Newcastle North PCN

02/09/2026

⚖️ Weight loss plateaus are normal

Have you ever been working hard on your weight management and wondered why the scales have suddenly stopped moving?

In her latest blog, Newcastle North PCN Dietitian Carrie Eckersley explains why weight loss plateaus are a normal part of the process — and why a pause on the scales doesn’t mean you’ve failed. 💚

The blog looks at:
📉 Why weight can naturally go up and down
💧 How fluid, hormones, illness and other factors can affect the scales
🔄 How your body adapts as your weight changes
🔎 How to look beyond a single weigh-in and consider the bigger picture
🌱 Small, gentle changes that may help
❤️ Why maintaining your weight can also be progress

📖 Read the full blog here ⬇️

Weight Loss Plateaus Are Normal by Carrie Eckersley (PCN Dietitian)This blog, by Newcastle North PCN Dietitian Carrie Eckersley, explores why weight loss does not always follow a straight line and why reaching a plateau does not mean you have failed or done anything wrong.The blog explains how day-t...

28/08/2026

👶 Infant Feeding Without Overthinking It

Feeding a new baby can sometimes feel overwhelming, with lots of questions about milk, crying, reflux, feeding patterns and whether something is “normal”.

In her latest blog, Newcastle North PCN Dietitian Carrie Eckersley offers a calm and reassuring way to think about feeding in those early months. 💚

The blog looks at:
🍼 Understanding your baby’s hunger and fullness cues
💕 Why crying doesn’t always mean hunger
🌿 Reflux and when feeding may need checking
🥛 Understanding possible allergies without jumping to conclusions
🤍 Taking the pressure off parents to get everything “perfect”

📖 Read the full blog here ⬇️

Infant Feeding Without Overthinking It by Carrie Eckersley (PCN Dietitian)This blog, by Newcastle North PCN Dietitian Carrie Eckersley, offers a calm and reassuring guide to feeding babies in the early months. It explores common concerns such as feeding patterns, crying, reflux and possible allergie...

31/07/2026

Are you expecting a baby or navigating the ups and downs of life with a little one? 💚

Calm Your Baby and Little Humans is a free resource created by our PCN Dietitian to support parents and carers through pregnancy, babyhood and the early years.

The resource includes:
🎧 Short, reassuring podcast episodes
📱 A simple, easy-to-use web app

Covering topics such as feeding, sleep, behaviour, emotional wellbeing and child development, the series offers practical, evidence-based advice to help you feel more confident and supported as a parent.

Whether you're preparing for your baby's arrival or looking for reassurance during the toddler years, this free resource is here to help.

Find out more and access the free app and podcast: https://www.newcastlenorthpcn.nhs.uk/clinical-topics/calm-your-baby-and-little-humans-reassuring-support-for-parents/

29/07/2026

Do you experience bloating, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea or other digestive symptoms? 🌿

Calm Your Gut is a free patient resource created by our PCN Dietitian to help you better understand your digestive health.

The resource includes:
🎧 A series of short Understanding Your Gut podcast episodes
📱 A simple, easy-to-use web app

Using clear, evidence-based information, the series explains common digestive symptoms, the gut–brain connection, food and digestion, and when it's important to seek medical advice. It's designed to help you feel more confident managing your symptoms and understanding what's happening in your body.

If you're living with ongoing digestive symptoms, this could be a great place to start.

Find out more and access the free app and podcast: https://www.newcastlenorthpcn.nhs.uk/clinical-topics/calm-your-gut-app-understanding-your-gut-podcast/

27/07/2026

Looking for a different approach to weight management? 🌿

Beyond the Scales is a free podcast and web app designed to help you make small, sustainable changes to improve your health and wellbeing.

Created by our PCN Dietitian, this resource for patients includes:
🎤 8 short podcast episodes and bonus episode
📱 A simple, easy-to-use app

The series explores topics including weight, health, habits, wellbeing and understanding your body, helping you build a healthier relationship with food, movement and yourself.

If you're thinking about making positive lifestyle changes, this could be a great place to start.

Find out more and access the free app and podcast: https://www.newcastlenorthpcn.nhs.uk/clinical-topics/weight-management/podcast-app-beyond-the-scales/

24/07/2026

📢 Job Advert - PCN Paramedic/Advanced Practitioner at Newcastle North PCN!

Are you a proactive Paramedic/Advanced Practitioner passionate about patient care?

We are looking to appoint a health professional to work autonomously within the community using their enhanced clinical assessment and treatment skills, to provide first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems relating to acute illness or injury.

🕒 Contract: Permanent, part-time.
💼 Salary: Depending on experience.
📍 Locations: Audley Health Centre, Heathcote Street Surgery, Kidsgrove Medical Centre, Mount Road Practice & Talke Clinic.

🗓️ Closing Date: 31st July 2026

🔗 Apply Now: https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/A4525-26-0001

17/07/2026

📢 Job Advert - PCN Paramedic/Advanced Practitioner at Newcastle North PCN!

Are you a proactive Paramedic/Advanced Practitioner passionate about patient care?

We are looking to appoint a health professional to work autonomously within the community using their enhanced clinical assessment and treatment skills, to provide first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems relating to acute illness or injury.

🕒 Contract: Permanent, part-time.
💼 Salary: Depending on experience.
📍 Locations: Audley Health Centre, Heathcote Street Surgery, Kidsgrove Medical Centre, Mount Road Practice & Talke Clinic.

🗓️ Closing Date: 31st July 2026

🔗 Apply Now: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/A4525-26-0001

29/06/2026

Feel Them On The First 🍒
🔔 Taking a few minutes to check your breasts/chest/pecs regularly can make a real difference.

Checking yourself every month helps you become familiar with what’s normal for your body, how your breasts/chest/pecs usually look and feel.
When you know your normal, it’s much easier to notice any unusual changes early.

Changes to look and feel for can include:
• a lump or thickening
• swelling in the breast, chest or armpit
• changes in size or shape
• skin dimpling or puckering
• ni**le changes or discharge
• redness, rash, or persistent pain that’s unusual for you.

Most changes won’t be cancer, but it’s always important to get anything new or unusual checked by a GP.
Breast cancer can affect anyone, so whether you have breasts, a chest, or pecs, it’s important to check regularly.

Not sure how to check? This short video is a great guide 👇
https://loom.ly/LUf-Cls

💗 Know your normal and check monthly, if something doesn’t feel right, get it checked.

26/06/2026

🚗 Need Help Getting to NHS Services? 🚗
Whether it’s a GP appointment, hospital visit, or other NHS service, getting there doesn’t have to be a struggle.

You might be eligible for support such as:
• Patient transport services for medical appointments.
• Community volunteer drivers or taxi schemes.
• Accessible transport for mobility or disability needs.
• Reimbursements or travel vouchers for NHS trips .

💡 Find out what support you could qualify for and how to access it:
https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2024-11-18/do-you-need-help-travelling-nhs-services

Getting the care you need should never be difficult because of transport, support is available to make your journey easier.

25/06/2026

🏠 Looking for a Care Home? 🏠
Finding a suitable care home for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming. Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask can make the decision much easier. Healthwatch have gathered helpful information and resources to guide you through the process and help you make the right choice.

💡 Read more and get guidance here:
https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2025-03-21/how-do-i-choose-right-care-home

Take the stress out of choosing a care home and feel confident in your decision.