Noticeboard

Notice to Close

For the purposes of Staff training this surgery, along with others in the Thurrock area, will be closed on the afternoon of  Tuesday 11th February 2025  Please note we shall be closed from 12.30pm.
During closure an Emergency Only service will be in operation and you are asked to telephone 01375 480000 where a contact number will be provided.
The surgery will open as normal on Wednesday 12th February 2025

 

APPOINTMENTS BOOKED ONLINE: 

Following a number of appointments booked inappropriately, from 1st May, any appointments booked ONLINE for other members of the household will be cancelled.  This has been agreed by the Partners at the Practice. 

These are requests for a doctor to call you back the same day and the doctor will assess the need for a further appointment.
Please ensure you include an appropriate telephone number to call and also give a short description of the problem when booking the appointment.

DO NOT BOOK for anyone other than yourself - your appointment will be cancelled.
Do not book appointments to request repeat medication or ongoing sick certificates - please use eConsult for sick certificates and email (chafford.prescriptions@nhs.net) for medication requests. Alternatively telephone the surgery after 10.30am.
Appointments for pill checks should be booked with a nurse - please contact the surgery.

For morning appointments the doctor will call some time during the morning (after 8.30am) & not necessarily at the alloted time slot. Similarly, for afternoon appointments the doctor will call sometime during the afternoon (usually after 3pm).

Thank you.

Prescriptions

Please allow THREE working days for repeat prescriptions to be processed, allow an extra day if your request has been sent after 11.30am.  Please bear this in mind when requesting your prescription, including if requesting via a pharmacy.  Thank you.

Repeat Prescription Form Please complete and return to the surgery via the post box or email us at chafford.prescriptions@nhs.net

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Medication Information & COVID19

POLICY ON PRESCRIBING SEDATIVES FOR FEAR OF FLYING

We understand that fear of flying can be very distressing. However, in line with current clinical best practice and national guidelines, from 1st August 2025 we will no longer be prescribing diazepam or similar sedative medications for flight-related anxiety.

  • This decision is based on important medical, safety, and legal considerations, which we outline below:
  • Safety Risks During Emergencies: Sedatives slow reaction times and impair judgment, which can significantly reduce a passenger’s ability to follow safety instructions or respond appropriately in an emergency, potentially endangering themselves and others.
  • Risks of Combining Benzodiazepines and Alcohol: The combination greatly increases the risk of excessive sedation, respiratory failure, overdose, and even death.
  • Increased Risk of Blood Clots (DVT): Benzodiazepines reduce movement by causing unnaturally deep sleep, increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis on long flights, particularly those exceeding 4 hours which can be life threatening.
  • Addiction and Withdrawal: Benzodiazepines carry a risk of dependence with prolonged use. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, including seizures and hallucinations.
  • Paradoxical Reactions: A minority experience increased agitation, aggression, or disinhibition—behaviour that can threaten safety onboard and may result in legal action or removal from a flight.
  • Long-Term Exacerbation of Anxiety: Regular use may prevent patients from adapting to anxiety triggers, potentially perpetuating or worsening anxiety over time.
  • Impairment and Drug Testing: The effects of benzodiazepines (drowsiness, coordination problems, memory impairment) can persist for hours and lead to failed workplace or sports drug tests after flying.
  • Legal and Regulatory Restrictions: National guidelines state these drugs should not be prescribed for situational phobias, including fear of flying; prescribing them can expose doctors to legal risks. In some countries, carrying benzodiazepines is illegal, risking confiscation or arrest abroad.
  • Travel Insurance Implications: Failing to disclose use of anxiolytics may void travel insurance in the event of an incident.
  • Guideline Compliance: British National Formulary and NICE recommend against prescribing these drugs for non-generalised or mild anxiety and stress that is self-limiting or situational, such as a fear of flying.

Alternative Support Options

Support Programmes

We recognise that fear of flying is very real and challenging. Rather than medication, the recommended approach is to address this anxiety through specialised support programmes offered by several airlines, including:

Virgin Atlantic
https://www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk/
Tel: 01423 714900 1252250

Easy Jet
www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
Te:1203 8131644

British Airways
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/travelassistance/flying-with-confidence
Tel: 01252 793250

Private Consultation Options

Please note that flight anxiety management does not fall under the NHS General Medical Services (GMS) contract, so we are not obliged to prescribe anxiolytics for this purpose. If you wish to explore medication options such as benzodiazepines, you may wish to consult a private GP for further advice.

Thank you for understanding our commitment to your safety and wellbeing.

STATINS

Around 10% of people in the UK have this (for information on CKD see www.kidneycareuk.org).

Overwhelmingly more and more evidence has shown that Statins can slow the progression of kidney disease as well as prevent heart attacks and strokes. 

NICE are therefore suggesting that all patients should take a Statin unless contraindicated with other medication or conditions. 

Statins are one of the most investigated drugs and have been proven to be effective, well tolerated and safe! 

The following links have further information and some common questions answered:

British Heart Foundation  -  Statins - BHF

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence  -  Are statins the best choice for me? (nice.org.uk)

Dr Evans and Nurse Team

MENOPAUSE

The Women's Health Concern website provides information regarding the menopause, including medication, alternative therapies and lifestyle advice.

https://www.womens-health-concern.org/

Menopause Factsheet

MENINGITIS B VACCINE

A new vaccine to prevent meningitis is being offered to babies as part of the routine NHS childhood vaccination programme.  The Men B vaccine is recommended for babies aged 2 months, followed by a second dose at 4 months, and a booster at 12 months.

Which babies should have the Men B vaccine?
The Men B vaccine is offered to babies alongside their other routine vaccinations at:

    • 2 months
    • 4 months
    • 12 months

The vaccine has the brand name Bexsero, and is given as a single injection into the baby's thigh.  The Men B vaccine can be given at the same time as other routine baby vaccinations. 

Further information is available on the following websites:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/meningitis-b-vaccine.aspx
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/meningococcal-b-menb-vaccination-programme

COVID-19

The latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme is online on the NHS website:  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/

We advise checking there first if you have questions about the safety or effectiveness of COVID vaccines, or your priority to receive vaccination.



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