Crossley Street Surgery

02/09/2026

🩺💬 WHY DO OUR RECEPTION TEAM ASK QUESTIONS?

Have you ever called the surgery and been asked, “Can I ask what the appointment is regarding?” 🤔

We understand that some people may feel uncomfortable sharing information, but there is an important reason why our reception team ask these questions.

🔹 To make sure you see the right person
Not every health concern needs a GP appointment. You may be better suited to seeing our practice nurse, healthcare assistant, pharmacist or another member of our team.

🔹 To make sure you are seen at the right time
Some symptoms may need a more urgent appointment, while others can safely wait.

🔹 To help us provide the right care
Knowing a little about what you need help with allows our team to direct you to the most appropriate service.

🔹 Your information is confidential 🔒
Our reception team are bound by confidentiality and will treat your information with the same respect and privacy as any other member of the healthcare team.

💙 You don't need to give lots of personal details. Just a brief description of what you need help with is usually enough.

Our reception team are here to help you get the right care from the right person — not to judge or make assumptions about your health.

Thank you for helping us to help you! 😊

31/08/2026

🎒💙 BACK TO SCHOOL – LOOKING AFTER THEIR HEALTH 💙🎒

The return to school can bring lots of different emotions for children — excitement, nerves, tiredness and everything in between!

As we get ready for the new school year, here are a few simple ways to support your child's physical and mental wellbeing:

🧠 Talk about how they’re feeling
Give them time to chat about going back to school. Let them know that feeling worried or nervous is completely normal and that they can always talk to you.

😴 Get back into a routine
Earlier bedtimes and regular wake-up times can help children feel more rested and ready for the school day.

🥪 Fuel their day
A healthy breakfast, nutritious meals and regular snacks can help support their energy and concentration.

💧 Keep hydrated
Encourage your child to take a water bottle to school and drink regularly throughout the day.

🏃‍♀️ Keep active
Exercise and outdoor play are great for both physical health and emotional wellbeing.

📱 Make time to switch off
Try to balance screen time with sleep, family time, outdoor activities and other hobbies.

💬 Keep an eye out for changes
Changes in mood, sleep, appetite or behaviour can sometimes be signs that a child is struggling. If you're concerned, talk to them and seek support if needed.

💙 Remember, there’s no such thing as a silly worry. Sometimes simply knowing that someone is listening can make a big difference.

Wishing all our young patients a happy, healthy and positive start to the new school year! 🌟🎒

28/08/2026

🩹💙 LEG CLUB IS BACK! 💙🩹

We’re pleased to let you know that Leg Club is back up and running as usual from today! 🎉

27/08/2026

🎒📚 BACK-TO-SCHOOL HEALTH CHECKLIST 📚🎒

The summer holidays are flying by, and with the new school year just around the corner, now is a great time to get a few health essentials sorted! 🩺

✅ Check your child’s vaccinations – Make sure they are up to date.
💊 Order any regular medication – Don’t leave prescriptions until the last minute.
👓 Check eyesight – Look out for headaches, squinting or difficulty seeing the board.
🦷 Book a dental check-up – Regular visits help keep those little smiles healthy.
🎒 Check school medication – Make sure school has any medication your child may need, such as inhalers or allergy medication.
🧴 Treat head lice promptly – If you spot them, speak to your pharmacist for advice.
😴 Get back into a routine – Gradually returning to regular bedtimes can make the first week easier.
🥪 Think about healthy lunches and snacks – A balanced lunch can help keep children fuelled throughout the school day.
💧 Don't forget hydration – Encourage children to take a water bottle to school.

💙 A little preparation now can help make the return to school smoother for everyone!

If your child becomes unwell, remember that your local pharmacy can help with many common childhood illnesses, and NHS 111 can provide advice when you’re unsure what to do.

📱 Don't forget – you can also use the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions and access a range of NHS services.

25/08/2026

💊 MYTH vs FACT: Antibiotics

❌ MYTH: "I need antibiotics if my mucus or phlegm is green."

✅ FACT: Green or yellow mucus doesn't necessarily mean you have a bacterial infection or need antibiotics.

Colds, coughs and other respiratory infections are often caused by viruses, and antibiotics don't work against viruses.

If you have a cough or cold, you can usually manage your symptoms at home with:

💧 Plenty of fluids
😴 Rest
🌡️ Paracetamol or ibuprofen if appropriate
🍯 Honey in a warm drink to soothe a cough (for children over 1 year)

💊 Antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed for you. Taking antibiotics when they're not needed won't help you get better and can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

👩‍⚕️ Need advice? Your local community pharmacy can help with many common illnesses and can advise whether you need further medical attention.

🚨 If you're struggling to breathe, have severe chest pain, are coughing up blood or feel seriously unwell, seek urgent medical advice.

21/08/2026

👋 Meet the Team – Dr Lawrence 👩‍⚕️

This week, we'd like to introduce Dr Lawrence, one of the GP Partners at Crossley Street Surgery.

Dr Lawrence graduated from medical school in London in 2004 before returning to Yorkshire after getting married. She worked in hospitals across Leeds and Harrogate before joining Crossley Street Surgery as a GP in 2012 and became a GP Partner in 2020.

Alongside working three days a week at the practice, Dr Lawrence is also a Clinical Education Tutor at Hull York Medical School, helping to educate and inspire the next generation of doctors. She is also a GP Trainer, supervising GP trainees within the practice.

🩺 Areas of clinical interest include:
• Women's Health
• Contraception, including coil and implant fitting
• Menopause care and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Diabetes
• Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Dr Lawrence is a member of the British Menopause Society and holds the BMS Management of the Menopause Certification, enabling her to provide specialist menopause care for our patients.

As well as her work at Crossley Street, Dr Lawrence also works as a Prison GP and is passionate about improving access to healthcare around the world. In recent years, she has volunteered in Malawi, Mozambique, and aboard a medical ship providing healthcare to communities along the Amazon River. 🌍❤️

Outside of work, Dr Lawrence is a busy mum to two cricket-loving boys, so many evenings and weekends are spent at the cricket pitch! She also enjoys skiing, playing the piano and exploring the countryside on long walks.

We're proud to have Dr Lawrence as part of our team, providing expert, compassionate care for our patients and supporting future generations of GPs.

20/08/2026

🔔 REMINDER – LEG CLUB CLOSURE

Just a reminder that Leg Club will be closed again tomorrow while the church hall is being decorated.

🩹 Leg Club will reopen as usual on Friday 28th August.

If you know someone who usually attends, please help spread the word so they don’t make a wasted journey.

Thank you for your understanding! 💙

19/08/2026

💙 Could You Be Eligible for a FREE NHS Health Check? 💙

Looking after your health doesn't just mean treating illness – it's also about preventing it.

If you're aged 40 to 74 and don't already have certain long-term health conditions, you may be eligible for a FREE NHS Health Check every 5 years.

An NHS Health Check is designed to spot early signs of conditions such as:
❤️ Heart disease
🧠 Stroke
🩺 Type 2 diabetes
🫘 Kidney disease

During your appointment, we'll:
✔️ Check your blood pressure
✔️ Measure your height and weight
✔️ Take a small blood sample to check your cholesterol (and blood sugar where appropriate)
✔️ Discuss your lifestyle, including diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol
✔️ Explain your results and offer personalised advice to help you stay healthy

The appointment usually takes around 20–30 minutes and could help identify health risks before they become serious.

💬 Prevention is better than cure.

If you think you may be eligible and haven't had an NHS Health Check in the last five years, please contact the practice and our team will be happy to help.

Together, let's take positive steps towards a healthier future. 💙

Dr Dawn Harper explains why going for your NHS Health Check is so i...

17/08/2026

📞 Submitted an Accurx Request? Please Keep Your Phone Close By! 📱

If you've recently submitted an Accurx online triage request, please make sure you keep your phone nearby and answer calls from the practice.

Our clinicians often need to speak to you to:
🩺 Assess your symptoms
💬 Ask further questions
📋 Discuss your treatment or next steps
📅 Arrange an appointment if needed

Unfortunately, we're finding that many patients don't answer when we call. This can delay your care and, in some cases, we may be unable to safely assess your request without speaking to you.

💡 A few helpful tips:
✅ Keep your phone with you after submitting your request.
✅ Answer calls from withheld or unfamiliar numbers, as our calls may not always display the practice name.
✅ Ensure your contact details are up to date with the practice.
✅ If you've missed our call, please check for a voicemail (if available) and follow any instructions provided.

By answering our call, you're helping us deal with your request as quickly and safely as possible.

Thank you for your support and cooperation. 💙

13/08/2026

💻 Need Medical Advice? Use Our Online Accurx Triage Service 💙

Did you know you can contact the practice online using Accurx Triage?

It's a quick and convenient way to tell us about your medical problem or administrative request without needing to wait on the phone.

How to use Accurx Triage:

1️⃣ Visit our practice website.
2️⃣ Click on "Contact us online" or "Accurx Triage."
3️⃣ Complete the online form with details about your query or symptoms.
4️⃣ Submit your request.
5️⃣ A member of our team will review it and ensure it's directed to the most appropriate clinician or service.

You can use Accurx Triage for:

🩺 New medical problems
💊 Medication queries
📄 Fit note requests
📨 Administrative enquiries
📋 Requests for sick notes or letters (where appropriate)

Using Accurx Triage helps us:
✅ Assess your needs more effectively.
✅ Direct you to the right healthcare professional.
✅ Reduce waiting times on our telephone lines.
✅ Ensure patients with urgent needs receive the right care as quickly as possible.

📞 If you have a life-threatening emergency, do not use Accurx. Call 999 immediately.

For urgent medical advice when the practice is closed, please use NHS 111 online or call 111.

Thank you for helping us make accessing our services easier for everyone. 💙