Berry Lane Medical Centre

28/10/2025

🌟 We’re hiring! 🌟

Join the warm and welcoming team at Berry Lane Medical Centre in beautiful Longridge, near Preston. We’re on the look-out for a motivated and organised Medical Receptionist / Care Co-ordinator to join us full-time (37 hours per week) at our modern, purpose-built 10-GP training practice. 

If you thrive in a busy environment, excel at customer service, and enjoy working as part of a dynamic team, this could be the perfect role for you. You’ll be the first point-of-contact for patients, supporting clinical and admin teams, and making a real difference in our community of 15,000 registered patients. 

What’s in it for you:
• A supportive, friendly reception & admin team. 
• Modern, bright, updated premises. 
• Competitive pay (aligned with Agenda for Change Band 2/3) and access to the NHS pension scheme. 
• A role where your contribution is valued and can grow.

What we’re looking for:
✅ Excellent communication skills (face-to-face & telephone)
✅ Strong customer-service mindset
✅ Accuracy, attention to detail, ability to work under pressure
✅ Previous experience with the public in a busy office is preferred. 

Sound like you? Interested in making a difference in a fantastic team? Apply via the link below and join us at Berry Lane Medical Centre!
👉 https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/A1003-25-0003?location=Longridge%2C%20Preston&distance=5&searchByLocationOnly=true&language=en

📅 Closing date: 9 November 2025 

Feel free to share with someone you know who’d love this opportunity!

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27/10/2025

📢 Early Closure Notice

We’ll be closing tomorrow at 12:30pm on Tuesday 28th October for some important staff training 🧑‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

This helps us keep learning and improving so we can provide you with the best possible care 💙

We’ll be back open as normal at 8:00am on Wednesday 29th October.

👉 For medical advice, please call NHS 111
🚨 In an emergency, always dial 999

Thank you for your understanding and support! 🙏

20/10/2025

💉 Extra Flu Clinics Added! 💉

We’re running one final flu clinic for:

👴🏼 Patients over 6️⃣5️⃣ Monday 27th October & Tuesday 28th October Morning clinic.
👩‍🦰 Patients under 6️⃣5️⃣ (eligible group) Saturday 8th November.

We have a been able to put in extra appointment's due to cancellations and missed appointments.

📅 These will be our final flu clinics for this season, so if you haven’t had your vaccine yet, please book in as soon as possible!

17/10/2025

🌐 Get Online for Health! 💙

Want to make managing your health easier? Come along to our free session at Longridge Library and learn how to:

✅ Order repeat prescriptions online
✅ Read hospital letters and see test results on your phone or tablet
✅ Book GP appointments online
✅ Find your nearest pharmacy
✅ Find your NHS number
✅ Use the NHS App

📍 Longridge Library
📅 Thursday 23 October
⏰ 2–3pm
💰 Free session

Discover how to take control of your healthcare from the comfort of your own home. Bring your smartphone or tablet along and get hands-on help!

16/10/2025

💪 First Contact Physiotherapist

Did you know we have a First Contact Physiotherapist here at the medical centre, a highly skilled clinician who can assess, diagnose, and help manage muscle, joint and bone problems without the need to see a GP first.

Our FCP is an experienced physiotherapist with advanced training in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. They are able to:

Assess and diagnose issues affecting muscles, joints, and soft tissue

Provide expert advice, exercises and self-management plans

Arrange investigations such as X-rays or blood tests

Refer to specialist services or ongoing physiotherapy if needed

Issue fit notes (sick notes) when appropriate

You can book directly with the FCP for:
✅ Soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries
✅ Back, neck, shoulder, hip or knee pain
✅ Arthritis and joint problems
✅ Muscle or ligament pain (e.g. tennis elbow, carpal tunnel)
✅ Spinal-related nerve symptoms (e.g. pins and needles, numbness)
✅ Changes to walking or movement
✅ Post-orthopaedic surgery recovery support

Please note – the FCP cannot see patients who are:
❌ Under 16 years old
❌ Acutely unwell or need urgent medical care
❌ Requiring medication reviews or management of rheumatoid conditions
❌ Experiencing neurological, respiratory, women’s health or mental health issues
❌ Housebound

You do not need to see a GP first — simply book directly with our FCP via reception, if your symptoms fit the criteria above.
This service helps patients access the right care faster, ensuring expert assessment and advice from a specialist in muscle, joint and movement problems.

📍 Appointments available at the surgery

09/10/2025

📅 September 2025 Practice Update

💙 Here’s a look at what our amazing team has been up to last month 👇

⚠️164 people didn’t attend their appointments — that’s 62 hours of clinical time lost, which could have been used to see other patients. Please remember to cancel if you can’t make it!

👩‍⚕️ 2,083 GP face-to-face appointments
🚑 667 emergency surgery appointments
📞 584 telephone consultations with a GP or Nurse Practitioner
💉 1,120 nurse appointments
🏠 58 home or community hospital visits
🏥 143 nursing home visits
🧘‍♀️ 194 patients seen by our First Contact Physio
🧠 29 patients supported by our Mental Health Practitioners
💊 4,497 medication requests processed
🩺 21 minor operations carried out
🧾 1,672 lab results reviewed
📨 4,890 letters/documents handled by Admin & Reception
📝 502 referrals completed by our secretarial team
📞 10,612 calls answered — that’s an average of 482 calls a day between just 3 receptionists! 🙌
👋 230 new patients joined our practice

A huge thank you to our hardworking team and supportive patients for another busy month! 💙

08/10/2025

❄️ Could you qualify for home energy upgrades?

If you or someone in your household has a long-term or severe health condition affected by a cold home, like heart, respiratory, mobility, or immune system issues you may qualify for help.

✅ Your home must:

Have an EPC rating D, E, F, or G

Be owned or privately rented

🏠 Possible upgrades include:

Insulation (walls, loft, underfloor, flat roof, park home)

Heating & controls

Solar panels & battery storage

Glazing & draught proofing

📋 How to apply:

Speak to an NHS healthcare professional (GP,
District Nurse, Social Prescriber etc.) and ask
them to refer you for an ECO4 Flexible Declaration

For more information visit:
www.chil.uk.com/eco-and-eco-flex-funding
or call 0330 606 1488

Make your home warmer and safer this winter! 🌟

07/10/2025

🩵 Autumn / Winter COVID-19 Vaccine

You can get the autumn/winter COVID-19 vaccine if you are:

✅ Aged 75 or over
(including anyone who will turn 75 by 31 January 2026)
✅ Aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment

You may have a weakened immune system if you:
• Have or have had blood cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, or myeloma
• Have had an organ, bone marrow, or stem cell transplant
• Have HIV
• Have a genetic condition that affects your immune system (for example, severe combined immunodeficiency – SCID)
• Are currently having or recently had chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or biological therapy
• Take steroid medication (depending on the dose)
• Are on long-term treatment that affects your immune system for conditions such as:
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Scleroderma
• Psoriasis

06/10/2025

29/09/2025

📢 Flu Vaccination Appointments Reminder

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be very busy with flu vaccination appointments. All slots are currently fully booked and in high demand.

✅ If you have an appointment, please make sure to attend.
❌ If you are no longer able to make it, PLEASE cancel your appointment as soon as possible so we can offer it to someone else.

Thank you for helping us keep the community protected this flu season! 💉🍂

22/09/2025

🌿 Health & Wellbeing Event – You’re Invited! 🌿

We’re excited to share that a Health & Wellbeing Event will be taking place at Longridge Civic Hall on Thursday 25th September.

📍 Location: Longridge Civic Hall
🗓 Date: Thursday 25th September

⏰ Time: 10am-1pm
This free community event brings together a fantastic line-up of local organisations offering support, advice, and resources on health and wellbeing.

✨ Who’s attending?

Harri Bus (outside the hall)

Social Prescribing

Rosemary & Time

Macmillan Cancer Support

Smokefree

Longridge Library

Goosnargh Pharmacy (Blood Pressure Checks)

Carers Link Lancashire

Lancashire Safe Trader Scheme

Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service

PCSO Paddy

Bowel Screening Team (with the inflatable bowel!)

Andy’s Man Club

Talkin’ Tables

Citizens Advice

Cosy Homes

Men’s Shed

RV Families

This is a brilliant opportunity to learn more about local services, pick up advice, and connect with organisations that can offer real support.

💚 Everyone is welcome – please share and spread the word to anyone who may benefit.

22/09/2025

📢 Important Patient Notice

We are currently receiving a high number of calls regarding children with chickenpox.

👉 Please note: children with chickenpox usually do not need to be seen by a GP.
👉 They do not require an emergency appointment for confirmation for school or nursery.

Medical attention is only needed if your child is:

🔴Acutely unwell

🔴Showing signs of infection (such as spreading redness, swelling, or pus around spots)

🔴Unable to maintain adequate fluid intake / showing signs of dehydration

For most children, chickenpox is a mild illness that can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter remedies to ease symptoms.

Thank you for helping us keep our phone lines and emergency appointments available for patients who need urgent care. 💙