Blackburn Road Medical Centre

11/06/2026

🟡 MMR Vaccination – Please check if you are protected
We are encouraging all patients to check that they are fully protected with the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine.
There have been recent increases in measles cases locally, and all confirmed cases have been linked to individuals who are not vaccinated. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself, your family, and the wider community.
Who should contact us?
Please get in touch with the surgery if:
• You are not sure if you have had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine
• Your child may have missed any routine vaccinations, these are routinely given after the child has reached 1 year old
• You are newly registered with the practice
• You have moved to the UK and are unsure of your vaccination history
• You would like to check your family is fully up to date
It’s never too late
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective, and there is no upper age limit for catch-up vaccination.
How to book
If you think you or your child may need the MMR vaccine, please contact the surgery to book an appointment. Our team can check your records and arrange vaccination if required.

11/06/2026

This Diabetes Week, let's change how we talk about diabetes.

8 out of 10 people living with diabetes say they’ve faced negative attitudes because of their diabetes - people passing judgement, making sweeping statements, or blaming and shaming people living with diabetes.

This is diabetes stigma. And it causes real harm to millions.

That’s why we’re on a mission to ‘Strike Out Stigma’.

To show people that nobody chooses diabetes. That it isn’t anyone’s fault. And that by changing the way we talk about diabetes, together we can create a world where diabetes does no harm.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/support-us/diabetes-week

05/06/2026

URGENT - We apologise for the delay in answering your calls this morning. This was due to technical difficulties which were out of our control. We are hopeful this has now been rectified. We thank you for your patience and kindness whilst our team work hard to help you.

03/06/2026

📊 Practice Update – May 2026

During May, our team answered calls in an average of just 2 minutes. Even during our busiest periods, the longest wait experienced was 17 minutes.

Unfortunately, we also saw a number of appointments that were not attended:

🔹 56 GP appointments were missed, resulting in 9 hours of wasted clinical time.

🔹 132 Nursing and Healthcare Assistant appointments were missed, resulting in 25 hours of wasted clinical time.

That's a total of 34 hours of clinical time that could have been used to help other patients.

If you can no longer attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer it to someone else who may be waiting for care.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

06/05/2026

Dementia Action Week and the Forget Me Not appeal

During Dementia Action Week (18 – 24 May) and throughout the Forget Me Not Appeal in June, Alzheimer’s Society are aiming to inspire thousands more people to learn about dementia and take small actions that make a big difference.

You can help spread the word by encouraging your family, friends, or colleagues to attend a Dementia Friends Session or watch our short online video. Together, we can reach thousands more people to build understanding and support for those affected by dementia, helping to create a kinder, more compassionate community.

Looking for more ways to get involved this May and June? Download the Bingo Card packed with simple, meaningful actions you can take.

19/03/2026

📢 Missed Appointments – February 📢
In February, a significant number of appointments were not attended:

❌ 35 GP appointments – resulting in 6 hours of wasted clinical time
❌ 178 Nursing & HCA appointments – resulting in 34 hours of wasted clinical time

That’s 40 hours of clinical time that could have been used to care for other patients.

If you can’t attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer it to someone else. Even a short notice cancellation makes a big difference.

Thank you for helping us help you 💙

11/03/2026

Mobile Cervical Screening Unit in Kirklees

Kirklees Council’s Public Health Team is launching a mobile cervical screening unit to help make screening more accessible across Kirklees. The service is funded by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Cancer Alliance and will visit several community locations, offering free drop-in cervical screening. The aim is to make it easier for residents to attend screening, particularly for those who may find it difficult to visit their GP practice.

Who cervical screening is for

Cervical screening is for women and people with a cervix aged 25–64.
The mobile screening unit is available for people who:
• Have received a cervical screening invitation
• Have missed a previous screening appointment
• Are overdue for screening

No appointment is needed – residents can drop in during the listed times.

What to expect

• The screening test usually takes less than 5 minutes
• The full appointment takes around 10 minutes
• The mobile unit provides a safe, private and comfortable environment

Residents can bring a friend, family member or chaperone if they wish.

Why cervical screening is important

Cervical screening helps prevent cervical cancer.
The test checks for changes in the cells of the cervix so they can be monitored or treated early before cancer develops.
Cervical screening saves thousands of lives every year.

Clinical support available at the mobile unit

Screening will be provided by Dr Nabanita Ghosh, a Community Gynaecologist and Women’s Health Specialist. Dr Ghosh can offer support and answer questions in:
• English
• Urdu
• Hindi
• Bengali

Residents are welcome to attend to ask questions or discuss any concerns about cervical screening.

Mobile screening locations, times and dates

Monday 16 March, 9.30am-12.30pm at Dewsbury Minister, Vicarage Road, Dewsbury WF12 8DD.

Monday 16 March, 1.30pm – 4.30pm at Eddercliffe Health Centre,
Eddercliffe Crescent, Liversedge WF15 6LP.

Monday 23 March, 9.30am – 12.30pm at Clare Hill Community Centre,
Clare Hill, Huddersfield, HD1 5BS.

Monday 23 March, 1.30pm – 4.30pm at Al-Hikmah Centre, Batley WF17 7AA.

Monday 30 March, 9.30 – 12.30pm at Ravensthorpe Community Centre,
24 Garden Street, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury WF13 3AR.

Monday 30 March, 1.30pm - 4.30pm at Accu Football Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield HD1 6PG.

Monday 13 April, 9.30am – 12.30pm at Jubilee Centre, Market Street,
Paddock, Huddersfield HD1 4SH.

Monday 13 April, 1.30pm – 4pm at Chestnut Centre, 2A Chestnut Street,
Huddersfield HD2 1HJ.

For more information about cervical screening: Search for NHS cervical screening

Find out about the NHS cervical screening programme (previously called a smear test), including when it's offered, how to book, what happens and getting your results.

06/03/2026

Important health update: measles and vaccination

You may have seen that measles has been in the news again, following outbreaks in parts of the country. Measles is one of the most highly infectious diseases and spreads rapidly among people who are unvaccinated. It is an unpleasant illness and can sometimes cause very serious complications.

We are urging parents and carers to check their child’s vaccination status and ensure they are fully protected against measles by having the MMR or MMRV vaccine.

Despite the availability of a safe and highly effective vaccine, measles remains a significant global health risk. In 2023, an estimated 107,500 measles-related deaths occurred worldwide, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under the age of five.

Measles spreads very easily, particularly among children who have not had the MMR or MMRV vaccine:
• Nine out of ten unvaccinated children can catch measles from an infected classmate
• One in five children who catch measles will require a hospital visit
• One in fifteen will experience serious complications, such as meningitis or sepsis
• Children who are not fully vaccinated and who come into contact with measles may be excluded from school or nursery for up to 21 days under public health guidance, meaning they could miss school if they are not protected
We strongly advise you to:
• Check you and your child’s vaccination record
• Make sure your child has had two doses of MMR or MMRV
• Contact your GP surgery as soon as possible if you or your child is not fully vaccinated

Did you know? Parents not wishing their child to have the porcine gelatine-containing MMR/MMRV vaccine can ask their GP practice for an alternative option.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from measles and to help prevent disruption to your home life, work and to your child’s education. If you need further information or support, your GP practice will be happy to assist.

23/02/2026