Dicconson Group Practice

12/12/2025

🎄 Our November in Numbers at The Dicconson Group Practice 🎄

Thank you to all our patients for your continued support throughout a very busy month!

Here’s a snapshot of what our team handled in November 2025:

📱 3,105 Ask My GP requests processed
Our duty doctors triage these every day to ensure patients received the most appropriate care as quickly as possible.

📅 3,642 appointments
• 👥 1,650 face-to-face
• 📞 1,937 telephone/AMGP appointments
• 🏡 55 home visits made to support our more vulnerable patients
🙏 A huge thank you to our amazing clinicians for their hard work and dedication throughout such a busy month.

📞 2,840 calls answered
A big thank you to our reception team, who work incredibly hard to help you and keep everything running smoothly.

🧪 977 test results
All reviewed and processed by our busy clinicians.

💊 3,931 prescriptions processed by our dedicated reception and admin team - they keep your medication requests moving efficiently.

⭐ 1,200 flu jabs delivered
Our flu clinics ran extremely smoothly throughout October and into November — thank you to everyone for your cooperation.

❌ 100 Did Not Attend (DNA)
We understand that plans can change, but please let us know if you can’t make your appointment.
A quick cancellation allows us to offer that slot to another patient who needs it.

Thank you for helping us care for our community. 💙💚

11/12/2025

This is Marley, my rather idiotic English Springer Spaniel.

You may see from the picture he has a poorly tail - it is bandaged up - he cut it whilst rummaging through undergrowth (he never stops running)

The vet bill for one consultation plus some medication was around £140. This is for ONE trip with minimal intervention.

If this was a human being a trip to the Drs , some medication and a dressing by nurses would be free (maybe a small prescription charge if you pay…. )This is the marvel of the NHS.

However when you consider the vet fee - this is about the fee GP practices get paid per patient per year . You may not need our service, or you may need it a lot, but all the care you need is covered by that fee.

The work done by GP practices increases year on year. The funding to support this does not keep pace with increased expenses . General Practice remains THE most efficient part of the health service . Recently politicians have been very public in their criticisms of GPs. When you next hear politicians criticise , just think about really how effective the service is for such little funding (and realise that waiting for appointments etc is a political choice - if more funding was available this would mean more staff - newly qualified GPs are struggling for jobs)

Imagine if GP practices were not there in the current format - we may not be perfect , but all the staff work so hard to be as effective as we can. If the service was private , we would all have to pay similar rates as to what I paid the vet today .

It’s my choice to have a dog (and I do question the wisdom of this at times….!) but illness is not a choice for us , please value your GP practice and don’t believe all that you hear !

Dr Liam Hosie
GP Partner

11/12/2025

😷😷 Updated News from Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Hospital Trust 😷😷

Flu and respiratory infections are on the rise. From today, as a precaution, we’re advising the wearing of face masks in some areas of our hospitals including our Emergency Department. Masks will be provided - if you feel you are exempt, please discuss this with a member of staff.

Help protect yourself and others:
✅ Remember to only attend the Emergency Department if it's serious or life or limb-threatening
✅ If you are unwell, please don’t visit loved ones until you are feeling better
✅ Get your flu jab if eligible

For full details, visit: https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/news/article/362

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.

11/12/2025

💻❓ 𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣? 𝘼𝙨𝙠 𝙈𝙮 𝙂𝙋!

Not sure if you need to see your GP? 🏥💭
With Ask My GP, you can:

🩺 Get advice from your GP online
⏱️ Save time and skip unnecessary visits
💬 Get support for minor health concerns

💙 Quick, easy, and confidential – ask today and take control of your health!

11/12/2025

🌟 Enjoy A Small Moment Of Peace 🌟

10/12/2025

💊 Pharmacy First – Fast, Local Help for Common Conditions 💊

Did you know your local community pharmacy can now treat several common conditions without you needing to see a GP?

Pharmacists are trained clinicians who can offer advice, assessments, and — where appropriate — NHS-funded treatment.

You can now visit a pharmacy first for:

• Ear infections in children
• Sore throats
• Sinus infections
• Insect bites
• Impetigo
• Shingles
• Urinary tract infections in women (aged 16–64)

No appointment needed — just walk in.

If your pharmacist thinks you need a GP or further care, they’ll guide you safely.

Using Pharmacy First helps you get quicker care and keeps GP appointments available for those who need them most.

Your local pharmacists are part of your NHS team — close by, easy to reach, and ready to help. 💙💚

10/12/2025

📢 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

If you’ve been invited for your review, it’s important that you attend. These appointments help you:

Keep your condition under control

Review your medications

Plan next steps for your health

Taking part in your annual review helps you stay on top of your health and prevent complications.

💙 Don’t miss it – your health matters!

09/12/2025

👂 Earache in Children – What Parents Should Know 👂🏻

Earache is common in children 👧🏻 especially after colds 🤧and winter bugs.

Most cases improve on their own within a couple of days, but we know it can be worrying when your little one is uncomfortable.

Common signs include:

• Tugging or rubbing the ear
• Trouble sleeping
• Fever
• Temporary hearing changes
• Fussiness or crying

You can help at home: 🏠

• Give children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain/fever (follow age/weight guidance)
• Keep them hydrated 🫗
• Use warm compresses on the outside of the ear for comfort
• Avoid putting anything into the ear

Please contact the surgery if:

• Pain is severe or not improving after 48 hours
• There’s fluid/pus leaking from the ear
• Your child is under 2 with pain in both ears
• They have hearing loss or you’re worried for any reason

If you’re unsure whether your child needs to be seen, NHS 111 online can guide you.

If your child 🧒🏼 👦🏾 is between 1 - 17 years you can also take your child 👧🏻 to your local pharmacy for help and advice. To find a pharmacy near you click on the link below

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/

We’re here to help you keep your little ones well. 💙💚

09/12/2025

💚 The Samaritans 💚

You can talk to us about anything that's on your mind.
Call us for free day or night on 116 123

08/12/2025

💰Money Saving Tip 💰

Here's a money-saving tip many people don't know.

You can often save a lot by buying the same medicine — just in different packaging?

Big drug companies spend millions promoting their brand names... but often, it's just clever marketing!

Here's the secret: 🤫

Check the 'PL number' on the side of the medicine box.

If two packs have the same PL number, they're made by the same manufacturer — meaning they're identical medicines, just with a different label 😮

So next time you're at the pharmacy, take a look — you might be surprised what you find ! 💙💚

08/12/2025

❄️ 💊Be Winter Ready 💊❄️

Be ready for winter by stocking up your cabinets with a winter first aid kit to help you look after your child 🩹❄️

Include items like a bottle of infant or children’s paracetamol (Calpol) or Ibuprofen, thermometer and plasters.

www.gmintegratedcare.org.uk/3-steps-to-keep-healthy

07/12/2025

🥾 I’m a Celebrity Final Tonight! 🥾🌴

It’s the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! final tonight, and whether you’re cheering on your favourite campmate or just tuning in for the bush-tucker fun, we hope you enjoy a well-deserved relaxing evening!

While the campmates have been tackling trials, don’t forget to look after your own wellbeing too:

✨ Take time to unwind

✨ Stay hydrated (thankfully no fish-eyeball smoothies required!)

✨ Reach out if you’re feeling stressed — even celebrities get overwhelmed sometimes

If the show has inspired you to take on new challenges, try adding a little extra activity into your week… no jungle required! 🌿

Have a great night, and may the best campmate win! 🏆

— Your Dicconson Group Practice Team 💙💚