshire - LiveWell North Lincolnshire. 

The NHS has been working hard to address the backlogs built up during the COVID pandemic. As part of these plans, the NHS will be proactively contacting patients who have been waiting a long time for NHS funded treatment to remind them of their right to request to move to an alternative hospital where they may be seen quicker.

From Tuesday 31st October new digital portal called the Patient Initiated Digital Mutual Aid System (PIDMAS) will be introduced. Patients who have been waiting 40 weeks or more can use this portal to request an alternative choice of hospital.

Any patient who is eligible will receive either a SMS text message or a letter from their current hospital explaining how to request to choose a different hospital.

Please do not contact the practice regarding this process as we have no information regarding individual patients.

The hospital will contact you if you are eligible. Please do not contact them either.

Further information about alternative choice is available on hospital websites.

We are delighted to share that at the recent North Lincolnshire Primary Care Awards, we were named as the General Practitioner Team of the Year.  We are very proud to have won this award in particular as it recognising the contribution of ever single member of the team from the GPs, Nursing and Health Care Assistant team, our wider PCN staff and the administration staff and cleaning team.  There was some strong competition and to be named the top team out of 19 practices reflects all the hard work and commitment to patient care from everyone at Church Lane Medical Centre.

We were also shortlisted in a number of other categories including GP of the Year (Dr Sadia Javaid), Practice Manager of the Year (Faith Woodcock) and Receptionist of the Year (Lynn Smith).

Huge congratulations to Sarah who celebrates 20 years working at Church Lane on 2nd June.  Sarah is our Lead Scanner and alongside her colleague is responsible for processing all the incoming correspondence into the practice, ensuring diagnoses are coded onto patient records correctly and any actions are followed up. Things have changed a lot since Sarah joined when there was no scanner and all letters were kept as paper copies in files. Every detail then needed to be added manually to the record.   Sarah still very much enjoys her role and is a commited and valued member of the team at Church Lane.  We could not imagine the practice without her!  

Congratulations on an amazing 20 years!

A huge thank you to the catering students at North Lindsey College who baked us some cupcakes to say thank you for all our hard work.  Thank you to the staff who brought them in too and for your kind words, it really does make a difference to us.  The cakes were absolutely delicious!

As a practice we are commited to ensure everyone elligible has the opportunity to attend for their cervical screening (smear).

Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix. It's not a test for cancer, it's a test to help prevent cancer. During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix.  The sample is checked for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause changes to the cells of your cervix. These are called "high risk" types of HPV

If these types of HPV are not found, you do not need any further tests.  If these types of HPV are found, the sample is then checked for any changes in the cells of your cervix. These can then be treated before they get a chance to turn into cervical cancer

Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). However, it can often be prevented by attending cervical screening, which aims to find and treat changes to cells before they turn into cancer.

Our nursing team works hard to make the process as quick and as easy as possible.

Whilst many of our patients do attend regularly for their smears, we are trying to find out why people may not be taking this up.  

If you are overdue your smear we would ask that you please take five minutes to complete our survey to help us remove some of the barriers you may be facing.

Please use this link to complete the survey: Cervical Screening (smears)

As some of you may already know Lynn, our Receptionist and Over 75's Coordinator, celebrated an amazing 30 years with Church Lane Medical Centre on 22^nd March 2023!!

Lynn is a significant part of our team, and we couldn’t imagine our workplace without her. It takes a strong personality and willpower to remain dedicated and loyal to one job after many years of service - an amazing achievement! Lynn brings determination and passion and there isn't a day that goes by that we don't appreciate her efforts.  Lynn says she is as enthusiastic about her role as ever and still enjoys coming into work each day.

Congratulations on 30 years of outstanding service!

This week marks Cervical Cancer Prevention week.  Have you been putting off making an appointment for your smear?  Many patients are nervous about their smear, especially if it is the first time, but our staff are here to make you feel as comfortable as possible.  If you are worried you can make an appointment to speak with a nurse beforehand to discuss what is involved and any concerns you may have.  Regular cervical screening is so important so please do make sure you take this us when offered - we are here to help.  

A warm welcome to Dr Javaid who recently joined us from another local practice.  She is very much looking forward to meeting and supporting our patients.

Congratulations to Dr Worah who celebrates 30 years working with Church Lane Medical Centre in August 2022.  Dr Worah shared the following memories: 

After embarking on my General Practice training from Hull, I joined Church Lane Medical Centre 30 years ago as the newest recruit to the team, joining Dr Melrose, Dr Morris and Dr Stewart. These have been the most privileged and enjoyable 30 years of service to General Practice and the NHS. When I joined the practice all those years ago my trainer did tell me that joining a practice is like being part of a big family. The surgery has certainly been my second home and the whole team at Church Lane Medical centre has been my adopted family for all these wonderful years.  I must admit there have been many changes that I have witnessed over the span of my career which the team has navigated well with tremendous leadership and dedication especially over the very difficult last 2 years of COVID. It is a real pleasure to work with the new team of Doctors, Nurses and Practice Manger and all the wonderful staff of Church Lane Medical Centre.  I love this second family from the bottom of my heart for their continuous unwavering support, love and affection over my working lifetime. 

Please be aware that we are having a new telephone system installed this week.  We do not anticipate there being any disruption to patients but please bear with us whilst we transition over.

The new system should remove a lot of the issues patients have raised with us around their difficulty getting through to the practice.  There will also be an option for a "call back" so patients waiting in the queue can select to queue virtually - meaning you can hang up and the practice will automatically call you back when you reach the top without losing your place. PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL ONLY BE OFFERED THIS OPTION ONCE AT THE START OF THE CALL. Please do let us know if you have any questions or issues.

As some of you may already know Dr Usman is sadly leaving the practice in September to move abroad; here are some words from her.

For most of you who know me including some of my patients you will know my math’s is horrific.  So, I only found out the other day that I had in fact been working at CLMC for nearly 4 years.  I think the thing is it never really felt like work which is why it never felt like it had been that long.  From the day I came to Church Lane it was like it was meant to be.  Over the years I have learned so much from you all - both my colleagues and my patients and it has made me who I am today and for that I am grateful.  I was taught that a phone call to family even after a patient has passed away goes a long way, I have seen being honest and open with patients is always appreciated and they love you for it and a nice outfit or pair of shoes never goes unnoticed. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to have had this experience. I take all that I have learned over these 4 years with me.  I have seen and grown with you all - seen the births, the ups and downs and sat with you and grieved.  I feel this is the best health service that is there in the world and primary care is the core of NHS and our lives.  I thank you all for putting up with my incessant chatter, 90 miles an hour speech and working at warp speed.  To this day nothing makes me prouder than to hear she is MY GP.

With the increase in people going abroad again it is important that you are aware of any travel vaccinations that are required in the country you are visiting.  Please be aware that vaccinations take 10 to 14 days to be effective and we have to order these into the surgery so cannot be done at short notice.  Therefore you should make a telephone appointment with a nurse to discuss your requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to travel. 

Unfortunately we are unable to process any requests that are less than two weeks prior to your date of travel; in these circumstances you should contact a private travel clinic.  For more information please visit our Travel Health page.  We are not offering COVID vaccinations presently and if these are required you should contact 119 to discuss your needs.  they can also offer advice on COVID passes etc.  Thank you for your assistance with this and wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!

We are delighted to announce that Dr James, who joined the practice as a Salaried GP in February 2021, is now a Partner with Church Lane Medical Centre. 

Our Sexual and Women's Health nurse, Sally Goff, is now able to prescribe Hormone Replacement Therapy and provide support and guidance on the menopause and peri-menopause. In addition we now offer a wider range of contraceptive options including the implant and coils which can be both  fitted and removed in the surgery.  Please contact reception to make an appointment.