Distington Surgery

16/04/2026

Should you need a home visit please can we ask you contact the surgery as early in the day as possible (before 11am)

15/04/2026

We are hiring! We currently have a vacancy in our Salaried GP Role, 8 Sessions available.

14/04/2026

Choking in babies (Less than 1 year old)

Weaning can be a really exciting time for you and your baby. Trying new flavours and textures can be fun! 🙂

It is important to be mindful of choking when you start weaning and how to help your baby.

Linked below is a video from St John's Ambulance on what to do if your baby is choking
🔗 https://www.sja.org.uk/first-aid-advice/baby-choking/

❓What is choking?
When a baby is choking, their airway is partly or completely blocked meaning that they may be unable to breathe properly. As you start weaning your baby and they begin eating solid foods or playing with small objects, they may be at risk of choking.

❓Signs and symptoms
A choking baby may:
Be unable to breathe, cry, or cough
Show signs of distress.

‼
If you think your child is choking and cannot breathe properly:
shout for help and get them out of the high chair
support their chest and chin with one hand and – with the heel of your hand – give 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades
Clear any visible food or object from their mouth
perform chest thrusts if needed and call 999

🔴Gagging is a normal reflex and is usually loud and you may notice your baby going red

🔵Choking is usually quiet or silent and you may notice your baby going pale or blue

Further advice on choking and gagging on food is linked below as well as how to reduce the risk of choking!

🔗https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/weaning/safe-weaning/choking-and-gagging-on-food/ -or-gagging

13/04/2026

🅿️ Cumberland Infirmary (CIC) parking update

Following the installation of new parking payment machines normal parking enforcement will now resume.

These new payment kiosks have replaced the original payment machines, which were unfortunately experiencing intermittent faults when accepting payments.

Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) are now being reinstated, so please make sure you have paid for your parking and use marked bays only.

You can pay for parking using one of the below options:

• A payment machine on site (two of the new machines, one at the top of each visitor car park, accept cash as well as other payment methods).
• The Your Parking Space app - the site code is 12082. This allows you to pay for your parking at your convenience within 48 hours of leaving the site. You can pay when you get home or back to the office. There is no additional charge for paying via the app.
• Visit the Your Parking Space website (www.yourparkingspace.co.uk), which can also be accessed via one of the QR codes on site.
• Cash payments can still be made at the reception desk (8am – 6pm, Monday – Friday).

Thank you for your patience while we worked with our contractors to resolve the issues with the previous machines.

09/04/2026

As you will probably have seen and heard by now, Dr Heather Naylor has officially retired, completing her last day in surgery on 31st March after 34 years. Dr Naylor has been a matriarch of the practice who will be keenly missed by patients and staff. One of her legacies is that she has helped to train many of the GPs currently working in the area, including some of those now working in Distington Surgery, and we continue that pride in the teaching and training of tomorrow’s GPs with the same enthusiasm shown by Dr Naylor. We’d like to thank her for her service and dedication to the practice, and wish her the very best for her retirement. Patients who have been under Dr Naylor’s care will be followed up by another member of the clinical team when needed.

Dr Naylor has asked if we could pass on a thank you to patients for the cards, gifts and well wishes on her retirement!

08/04/2026

✈️Safe sleep when travelling🏖️

Safe sleep isn't just for in the home, we need to be mindful when we travel! Practice the same safe sleep measures away as you would at home:
Placing baby on their back on a firm mattress with no loose blankets or sheets, ensuring their sleep space is clear and keeping the temperature between 16 and 20 degrees!

To be better prepared, have you thought about where your child would sleep when travelling?

✅Moses baskets, travel cots and overnight approved carry cots are ideal! However if you want to try and save space in the car or on the plane, ring your accommodation and check if they have a cot to borrow.

❎Don't use a bouncer, swing, sofa or car seat as an overnight sleep option for your infant. This can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

To safely bedshare please visit 'The Lullaby Trust'.
Do not bedshare if...
Your baby was born prematurely (before 37 weeks).
Your baby weighed under 2.5kg or 5.5 pounds at birth.
Anyone in the bed smokes, even if they don’t smoke in the bedroom, or the baby was exposed to smoking in pregnancy.
Anyone in the bed has drunk alcohol or taken drugs or medicines that make them sleepy.

🔗The Lullaby Trust: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/travel-and-weather/safer-sleep-on-holiday/

07/04/2026

02/04/2026

🐣 Easter bank holiday weekend is coming up — here's how to get the right care when you need it.

As we head into the long weekend, make sure you're prepared:

💊 Order your repeat prescriptions in advance through the NHS App so you're not caught short when GP surgeries are closed. Haven't got it yet? Download it for free: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

🚑 Please only call 999 for lifethreatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, breathing difficulties, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or when someone's life is at immediate risk. Choosing the right service helps our emergency teams reach the sickest patients faster — thank you for helping keep emergency care available for those who need it most. 💚

🩺 Need urgent medical advice but it's not lifethreatening? Use NHS 111 online or via the NHS App for 24/7 support and guidance to the right care.

💊 Think Pharmacy First - If you have a UTI or one of seven common conditions, your pharmacist can now assess you and provide treatment or some prescription medicines without seeing a GP. Find services near you: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/services-near-you/
More info: https://www.nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst

🌼 Stay well, plan ahead, and enjoy a safe Easter weekend.

01/04/2026

Make a splash this school holidays! 🏊🏊‍♀️

All schoolchildren aged up to 16 years old from the Cumberland area can go for a swim for only 10p over the Easter holidays.

The discounted scheme has been put in place by Cumberland Council, with the support of Everyone Active, GLL and Wigton Baths Trust.

It is available at Cockermouth Leisure Centre, Copeland Pool and Fitness Centre (Whitehaven), The Sands Leisure Centre (Carlisle), Wigton Baths Trust and Workington Leisure Centre.

27/03/2026

Easter is right around the corner 🐰

Remember to order prescriptions early to avoid delays in getting your medicines over the bank holidays.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/how-to-order-a-repeat-prescription/

27/03/2026

26/03/2026

Get first aid advice on seizures and fits, including causes, risk factors, symptoms and treatment, as well as when to seek medical assistance.