Northgate Village Surgery

23/12/2025

**Upcoming Closures**

We will be closed on the following dates over the Christmas and New Year period.

Thursday 25th December
Friday 26th December
and
Thursday 1st January

If you require medical assistance over this time, please call 111 or use 111 online https://111.nhs.uk/ . 111 can assess you, and tell you what you need to do next. They are also able to signpost you to other medical professionals e.g., community pharmacy, emergency dentists and out of hours GP's.

We wish all of our patients a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year.

23/12/2025

Our Primary Care Networks Social Prescribing and Wellbeing Co-ordinator has put together a list of support available to you over the festive period. Please use them, or share to make others aware should they need it.

• Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) NHS Foundation Trust has an urgent mental health crisis line, open 24 hours, seven days a week. Call: 0800 145 6485

• Café 71 in Chester, run by the Spider Project, is a safe, non-clinical community space for anyone struggling to cope in a crisis. It is open 10am to 10pm, 365 days per year. (https://www.spiderproject.org.uk/crisis-centres)

• West Cheshire Foodbank has confirmed its opening times for the festive period.
https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/West-Cheshire-Foodbank-Christmas-Opening-Times.pdf

• Chester Pride is holding a Christmas Day buffet meal, offering 25 spaces for free. Please note that places are available on a first come, first served basis.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzqA2WyyvwafNYCutfa_np4bfOg1t_R-XdY9S-k3L47jvEkg/viewform?pli=1

• CWVA and the West Cheshire Food Partnership hosts a map of food support in the area. We’d encourage you to reach out to the individual organisations or services, or check their website or other communication channels, before you visit to check on their opening hours and availability.
https://cwva.org.uk/westcheshirefoodpartnershipmap/ #/

• The Council has shared information about the range of school holiday activities that are taking place in the coming weeks.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/news-and-views/campaigns/school-holiday-activities

• Citizens Advice Cheshire West has shared its opening times for the festive period.
https://www.citizensadvicecw.org.uk/news/festive-opening-hours-2025/

• The Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP) scheme, run by the Council, is a discretionary scheme offering local welfare assistance, including support for exceptional needs, limited payments for emergency funding in a crisis, and to help people moving out of care.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/benefits-and-welfare-help/

• Live Well Cheshire West showcases other services available in the community.
https://www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/

23/12/2025

This week we have been taking part in 'Elf Day' for Alzheimer's Society in memory of our lovely Lisa's late mother Janet, and for anyone else who is affected by Dementia.

One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. It devastates lives, and Alzheimer's Society are changing that. Thanks to our help, they can give vital support to those who need it; fund groundbreaking research; and campaign to make dementia the priority it should be.

We continue to raise money for this brilliant cause this week. If you wish to make a donation, please speak to a member of staff. It will be much appreciated.

For those caring for someone with dementia this Christmas, we know it can be a challenging time. Here are some tips: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/how-support-dementia-christmas

Don't forget that you can also contact the Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456.

19/12/2025

The following pharmacies have been mandated to open on the bank holidays:

Christmas Day – Owens Chemist, Saltney, 12pm – 4pm

Boxing Day – Well Pharmacy Fountains, Chester, 10am – 4pm

New Years Day - Well Pharmacy Fountains, Chester, 10am – 4pm

You can also visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy and enter your postcode to find a pharmacy open near you

12/12/2025

Not sure where to turn for help? Choose well.

Before heading to A&E, consider these options:
✅ Pharmacy – Expert advice for coughs, colds and sore throats. No appointment needed.
✅ NHS 111 – Clinicians available 24/7 for advice from the comfort of your home.
✅ Self-care – Many common conditions can be treated at home with over-the-counter remedies.
✅ Your GP – For ongoing symptoms, prescriptions and long-term conditions.

Know your options. Get the right care, in the right place.

12/12/2025

02/12/2025

⚠️ Our A&E is extremely busy – expect long waits ⚠️
We are currently experiencing very high attendances at our Emergency Department. Our staff are working exceptionally hard to care for everyone, and we want to reassure you that essential services remain available for those who need them most.

Please help us by using A&E only for emergencies, critical or life-threatening situations.

If you attend for anything else, you may face long waits as we prioritise patients with the greatest need first.

If you’re unsure what to do, there are other options:
✅ NHS 111 online for quick advice
✅ Call NHS 111
✅ Check symptoms and treatments: https://ow.ly/4HFg50XAvYz
✅ Use Pharmacy First for minor conditions:
✅ Find an open pharmacy: search ‘Find a pharmacy NHS’
More advice is available on our website: https://www.coch.nhs.uk/patients-visitors-and-public/emergency-care.aspx

Thank you for helping us to keep A&E available for those who need it most.

02/12/2025

Please remember to order your prescriptions on week commencing the 15th December if they are due over the Christmas/New Year bank holidays.

The surgery will be closed for 3 days over this period:

Thursday 25th December
Friday 26th December
then
Thursday 1st January

Your pharmacy may have different opening hours, you can visit the following NHS website to check:
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy

26/11/2025

26/11/2025

If you need urgent medical help but you're not sure where to go, use 111 to get assessed and directed to the right place for you. Call, go online or use the NHS App.

➡️ nhs.uk/111

25/11/2025

21/11/2025

Chester Central Primary Care Network (PCN) are looking for a pharmacy technician to be an integral part of the general practice team, working within their professional boundaries in four practices within the Primary Care Network.
To find out more about this job, please follow this link:

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