July 2025 Patient Newsletter
🌻 Summer update…
Welcome to our July Patient Newsletter! We continue to be as busy as ever, and we thank our patients for their continued support. In June, we:
- Answered 3023 phone calls
- Processed 2898 online requests (that’s an average of 90 requests a day)
- Delivered 3030 appointments (face-to-face and telephone)
- Offered 2764 GP appointments, 859 nurse appointments, and 272 other healthcare appointments
- Processed 1418 prescriptions
💉 Weight loss injections
Whilst GPs are now able to prescribe weight loss injections, the criteria for prescribing them are very strict. We have already identified and contacted eligible patients at Tudor Lodge. For more information and to view the criteria, please visit https://www.tudorlodgehealthcentre.co.uk/health-information/weight-loss-injections
🤧 Hayfever hacks
Here are some things you can do to ease your hayfever when the pollen count is high:
- Put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner
For more information about hayfever please visit, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/.
💊 Think ahead – do you need to order medication for your holiday?
As your summer holiday approaches, remember to check your medication supplies well in advance! Running out of essential prescriptions while you’re away can be stressful and disruptive. We kindly ask that you order any necessary repeat medications with plenty of time before you travel, ideally
at least two weeks before your departure date, to allow for processing and any potential pharmacy stock issues. Using the NHS App can make this process quick and easy, ensuring you have everything you need for a healthy and worry-free
break.
🙍🏽♀️ Making Your Cervical Screening More Comfortable
We understand that cervical screening appointments can sometimes feel daunting, and it’s completely normal to feel worried or even embarrassed. Please know that you are not alone in these feelings, and our dedicated team is here to help put you at ease. Remember, cervical screening saves lives, and we want to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible during your visit.
Tips to help you feel more comfortable during your cervical screening:
- Remember you are in control: You can ask to stop at any time during your appointment. Speak to your nurse or doctor.
- Wear a skirt or long jumper: You can keep these on during the test. If you forget, don’t worry, you’ll be given something to cover yourself with.
- Ask for a smaller speculum: Speculums come in different sizes, so speak to your nurse or doctor to discuss your needs.
- Try relaxation techniques: Your nurse or doctor can recommend breathing techniques. Listening to a podcast or music may also help you relax or distract you.
If you missed your last screening appointment, don’t wait to be sent another one; call and make an appointment today! For more information https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/
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ℹ️ Help us to stay in the loop
From time to time, you may receive a request from us for information so we can keep your records up to date. Please respond to any requests you receive from the surgery, as it helps ensure we’re providing you with the right care for you.
🗓️ Please cancel appointments you no longer need
Please let us know as soon as possible if you no longer need your appointment, so we can offer it to someone else and help reduce waiting times. In June, 42 hours of clinic time were wasted due to people failing to cancel appointments they no longer needed. To cancel appointments:
- Use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App).
- Reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message.
If you regularly miss booked appointments, you may be asked to find an alternative GP practice and removed from our practice list.
🫱🏽🫲🏽 A helping hand
If you’re struggling with essentials like food or fuel, Wandsworth Council can help. Apply for a discretionary support grant to help if you are facing hard times. Find out more on their website today.
😎 Stay safe in the sun
As the temperatures rise this summer, it’s vital to stay safe and well, especially during heatwaves. Here are some tips for staying safe in the sun this summer:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty, and avoid excessive alcohol.
- Seek shade during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 11 am and 3 pm.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and loose, light-coloured clothing if you’re out and about.
- Always apply a high-factor sunscreen (at least SPF 30) generously and reapply regularly.
- Keep an eye on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours, particularly the elderly or those with pre-existing health conditions, ensuring they are also staying cool and hydrated.
- If you feel unwell with symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or intense thirst, move to a cool place, lie down, and drink water; seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
🐝 Bugs & Bites
As we enjoy the warmer weather, insect bites and stings can become more common. Most bites and stings are not serious and will usually improve within a few days, typically presenting as a small, swollen lump on the skin accompanied by some pain. To ease discomfort, you can gently wash the area
with soap and water, apply a cold compress, and consider over-the-counter remedies like antihistamine creams or tablets. However, it’s important to be aware of signs that might require further attention. If the bite becomes infected (e.g., hot, red, swollen, or pus), or if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such such as difficulty breathing, a rash, or swelling of the face or mouth, seek immediate medical help by calling 999. For non-urgent concerns, your local pharmacist can offer advice and suggest suitable treatments.
📲 Have you joined our WhatsApp Channel?
Tudor Lodge Health Centre has launched a new WhatsApp channel to keep patients updated with:
- Surgery news
- Helpful tips and advice
- Health resources and tools
Simply click here to join http://bit.ly/40JdpT1
Subscribing to our WhatsApp channel does not give us or any other group member access to your phone number or any other details, and users can opt out at any time.
For personal enquiries or to book an appointment at the surgery please use our online form to contact us.
📋 Your annual medical review is important
A friendly reminder that if you live with a chronic disease such as asthma, diabetes or COPD to look out for your annual medical review. We send text message invites out in your birth month and ask you to book your appointment promptly. If you don’t receive an invite or have had to cancel yours in the past, please get in touch with the practice to arrange yours.
If you would like to opt out of receiving these monthly updates, please complete this form.
