Bishops Close Medical Practice

10/12/2025

🎄🎅☃️
To all our valued patients,

Wishing you peace, joy, and excellent health during this Christmas and New Year holiday season. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your healthcare journey this year.

Christmas & New Year Opening Times 2025/26

⭐️Monday 22nd –Wednesday 24th December 2025: Open as usual
⭐️Thursday 25th & Friday 26th December 2025: Closed
⭐️Monday 29th –Wednesday 31st December 2025: Open as usual
⭐️Thursday 1st January 2026: Closed
⭐️From Friday 2nd January 2026 onwards: Open as usual

👉 Join Our Patient Participation Group in 2026
We are seeking volunteers to join our Patient Participation Group. Your surgery needs you—your views and ideas help shape the care we provide.

📌If you are interested, please contact Brian Wilson, Practice Manager, or email us at nencicb-cd.bishopsclosemp@nhs.net
We look forward to supporting your health and wellbeing throughout 2026 and beyond.

Bishop's Close Medical Practice

14/11/2025

14/11/2025

🔥 Stay Warm and Well This Winter 🔥
Keeping your home warm during the colder months doesn’t just make you more comfortable — it can also help protect your health.
▪️Damp homes are linked to a 30–50% increase in respiratory problems.
▪️Hospital admissions for COPD are four times higher in winter than in summer.
We’re Here to Help
Warm Homes Campaign
Durham County Council’s Warm Homes Campaign offers free advice and practical support to help you:
▪️Access energy efficiency grants (for new boilers, insulation, and more)
▪️Manage energy bills
▪️ Tackle fuel poverty
📞 Call the Warm Homes Team on 03000 268 000
📧 Email: warmhomes@durham.gov.uk
Warm Home Discount
Eligible pensioners and low-income households may qualify for a £150 rebate on their electricity bill during the winter months.
👉 Visit www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme for full details and to check eligibility.
Recommended Temperatures
To stay healthy and warm, the council recommends keeping your home at:
▪️18°C to 21°C during the day
▪️ At least 18°C at night
Simple Ways to Keep the Heat In
Small changes can make a big difference:
Close curtains at dusk
▪️Use draught excluders and insulation
▪️Keep interior doors closed
▪️Use hot water bottles or heated blankets safely

Bishop's Close Medical Practice

The Warm Home Discount Scheme could take £150 off your winter electricity bill - eligibility, how to get your discount, deadlines.

12/11/2025

🌟 Leaner for Life is back! 🌟
Ready to make lasting changes for a healthier you? Join our FREE 12-week course starting September at multiple locations!
Learn how to:
✅ Lose weight and keep it off
✅ Make better lifestyle choices
✅ Change habits for good
📢 Hear what past participants are saying:
"The course has improved my understanding of how to implement changes in my thinking, habits and actions!"
"Excellent guidance to making better choices that lead to a healthier lifestyle and lower bodyweight!"
👉 To sign up or for more info:
📧 shirley.fidell@nhs.net
📞 07512330911

06/11/2025

🗓️ Save the Date!

We’ve planned a series of free events for Carers to come along, meet some of our friendly team, and connect with other local organisations.

Enjoy a cuppa, get advice on benefits, wellbeing, and—this year in particular—energy advice, plus pick up some freebies along the way!

No need to book — just pop in!
If you’d like to let us know you’re coming, complete this quick form:
https://forms.office.com/e/f6XcHGcd93

We can’t wait to see you there! ☕💙

28/10/2025

🫁 Do you know the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?

▪️If you’re aged 55-74 and are a current or ex-smoker, look after the health of your lungs and take up the offer of a lung health check when invited.

❗️Finding lung cancer early saves lives❗️

📌For more information, contact the team on 01207 523 675 or email: cddft.tlhc@nhs.net

16/10/2025

‼️ Bishops Close Surgery will be closed for Training at 12.30pm on Thursday 23rd October and will reopen on Friday 24th October at 8am 🕣
If you need advice or information while the practice is closed please try 👇
📞 Telephone 111 or visit 111 online
🚑 Telephone 999 for Life-threatening medical emergencies only
💊 Visiting your local pharmacy if you need advice on minor ailments

09/10/2025

⭐️ For Our Dear Carers ⭐️

🫂 Caring for a loved one is incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming and isolating at times. We want to say a huge thank you for the fantastic job you do every day.

👉Please inform the surgery if you are a carer. This will be recorded on your notes and will make you eligible for a flu jab.
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Support and Resources Available to You
Durham County Carers Support
📞Call: 0300 005 1213 or 0300 030 1215
They offer a variety of services to help you manage your caring responsibilities, including:
▪️Benefits & Grants
Access a range of financial benefits and grants specifically available to carers.
▪️Carer Wellbeing Fund & Carer Break Fund
These funds can help cover costs for short breaks, holidays, and courses, giving you some much-needed rest and relaxation.
▪️Tech Funding
Eligible carers may receive funding for helpful technology such as Alexa devices, sensor lights, or door sensors. These tools help you take short breaks with greater confidence and less worry.
▪️Jointly App
Use the free Jointly app with access code DPCN9174 to create a circle of care for your loved one. This app helps ensure seamless communication and task management within your caring network.
▪️Group Events
Join group events to connect with others who share similar experiences. You’re not alone!
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🫵 We appreciate everything you do, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Bishop's Close Medical Practice

02/10/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️

26/09/2025

❄️The Flu Season Get Winter Strong with Bishop’s Close Medical Practice ❄️

📌At Bishop's Close Medical Practice, our flu vaccination campaigns have been hugely successful. Last year, an incredible 2094 patients received their flu jab right here at the surgery!

‼️Don’t put it off. Protect your lungs – get your jab today!

📞The practice will contact you for your flu and COVID vaccines via text or phone call. You can book your appointment directly using the link sent to you.
Appointment Availability
▪️Appointments available throughout the day until 8 PM
▪️Saturday clinics also available for your convenience
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👇Eligibility for Flu Vaccine
You are eligible if you:
▪️Are aged 65 or over (including those turning 65 by 31 March 2026)
▪️Have certain long-term health conditions such as:
▪️Asthma, COPD
▪️Coronary heart disease, heart failure
▪️Chronic kidney or liver disease
▪️Diabetes
▪️Learning disabilities
▪️BMI over 40
▪️Parkinson’s disease
▪️Weakened immune system due to treatment (e.g., chemotherapy)
▪️Are pregnant
▪️Live in a care home
▪️Are the main carer for an older or disabled person or receive a carer’s allowance
▪️Live with someone who has a weakened immune system
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👇Eligibility for COVID Vaccine
You are eligible if you:
▪️Are aged 75 or over (including those turning 75 by 31 January 2026)
▪️Are aged 6 months to 74 years with a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment
▪️Live in a care home for older adults
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💉You may be eligible for both flu and COVID vaccines.
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Book your appointment now!