Bishops Close Medical Practice

08/09/2026

🏆 Bishop's Close Medical Practice has been awarded the 'Top Referring Practice 2025-2026' by Smoke Free County Durham. 🏆

👥 Karyn and Lynn, our dedicated Smoking Cessation Advisors, have provided personalised support and guidance to many patients on their journey to becoming smoke free.

🥇 This award is a testament to their commitment to helping our patients.

Congratulations, Karen and Lynn, on this well-deserved achievement! 🙌🏼

04/09/2026

JOB VACANCY

Thankyou for all your responses to our recent job advert. We have now closed the application process due to the large number of responses. Please note we will only contact candidates if selected for interview.

Thankyou

04/09/2026

💉The flu and covid jabs have started - Get winter strong and protect your lungs!!

❗️Don't put it off❗️

📞The practice will contact you for your flu and COVID vaccines via text or phone call. You can book your appointment directly using the link sent to you.
We have appointments through out the day and also on a Saturday.
👇Flu jab eligibility
▪️Are aged 65 or over
▪️Have certain long-term health conditions such as:
▪️Asthma, COPD
▪️Coronary heart disease, heart failure
▪️Chronic kidney or liver disease
▪️Diabetes
▪️Learning disabilities
▪️BMI over 40
▪️Parkinson’s disease
▪️Weakened immune system due to treatment (e.g., chemotherapy)
▪️Are pregnant
▪️Live in a care home
▪️Are the main carer for an older or disabled person or receive a carer’s allowance
Covid jab eligibility
▪️Are aged 75 or over
▪️Are aged 6 months to 74 years with a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment
▪️Live in a care home for older adults

02/09/2026

❗️Join Our Friendly GP Practice Team❗️

We are seeking a highly organised, motivated, and professional Administrative Support Worker to join our busy and patient-focused GP practice. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong administrative and customer service skills who enjoys working in a fast-paced healthcare environment and making a positive difference to patient care.

As part of our administration team, you will play a vital role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the practice, ensuring patients receive an efficient and welcoming service while assisting clinical and management staff with a range of administrative duties.

📌 Hours – Full time, Mon-Fri with some weekend work when required.

✏️ Please drop your CV off at Reception or email to: [email protected]

26/08/2026

Bishops Close Surgery will be closed for Bank Holiday on Monday 31st August and will reopen on Tuesday 1st September at 8am
If you need advice or information while the practice is closed please try 👇
📞 Telephone 111 or visit 111 online
🚑 Telephone 999 for Life-threatening medical emergencies only
💊 Visiting your local pharmacy if you need advice on minor ailments

24/08/2026

Next Monday is a bank holiday so don't forget to order and collect your repeat prescription.

GP practices and pharmacies may have different opening times, so check you have enough medication and order it if you need it.

20/08/2026

17/08/2026

🚗 Please Help Keep Our Health Centre Parking Available for Patients 🚗

As many of you know, parking at the Health Centre is limited. The parking bays are reserved for patients and staff, but we sometimes find that vehicles are being left in these spaces by people who are not visiting the Health Centre.

This creates difficulties for patients attending appointments, collecting prescriptions, or accessing other healthcare services. It can also affect access for emergency vehicles, including ambulances.

We kindly ask for your support by only using the Health Centre car park if you are visiting the practice.

Thank you for helping us keep these spaces available for those who need them most. Your support is greatly appreciated. 💙

14/08/2026

🫁 RSV Vaccination Programme Expansion from 1 September 2026
The NHS is expanding eligibility for the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine to help protect more people at risk of serious respiratory illness. From 1 September 2026, the vaccine will be available to:
✅ Adults aged 65 to 74 years with: • Chronic respiratory disease (including asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and other significant lung conditions)�• Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
The RSV vaccine remains available for: ✅ Pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy�✅ Adults aged 75 years and over�✅ Residents of care homes for older adults
RSV can cause serious lung infections, particularly in older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of severe illness and hospital admission.
If you believe you may be eligible and have not heard from us, please contact the surgery.
Sources: NHS England and UKHSA guidance on the expansion of RSV vaccine eligibility from 1 September 2026. 12

10/08/2026

Following an unexpected computer system outage on Thursday afternoon and Friday, our staff went above and beyond to ensure patient care continued with minimal disruption. We were fortunate to be able to use consulting rooms at Oxford Road Surgery, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks for their support.

We apologise to any patients affected by the disruption and are grateful for your understanding. The last two days have been a wonderful testament of the dedication, professionalism and teamwork that make Bishops Close Medical Practice so special. We couldn't be prouder of our staff.