The NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves thousands of lives every year by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix that could develop into cancer, if left untreated. How often people need to have cervical screening is changing in England from 1st July 2025.

 The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical cancers. Now that we have a better test for HPV, women and people with a cervix aged 25-49 years who test HPV negative, will be invited every 5 years, instead of every 3.

This change is strongly backed by robust scientific evidence. Studies have shown that if a person tests negative for HPV, they are extremely unlikely to go on to develop cervical cancer within the next 10 years.

If your cervical screening shows you have HPV, you may be invited for more frequent screenings to check HPV has cleared and, if not, if any cell changes have developed.

 This move brings England into line with Scotland and Wales which have introduced this change, and with women aged 50 – 64 who are already invited every 5 years.

 The way people can receive cervical screening invitations and reminders has also changed as this is now possible via the NHS App. To receive these, please download the NHS app and make sure your notifications are switched on. Find out more https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app If you don’t wish to use the App, we’ll attempt to contact you by text message or letter so, don’t worry, you won’t miss an invitation.

 See Frequently Asked Questions for more information or visit Cancer Research UK’s website.

A new free, confidential mental health crisis text service is now available across the North East and North Cumbria. Anyone feeling anxious, stressed, isolated, or struggling can text ‘CALMER’ to 85258 for 24/7 support from trained mental health professionals via Shout.

Impact on Teesside are running a free six-week programme for individuals that want to learn how to manage pain and fatigue effectively. Individuals can self-refer using the QR code or by visiting www.impactonteesside.com/online-referral/

Together-all is an online mental health resource to help take control of your emotional wellbeing. Together-all offers a supportive, anonymous community where you can discuss what’s on your mind, get support from others and access resources, to helping with sleep and managing your feelings. Register using your Hartlepool postcode via this link:https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register/area Support is free, 24/7 and available now.

Hartlepool Community Hubs offer free drop-in blood pressure checks for adults of all ages. There is no need to book an appointment. They have trained staff available to take your blood pressure and give advice.

McKenzie Group Practice is working with Clinical Research Nurses, Nichola and Laura, from Hartlepool & Stockton Health (H&SH) on several research studies.

They have begun reaching out to patients to request their participation in the research studies we have enrolled in.

You may see Nichola and Laura from time to time helping the practice team with the studies we have signed up to.

From Monday 13^th January 2025, patients registered with McKenzie Group Practice will also be able to access appointments and services at Gladstone House Surgery. 

There will be no changes to practice opening hours, staff, or services. Patients will be able to book an appointment at any site, giving patients more choice on where they want to be seen as well as having access to a wider range of services and clinical staff.

Further information is available using the links below: 

Information for patients

FAQs

Text messages are also being sent to patients regarding this change. 

Start is a drug and alcohol support service. It gives treatment and support to help people get well and back on their feet. No matter what advice or level of support you need, it is always free, confidential and without judgement. Anyone living in Hartlepool can use the Start service, no matter what their age, substance use or circumstances are.

For more information please click here

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. RSV infection often causes symptoms similar to a cold, including cough, sore throat, sneezing and runny or blocked nose. It can also make you become wheezy or short of breath and lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions. There is no specific treatment, and most infections will get better by themselves. Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will die. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system. RSV infection is common in young children but is most serious for small babies and for older people.

The new RSV Vaccine is available for:

• Patients who turn 75 years of age on or after the 1st September 2024
• Patients who are already aged 75-79 years old on 1st September 2024
• Pregnant patients from 28 weeks of pregnancy. 

Further information is available for patients below:

Your guide to the RSV vaccine for older adults

A guide to the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant women

Eligible patients will be invited to the surgery to for this vaccine. 

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can now call NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.

NHS 111 is available 24/7.

If you are deaf or have hearing loss please use NHS 111 – SignVideo https://signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/ or use the 18001 111 Relay UK app.

Don’t worry, local freephone crisis service numbers in your area will still be active for a while to make sure you always get the support you need, and are available 24/7.

You can find a current list of local freephone crisis service numbers on the NHS North East and North Cumbria website. https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/here-to-help-summer/looking-after-your-mental-health/

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust have created a video to show what callers can expect when they call NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.

You can find the video using this link: https://youtu.be/80yKimwGcNQ