Practice News

Alcohol Awareness Week, running from 7-13 July!

Whether it's long hours, stress or pressure to drink at team socials, there are many ways work and alcohol are linked. 

This #AlcoholAwarenessWeek, @AlcoholChangeUK are opening the conversation on the relationship between alcohol and work.

Find out more: https://tinyurl.com/AlcoholAwarenessWeek

NHS Cervical Screening Programme

Information on Weight-loss injections

Some people with the highest clinical need may be prescribed weight loss injections on the NHS for managing obesity. Your GP can refer you to weight management services if you are eligible. The services will assess you for consideration of weight-loss injections or other treatments such as diet and exercise programmes or bariatric surgery.

Please note, the use of these medicines is not a quick fix to lose weight and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has not assessed the safety and effectiveness of these medicines when used by people who do not meet the medical requirements.

From the end of June 2025, for one year, the people below may be eligible to receive tirzepatide (Mounjaro) on the NHS. This is to ensure patients at greatest risk become eligible first: 

People with at least 4 of the following 5 health conditions plus a BMI of at least 40 (BMI to be adjusted for ethnicity*)

• type 2 diabetes mellitus
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• obstructive sleep apnoea (when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep)
• abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia)

*Due to an increased risk of heath conditions at lower BMI thresholds in the following populations, the BMI used to assess eligibility for tirzepatide will be 2.5 kg/m2 lower for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.

You can calculate your BMI to see if you may be eligible but a full assessment will be done through the specialist weight management service.

Find out more here: Weight-loss injections - NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB

Care Navigation / Signposting

Ensuring patients receive the right support is key to delivering well-coordinated, patient-centred care. Our Receptionists are trained to direct your call appropriately, helping you see the most suitable Clinician for your needs. To do this effectively, they may ask about the reason for your call and the nature of your appointment request.

Active signposting helps patients access the right service from their first point of contact, often through the Receptionist. They act as care navigators, ensuring you are booked with the most appropriate professional from the start. In addition, websites and apps can offer self-help resources and further guidance on available services.

For example, the Receptionist may refer you directly to:

• First Contact Practitioner (FCP) – An FCP is a healthcare professional based at the GP surgery who specialises in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. You can book directly with an FCP without needing a GP referral if you have a new MSK issue and are not already under the care of a hospital specialist for the same condition. Please speak to the Receptionist for more information.
• Pharmacy First – This new scheme allows local pharmacies to provide treatment for certain conditions using prescription-only medications, without the need to visit a GP. Click here for more details.
• Social Prescribing - Health is influenced by more than just physical conditions. Factors such as stress, unemployment, financial difficulties, loneliness, lack of early childhood support, unstable housing, and discrimination can impact between 30-55% of health outcomes. To address these wider influences, the NHS has introduced social prescribing - a more holistic and integrated approach to healthcare. Social prescribers work closely with GP practices to help patients access support beyond traditional medical care. They connect individuals to local groups, activities, and services that can address social, emotional, and practical challenges affecting their health and wellbeing. Acting as a link between your GP and community resources, they help ensure you get the right support. Anyone in your GP practice team may suggest a referral to a social prescriber. If referred, you’ll have an appointment to discuss your situation, explore your needs, and find out what support is available. Whether you're dealing with financial concerns, loneliness, education, discrimination, housing issues, or other non-medical challenges, a social prescriber can guide you toward the right services. Whatever you're going through, you don’t have to navigate it alone.