Summer newsletter 2025

Last Updated: Friday, 08 August 2025

🩺 Weight-Loss Injections: Not Yet Available Locally

Many patients have asked about tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and similar "weight-loss" injections. While NICE has approved these for NHS use, they are not yet accessible in Cheshire & Merseyside. When they are available, they will only available through specialist weight management services (i.e. not from GPs) for patients meeting strict eligibility criteria as follows:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m² or more (or 37.5 kg/m² for people from minority ethnic family backgrounds)

and

• Have at least four of the following long-term conditions:
   1.   Type 2 diabetes
  2.    Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  3.    Dyslipidaemia
  4.    Established cardiovascular disease
  5.    Obstructive sleep apnoea

To read more about why these injections aren't available yet, visit the Cheshire & Merseyside ICB website. If you want more information about getting help with your weight, Dr Baxter has written an article for the GP Insights section on our website: Grassendale Medical Practice - GP Insights

 

💊 Pharmacy First – Your First Stop for Minor Ailments

For conditions like insect bites, sunburn, sore throats, and urine infections, your local pharmacy can now offer treatment without needing a GP appointment. This helps free up GP time and gives you faster access to care.

 

✈️ Summer Travel & Medication Tips

If you're heading abroad or enjoying a UK staycation, please check your repeat prescriptions early and allow at least two days for us to process them, and any additional time needed by your pharmacy for dispensing. If you need travel-related advice (e.g. vaccinations) you can enquire via our Digital Front Door – but remember to leave plenty of time! https://blinx.uk/4nejh 

 

🧠 Loneliness Awareness & Men's Health Week Recap

 

 June saw national campaigns like Loneliness Awareness Week and Men’s Health Week. We encourage patients to reach out if they’re feeling isolated or struggling with mental health. Our Social Prescribers (John and Mary) and Mental Health Practitioner (Chris) are here to help – please ask our Care Navigators for more information.

 

👥 Carers Support Spotlight

Do you care for a loved one? You’re not alone. We’re working to better identify and support unpaid carers in our community. If you’re a carer, please let reception know so we can make a note on your records (you’ll be eligible for things like flu vaccines if you don’t already qualify through your own health needs) and connect you with resources and support.

 

💉 MMR Vaccination Reminder – Protecting Against Measles

Recent data shows that over 1 in 10 children under 5 in England haven’t had both doses of the MMR vaccine, leaving them vulnerable to measles. Outbreaks have been reported in London and the North West, including our region.

We’re urging parents to:

• Check their child’s (and their own!) vaccination status via the NHS App or by contacting reception.
• Ensure children receive two doses of MMR for full protection.
• Book catch-up vaccinations if needed—it’s never too late.

From January 2026, the second MMR dose will be offered earlier (at 18 months) for children born after July 2024 

 

🔢 Know Your Numbers! Week (8–14 September)

High blood pressure often has no symptoms but can lead to serious health issues. If you haven’t seen it, have a look at the video from Drs Widnall & Baxter: 

 

 During Know Your Numbers! Week, we’re encouraging patients to:

• Check their blood pressure at home or at the surgery (have you seen our automated kiosk on the ground floor corridor?
• Learn how to use home monitors correctly (The British Heart Foundation has some good information here, and you can send us readings directly from our Digital Front Door: https://blinx.uk/x6DhB )
• Speak to our team about lifestyle changes and medication, particularly if those numbers are raised.

We’ll help you take control of your numbers. Have a look at the national website for more details: Blood Pressure UK

 

💉  Flu Vaccinations Coming Soon

Flu clinics will be running in October, and invites will be going out in the next few weeks. We reserve and pre-purchase vaccinations for our elderly and at-risk patients, and will be sending invitations by email and text message with links to let you book yourself into the clinic that suits you best. Getting vaccinated at the surgery ensures NHS funding stays local. 

 

Upcoming Bank Holidays

There is one more Bank Holiday coming up this summer, don’t forget we are closed on Bank Holidays, but you can still access help via NHS 111 online or by telephone by calling 111.

Date	Day of the week	Bank holiday
25 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday

 

Patient Participation Group

Our valued Patient Participation Group remains open to accepting new members if you’re interested in having a say on how the practice runs for the benefit of its patients.

 

We hope this newsletter helps you make the most of summer and stay healthy!

Warm regards,

The Grassendale Medical Practice Team.