Heatherlands Medical Centre

For more information or to register your interest in joining the PPG, please contact Karen Jones on 0151 677 2172 or email [email protected]. You can also search for us on Facebook at Heatherlands Medical Centre Woodchurch where you will see all of our recent activity.

If you receive an invite to take part in the GP Patient Survey, we would be grateful if you could complete and return this to NHS England as soon as possible.

The results of the survey provide us with information about your experience of the practice and enables us to address any issues that are highlighted in the results.

Thank you

By Emma Bower on the 24 January 2023
Around 4.6m eligible women in England have either never been screened for cervical cancer or have not had their most recent test, NHS England has said.
Cervical screening (Photo: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
This is around a third of those women who have been invited for tests in the past three or five years depending on their age. All women between the ages of 25 to 49 are invited for cervical cancer screening every three years and those aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years. Some women are invited more frequently if HPV or cell changes are detected in a previous test.
NHS England is urging eligible women to come forward and be tested. It highlighted that around 2,700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in England each year, but said the NHS screening programme helps save around 5,000 lives each year.
Meanwhile, figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that HPV vaccine coverage for children in year 8, which is when they receive their first dose, fell by 7% in girls and 8.7% in boys during 2021/22.
It said data suggests that the NHS has caught up with many children who missed out on the vaccine during the pandemic, but added that coverage remains ‘below pre-pandemic levels’. The UKHSA has urged young people who have missed the jab to contact their GP to arrange a catch up vaccination, which they are entitled to up to the age of 25.
Cervical screening
Previous research has suggested that embarrassment, as well as cultural barriers, are often key reasons why women fail to attend their cervical screening appointment.
GP practices in London are currently involved in an NHS pilot where women are being offered home testing HPV kits in a bid to boost uptake of cervical screening. If the pilot is successful the tests could be rolled out across England.
GP and NHS England’s interim medical director for primary care, Dr Kiren Collison said: ‘We have made great progress on our cervical screening programme and the combined effects of the HPV vaccine and the new, more sensitive way of screening for cervical cancer means that we have the opportunity to eliminate cervical cancer altogether.
‘Having the potential to completely eradicate a disease that affects thousands of people every year is remarkable, but in order to do this, it is vital that people take up the offer of a test.’
HPV vaccination
UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba said: ‘In recent years we have seen [HPV] vaccine coverage fall due to the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. Many young people who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated.
‘Children and young people who have missed out on their HPV vaccinations should contact their school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up – they remain eligible until their 25th birthday.’
A 2021 study in the Lancet found that cervical cancer rates were 87% lower in young women who had been eligible for the HPV vaccine at the age of 12 to 13, when compared with a similar group born a few years earlier who had not been offered vaccination.
The study estimated that the HPV vaccination programme, which was introduced in 2008, had prevented 450 cancers and 17,200 pre-cancers by mid-2019.

Our Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers have been busy baking cakes to welcome all our patients coming for their routine smears this evening!

We understand that going to your GP for a routine smear is not always top of the priority list and is the most commonly avoided routine check. We have given thought to ways we can make having a smear more convenient to those who work or might have childcare commitments and will be holding an evening smear clinic on 26th January between 5pm – 7pm. You can either pop down to the surgery between these times or, make an appointment.

For anyone who is unsure about the procedure whether this is your first smear or you have had bad experiences in the past, our lovely nursing team will be on hand to reassure you and provide you with any information you might need. These routine checks can save lives!

We are using new online services that makes it easy to register with the Practice. https://gp-registration.nhs.uk/N85037

Just fill in this quick online form to start the process. You do not need proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number.

The service is designed and run by the NHS, so your personal information is safe. It cuts our administrative workload and makes it easier for you to register.

Paper forms are still available if you need one.

Contact our reception team here – 0151 677 2172

HEATHERLANDS PRACTICE JOINS THE IUC (COIL) FITTING SERVICE FOR WIRRAL

Dr Robinson is now running a coil fitting clinic at the practice once a month. If you would like an appointment to discuss the coil or to book into one of these clinics, please speak to a member of our reception team.

Walk-in clinics are back

Patients can attend Gemini Centre, St Catherine’s Health Centre, Birkenhead without an appointment on:

• Tuesday 08.30 – 11.30am 
• Wednesday 4.00 – 7.00pm
• Thursday 10.00- 2.30pm

Please note all other days, times and venues remain appointment only.

Booking appointment online means patients don’t have to wait in our call queue or explain what they need from us over the phone – it is quick, easy, and discreet and allows them to self-manage their booking.  Our new system is also more interactive and can provide a choice of slots so you can choose what day and time suits you best. 

Online booking only accommodates the following.

• Implants
• Contraception
• Condoms

STI Postal kit provision:
Sexual Health 24 provide the testing kits free of charge for all patients living on the Wirral with a Wirral postcode only. Please visit www.sexualhealthwirral.nhs.uk to order your test kit.

The tests provided are:

• CT/GC
• Full kits (CT/GC, HIV/Syphilis)
• Triple site testing (throat, rectal in addition to vaginal and urine tests)
• Chlamydia treatment is also provided by SH24

For more helpful advice and information, please visit sexualhealthwirral.nhs.uk

We understand the idea of visiting your GP for your routine smear is not always something that’s top of a woman’s priority list for many reasons. This could be your first smear and you are unsure what to expect? For some women they worry about the procedure being painful and/or embarrassing and for others, you may not be able to attend at the times offered due to work commitments or childcare issues.

Staff at the practice have arranged a late afternoon/evening clinic to take place on Thursday 26th January between 5pm and 7pm. There will be 2 female nurses available and members of the support team to carry out smears for those who would like to attend or, for those women who would like a bit more information or support, we are here to help.

Please drop in ion the evening or give us a call prior to book in. We hope to see you.

For more information please visit. www.jostrust.org.uk

23rd December – Open for Emergencies only

26th December – Closed

27th December – Closed

28th December – Open

29th December – Open

30th December – Open for Emergencies only

2nd January – Closed

3rd January – Open

The last date to submit prescription requests is Wednesday 21st December. Prescriptions will be ready for collection on Friday morning before 2pm.

Heatherlands Pharmacy’s opening times are:-

Christmas Eve – 7:30am – 21:30pm

Christmas Day – 10am – 12:00 midday

Boxing Day – Closed

27th December – Closed

28th December – 6:30am – 22:30pm

New Year’s Eve – 7:30am – 21:30pm

New Year’s Day – 10am – 16:00pm