News

Prescribing of Sedatives for Fear of Flying

Fear of Flying – Practice Policy on Diazepam

Following a review of current medical guidelines and safety advice, Sele Medical Practice has taken the decision not to prescribe diazepam or similar sedative medications for fear of flying. This is in line with national policy and the uidance in the British National Formulary (BNF) where the drug is now contraindicated for phobic states (including fear of flying). 

We understand that a fear of flying can be very upsetting, and we want to explain clearly why this medication is no longer considered safe or appropriate for this purpose.

Why we do not prescribe diazepam for flying

There are several important medical and safety reasons behind this decision:

• Reduced ability to respond in an emergency
  Diazepam causes sedation, making you drowsy and less alert. In the unlikely event of an in‑flight emergency, this can affect your ability to concentrate, follow instructions, or react quickly, potentially putting you and others at risk.

• Increased risk of blood clots (DVT)
  Sedation can lead to deep, prolonged sleep, during which your natural movement is reduced. This increases the risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis, particularly on flights lasting more than 4 hours, and such clots can be dangerous or even life‑threatening.

• Unpredictable reactions
  While many people become sleepy with benzodiazepines, a small number experience the opposite effect, including agitation, disinhibition, or aggressive behaviour. This can cause significant safety issues on a flight and may lead to legal consequences.

• Not recommended in national prescribing guidance
  The British National Formulary advises that diazepam should not be used for phobic states, and that prescribing benzodiazepines for short‑term, mild anxiety is inappropriate. Prescribing against these guidelines would place the clinician at legal and professional risk.
  Benzodiazepines are only licensed for short‑term crisis management in generalised anxiety, and if someone is in such a crisis, it would not be appropriate or safe for them to fly.

Support for managing fear of flying

We recognise that flying anxiety is very real, and we want to support you in finding safer and more effective ways to manage it. Many people find the following resources helpful:

Patient.info - Managing Fear of Flying

EasyJet fearless Flyer Course

British Airways - Flying with Confidence

Virgin Atlantic - Flying without Fear

These programmes are designed specifically to help people understand their anxiety, learn coping strategies, and feel more confident when travelling.

Retirement News!

We would like to share the news that Dr Gold will be retiring at the end of March 2026. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Gold for her hard work and dedication to the practice over the years. 

We kindly ask patients not to book appointments to say goodbye, so that appointments can be prioritised for those with a clinical need. 

We will contact any patients of Dr Gold shortly to inform them of their new named GP. 

Named GP

All patients at our practice are allocated a named GP who has overall responsibility for their care. 

We always try to prioritise continuity, as seeing the same doctor where possible helps us provide better, more personalised care. 

If you have a preferred GP, please let our reception team know when booking your appointments.

Stand Up to Cancer 2025 Campaign - Friday 5th December to Friday 12th December 2025

The Stand Up to Cancer 2025 campaign is taking place from 5th-12th December.

At least 9 million people in the UK are not up to date with their cancer screening. Screening is a way to detect cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful, and in some cases can prevent the disease developing in the first place.

Currently, many people do not take up their NHS screening invitations. Working out if you are eligible for cancer screening can be complicated and to help with this, the campaign organisers have created a simple online screening checker which is due to launch today.

For further information, please visit:
https://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/

FluSNIFF toddler study

We will shortly be contacting the parents and guardians of eligible toddlers. 

Flu vaccination and Covid booster vaccination information

Information for patients: Covid and Flu Vaccinations – Autumn 2025

Patients aged 75 and over and those with compromised immune systems – eligible for a Covid vaccine booster and a flu vaccination

West Northumberland covid vaccination clinics will start from the 1^st October. The clinics will again be delivered by Hadrian Primary Care Alliance (HPCA), which is a collaboration of local practices (including Sele Medical Practice) working together to deliver vaccinations in the area.

Clinics will be held every Saturday in October at Sele Medical Group in Hexham and on Wednesdays in October at Prudhoe Waterworld. You will be given a seasonal flu vaccination and a Covid vaccination at the same time. 

All clinic appointments are bookable via the National Booking System which opens for patient bookings from 1^st September 2025 . The appointments can be booked by following this link Book, change or cancel a COVID-19 vaccination appointment - NHS or calling 119. Please select the 'flu and COVID' appointment option when booking online or request this when calling 119.

If you are eligible for both vaccinations, we recommend that you have both together.

Patients aged 65 to 74 and younger patients with long term conditions – eligible for a flu vaccination

Patients who are aged 65 to 74 and those under 65s with long term conditions such as asthma or diabetes will only be eligible for seasonal flu vaccination this Autumn and should arrange an appointment in one of our vaccination clinics at Sele Medical Practice.  A large scale clinic will be held on Saturday 11th of October and text messages with a booking link will be sent out to eligible patients during September or you can book your appointment by calling reception after 1st September 2025.

Pregnant patients, patients with learning disabilities, carers and those with BMI over 40 are also eligible and will be invited via SMS.

Housebound Patients

Housebound patients will be contacted during September to explain the process for having these vaccinations at home. If you are newly housebound, please contact the surgery and ask to speak to Karen Hayter, our care co-ordinator.

Children aged 2-3

Children aged 2-3 will be eligible for a nasal flu spray and parents/guardians will be sent a text message with a booking link to arrange an appointment in one of our clinics during September and October.

We will also be helping with research in the FluSNIFF-toddler Study in children aged 12–23 months. Those eligible will be contacted directly and provided with the opt-in information.

Up to date information on the referral process for Adult ADHD and Autism.

Adult ADHD Assessment Pathways and Process

Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Assessment Pathways and Process

Changes to the Cervical Screening Programme

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme saves thousands of lives every year by detecting abnormal cells in the cervix which would develop into cancer, if left untreated.  How often people need to be screen is changing from 1^st 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.

Blood Pressure Readings

If you are under regular review for blood pressure (BP) medication or hypertension, it is important that your BP is monitored during appointments at the surgery, rather than through the pharmacy.  This ensures your BP is assessed in a clinical setting where the GP or nurse can properly review the results.  Your blood pressure will be checked as part of your annual review.  Alternatively, if you'd like to monitor your BP between visits, you are welcome to use the machine available in the waiting room.  Please remember it is important to have your BP taken while at rest, as this provides a more stable baseline reading that reflects your body's normal pressure.  This helps to ensure a more accurate reading and correct diagnosis of any blood pressure-related condition.

Covid Vaccinations

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination

We are now taking bookings for free RSV vaccination appointments at the surgery.

If you are aged between 75-79 years you will be eligible for an RSV vaccination from the 1st September 2024. 

The surgery will contact eligible patients via text message with a booking link.

Eligible patients without a mobile number will be contacted via letter.

Please note that you should not have any other vaccine within 7 days of the RSV vaccine. This is to ensure best immune response.

More information on the RSV vaccination programme can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccination-for-older-adults/your-guide-to-the-rsv-vaccine-for-older-adults

Welcome to our new website!

We hope you like the look of our new website, which launched on Monday 12th August 2024. 

The website has been designed to be easy to navigate and user friendly. If you have any suggestions or questions for us regarding the website, please do not hesitate to get in touch, either by calling the surgery or sending us an email. Details on the 'Contact us' page.