Health Care First Partnership

30/05/2026

Today is World MS Day.

World MS Day brings people together to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS), share stories, and support everyone affected by the condition. It’s a reminder that MS can impact anyone, and that early support, understanding and connection make a real difference.

You can find information, personal stories and ways to get involved on the official World MS Day website:
https://worldmsday.org/

Please share to help raise awareness and show support for everyone living with MS.

23/05/2026

Saturday and Sundays

🤒 Feel unwell today?
👩‍⚕️ Call GP Care Wakefield between 9 am and 5 pm Saturdays and 9 am and 1 pm Sundays
📲 Phone our practice number as usual & your call will be diverted to GP Care Wakefield.
✅ Advice, prescription & a face-to-face appointment if you need one.

22/05/2026

21/05/2026

Patient Update - Changes to EMMA Messaging Service

We are making an important change to the telephone messaging. From 20/05/26, the EMMA AI system will be withdrawn.

This decision has been made after listening carefully to patient feedback and reviewing how the service has been working in practice.

Why EMMA Is Being Withdrawn

Over recent months, many patients have shared helpful feedback about their experience with EMMA. Common themes included:

- Messages sometimes felt unclear or repetitive
- Patients were unsure whether their request had been received or understood
- Some felt the system made it harder to explain their needs, especially for more complex issues
- A preference for speaking to a person rather than interacting with an automated system

Alongside this feedback, our clinical teams found that EMMA often created additional steps and did not consistently support timely decision‑making.

Taking all of this into account, we have decided to return to a more direct and reliable way for patients to contact us.

What Happens Next - Re‑introduction of Daily Ring‑Back Service

From 21/05/26, we will be re‑introducing our daily ring‑back service.

This means:
- When you call us, your details will be taken by a member of the Care Navigation Team
- You will not lose your place in the queue
- You will receive clear support and guidance

Our team has been fully briefed to ensure the service runs safely and efficiently.

Our Commitment to You
Throughout this change, our priorities remain the same:
- Your safety and continuity of care
- Clear communication and reliable access to support
- A service that is easy to use and responsive to your needs

We will continue to monitor patient experience closely and make improvements where needed. If you have any questions about this change, please do speak to a member of our reception

14/05/2026

National Salt Awareness Week

Eating too much salt doesn’t just raise blood pressure, it also puts extra strain on your heart, brain, kidneys and blood vessels. This increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease and other serious conditions.

Most of the salt we eat isn’t added at home; it’s already in everyday foods. The average person in the UK eats around 8.4g a day, well above the recommended 6g limit.

Cutting back on salt is one of the easiest ways to look after your health. Small changes, like choosing lower‑salt options and adding less at the table, can make a real difference. But we also need the food industry and government to reduce salt in the foods we buy.

This week let’s share the facts and support efforts to Salt It Out for good.

Visit https://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/salthealth/ for tips on how to cut down on salt.

13/05/2026

Mental Health Awareness Week

This year’s theme is Action.
Awareness matters, but real change happens when we take action too.
We’ve come a long way in how we talk about and support mental health, but we can’t afford to go backwards. There’s still a lot we can do to help prevent people becoming unwell in the first place.

If you or someone you know needs support, the NHS has free resources available, including:
• NHS mental health services – information, support and urgent help: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
• NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) – self‑referral for anxiety, depression and other common mental health problems: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-nhs-talking-therapies-service
• NHS Every Mind Matters – tips to improve your mental wellbeing: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
• 111 for urgent mental health help 24/7

Even small steps can make a difference, for ourselves and for others.

13/05/2026

Our surgeries are closed from 12 PM today for training. We will be back open tomorrow at 8 am as normal.

If you require urgent medical advice, please contact NHS 111.

For urgent medical attention, please call 999.

You can still call the surgery from 6 PM and be transferred to GP Care Wakefield.

Please note, SystmConnect requests received after 12 PM will not be actioned until tomorrow.

Thank you, Health Care First.

12/05/2026

National Weaning Week

A week dedicated to supporting parents and caregivers as they start the journey of introducing solid foods to their little ones.

Find help, support and recipe ideas here: https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/weaning/

11/05/2026

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, but many cases can be prevented. Checking your skin regularly, using sun protection, and knowing when to seek advice can make a real difference.

If you’re worried about a mole, a change to your skin, or just want reliable information, these resources can help:
NHS – Skin cancer symptoms, causes and treatment
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/skin-cancer/

NHS – Sunscreen and sun safety
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/

Macmillan Cancer Support – Skin cancer information and support
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/skin-cancer

Early advice and early action save lives. Please share to help others stay safe this summer.