The Westgate Practice

23/12/2025

19/12/2025

Be Kind to your Mind this Christmas

This time of year can be difficult for anyone. You might be struggling this year for the first time, or you may have found Christmas difficult in the past. You may also enjoy Christmas but not be able to celebrate it how you would like to or might just find it very stressful.

Being kind to your mental health during Christmas may include focusing on setting boundaries, managing expectations, prioritizing self-care, and staying connected with a support system. Remember that it is okay not to be okay.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/christmas-and-mental-health/christmas-and-mental-health/
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-finding-things-hard-this-christmas-festive-season/
https://mentalhealth-uk.org/christmas-and-your-mental-health/
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/loneliness/
https://www.sueryder.org/grief-support/helping-you-cope-with-grief/grieving-on-special-occasions/christmas/

15/12/2025

Further Changes to the Childhood Immunisation Schedule

From 1st January 2026, the UK's childhood immunization schedule introduces a new combined Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella (MMRV) vaccine. This will replace the MMR, with the second dose moved from 3 years 4 months to an earlier 18-month appointment, alongside a new 4th dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine for children born on or after July 1st, 2024, to boost early protection against diseases like measles and chickenpox.

Why These Changes?
✔️For most children chickenpox can be mild but for some, this can lead to serious complications.
✔️MMRV is not a new vaccine and has been used in other countries (Canada, Germany) for a long time.
✔️The vaccination offers greater protection by protecting against 4 diseases rather than 3.
✔️There are two available MMRV vaccines - one containing porcine gelatine and one without, so that parents can request the appropriate one for their child.

12/12/2025

💊 Keeping on top of your medicine cabinet and daily medications is more important than you might realise. From having the right medicines at home to organising your routine and checking expiry dates - it all matters.

Check these helpful guides:
👉https://patient.info/treatment-medication/medicines-to-keep-at-home
👉https://patient.info/features/treatment-medication/when-did-you-last-check-your-medicine-cabinet
👉https://patient.info/features/treatment-medication/how-to-manage-your-medications-at-home

Staying organised means you're ready, safer and more in control of your health.

Please order your medication in plenty of time for the festive season ahead.

10/12/2025

CRITICAL INCIDENTS DECLARED
Many of our A&E departments and hospitals in the local area are reporting of high demand and declaring Critical Incidents.

Declaring a critical incident means a hospital can cancel or delay non-essential work. Many trusts are working with the NHS and local councils to ensure people can get treatment quickly, and to identify any additional support that allows the trust to discharge patients who do not need acute hospital care.

The public are being asked to help by only using A&E in a serious or life-threatening emergency. This is now impacting primary care services, and we ask all our patients to think about what service is appropriate for their needs.

08/12/2025

Stand Up to Cancer (8th-12th December)
Cancer screening programmes unite to boost uptake across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

More people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are to be screened for potential cancers thanks to a new collaborative between cancer screening programmes led by University Hospitals of North Midlands.

The partnership brings together lung cancer screening, breast screening, bowel screening, and cervical screening services and aims to increase the number of people benefiting from life-saving checks.

By working together, the programmes will share resources, expertise and best practice to make screening more accessible and convenient for patients.

Cancer screening remains one of the most effective ways to detect cancer early and reduce its impact. By joining forces locally and supporting the national Stand Up to Cancer campaign, we can break down barriers to screening and make it easier for people to take up these vital opportunities.

For more information about screening programmes and how to book an appointment, visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-screening/
https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/screening/
https://www.bscreen.org.uk/southstaffordshire
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/
https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk/our-services/lung-cancer-screening-programme/
https://www.nhs.uk/services/service-directory/nhs-abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-screening-programme-central-england/N10876731

05/12/2025

Important Notice
The Westgate Practice currently has no computer access due to an outage beyond our control.
We are only able to deal with booked appointments for today.
All other enquiries will need to be dealt with next week when our access is hopefully restored.
We apologise for any inconvenience
The Westgate Team

05/12/2025

Please bear with us as we are having some issues with our computer system this morning.
Our phones will be busy please be patient.
We are working with our provider to try and resolve the problem asap
Thank you
The Westgate Team

04/12/2025

Important reminder for the treatment of children’s pain or high temperature.

Children often arrive at the GP surgery in acute and unnecessary pain or have a high temperature causing discomfort or keeps them from drinking.

MYTH: there needs to be pain or fever present in order to properly assess a patient

FACT: it makes it more difficult to examine a child and figure out what is going on when they are in pain or have a fever

FACT: less pain make diagnosis easier, not harder

The Westgate Practice does not keep supplies of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Therefore, we will be unable to administer pain relief (analgesia) to your child at their appointment. Please ensure that if your child is in pain or is unwell with a fever, that you have given pain relief PRIOR to their appointment.

Treating a fever (temperature) with medicine is not needed if a child is still playing and drinking normally and doesn’t have pain. Medicine should only be given when a fever causes a child discomfort or keeps them from drinking.

Here are some links to further guidance on high temperatures and medication for children:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children
https://www.nhs.uk/baby/health/medicines-for-babies-and-children/

Read about which medicines to use when your baby or toddler is unwell and how to use them safely, including antibiotics, ibuprofen and paracetamol.

03/12/2025

National Grief Awareness Week 2nd-8th December

A time to recognise how any type of loss can affect our wellbeing. There is no right or wrong way to feel - grief affects everyone differently. If you're finding things difficult, there's support to help.

💛 This December, we're shining a light on universal signposting, so every bereaved person knows where to turn for help and understanding. Seasons like Christmas can reopen old wounds and feelings, making this month especially important.

➡️Find support here: https: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/
https://www.ataloss.org/national-grief-awareness-week
https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/ngaw/

01/12/2025

Key Practice Statistics for November 2025