Lakeside Medical Centre

29/12/2025

New Year, New Start!

With the New Year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make a resolution you can keep — quit smoking for good 🚭.

Quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health.

💙 Free NHS support is available, including local stop smoking services, expert advice and quit tools:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/nhs-stop-smoking-services-help-you-quit/

Make this the year you go smoke-free!

25/12/2025

Mental health support over the festive period 🧠

• Crisis mental health access via NHS111: Anyone across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can now get urgent mental health support, 24/7, by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option.

• 24/7 mental health text support: Anyone across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can now access 24/7 mental health support by text with the launch of free text services across the area. Text 07507330605

• NHS Talking Therapies Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent - available to anyone in Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent. Self-referral available. Free & confidential talking therapy. Call 0300 303 0923 https://staffsandstoketalkingtherapies.nhs.uk/

• The British Red Cross: Offers a free, confidential support line at 0808 196 3651, as well as workshops and resources https://www.redcross.org.uk/

• Samaritans: Offers a free, confidential listening service at 116 123, 24 hours a day https://www.samaritans.org/

• The Silver Line Helpline: Offers a free, 24-hour telephone service for people aged 55 or over at 0800 4 70 80 90 https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/

• OMEGA: Ending Isolation | Ending Loneliness: 01743 245088. Omega is a registered charity dedicated to reducing social isolation and loneliness. They offer a service called ‘Chatterbox’, a free telephone befriending service and Letterbox, a free pen pal befriending service. https://omega.uk.net/

• PAPYRUS: Prevention of young su***de. For confidential su***de prevention advice contact 0800 068 4141 https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

• Mind: Call 0300 300 5468 or visit website https://www.mind.org.uk/

If you are struggling financially there is support and advice available at Citizens Advice. For information on emergency grants, loans and money help visit the Shelter website or Step Change Debt Charity. More information about coping with financial worries can be found on nhs.uk.

Unfortunately, incidents of domestic abuse tend to increase over Christmas. Help is available should you need it:
• New Era https://www.new-era.uk/ 0300 303 3778
• Staffordshire Women’s Aid https://staffordshirewomensaid.org/ 0300 330 5959
• Men’s advice line https://mensadviceline.org.uk/ 0808 801 0327

Free & confidential talking therapy Call 0300 303 0923 SELF REFER Through our talking therapies, we provide life changing support to those struggling with depression, stress, anxiety, low mood, worry, phobias and other mental and emotional issues and to those adjusting to living with a long-term hea...

24/12/2025

Bank Holiday Closure Notice 🎄

Please note that Lakeside Medical Centre will be closed on the following bank holidays over the festive period:

🗓️Thursday 25th December 2025
🗓️Friday 26th December 2025
🗓️Thursday 1st January 2026

If you need medical help while we are closed:

✅NHS 111 (online or by phone).
✅For emergencies, please call 999 or attend A&E.

Wishing our patients a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year! ✨

22/12/2025

Discover the benefits of the NHS App!

The NHS App offers a simple, secure way to manage your health from home.

If you’re aged 16 or over, you can use it to:

📄 View your GP health record - including test results, letters and consultation notes, helping you better understand and manage your care.
💊 Order repeat prescriptions and choose your nominated pharmacy.
📅 Check appointments - saving time for you and GP practice staff.
🆔 Find your NHS number quickly and easily.
💬 Access NHS 111 online for fast, reliable health advice.

Need help getting started?

Local libraries across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can support you with downloading and using the app.

👉 Click here for more info: https://staffsstokeics.org.uk/your-health-and-care/your-primary-care/primary-care-digital-access/nhs-app/

21/12/2025

Sunday 21 December 2025 is the longest night of the year.

If you’re finding the festive period difficult, please know that you’re not alone.💚

Anyone can contact Samaritans free any time from any phone, even from a mobile without credit. Call 116 123.

19/12/2025

While Christmas can be a joyful time, we know it can also feel difficult, overwhelming, or lonely for many people.

Please be kind to yourself, reach out for support if you need it, and remember that help is available.

You’re not alone this Christmas. 🎄

18/12/2025

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help veterans and their families in England.

It's supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the armed forces community.

The service can help veterans in England who are finding life difficult after leaving the military. Working together with armed forces charities, they can help veterans get the right type of specialist care, support and treatment for their specific needs.

To get in touch with Op COURAGE please see contact details below:

The Midlands
📞Phone: 0300 323 0137
📧Email: mevs.mhm@nhs.net
🔗Website: https://www.opcouragemidlands.nhs.uk/

There is also an emotional support line available for veterans, open 24/7, by calling 0300 323 0139.

16/12/2025

❄️ Stay Well This Winter ❄️

Layer up, stay active, eat well, and look after your mental health.

Check in on those who may need extra support and stay protected with good hygiene and seasonal vaccinations.

ℹ️For more info, please visit
www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well

15/12/2025

📅 Can’t make your appointment? Please let us know!

We understand that plans change — life happens.

If you can’t attend your appointment, a quick cancellation helps us offer that slot to someone who really needs it.

Thank you for helping us reduce waiting times and support our community. 💙

09/12/2025

Sometimes all the extra pressure at this time of year makes things feel even heavier, especially if you’re already having a tough time. We’re here if you need us. 116 123 📱

02/12/2025

National Grief Awareness Week: Growing With Grief 🌿

This week (2nd-8th December) marks National Grief Awareness Week, a reminder that grief is a natural, personal journey—and no one should face it alone.
Whether your loss is recent or long-standing, support is available to help you grow with grief at your own pace.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. Our team is here to listen and support you.

🔗 Helpful Resources:

• The Good Grief Trust – practical and emotional support after bereavement:
https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org
• NHS Support for Bereavement and Loss – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/

Remember: talking about grief helps. You are not alone.🧡

24/11/2025

Did you know that by telling your GP surgery that you’re a veteran, you can unlock specialist support tailored to your needs?

As part of the “Say You Served” campaign, we’re encouraging all patients who have served in the UK Armed Forces — even for just one day — to let us know. This helps us ensure your health records reflect your service, giving you access to dedicated NHS services for veterans.

If you are a veteran, please inform a member of our team so we can update your records.

➡️To learn more about the support available, visit: www.nhs.uk/veterans