News

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.