Appleby Medical Practice

11/11/2025

📢 Practice Closure Notice 📢

It’s that time again — GP practices across the NHS North Cumbria area will be closed tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday 12 November 2025) from 1:00PM for Protected Learning Time (PLT). Practices will reopen as normal on Thursday morning.

This dedicated learning time is vital for all practice teams. It allows staff to take part in essential training and development — helping ensure they continue to provide safe, high-quality care for patients across our communities. (see a short clip in the comments).

If you need medical advice or support while practices are closed:
💬 Contact NHS 111 (available 24/7)
💊 Visit your local pharmacy for help with minor ailments
🚨 Always call 999 in an emergency

Thank you for your understanding and support. 💚💙

09/11/2025

Today, we honour those who have served and sacrificed.

Lest we forget ❤️

05/11/2025

There are many many things that frustrate us and potentially make us angry...

- Bad weather and politics.
- Waiting and delays.
- Being behind someone driving slower than you want to drive.
- Being in front of someone who’s practically on your bumper when you are driving the speed limit.
- Endless advert breaks on online videos now (“Skip ad”), including everyone promoting things within the videos themselves too... “today’s video is brought to you by Dr Drake Ramoray.”
- & perceived patronising posts on social media that talk about what makes us frustrated and angry. 🤔

Anyway, the point we’re making is that sometimes all this can understandably build up - and occasionally, that frustration ends up being taken out on the people who are just trying to help.

It really saddens us that in recent weeks, some GP practices have reported incidents where members of staff - particularly reception teams - have experienced abuse and threatening behaviour from patients. This behaviour is unacceptable, and practices will respond accordingly to protect their teams. In serious cases, practices have the right to remove patients from their list if they are violent or abusive.

We completely understand that everyone can feel anger or frustration at times - healthcare can be especially stressful for both patients and staff. But at the end of the day, we’re all human.

And yes, this should absolutely work both ways. Healthcare staff should treat patients fairly, kindly, and respectfully too. If you have concerns about your care, there are formal complaints routes to raise them safely and effectively - abusive behaviour is never the right route.

This message doesn’t just apply to GP practices - it includes all wider healthcare teams: dentists, opticians, pharmacists, hospital staff, community services, and everyone working hard to support patients across our area.

Maybe technology and outside factors have changed our patience, concentration, and expectations, but unfortunately not everything can be instant. Healthcare teams are working hard to provide the best care possible in a system under huge pressure.

So, in a world where so many things seem to be sadly increasing in cost, remember - kindness is still free to share. 💚💙

04/11/2025

28/10/2025

28/10/2025

🌟 Flu & COVID Vaccinations 🌟

We believe we’ve now invited all eligible patients for their flu and COVID vaccinations.

If you think you’ve been missed or haven’t received an invitation but believe you’re eligible, please get in touch with the surgery — we’ll be happy to check and arrange an appointment for you.

Thank you to everyone who has already attended 💙

13/10/2025

🎉 Sunday Funday at Penrith Leisure Centre! 🎉
📅 Sunday 19 October
📍 Penrith Leisure Centre
💰 Free entry
Join us for a fantastic family day filled with activities for all ages:
🏋️ Sports & Performances
• 10:15am: Gymnastics performance & taster
• 11:30am: Mitsuru Karate taster
• 12:30pm: Penrith Pumas Wheelchair Rugby taster
• 1:30pm: Boccia & Curling
🏊 Swimming Pool Fun
• 10:30–11:30am: Pool Inflatable Session
• 12–2pm: Swims just £1pp
🎈 All-Day Fun
• Inflatable Zone – 50% off
• Soft Play – 50% off (with SEND quieter time 1–2pm)
• Coffee Morning fundraiser for Jigsaw Children’s Hospice ☕💛
• Wellbeing Marketplace & table games
✨ A perfect day out for families, friends, and the community – don’t miss it!
📲 Book Inflatable & Pool sessions up to 7 days in advance via the Better UK App, at Reception, or on the day.

11/10/2025

📣 Today 9am - 12pm 📣

For eligible patients -🚶‍♂️walk in appointments available for Flu and Covid vaccines 💉

08/10/2025

For eligible patients - walk in appointments available for Flu and Covid vaccines.
10-4pm, every day this week.

This blog post was reviewed and updated in September 2025. When autumn comes, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19,

06/10/2025

** SICK NOTES ** 💙💚
DID YOU KNOW when you're absent from work... You DO NOT require a sick note (now called a fit note) for periods of 7 days or less.

> A fit note for periods of OVER 7 days is free of charge

> A fit note issued for periods of absence UNDER 7 days should NOT be requested via your GP

> If your employer asks for evidence for the first 7 days of sickness, a healthcare professional may charge a fee for this IF they offer this service. Your employer should pay the fee if one is applied.

> You do not need to see a healthcare professional again to go back to work.

> Your employer may ask for confirmation that you’re fit for work, but healthcare professionals DO NOT have to provide this as part of their standard service.

Depending on your job, you may need to meet other requirements before you can return to work after being ill.

For example, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) rules will apply if you drive a large vehicle like a lorry or bus. More information can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions

For further information about fit notes (sick notes) please click the link below:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/getting-a-fit-note/