Middleway Surgery

07/09/2026

03/09/2026

NHS rolls out HPV home-testing kits

The NHS is starting to roll out new human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing kits to women who have not attended cervical screening appointments. This is as part of a drive to encourage more women to complete their potentially lifesaving screening to detect HPV, which can increase the risk of cervical cancer.



Women who are eligible will start receiving invitations today via the NHS App, text message, email or letter, and once invited they will be able to order a free kit through the NHS App or their NHS online account.

21/08/2026

Stings and Bites

Insect bites and stings are not usually serious and get better in a few days. But they can be very painful or itchy, and sometimes they can become infected or cause a serious allergic reaction. If you think a bite or sting has become infected, see a pharmacist.

Sometimes there may be something left in your skin, you can usually remove it yourself. Find out how to do this, and what to do if you get bitten or stung at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/.

Some people may experience an extreme allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, and need urgent medical treatment. Symptoms include:

-Swelling of the throat and tongue
-Difficulty breathing or swallowing, or breathing very fast
-Feeling tired or confused, faint or dizzy
-Cold skin, or blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if the person has brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of their hands or soles of their feet

If you, or someone you are with has some of these symptoms after a bite or sting, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If you have an adrenaline auto-injector pen, follow the simple instructions on the side to use it.

Find out about some of the most common insect bites and stings, how to treat them and when to get help.

19/08/2026

World Humanitarian Day, 19th August

World Humanitarian Day is a time to honour those who step into crises to help others, and to stand with the millions of people whose lives hang in the balance.

Increasingly, every year, hundreds of humanitarian workers are killed, injured, kidnapped or detained in the line of duty or in their homes. Even when these attacks violate international law, they are often ignored, and those responsible walk free. The system is failing not just humanitarian workers, but the people they serve.

You can find out more, discover this year’s theme and view related events at https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day.

World Humanitarian Day is a global celebration of people helping people. It is intended to raise public awareness of humanitarian assistance worldwide and the people who risk their lives in order to provide it.

18/08/2026

Water Safety

An average of 328 people in the UK and Ireland lose their lives to accidental drowning every year, and many more have accidents in and around water. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has produced the Water Safety Code to help keep you safe this summer, follow the four simple steps:

Stop and Think
Wear bright colours, check for danger and follow safety signs.

Stay together
Never swim alone, keep young children in arm’s reach, tell someone where you’re going.

In an emergency, call 999
Call 999, don't enter the water yourself, instead: Phone. Float. Throw

Phone 999

Throw something to them that floats

Encourage them to Float to Live

Float to Live
-Tilt your head back – Keep your airway clear and your ears under the water
-Relax and breathe – Fight the urge to panic, try to get your breathing under control
-Spread your limbs – Extend your arms and legs to stabilise yourself in the water
-Scull if needed: Gently move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
-Wait for help – It is normal if your legs sink (everyone floats differently)
-Once your breathing is steady, signal for help or swim to safety

There are lots of resources, posters, information and ways to get involved in spreading water safety awareness at https://www.rlss.org.uk/staying-safe-in-on-and-around-the-water.

RLSS UK aims to ensure that everyone has the know-how to stay safe whether they are spending time in, on or around water.

17/08/2026

Important: Please Make Sure You Stay Registered With Our Practice

NHS England is currently checking GP patient lists across the country to make sure records are up to date. This helps identify patients who may no longer live in England or within their registered practice area. The aim is not to remove genuine patients from GP lists.

If you have not visited the surgery or ordered a repeat prescription in the last 18 months, you may receive a text message, email, or letter from NHS England or from our practice asking you to:

• Confirm your contact details
• Confirm that you still live within our practice area

Please do not ignore these messages.

If you do not respond, NHS England may remove you from our patient list. This is part of a national NHS England process and is not controlled by the practice.

If you still live within our practice area, there is no need to worry. Simply reply to the message as soon as possible and your registration will remain active.

If you are removed by mistake, you may need to re-register with the practice before you can access routine GP services.

What do I need to do?
If you receive a message asking you to confirm your details, please respond straight away to ensure you remain registered with our practice.

Thank you for helping us keep your records and registration up to date

17/08/2026

Ordering Prescriptions for Your Holiday

When you go on holiday, as long as you are not going to be away for more than three months, you can order extra medication in advance. Make sure you order your repeat prescriptions early, so that you have your medication in plenty of time. You may be asked to provide dates or evidence of your travel before your medication is issued.

When you travel:

-Keep your medication in your hand luggage in case you need it, or in case your suitcase is lost or delayed
-If you are travelling abroad, check before you leave whether your destination country has any restrictions on the medication you are taking
-Bring your prescription details with you and have them ready in case you are asked to show them

Find out more at https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/news/order-repeat-prescriptions-before-holiday/.

Heading away this summer? Order repeat prescriptions before your holiday at least seven days before travelling and stay safe in the hot weather.