The Westgate Practice

10/03/2026

🚭 No Smoking Day
Wednesday 11th March 2026 - Make today the first day!

For help and support, please visit:
https://staffordshire.everyonehealth.co.uk/services/stop-smoking/
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/find-your-local-stop-smoking-service/

06/03/2026

📆Advance Notice of Staff Training Dates

To maintain our high standard of patient care, our practice training afternoons will be held on the dates listed below from 13:00 to 18:30. During these times, clinical availability will be limited.

🔸Tuesday 17th March 2026
🔸Tuesday 14th April 2026
🔸Wednesday 13th May 2026
🔸Thursday 11th June 2026
🔸Tuesday 14th July 2026
🔸Wednesday 12th August 2026
🔸Thursday 17th September 2026
🔸Tuesday 13th October 2026
🔸Wednesday 11th November 2026

If your request is non-urgent, we kindly advise you to submit our usual online form the following day, or alternatively, complete the “I have an admin or routine care request” form, and we will respond on the next working day. If your issue is urgent, please contact the practice on 01543 416633 to speak with our Patient Services Team.

Thank you for your support and cooperation

05/03/2026

Ovarian Cancer Awareness is a reminder to know the symptoms and act early.

Symptoms can be vague and may include:

- persistent bloating
- tummy pain
- feeling full quickly
- needing to wee more often
- unexplained changes in appetite

If you notice ongoing symptoms that are unusual for you, it's important to speak to your GP. When discussing problems, let your doctor know about any family history of cancer, not just ovarian cancer and not only in parents or siblings, as this can help assess your overall risk.

Keeping up to date with cervical screening when invited is also an important part of protecting your health. Early action can make a difference.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cancer/
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/ovarian-cancer
https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer

02/03/2026

Key Practice Statistics for February 2026

25/02/2026

📢IMPORTANT NEWS
Covid 19 Spring Booster Programme 2026

We are pleased to announce that, following recent operational changes introduced by NHSE regarding the administration and recording of Covid vaccinations, The Westgate Practice WILL be delivering the Spring Covid Booster to eligible patients from April 2026.

We will be trialling this service for the first time and encourage all eligible patients to have their vaccination with us, helping ensure we can continue to offer this service in the future. As with our Autumn/Winter vaccination programme, we will be holding a Saturday clinic to ensure we do not affect appointment availability during the week.

The Spring booster programme will run from 13 April to 30 June 2026. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that the Spring booster should be offered to:
✳️Adults aged 75 years+ (including those who turn 75 yrs by 30th June 2026)
✳️Residents in older adult care homes
✳️Individuals who are immunosuppressed as per The Green Book

Our care home residents and eligible housebound patients will be contacted by the practice once visit dates have been confirmed.

Eligible patients will be invited to book via:
✳️A self-booking link sent by text message, or
✳️A letter, if no mobile number is recorded
Eligible patients will be contacted during March, so please remain vigilant for your opportunity to book your appointment with us.

Why have your vaccination at The Westgate Practice?
✅Local, with onsite parking
✅You will be seen by a member of the Westgate team: usually a GP
✅We can access your full medical record to check allergies and answer any clinical queries
✅Your vaccination is added directly to your medical record
✅Saturday clinics increase appointment availability without affecting weekday demand
✅Supporting your GP practice helps us maintain services for all patients

Thank you for your continuing support

17/02/2026

❤️ National Heart Month ❤️

February 2026 marks National Heart Month in the UK, highlighting that over 7 million people live with heart/circulatory diseases. Cardiovascular disease causes a death every 3 minutes in the UK.

👣 The campaign focuses on "small steps" like increased activity, healthy eating, and knowing blood pressure/cholesterol numbers.

🚲 Heart and circulatory diseases are a leading cause of death, but 35% of the risk can be reduced by regular, moderate physical activity.

Focus on reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which often show no symptoms but cause serious issues like heart attacks and strokes.

🥗 Highlights the importance of eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and learning CPR.

https://www.heartuk.org.uk/get-involved/heart-month-2026
https://heartresearch.org.uk/
https://www.bhf.org.uk/

12/02/2026

Just Add Veg!

'Just add veg’ is a Staffordshire County Council campaign providing simple ideas and tips on how to add a portion of vegetables when preparing your favourite meals. Vegetables are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre, and an important part of a balanced diet.

For further information, visit:
https://letstalk.staffordshire.gov.uk/justaddveg
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day/
https://staffordshire.everyonehealth.co.uk/resource-topics/recipes/

11/02/2026

A message from our Nursing Team

We are currently experiencing a high number of missed cervical screening (smear) appointments. For example, last Friday alone we had four Did Not Attend (DNA) appointments. Each appointment is 20 minutes long, meaning a significant amount of valuable clinical time was lost - time that could have been used to support other patients.

We fully understand that plans can change or unexpected circumstances may arise. However, if you are unable to attend your appointment, we kindly ask that you contact the practice as soon as possible. This not only informs us that you will not be attending but also allows us to offer the appointment to another patient who may be waiting.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us make the best use of our clinical resources.

09/02/2026

The HPV virus can lead to some cancers, including cervical, head and neck.

If you missed your vaccination, you can catch up at your GP practice until your 25th birthday.

Find out more www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/

06/02/2026

Regarding the recently shared survey about our Shenstone branch surgery, please follow the link below to view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

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05/02/2026

Brave the Big Talk

Mind's Time to Talk Day is a reminder that talking really can change lives. Whether you are feeling lonely, coping with grief or bereavement, or struggling with your mental health, it's good to be heard and supported.

Read Mind's advice on coping while on a waiting list for therapy: https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/time-to-talk-day/

04/02/2026

🎗️World Cancer Day - 4th February 2026

World Cancer Day is a chance to raise awareness of cancer prevention, early diagnosis and the importance of national screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer. Screening can help find changes early, before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Many who are diagnosed with cancer now, live longer and better lives thanks to improvements in detection, treatment and support. Understanding risks factors, making healthy lifestyle choices and attending screening when invited can all help reduce risk and improve survival. Support is also available for anyone affected by cancer, from diagnosis through recovery and beyond.

Learn about NHS Screening and early diagnosis:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-screening/
Read about causes and risk factors for cancer:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors
Cancer Survival statistics:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/survival