Knowsley Medical Centre

12/02/2026

Domestic Abuse Can Affect Older People Too-

Abuse does not stop with age. Many older people experience domestic abuse from partners, adult children, relatives, carers, or others they trust — and it is often hidden.

Abuse can include:
-Emotional or psychological abuse
-Financial exploitation or control
-Physical harm
-Neglect
-Coercive and controlling behaviour

Older people may feel isolated, dependent, ashamed, or afraid to speak out. They may worry about losing their home, care, or family relationships.

Support is available.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, you can contact Hourglass — the UK charity dedicated to supporting older people facing abuse. They offer confidential advice, information, and emotional support through their helpline and online services.

No one is too old to be safe.
No one is too old to be heard.

12/02/2026

📢 Accurx Triage at Knowsley Medical Centre

We’ve been using Accurx Triage for the past few months, and we’re pleased to say that many of our patients are happy with the new system 💙

Accurx Triage makes it easier for you to contact Knowsley Medical Centre online — without needing to call or visit the practice.

🕗 On-the-day medical request forms open from 8am and remain available until we reach full capacity or 9am (whichever comes first).

You can use Accurx Triage to:
🔹 Request medical help or advice
🔹 Submit administrative queries
🔹 Get support with prescriptions and sick notes
🔹 Send us non-urgent health concerns

Simply visit our website and click on the Accurx Triage link to complete a short online form. Your request will be reviewed by our team, and we’ll respond as soon as possible in a timely manner.

⏰ Please note: Accurx Triage is for non-emergency requests only. If you need urgent medical attention, please call 999 or 111 as appropriate.
Please also ensure you are using the correct form when submitting your requests.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve access to our services.

10/02/2026

💙 Blue Inhalers – What You Need to Know

Many of our patients use a blue reliever inhaler to quickly ease symptoms like wheeze, cough, or breathlessness. These inhalers are designed to relax the airways and give fast relief when you need it.

🚨 If you are needing your blue inhaler 3 times a week or more, or requesting it more often than usual, this may be a sign that your asthma or breathing condition isn’t as well controlled as it could be.

We can help by:
• Reviewing your inhaler technique
• Checking whether a preventer inhaler would help
• Creating or updating your asthma action plan
• Offering routine asthma reviews

Please contact the surgery to book an asthma review with our nursing team. Bringing your inhalers with you to the appointment is really helpful.

Your breathing matters — don’t struggle in silence 💙
— Knowsley Medical Centre, Bury

06/02/2026

💗 Supporting Cervical Screening Awareness 💗

Yesterday we were delighted to welcome the Supporting sisters to Knowsley Medical Centre again. Helen spent time sitting with the ladies who attended to talk through smear tests, explaining what they are, why they are done, and why they are so important.

During the discussion, we asked the ladies who joined us about reasons why they may not attend for smear tests. Many shared that this was due to concerns about pain, as well as cultural reasons. These conversations were incredibly important and helped highlight the real barriers some women face when accessing cervical screening.

A smear test (also known as cervical screening) is a simple test that checks the health of the cervix, which is the opening to the womb from the va**na. The test looks for certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that can cause changes to cervical cells. These changes often have no symptoms, but if they are found early, they can be treated before they develop into cervical cancer.

Although a smear test can feel a little uncomfortable, it should not be painful and only takes a few minutes. Regular cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect your health and can help prevent cervical cancer before it starts.

Thank you to everyone who attended today and to Helen for providing such important information in a supportive and reassuring way 🌸 If you have been invited for your smear test, we strongly encourage you to attend.

26/01/2026

Do you know that cervical cancer is almost wholly preventable? This we are supporting The Eve Appeal in raising awareness that nearly all cervical cancers are caused by high-risk strains of HPV.

HPV is a common virus that 80% of people will get at some point during their lives, sometimes it can lead to the development of six types of cancer.

HPV vaccination and cervical screening together offer the best protection against cervical cancer developing.

The Eve Appeal has lots of information on preventing cervical cancer, answers to your FAQs and tips to help make appointments easier.

Click the link in the comments for more information.

22/01/2026

⏰ Arriving on Time & Cancelling Appointments ⏰

Appointments at Knowsley Medical Centre are carefully timed to ensure all patients receive safe and fair care.

• Patients must arrive on time for their appointment
• Please arrive at least 5 minutes early to allow for check-in
• Patients who arrive late may not be seen and will need to rebook

❗ Missed and late appointments waste valuable NHS time and reduce appointment availability for other patients.

📌 If You Cannot Attend Your Appointment:
• Please cancel as soon as possible
• Wherever possible, give at least 24 hours’ notice
• This allows the appointment to be offered to another patient in need

Repeated missed appointments may result in a review of your registration with the practice.
Thank you for respecting appointment times and helping us provide safe and fair care to all patients.

20/01/2026

🧠 Mental Health Support – You Are Not Alone
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and support is available.

At Knowsley Medical Centre, we can help with:
• Anxiety, stress and low mood
• Ongoing mental health concerns
• Advice, support and signposting

💻 Kooth & Qwell Services
We offer access to Kooth (for young people) and Qwell (for adults) — free, confidential online mental health support including:
• Live chat with trained counsellors
• Self-help tools and resources
• No GP appointment needed

📍 These services are available outside normal surgery hours too.

🚨 If You Are in Crisis
If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others:
➡️ Go straight to A&E
➡️ Or call 999 in an emergency

You deserve help, and urgent support is available.
If you’re unsure where to turn, you can also contact NHS 111 for advice.
💙 Please reach out — help is always available.

16/01/2026

🌍 World Religion Day- 18/01/2026 🌍

On Sunday we recognise World Religion Day, a time to celebrate the diversity of beliefs, faiths and traditions within our community.

At Knowsley Medical Centre, we respect and value people of all religions and beliefs, and we are committed to providing inclusive, compassionate care to everyone.

By learning from one another and promoting understanding, we help build a healthier and more connected community.

14/01/2026

🤝 Please Be Kind to Our Staff

Going into the new year, this is just a reminder that at Knowsley Medical Centre, our staff are here to help you and work hard every day under increasing pressure.

Our reception, admin and clinical teams:
• Follow NHS and practice policies
• Try their best to offer the right care as quickly as possible
• Often deal with high call volumes and urgent requests
📌 They are not being nosey.
They ask questions to:
• Help identify urgent medical problems
• Make sure you are booked with the right clinician or service
• Ensure patients receive the correct care as quickly as possible

❗ Abusive, aggressive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated.
This includes shouting, swearing, or unacceptable language in person or over the phone.

We understand that being unwell or worried can be stressful, but kindness and patience help us support everyone safely and fairly.

Thank you to our patients who treat our staff with respect — it truly makes a difference 💙

12/01/2026

🚨 Same-Day Medical Problems We Can Help With 🚨
At Knowsley Medical Centre, we can offer urgent same-day appointments for problems such as:
✔ Sudden illness that is not life-threatening
✔ Infections needing treatment
✔ Severe pain that is not chest pain
✔ Worsening long-term conditions
✔ New symptoms that need urgent advice
📞 Please use our triage service at 8am so we can help.

🚑 When You Should Go to A&E or Call 999 🚑

A&E and emergency services are for serious or life-threatening conditions.
Please do not contact the GP surgery in these situations.

❗ Call 999 IMMEDIATELY if you or someone else has:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Signs of a stroke – face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech
• Severe difficulty breathing or choking
• Loss of consciousness or collapse
• Seizures or fitting
• Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
• Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face/lips, difficulty breathing)

🏥 Go to A&E for:

• Serious head injuries
• Broken bones or dislocated joints
• Deep or large wounds needing stitches
• Severe burns or scalds
• Severe abdominal pain
• Sudden severe pain that is not improving
• Serious infections causing confusion or high fever

⚠ A&E Is NOT For:

❌ Coughs, colds, sore throats
❌ Minor cuts or sprains
❌ Ongoing back pain
❌ Prescription requests
❌ Sick notes or test results

Using the right service helps ensure emergency care is available for those who need it most.
Thank you for your understanding 💙

12/01/2026

📞 When to Contact the Doctor – and When Not To 📞

To help us make sure patients get the right care at the right time, here’s a guide on when you should contact the GP surgery:

✅ Please Contact Us About:

✔ Ongoing or worsening symptoms
✔ New health concerns that aren’t urgent enough for A&E
✔ Long-term condition reviews (diabetes, asthma, blood pressure)
✔ Mental health concerns
✔ Medication queries or reviews
✔ Fit notes (sick notes)
✔ Test results (if advised to do so)

❌ Please Do NOT Contact the GP For:

❌ Medical emergencies – call 999 immediately
❌ Chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe breathing problems
❌ Minor coughs, colds, sore throats (try pharmacy first)
❌ Repeat prescriptions you’ve already ordered (please order through other services, e.g., online system/NHS app or pharmacy)
❌ Hospital appointment queries – contact the hospital directly

💊 Did You Know?

Your local pharmacy can help with many minor illnesses without an appointment( we can refer you if needed), including:
• Coughs & colds
• Sore throats
• Earache
• Hay fever

📍 They can also advise if you need to see a GP.

📌 Need advice out of hours?
Call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk

Thank you for helping us keep our services running smoothly 💙

09/01/2026

🌱 Dry January – A Fresh Start for Your Health 🌱

January is a great time to reset and focus on your wellbeing. Taking part in Dry January – going alcohol-free for the month – can help improve sleep, boost energy, support mental health and reduce blood pressure.

Even a short break from alcohol can make a positive difference 💚

If you’re thinking of giving it a try, the NHS has lots of free advice and support available:

🔗 NHS alcohol support and advice:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/

🔗 Tips and tools to drink less:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less/

From everyone at Knowsley Medical Centre, we’re here to support your health all year round.

Cutting down on alcohol can be a really effective way to improve your health. See our simple tips and practical ideas to help you starting drinking less. Let's do this!