As our staff celebrate the Easter season, the practice will be closed on:

• 29 March
• 1 April

Make sure you have enough medication to get you through this period by placing repeat prescription requests ahead of time.

You can still get medical assistance and advice while the practice is closed by calling 111, or vising the NHS App. In an emergency, call 999.

From 2 April 2024 Stub it! will no longer be providing stop smoking services for the citizens of Nottingham city. This means Stub it! will be unable to take any new referrals after 1 March 2024.

If you would like help to stop smoking after 1 March 2024 you will be supported by Thriving Nottingham – a new, free health & wellbeing service here to help you live well and feel great. You can sign up from the 2 April by visiting www.thrivingnottingham.org.uk, or you can join their waiting list now.

Please be aware that the new service doesn’t start until 2 April 2024, therefore there will be a delay in your referral being processed. Although it is appreciated a delay isn’t ideal, it will mean you receive consistency in care and support to stop smoking.

Stop smoking services are just one part of the new Thriving Nottingham service. Thriving Nottingham will support adults, children and families with weight management, as well as providing smoking cessation, community-based physical activity options, and personalised 1-1 health and wellbeing coaching.

Thriving Nottingham is accessible free of charge to all Nottingham city residents and is funded by the Nottingham City Council Public Health Grant.

If you have any questions about the new stop smoking offer, or the Integrated Wellbeing Service please email: hello@thrivingnottingham.org.uk

From today (31st January 2024), patients in England will be able to get treatment for seven common conditions at their high street pharmacy without needing to see a GP.

Highly trained pharmacists will be able to assess and treat patients without the need for a GP appointment or prescription for common conditions:

• sinusitis
• sore throat
• earache
• infected insect bite
• impetigo
• shingles
• uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65) 

Over 90% of community pharmacies in England (10,265 in total) will be offering this service. It is hoped this will ease the pressure on GP practices and provide quicker and more convient treament for patients experiencing non-urgent health concerns.

To find your nearest pharmacy, you can use the NHS 'find a pharmacy' feature. Please be aware that not all pharmacies will be able to provide treament for these conditions.

Across the UK, the number of children and adults getting measles is on the rise.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to complications such as ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain which require hospitalisation and on rare occasions can lead to long term disability or death.

Spending 15 minutes or more in direct contact with someone infected with measles is enough to catch the infection. People whose immunity is compromised, pregnant women and unvaccinated children are at increased risk of severe disease.

Measles symptoms to be aware of include:

• high fever
• sore, red, watery eyes
• coughing
• aching and feeling generally unwell
• a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.

Anyone with symptoms that could be measles is advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting the surgery or A&E. This is because measles spreads very quickly and easily and so it is important to try and prevent the illness spreading further.

People who have symptoms should also especially try to stay away from areas where you could come into contact with vulnerable people such as schools, nurseries or care homes.

The increase in measles cases is largely due to the decrease in children being vaccinated against the disease.

The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella. Since the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1968 it is estimated that 20 million measles cases and 4,500 deaths have been prevented in the UK.

To book in your child for their MMR vaccination, please contact the practice.

Click here to read the latest edition of our practice newsletter for winter 2023. For a physical copy, please visit the practice and speak to reception.

From 1st November 2023, we will NOT be accepting medication requests over the phone.

Instead, it is advised to use the NHS App. You can find more details of how to download and view your NHS account here: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/ 

If this option isn’t suitable, prescriptions can also be requested via: request slips found in foyer or sending your request by post.

If you run out of medicine outside of your GP surgery’s normal opening hours and need some urgently, there are a few ways to get an emergency supply quickly, even if you’re away from home.

This is for urgent need only, so it is important to always remember to order repeat medication from your GP practice in good time so that you never run out.

There are two main ways you can request an emergency supply of medicines:

• Contact NHS 111 via telephone or use the online service here: Emergency prescriptions – NHS 111. NHS 111 will then tell you which pharmacy you can go to or direct you to an urgent care centre. If the medicine is supplied, you will be charged the relevant prescription charge unless you are eligible for free prescriptions. This is not an NHS service so charges will vary.
• Contact a Community Pharmacy directly. Use the NHS pharmacy service search to find other nearby pharmacies and their opening hours – some are open until midnight or later, even on public holidays. This is not an NHS service so charges will vary.

What happens next:

The Community Pharmacist will need to talk to you to check that they can meet the legal criteria to supply and to find out:

• if you need the medicine immediately
• who previously prescribed the medicine to you,
• what medicine and dose of the medicine the prescriber has asked you to take.

The pharmacist will decide how much to supply up to a maximum of 30 days. There are sometimes when the smallest pack available has to be given such as one inhaler.

Only a few controlled medicines can be prescribed in an emergency, such as those for epilepsy and only up to 5 days supply can be given. Many controlled medicines, such as morphine or diamorphine, cannot be supplied without a prescription by a pharmacist in an emergency.

At the request of the prescriber

In the rare case that a prescriber cannot get a prescription to the Community Pharmacist quickly enough, a community pharmacist may be able to issue an emergency prescription at the request of the prescriber.

The Community Pharmacist will make a record of the supply and the prescriber must supply a prescription within 72 hours.

The medicine involved must not be a controlled medicine, except phenobarbital for the treatment of epilepsy.

This Stoptober, we are encouraging smokers in Nottingham to start their quit attempt.

Nottingham city has a particular problem with smoking, with rates much higher than the national average. It is one of the biggest causes of ill-health and death in the city.

To help reduce these rates and make Nottingham a healthier city, the Stub it! Stop Smoking Service provides FREE, personalised treatment to help create a programme that works for you.

Over 12-weeks, our expert and friendly advisors will use a variety of methods (including vapes) to help make your quit attempt a success, adapting it to your specific goals, needs, and reasons for quitting.

Since 2018, the Stub it! team have seen over 5,000 patients, with 40% of our graduates quitting for good. 99% of people who have used the service say they would recommend it to friends and family, and came away extremely satisfied with the support we provided.

As well as improving your health, stopping smoking can save you thousands of pounds a year. The average smoker spends over £2,000 a year on cigarettes alone. That’s an awful lot of money, especially in the current cost of living crisis.

Stub it! is available to all Nottingham city residents aged 12 or over. To start your quit attempt with us you, you can call the team on 0115 824 0583 (option 2), email nnicb-nn.info.ncgpa@nhs.net, or fill out the registration form on our website.

You can also sign up in person by speaking to the GP+ reception team between 4pm and 8pm (Angel Row entrance). For further updates from the team including tips on assisting your stop smoking journey, follow our Stub it! page on Facebook.

Click here to download the latest edition of our practice newsletter. For physical copy, please visit the practice and speak to reception.

This year there has been a big rise in cases of measles in certain parts of the country.

Measles can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain. Problems that can be caused by measles include:

• Pneumonia
• Meningitis
• Blindness
• Seizures (fits)

These problems are rare, but some people are more at risk. This includes babies and people with weakened immune systems.

To ensure the best protection for our local population, we are asking parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their two MMR doses. Please call the practice or speak to reception to book in your child for their jabs.

For full details and advice, please visit the government's website: Vaccine update: issue 341, August 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The practice now uses Notts Care Record to share data across health services to improve your care.

The Notts Care Record is a view of all the data about you that is held by each different health and social care organisation across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. By sharing patient data across services, clinical and care staff involved in your care can access relevant medical information to improve your care.

We understand the importance of handling senstive medical information with due care and consideration. Please see the below FAQs to understand how, why, and when we use this data, and how to opt-out of the service:

Who can see my health and social care data? 

Only professionals in health and care organisations that you have interacted with can see this data.  For example, Doctors in Accident and Emergency and your GP.

Why are you sharing my data?

We are already sharing some of your health and care data to make sure that your health and care professionals have the correct information about your medical history.

The Notts Care Record is the upgraded version of this data sharing which will allow health and care professionals to see important information about you to make sure you get the right care at the right time. It will also help reduce the number of times you need to tell the same set of information to different health and care professionals, which will make your care experience more pleasant.

Is this data sharing safe?

This system has been created by the NHS, for the NHS and social care. All the necessary checks have been done to ensure your data is safe and can only be viewed by health or care professionals.

How can I opt out of this data sharing?

If you would not like your data to be shared, please speak to the practice in order to opt-out of the service.

What is the consequence of opting out of this data sharing?

If you take steps to prevent some or all of your health and care data being shared, you can still receive good quality health and care from organisations across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. 

It will mean however, that you may need to tell the same set of information to each different health or care professional that you encounter as they will not have the ability to know your medical history across the organisations you have used.

It might also mean that you are asked to do the same, or similar tests at different organisations because they don’t have access to the results. For example, A&E might do the same blood test that your GP did last week because they can’t see the results from that initial blood test.

A free NHS service has been launched to offer specialist treatment and support to people in the East Midlands who are struggling with a gambling problem.

The East Midlands Gambling Harms Service, which is based in Derby, will provide specialist therapies, treatment and recovery to those affected by gambling addiction and gambling problems in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland.

The team providing the service will include clinical psychologists, therapists, mental health practitioners and psychiatrists as well as experts-by-experience – people who have recovered from a gambling addiction themselves.

Most support will be provided through virtual treatment programmes and group workshops. Further support and advice will be available to family members and carers, with the support of other agencies to help with problems such as mental health, debt management and housing.

The service is accepting referrals and individuals who are concerned about their gambling can either refer themselves or ask a health worker to make a professional referral for them.

The service is being run by Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Paul Sanger, East Midlands Gambling Harms Service Manager, said: “The team are pleased to launch this service, to provide support and treatment to those individuals who are experiencing problems with gambling problems across the East Midlands region.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to work as one of a number of gambling services now in operation across the country in line with the NHS Long Term Plan.

“Our aim is to equip those in need of help with the tools to overcome the desire to gamble, and to support those close to someone who is experiencing problems with gambling. We are confident that this service will provide better access to help in the region.”

Chris Kershaw, a recovering compulsive gambler who has supported the launch of the East Midlands Gambling Harms Service, said: “Problem gambling can have extremely detrimental effects on people’s physical and mental health, relationships and work, as well as causing financial issues such as debt.

“For me, my 24/7 compulsive gambling led to a breakdown and suicide attempt in early February 2006. I lost everything – not just money but also many relationships, which had a massive impact on my mental health.

“This service is a vital resource for residents across the East Midlands, to help people make better life choices. The support available will help those struggling to lead better, more fulfilling lives – not only for themselves but also their often long-suffering loved ones.”

Any resident within the East Midlands wishing to access support from East Midlands Gambling Service can call 0300 013 2330 or visit www.eastmidlandsgambling.nhs.uk.

Follow this link to find our latest edition: Newsletter

While many people enjoy warmer summer weather, hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating (becoming uncomfortably hot), dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke:

• keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
• if you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
• keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• if you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply suncreen
• drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
• check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
• know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical attention if you cool down within 30 minutes. If you do not take action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.

Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• tiredness
• weakness
• feeling faint
• headache
• muscle cramps
• feeling or being sick
• heavy sweating
• intense thirst

Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high.

Common symptoms of heatstroke include:

• confusion
• lack of co-ordination
• fast heartbeat
• fast breathing or shortness of breath
• hot skin that is not sweating
• seizures

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down.

You can find out more about symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke on NHS.UK.

How to cool down

How to cool down if you or someone else has symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• move to a cooler place such as a room with air conditioning or somewhere in the shade
• remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks
• drink cool water, a sports or rehydration drink, or eat cold and water rich foods like ice-lollies
• apply cool water by spray or sponge to exposed skin, and using cold packs wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck can also help

You should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

If you are concerned about symptoms, or they are worsening, seek medical advice by contacting NHS 111. In an emergency, or if you think someone has heatstroke, dial 999.

Introducing Clinic X, a sexual health clinic for people who are trans or gender diverse.

Accessing services around sexual health and wellness can be daunting, especially for those in LGBTQ+ community who often experience additional barriers to the care they need. This is why Framework have launched Clinic X, a service specifically designed to provide sexual health testing and advice for trans and gender diverse people in Nottingham.

Clinic X is a safe space for trans and gender diverse people to access free and confidential sexual health testing, advice around safer sex, and access condoms, dental dams, gloves and lube. The clinic runs from 5:00-7:00pm on the first Thursday of each month from the Health Shop in Hockley. It is an 'out of hours' clinic, meaning that it operates after our service has closed, so people have the choice of accessing when other people aren't around, and it is quieter.

Clinic X are ran by an inclusive team and work with a sensitive approach. They do not do any physical examinations, and allow people to choose which testing feels most comfortable for themselves. They can test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B. Hepatits B vaccinations are also available, but these would need to be booked for a time outside of the Clinic X.

The clinic is currently operating on an appointment-only basis, so people will need to contact Framework to book in beforehand. This can be done via phone, text, or email.

Call: 0115 9055001

Text: 07977 184851

Email: healthshop@nottshc.nhs.net

Address: 12 Broad Street, Hockley, Nottingham, NG1 3AL

Bookings are now open for those who are at highest risk of becoming unwell from Covid-19.

Spring Booster vaccinations can be booked from today (5th April), with vaccinations being available from 17 April, subject to vaccine availability.

The spring booster will be offered to:

• everyone aged 75 years and over
• residents in care homes for older adults
• people aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed.

Eligible individuals will be offered the vaccine around 6 months after their previous dose.

The vaccination is available through a mixture of walk-in and booked appointments at pharmacies, GP sites, designated health centres and hospital hubs across the city and county.

People who have not yet received a 1st and 2nd dose of the Covid-19 vaccinations will still be able to receive this – however, following JCVI advice, availability of these vaccines will conclude at the end of the spring campaign on 30 June 2023.

Steve Upton, Deputy Director of Operations for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may decline over time. Boosters are offered to help you maintain strong protection from becoming seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch Covid-19.

“That’s why the most vulnerable people are given a chance to top up their immunity with a seasonal booster. It is important those at highest risk of severe illness do not become complacent and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to come forward and book a spring booster as soon as possible.

“We have been delivering the life saving vaccine for more than two years now and our incredible teams of staff will be available to give you the very best service, help and advice throughout the whole process.”

People can book an appointment on the NHS website or by calling 119. Or you can also get a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from a walk-in site without an appointment. People can find their nearest walk-in sites on the NHS website.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare, alongside partners across the Integrated Care System, has teamed up with mental health charity Mental Health Innovations to launch free and confidential mental health support 24/7, through the charity’s text messaging support service Shout.

From today (Monday 6 March 2023), anyone living in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can text the word Notts to 85258 to be connected to a trained Shout Volunteer. The service is open around the clock and volunteers, supervised by a bank of clinicians, can help with issues such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression and suicidal thoughts.

The conversation, which takes place entirely by text message, aims to help the texter reach a calmer place with a plan to move forward. It will also signpost them to further support available locally.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s Deputy Director of Local Mental Health Services, Kazia Foster says: “This new dedicated texting service, specifically for people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, is an excellent addition to our urgent mental health support offer, which includes a 24/7 crisis line and crisis sanctuaries. It offers local people a different way to access help when they need it and I would like to urge anyone who is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing to text ‘Notts’ to 85258 and get support from the Shout team.”

Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service, designed to provide people with ‘in the moment’ support. Texting Shout does not appear on phone bills and all messages are confidential unless there is concern about someone’s safety.

• Nottinghamshire Healthcare provides a crisis line 0808 196 3779 available to anyone in mental health crisis at anytime, anywhere across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Available 24 hours a day, seven-days a week, it’s the number to call if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate help. It’s open to people of all ages who need urgent mental health support.
• Crisis sanctuaries are also available for adults over 18 at different locations across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, venues, days and opening times can be found here: Home | Nottinghamshire Crisis Sanctuaries
• For online support and advice for young people, visit: https://nottalone.org.uk
• Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Powered by charity Mental Health Innovations, Shout launched publicly in May 2019 and has taken 1,8 million conversations with more than 620,000 people who were feeling anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who needed urgent support - About Shout 85258 | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org)

Ahead of national No Smoking Day on the 8th March, there has never been a better time to attempt to quit smoking with Stub it!

With the cost of living crisis, we are all looking at ways to cut down on the amount of money we are spending. If you are a smoker one of the biggest drains your bank account may be the cost of smoking.

Estimates predict the average smoker spends £2,303.15 a year on cigarettes. That is more than the average annual energy bill, and around 8% of the average yearly salary in the UK. This is on top of the costs that come with suffering from smoking-related health problems, including having to miss work or buy medication.

This is where Stub it! can help.

Stub it! is a free stop smoking service available to all Nottingham city residents and provides personalised sessions with our stop smoking specialists to help find a way of quitting that works for you. This service is highly effective for many people, with 43% of people completing the programme managing to kick the habit.

Get in touch with us today to start your quit attempt: Stub it! - Nottingham City GP Alliance (ncgpa.org.uk)

Join the Nottingham biking revolution by taking part in Love to Ride.

Cyclists of all levels are invited to set personal goals, compete in challenges, and win prizes, all while experiencing the health and wellbeing benefits of bike riding.

Visit their website to register for free and take part - Register : Love to Ride UK

Aged 55–74 with a history of smoking? You may be eligible for a free lung health check.

This free NHS service for Nottingham city residents will check that your lungs are fit and healthy.

Even if you have not noticed any problems with your breathing, we advise current and former smokers to their lungs checked so we can spot any potential problems early. Think of it like annual MOT for your lung health.

Eligible residents in Nottingham city, Mansfield, and Ashfield will receive a letter in the post with details of their appointment.

Find out more here: Nottingham NHS Lung Health Checks (nottslunghealthcheck.nhs.uk)

General Practice is working in new ways to better meet the needs of the population. To make this happen Nottingham city has been split in to eight Primary Care Networks (PCNs). PCNs are groups of GP practices, and other community healthcare providers, that work together to focus care on the needs of the local population. Our practice is part of the Nottingham City East Primary Care Network.

The GP practices in our PCN are offering evening and weekend appointments - either at this practice, or another NHS practice nearby. Appointments are available with a range of clinicians depending on your needs. Please speak to our reception team for more information, or to book an evening or weekend appointment.  

Additional appointments are available: 

6.30 pm – 8pm Monday – Friday 

9am – 5pm Saturday  

This is not a walk-in service; appointments are needed and can be booked with reception.  

Living Well with Diabetes Events we are there to support you if you are living with type 2 diabetes. Some of the topics include DESMOND, Healthy Living, footcare, diet and weight management.

The dates are Monday 10^th October (10am-12pm) and Thursday 3^rd November (5.30pm-7.30pm).

Find more information on the poster here.

If Stoptober has got you thinking about quitting or making a quit attempt, you don’t have to do it alone. There are lots of great resources available on the NHS website  or if you are worried you won't be able to quit alone, you can access support through Stub it! the dedicated stop smoking service for people of Nottingham city (aged 16+). The Stub it! team will support you in developing a personalised quit plan that combines behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy.  

Don’t just take our word for it. There is some great feedback from those who have sought support to quit with Stub it!: 

• 88% of people who used the service felt extremely satisfied, and 91% of people who used the service said that they would be likely to recommend the service to a friend or family member.  
• Since 2018, the Stub it! Team have seen over 2000 patients and counting! 40% of who have quit for good (higher than the national average).  

Stopping smoking will save you money, improve your breathing and make you able to do more fitness and exercise. Take the first step on your stop smoking journey and fill out an online self-referral form.  

If you would like to find out more visit the Stub it! website, call the team on 0115 824 0583 (option 2), email ncgpa.stubit@nhs.netr or pop in and fill out a referral form with the reception team at GP+ between 4pm and 8pm at the Angel Row entrance (NG1 6JE). 

Following the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and funeral taking place on Monday 19th September please be advised that the practice will be closed on Monday 19th September. This will enable our teams to join the nation in a day that marks the end of national mourning and celebrate the life of Her Majesty. 

If they haven't already, the practice team will be in touch to cancel, and where possible rearrange, appointments. If you are due a repeat prescription on Monday, please request this as soon as possible. 

Should you need medical advice while the practice is closed, please call NHS 111 or visit NHS 111 online for advice. 

Thank you for your support and understanding. 

It is of great sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth II ruled for 70 years, longer than any other Monarch in British history, and it has been a constant for generations. As well as our Queen she was also a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. You can find the official announcement on the Royal Family website.

We would like to reassure you that’s the NHS, including NCGPA, will continue to provide services as planned. While we anticipate that appointments will continue as scheduled, we will offer compassionate care for those struggling with the impact of this news, please be considerate of others during this time.

We are not yet sure of the details for the period of national mourning, but we will update you as we learn more about arrangements and any potential impact it will have on the services we provide.

The Nottingham City East PCN (Pprimary Care Network) is looking for your opinions and feedback around your care within the local area. 

Your answers will help us understand the needs of the local population and help direct how future care is provided within Practices and the Primary Care Network. They value the views of everyone who lives in the community, including you as Parliament Street Medical Centre patients.

You can answer as many or as few questions as you feel able to. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Please complete the survey by 28th June 2022.

If you have any queries about completing this survey, please contact 0115 883 1900.

If you need a paper copy of this survey, please contact your GP practice.

Click this link to complete the form: https://forms.office.com/r/BHf2jV1mHz

Our website currently isnt displaying the Userway accessibility widget (meaning that some may find it more difficult to navigate our site). We have informed our website developers, and hopefully they will be able to resolve this issue quickly. 

If you, or somebody else you know, is stuggling to access our website, please contact the practice and they wil be able to help you find the information you need. 

We are sorry for any inconvinience caused. 

It's great news to hear that the waterpump we sponsored has now been built and we are able to see the people we are helping by having our watercoolers through AquAid!

For more information about the incredible work that AquAid and The Africa Trust has done can be found here.

We don't yet know what the guidance will be for primary care in response to the new 'Living with Covid' reponse, therefore until this is confirmed, please can you continue to:

-Wear your mask in the surgery

-Keep distance when in the surgery 

-Arrive no longer than 5 minutes before your appointment time

-Avoid attending for routine care when you have COVID

-Tell us if you have COVID symptoms or are COVID positive when you have an appointment

That way we can keep all patient safe - including those who cannot be vaccinated or whose immune systems are weak.

It is not our policy to issue COVID-19 certificates for international travel purposes, this includes 'fit to fly' letters for COVID-19.

Travel advice is changing very rapidly, therefore it is recommended that you check the government website as it gives the most up to date information on what you will need to do when planning to travel abroad. Click this link to be taken to the Government website - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Here, at Nottingham City General Practice Alliance, we are aware that keeping our team hydrated will aid them to perform at their very best throughout the work day. As a result, we decided to invest in watercoolers from AquAid.

Our unique relationship with AquAid has also given our company the opportunity to help those less fortunate than ourselves, because with each purchase an automatic donation is made to The Africa Trust.

These funds are used to build ‘Elephant Pumps’ - a modified version of an age old Chinese rope pulley system. One such pump is currently being installed in Africa on our behalf and it will be a much needed source of clean and fresh drinking water for many.

 Our organisation’s name will be proudly displayed on our well and we look forward to adding a photo and a letter of thanks from the villagers to our site in the near future.

 To date AquAid have built over 8,000 such Elephant Pumps across parts of Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe; and have donated in excess of £17 million to charity.

Are you stopping smoking for Stoptober? 

There are resources available to help you throughout your quit attempt to make sure you can make it through Stoptober without smoking - www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

If you have been inspired by Stoptober but feel you may need some extra support, as a resident of Nottingham city you are ale to access Stub It! stop smoking service. For more information visit - www.ncgpa.org.uk/stub-it

Although the government guidelines on face coverings will change from 19 July 2021 it is our priority to ensure that all patients and staff are safe when in our practice. To maximise everyone's safety, we will continue to ask all patients and visitors to wear a face-covering when they come into the building. The face-covering must cover your nose and mouth. If you are unable to do this, please speak to the reception team. Thank you for your cooperation.