Crowhall Medical Group

04/09/2026

💛 September is Su***de Prevention Month 💛

This month is an important reminder that talking about su***de and mental health can save lives.

If you are struggling, please speak up...It's okay not to be okay...You do not have to deal with difficult thoughts or feelings on your own.

As your GP practice, we are here to help.

Please contact us if you are struggling with your mental health, feeling overwhelmed, experiencing thoughts of self-harm or su***de, or simply feel that you are no longer coping. Reaching out can be the first step towards getting the support you need.

We would also encourage everyone to check in with friends, family members, colleagues and neighbours. Sometimes a simple “How are you really doing?” can open an important conversation.

There are also organisations across the UK offering confidential support:

💚 Samaritans – Call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day
Samaritans
https://www.samaritans.org/

💙 Mind – Mental health information, advice and support
Tyneside and Northumberland Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk/

💜 PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Su***de
HOPELINE247: 0300 102 2470 or text HOPE to 88247
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

🏳️‍🌈 OUT North East - OUT North East is an LGBTQ+ charity connecting people across the North East of England with the support, resources, and opportunities they need to live safer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives.
OUT North East
https://www.outnortheast.org.uk/

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, has seriously harmed themselves, or feels unable to stay safe, call 999 or go to A&E.

Please speak up. Please reach out. Whether you contact someone you trust, a charity, or us as your GP practice — help is available and we are here to listen.

Let’s keep talking, keep checking in and help break the stigma around mental health and su***de. 💛

***dePreventionMonth ***deprevention

Samaritans works to make sure there’s always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Read more.

03/09/2026

🎀 BREAST CANCER NOW SWEEPSTAKE – TAKE PART & HELP SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE! 🎀

We’re raising money for Breast Cancer Now, and we’d love our patients to get involved in our charity sweepstake! 💗

✨ £2.00 per play
🏆 £25.00 for the lucky winner
🎀 £25.00 donated to Breast Cancer Now

Simply choose one of the available numbers 1–25 and add your FIRST NAME ONLY to the sweepstake sheet at reception.

Our reception team will take your contact number separately so that we can get in touch if you’re our lucky winner. 📞

Please do not write your phone number or any personal contact details on the sweepstake sheet.

It’s just £2 to join in, you could win £25, and most importantly, you’ll be helping us raise money for an amazing cause. 💕

Pop by reception and pick your number before they’re all gone!

Good luck everyone! 🍀🎀

02/09/2026

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month 💗

Swipe through to learn some of the key signs and symptoms linked to the five gynaecological cancers, and what changes to be aware of.

No one knows your body quite like you do. Being familiar with what feels normal for you can make it easier to notice when something doesn’t seem right.

Experiencing any of these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have cancer, but persistent or unusual changes should always be discussed with your GP so please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns, it's what we're here for!

When cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage, treatment can often be more effective — so don’t ignore changes that concern you.

20/08/2026

💗 WEAR IT PINK 2026 – FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER 💗

This year, we’re incredibly proud to be taking part in Breast Cancer Now's Wear It Pink Day – and this cause is particularly close to our hearts. 🎀

One of our very own team members is a breast cancer survivor. 💗 Their experience has made this campaign especially meaningful to all of us, and we’re proud to stand together as a practice in supporting everyone affected by breast cancer – those living with it, those going through treatment, those who have sadly lost loved ones, and those who have come through the other side.

On Friday 23rd October 2026, our practice team will be wearing pink to show our support and help raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Now.

What will we be doing?...
🍰 Cakes and treats will be available to buy
🎟️ We’ll have a tombola
💗 Our whole team will be wearing pink
💰 Every penny raised will be donated to Breast Cancer Now

If you would like to make a separate donation please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/crowhall-medcial-group?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s leading breast cancer charity, funding vital research, providing support to people affected by breast cancer and campaigning for better awareness, earlier diagnosis and access to treatment.

We’d love our patients to join us in supporting this very special day. Whether you buy a cake, have a go at the tombola, wear something pink, or simply stop by to show your support – every contribution can make a difference. 💕

Together, we can help work towards a future where no one dies from breast cancer.

💗 Wear Pink. Raise Money. Show Your Support. 💗

18/08/2026

💚 Exciting news from Crowhall Medical Group! 💚

We’re delighted to share that we are now working in collaboration with Gateshead Foodbank and Crowhall Medical Group is officially a Foodbank Donation Station. 🥫🍝☕🧴

A huge thank you to ASDA Felling for kindly donating our new foodbank collection bin. 🙏💚

ASDA Felling are no longer taking foodbank donations, so if you previously donated there, you can now bring your donations to us at:

Crowhall Medical Group
Felling Health Centre
Felling
Gateshead
NE10 9QG

We’re collecting a range of essential items, including:

🥫 Tinned food
🍝 Pasta & rice
🍲 Sauces & tinned meals
☕ Tea, coffee & sugar
🧴 Toiletries
🐶🐱 Pet food
👶 Nappies & baby wipes
**See the photos for a full list of much needed items**

Every donation, big or small, can make a real difference to local people and families who are struggling. 💚

Thank you to everyone in our community for your continued kindness and support. Together, we can help support Gateshead Foodbank and local people in need. 🤝💚

💚 If you’re struggling or experiencing a crisis, please know that support is available. Crowhall Medical Group has a Foodbank Referrer on site who may be able to help with access to Gateshead Foodbank. Please get in touch with us on 0191 469 9391 or pop in to see us if you need our support. 🤝

18/08/2026

📣 We’d love more patients to join our Virtual Patient Participation Group (PPG)!

A HUGE thank you to the patients who have already signed up — we really appreciate you getting involved! 💙

We’d now love to hear from even more of our patients. Our Virtual PPG is a simple way for you to share your views, give feedback and help shape the services we provide — all without needing to attend meetings in person.

The more voices we hear, the better! 🗣️✨

Our first Virtual Patient PPG will be sent out in the next few weeks, so now is a great time to join.

👉 Sign up here:
https://forms.gle/jQM65RAz4TKTNThC6

Whether you have lots of feedback to share or just want the opportunity to have your say from time to time, we’d really value your involvement.

Please join us and help make sure our patients’ voices are heard! 💙

17/08/2026

💙 Weight loss injections on the NHS – important information 💙

We know there is a lot of interest in weight loss injections, so we’ve created this poster to explain who may be eligible for treatment through the NHS.

Please be aware that strict eligibility criteria apply, and only a limited group of patients will qualify. These injections are not available from the practice for general weight loss or cosmetic purposes.

If you think you may meet the criteria shown on the poster, please contact the practice in the usual way for advice. Our clinical team can then review your individual circumstances and advise you on the appropriate next steps.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us manage enquiries appropriately. 💙

17/08/2026

📢 Important Update – Private Work Fee Schedule

We have revised our Private Work Fee Schedule, which is attached to this post for patients to review.

Please be aware that requests for letters, reports, forms, certificates and other private/administrative work fall outside of our contracted NHS services.

For this reason, the following policy applies:

⏳ STRICT turnaround time of UP TO 28 DAYS
Private work has a strict turnaround time of up to 28 days. Please do not submit private work expecting an urgent or same-day turnaround. Patients should ensure requests are submitted well in advance of any deadlines.

💷 Fees MUST be paid in advance
Where a fee applies, full payment must be made BEFORE any work is carried out. Work will not commence until the applicable fee has been received.

💙 Fee waivers for some patients
We recognise that there are circumstances where charging for private work may not be appropriate. Certain fees will therefore be waived for patients with cancer and for patients receiving end-of-life care, where applicable. Please speak to the Practice Team if you believe this applies to you.

⚠️ Acceptance of private work is at the Practice’s discretion
As this is non-contracted work, the practice and its clinicians are not obliged to undertake private work. We reserve the right to decline requests that we do not consider appropriate or that we are unable or unwilling to complete.

Our priority remains the provision of contracted NHS care to our patients, and private work must be completed around these clinical responsibilities.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Please see the attached revised Private Work Fee Schedule for full details and charges.

17/08/2026

If an NHS screening invitation lands in your post, make sure you act on it 💙📩

NHS screening is there to help spot certain health conditions at an early stage — sometimes before you notice any symptoms. Finding a problem sooner can mean more treatment options and a better chance of successful treatment 🩺

Different screening programmes are offered depending on your age, s*x and individual circumstances. They can help detect conditions including some cancers and abdominal aortic aneurysms before they develop into something more serious ⚠️

Many NHS screening checks are straightforward, take very little time and are provided free of charge 👍

Feeling healthy doesn’t always mean there’s nothing to check. Attending your screening appointment can offer peace of mind or identify a potential concern at an earlier, more treatable stage 💙

So, if you’ve been invited for NHS screening, don’t put it off. Taking a few minutes to arrange your appointment could have an important impact on your future health and wellbeing 🌟

Find out more about NHS screening programmes:
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-screening/