The Hall Practice Patient Newsletter December 2025
Posted on:
Non-urgent advice: Season Greetings from our partners
Dr Turner, Dr Yeomans and Ruth Franklin would like to wish our patients and staff a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It has been another busy year for us, with two major projects successfully completed: the introduction of the new Total Triage service and the launch of our updated website. We are very happy with the progress we have made, as every decision we take is focused on improving patient safety and access.
Looking ahead, we have more exciting projects planned for the coming year to continue enhancing your experience with the practice. Our aim remains to provide high-quality care while making it easier and safer for you to get the support you need. We truly appreciate the continued support and understanding from all our patients throughout these changes.
It has been another busy year for us, with two major projects successfully completed: the introduction of the new Total Triage service and the launch of our updated website. We are very happy with the progress we have made, as every decision we take is focused on improving patient safety and access.
Looking ahead, we have more exciting projects planned for the coming year to continue enhancing your experience with the practice. Our aim remains to provide high-quality care while making it easier and safer for you to get the support you need. We truly appreciate the continued support and understanding from all our patients throughout these changes.
Non-urgent advice: Coping with overwhelm and loneliness this Christmas
Christmas can be a joyful time for many, but it’s important to remember that it’s not always a happy season for everyone. Many of us find this time of year overwhelming, juggling busy schedules filled with catching up with friends and family, Christmas parties, and travel plans. It’s completely normal for some to feel strained or stressed by these demands.
We also want to acknowledge those who may feel lonely this Christmas. For some, challenges such as family difficulties, financial struggles, mental health issues, or addiction can make the season especially hard. If you know someone who may be facing Christmas alone, please encourage them to reach out because support is available.
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed or lonely, there are services ready to help throughout the festive period.
We also want to acknowledge those who may feel lonely this Christmas. For some, challenges such as family difficulties, financial struggles, mental health issues, or addiction can make the season especially hard. If you know someone who may be facing Christmas alone, please encourage them to reach out because support is available.
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed or lonely, there are services ready to help throughout the festive period.
Non-urgent advice: Do you need support?
For immediate mental health support, helplines like Samaritans (116 123) and Shout (text SHOUT to 85258) are open 24/7. Age UK offers a Telephone Friendship Service for older people who may feel isolated, and the Silver Line Helpline provides a friendly chat all day, every day. The NHS also has mental health crisis lines and well-being services to support people in need.
Non-urgent advice: Take one small step at a time
Taking small steps like setting a budget, maintaining healthy habits, and talking to someone you trust can make a big difference in managing stress and loneliness this season. And if you feel able, even a simple hello or a card can mean a lot to someone feeling alone.
Remember, it’s okay not to feel okay at Christmas, and help is never far away. For local support or advice, contact us or visit national charity websites like Age UK, Samaritans, Mind, or The Salvation Army.
If you want to talk or need support, please get in touch with us or use any of these services. Together, we can help make the season a bit brighter for everyone.
Remember, it’s okay not to feel okay at Christmas, and help is never far away. For local support or advice, contact us or visit national charity websites like Age UK, Samaritans, Mind, or The Salvation Army.
If you want to talk or need support, please get in touch with us or use any of these services. Together, we can help make the season a bit brighter for everyone.
Non-urgent advice: The Hall Practice opening hours
The practice will be closed from 18:30 Wednesday 24 December until 08:00 Monday 29 December and from 18:30 Wednesday 31 December until 08:00 Friday 2 January.
If during these times you request urgent medical assistance that cannot wait until the surgery reopens, please call 111 or visit NHS 111 Online.
For life-threatening emergencies, dial 999 immediately.
Additionally, our online platform for contacting the surgery, will be inactive from 18:30 Wednesday 24 December until 08:00 Monday 29 December and from 18:30 Wednesday 31 December until 08:00 Friday 2 January.
If during these times you request urgent medical assistance that cannot wait until the surgery reopens, please call 111 or visit NHS 111 Online.
For life-threatening emergencies, dial 999 immediately.
Additionally, our online platform for contacting the surgery, will be inactive from 18:30 Wednesday 24 December until 08:00 Monday 29 December and from 18:30 Wednesday 31 December until 08:00 Friday 2 January.
As we reflect on the past year at the practice, these end-of-year statistics highlight the volume and variety of care provided to our patients. Our appointment activity shows the continued importance of face-to-face consultations, making up 67% of all appointments, alongside telephone and home visits to offer flexible access. In total, our clinical services have been busy with nearly 4,000 referrals, over 124,000 medication issues, and more than 36,000 test orders completed, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to comprehensive patient care and support. These figures help us understand how we are meeting the needs of our community and guide our plans for service improvements in the year ahead.
Non-urgent advice: Christmas Jumper Day Thursday 11 December
This December, we’ll come together for a festive lunch, raising money to support children in need. We’ll be celebrating by wearing our brightest and loudest Christmas jumpers, joining millions across the country in support of Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 11th December. It’s a joyful way to spread some holiday cheer while helping make a real difference for children both here and around the world. We look forward to sharing the fun and giving back as a team!
Non-urgent advice: Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site
If you would like to have the COVID-19 vaccine, you can easily find a walk-in clinic near you through the NHS website.
Walk-in vaccination sites are available across England, and you do not need an appointment to get vaccinated. For more information and to find your nearest walk-in location, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-covid-19
Walk-in vaccination sites are available across England, and you do not need an appointment to get vaccinated. For more information and to find your nearest walk-in location, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-covid-19
Non-urgent advice: NHS App Guidance Session – Saturday 13 December
We are pleased to continued supporting our patients getting the most out of the NHS App. These one-to-one appointments are designed to help you feel more confident using the app to order your prescription, view test results and securely access your medical records from home.
Please be aware that while our team can help you navigate the app and provide guidance, they are not digital technology experts and may not be able to resolve all technical issues. If needed, they can signpost you to further resources for additional help.
Appointments are limited, so we encourage you to book early by contacting our Patient Services Team
Please be aware that while our team can help you navigate the app and provide guidance, they are not digital technology experts and may not be able to resolve all technical issues. If needed, they can signpost you to further resources for additional help.
Appointments are limited, so we encourage you to book early by contacting our Patient Services Team
Non-urgent advice: Preparing for your NHS App Guidance Session
To make the most of your one-to-one session, please:
Bring your own device: laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Have a unique email address ready (one email per patient).
Have your mobile phone number available.
If possible, download the NHS App beforehand from Google Play or Apple App Store.
Ensure your device is fully charged or bring a charger.
Have any login details or passwords for your NHS App account, if already set up.
Bring your own device: laptop, tablet, or smartphone.Have a unique email address ready (one email per patient).Have your mobile phone number available.If possible, download the NHS App beforehand from Google Play or Apple App Store.Ensure your device is fully charged or bring a charger.Have any login details or passwords for your NHS App account, if already set up.
Non-urgent advice: Take-A-Test Swabbing Pathway
The Take-A-Test-UK patient self-swabbing pathway is a great way to encourage patients to request a swab kit at the earliest signs of flu.
If you need a swab test, you can request a self-swab kit online. This service is for eligible patients and allows you to test yourself at home.
Swabs should be taken within the first ten days of your illness starting. This gives the best chance to detect any viruses. We recommend that you do not order a swab kit if you cannot complete the swab within this timeframe.
Swab kits are sent by First Class registered post. If you place your order before 12 o’clock, Monday to Friday, your kit should arrive the next day. You will be asked to complete a short questionnaire about when your symptoms began and what they are.
If you need a swab test, you can request a self-swab kit online. This service is for eligible patients and allows you to test yourself at home.
Swabs should be taken within the first ten days of your illness starting. This gives the best chance to detect any viruses. We recommend that you do not order a swab kit if you cannot complete the swab within this timeframe.
Swab kits are sent by First Class registered post. If you place your order before 12 o’clock, Monday to Friday, your kit should arrive the next day. You will be asked to complete a short questionnaire about when your symptoms began and what they are.
Non-urgent advice: How to Order Your Kit
Go to the official Take a Test UK website: https://takeatestuk.comEnter our practice ODS code: K82008 as the mandatory ‘Voucher Code’.Enter your NHS number when asked.
Non-urgent advice: Understanding Your Results
There are three possible test results:
Non-reactive (negative): No signs of the infection or virus were found in your sample. This does not mean you are immune, only that the virus was not detected at that time. It is important to continue testing as recommended.
Invalid or inconclusive: The test did not work properly, and you will need to take another. You will get a text message explaining this and how to proceed.
Reactive: Signs of the virus or infection were found. This result must be confirmed with further tests in a clinical setting before a diagnosis is made.
For negative or inconclusive results, you will usually get your results by text message within ten working days, often sooner. For reactive results, you will usually be contacted by phone.
Non-reactive (negative): No signs of the infection or virus were found in your sample. This does not mean you are immune, only that the virus was not detected at that time. It is important to continue testing as recommended.
Invalid or inconclusive: The test did not work properly, and you will need to take another. You will get a text message explaining this and how to proceed.
Reactive: Signs of the virus or infection were found. This result must be confirmed with further tests in a clinical setting before a diagnosis is made.
For negative or inconclusive results, you will usually get your results by text message within ten working days, often sooner. For reactive results, you will usually be contacted by phone.
Non-urgent advice: Think Pharmacy First
The Think Pharmacy First campaign encourages patients to visit their local pharmacy for expert advice and treatment of common minor illnesses and ailments. This service provides quick and easy access to healthcare professionals trained to help with conditions such as:
Coughs, colds, and sore throats
Earache
Hay fever and allergies
Indigestion and heartburn
Minor skin conditions like eczema and rashes
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Cold sores
Head lice and threadworms
Minor aches and pains
Thrush
Coughs, colds, and sore throats
Earache
Hay fever and allergies
Indigestion and heartburn
Minor skin conditions like eczema and rashes
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Cold sores
Head lice and threadworms
Minor aches and pains
Thrush
Non-urgent advice: Using the Pharmacy First Service
Pharmacists can provide advice and over-the-counter medicines, and it’s suitable for patients aged 1 year and over. Using the Pharmacy First service helps free up GP appointments and emergency services by treating minor issues promptly and safely.
This campaign is supported by NHS England as part of efforts to improve patient access to care and reduce pressure on other parts of the health service.
This campaign is supported by NHS England as part of efforts to improve patient access to care and reduce pressure on other parts of the health service.
Non-urgent advice: Keep Anitbiotics Working
The NHS’s 2025 antibiotic campaign is called “Keep Antibiotics Working” and is being led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) with a digital campaign featuring the mascot Andi Biotic. The campaign launched in April 2025 and aims to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance.
The campaign highlights three simple but powerful ways people can help to keep antibiotics working:
Don’t take antibiotics for colds and flu – they won’t help because these illnesses are caused by viruses, not bacteria
Never save antibiotics for later use – they may not work properly and could make the problem worse
When prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed by your GP, nurse or pharmacist
The campaign highlights three simple but powerful ways people can help to keep antibiotics working:
Don’t take antibiotics for colds and flu – they won’t help because these illnesses are caused by viruses, not bacteria
Never save antibiotics for later use – they may not work properly and could make the problem worse
When prescribed antibiotics, take them exactly as directed by your GP, nurse or pharmacist
Non-urgent advice: How to keep antibiotics working
By following these simple but vital steps, everyone can play a part in safeguarding the effectiveness of antibiotics for the future.
It is crucial to remember that antibiotic resistance poses a real and growing threat to global health, making common infections harder to treat and increasing risks in everyday medical procedures.
Through the “Keep Antibiotics Working” campaign and the efforts of healthcare professionals across the UK, we can all contribute to preserving these life-saving medicines.
For more information and to learn how you can help, visit the NHS antibiotic resistance page at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics-and-antimicrobial-resistance/
It is crucial to remember that antibiotic resistance poses a real and growing threat to global health, making common infections harder to treat and increasing risks in everyday medical procedures.
Through the “Keep Antibiotics Working” campaign and the efforts of healthcare professionals across the UK, we can all contribute to preserving these life-saving medicines.
For more information and to learn how you can help, visit the NHS antibiotic resistance page at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics-and-antimicrobial-resistance/
Thanks for reading! Dr Turner, Dr Yeomans, Ruth Franklin and the whole team at The Hall Practice.
