Middle Chare & Woodlands Surgery

05/12/2025

Russell had an awful cough but was reluctant to visit his GP until it became unbearable. Tests revealed he had lymphoma.

Read his story and take his advice "listen to your body and don’t shrug things off." 👉 bit.ly/4l2eRq3
charity

05/12/2025

‼️Appointment Information‼️

02/12/2025

Great new service now offered for carers.

🌟 We’re delighted to launch our new Virtual Carers Centre! 🌟

We’re excited to share a new way to support Carers in County Durham

Thanks to funding from Durham County Council, we’ve created a Virtual Carers Centre that complements our existing website and offers a modern, flexible way to find the help you need.

This new online space is designed especially for Carers who may struggle to reach us during normal working hours or who find traditional support methods more difficult to access. Now, key information and guidance are available at a time and pace that suits you.

✔️ Advice and practical resources
✔️ Wellbeing support
✔️ Guidance on benefits and carers’ rights
✔️ Ways to stay connected

Visit the Virtual Carers Centre here: https://virtualcarerscentre.org/
You’ll need to create an account to get the most out of it.

02/12/2025

Following the news that DWP will undergo a reassessment process for Overpayment, many carers will have questions. What carers need to know ⬇️⬇️

£75 million has been allocated towards this process, and the DWP has confirmed it will reassess overpayment cases from the past 10 years. Where overpayments are found to have been caused by incorrect DWP guidance, carers will be reimbursed.

At this stage:
🔹 Carers are advised not to contact the DWP
🔹 The reassessment process is expected to be announced in the new year

As soon as more information is available, we will share an update.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3MrRjze

02/12/2025

Even if you've had the HPV vaccine, it's very important that you attend your cervical screening when invited.

If you have received an invitation for cervical screening or missed your last appointment, don’t wait - contact your GP practice.

Find out more ➡️ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-cancer/

02/12/2025

Experiencing bereavement and talking about grief is difficult.

The offers the support you need to sit down with loved ones and start the conversation.

For more information, follow links below👇
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/
https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/

28/11/2025

Important update regarding support for patients.

We are today reminding patients who have concerns about the care they have received through our breast surgery service that support is available.

Patients can:
• Call the information and support line on 0191 3332126
• Email the team at cddft.breastservices@nhs.net

We will listen to your concerns or experiences, and the team will support you with the right advice or next steps. This may include:

• Reviewing your care
• Psychological support
• Signposting you to alternative support services depending on your needs.

We're also reiterating the importance of patients continuing to attend appointments within the service and seeking help from their GP if they have any symptoms that could be breast cancer.

28/11/2025

For some people, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can feel more noticeable or harder to manage during the winter.

Small things can help:
🚶‍♂️try some physical activity – anything that
gets you moving
☀️ make the most of natural light – getting
outside or sitting near windows
📆 plan for tougher days – shifting stressful
tasks or building in more rest.

There’s also treatment available if you’re finding things really tough – such as light therapy, talking therapies or medication.

Find out more 👇 http://www.nhs.uk/.../seasonal-affective.../overview/

26/11/2025

On December 7th we’ll be hosting our Time to Remember event 💚

We know all too well that Christmas can be a very difficult time for people who have been touched by the loss of a loved one to su***de.

Our Time to Remember event gives people the opportunity to come together in memory of their loved ones 🫂

🗓️ Sunday 7th December
📍 Park View School, North Lodge (Year 7&8) Site, DH3 4BB

Tickets are Free but we ask you sign up for the event here 👉 https://bit.ly/TTR_2025

26/11/2025

‼️Appointment Information‼️

Appointments are in such high demand and it is disappointing to see how many appointments are not attended.

Please contact the surgery / use NHS APP to cancel an appointment if you are unable to attend.

Thank you

25/11/2025

‼️Patient Appreciation‼️

Lovely comment from a patient
"Thank you very much to Dionne for her for going over and above."

WELL DONE DIONNE 👏👏👏