News

  • Telephone calls to the practice
    Patients should be aware that all phone calls to the practice are now being recorded. This is for the benefit of patients and staff and can be used for training and monitoring purposes. The answerphone message is in the process of being updated to reflect this important change.
  • Catchment area
    Please use the link to find a UK map with our catchment area highlighted. You’ll need to click on the map once it’s loaded and from there you can zoom or use the search box to locate our patch. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/c5dfab9f267944d2a9d68e8b0469568b/page/public?data_filter=dataSource_1-GI2598_Bdys_PUBLIC_9878%3APracticeCode%3D%27a82029%27 We are actually a little more flexible with our patient locations and anyone inside the… Read more: Catchment area
  • Prescriptions – important information for patients ordering medication regularly.
    We are issuing more prescription items than ever before, to more patients than ever before – over nearly 700 items on some days. In addition to this, many medication items are taking longer to reach us from our suppliers, we have less daily deliveries – and we do not have any extra storage space or… Read more: Prescriptions – important information for patients ordering medication regularly.
  • Surgery Closed date – advance notice
    Please note that our next Protected Learning Time (PLT) date is Wednesday 15th November. The surgery will be closed from 1pm on this date to allow staff to attend training sessions elsewhere. Our phones will be answered by CHoC colleagues and we will reopen on Thursday 16th at 8am when normal business will be resumed.… Read more: Surgery Closed date – advance notice
  • Thank you to our retiring PPG Members
    At our ‘flu clinic earlier this month we took the opportunity to present “thank you” roses to Mrs Mary Little, Mr Rodney Mostyn and Mr George Hill.They have all recently retired from their voluntary roles with the Patient Participation Group having served the practice since the group was set up in March 2006.
  • Walking for Health
    October – December 2023 Ramblers Wellbeing Walks (Cumbria) . Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are led by trained Walk Leaders across the County, and provide a great opportunity not only to improve your health through regular walking but also to explore your local area whilst meeting new people. Walks aim to be suitable for people of all… Read more: Walking for Health
  • Patient Feedback – September 2023
    Thanks once again to all the patients who took the time to reply to our friends and family feedback questionnaire after their appointments.
  • Shingles Vaccination
    We have over 50 patients aged 70-80 and who are eligible for their shingles vaccination. Please ring us to make an appointment with one of the nurses for this immunisation. 01697351207 Shingles vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
  • COVID tests update
    Who can get a free NHS COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test (LFT)?? NHS COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people. You may still be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment. The… Read more: COVID tests update
  • Inspection by CQC
    We will shortly be having an inspection by CQC (Care Quality Commission) They are keen to include as much patient feedback as possible through this assessment process, so we would invite patients to use the following link where they can share their experiences of our service with the inspector. https://www.cqc.org.uk/give-feedback-on-care,
  • Staff Changes – clinical team
    July will see a lot of coming and going as we have some significant staff changes. Dr James Cam will be leaving us at the beginning of July and Dr Bosah Egbe finishes his registrar stint here later in the month. We all wish them the very best in their new practices. Dr Helen Reid… Read more: Staff Changes – clinical team
  • Reviewing patient lists
    we have not posted about this since 2021. Since the pandemic there have been changes in healthcare provision lead to an influx of new patients to our practice that live in close proximity to the surgery. Over the years we have tried to remain flexible with our boundaries however the doctors feel that the quality… Read more: Reviewing patient lists
  • GP Earnings
    All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice. The average pay for GPs working in Kirkbride Surgery in the last financial year was £39,776 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 6 part time GPs who worked… Read more: GP Earnings
  • Autumn Newsletter
    a round-up of the latest staff news and notices about new things happening at The Croft Surgery and changes to our services. National GP patient survey A recent survey has been done, and The Croft Surgery scored 105 out of 6418 GP surgeries across England!! Patient Participation Group This is a group of our patients… Read more: Autumn Newsletter
  • Woodland Well- being
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  • Well Being
  • Flu & COVID Vaccine clinic news
    We will be holding a flu clinic at the surgery on Saturday 15th October, 0800 – 1800. We are hoping to do COVID vaccines at the same time. Eligible patients should contact the practice if they wish to be appointed.
  • COVID & FLU VACCINATIONS AUTUMN 2022
    Keswick & Solway Primary Care Network • From mid-September your GP practices will be inviting eligible patients to have both their flu and covid vaccinations at the same time. • The Joint Committee for Vaccines and Immunisations (JCVI) have advised NHSE that it is safe to have both vaccinations at the same time and that… Read more: COVID & FLU VACCINATIONS AUTUMN 2022
  • Advice on UTIs
    Practices in the area are taking part in a six month community pharmacy UTI pilot. This is enabling participating pharmacists across the North East and North Cumbria to treat women, aged 16-64, with urinary tract infections (UTIs) without the need for a GP appointment or prescription, providing a more convenient option and faster access to… Read more: Advice on UTIs
  • Sleep Workshop
    Click on the link below to learn more about and book yourself a place on this local workshop aimed at helping you to better sleep. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/restorative-rest-sleep-wellbeing-tickets-387399942657
  • Job Vacancy – administration assistant
    We are welcoming applicants from all stages of their careers to join us providing administrative support to our small, rural dispensing practice in Kirkbride. We would like to hear from you whether you are starting out in the world of work with little experience and lots of enthusiasm or have experience of working in business… Read more: Job Vacancy – administration assistant
  • Healthcare Advice – a fab new resource for patients
    Welcome to Healthier Together – a great place to find accurate and trusted NHS healthcare advice in the North East and North Cumbria. All the information on this site has been checked by clinicians, to ensure we offer the best advice for parents, carers, young people and health professionals. You can find everything from pregnancy… Read more: Healthcare Advice – a fab new resource for patients
  • GP Earnings Statement April 2022
    All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice. The average pay for GPs working at The Croft Surgery, Kirkbride, Cumbria in the last financial year was £49,634 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 4 part time… Read more: GP Earnings Statement April 2022
  • Ramblers Well-Being Walks
    All are welcome to these friendly, gentle-paced walks! Please contact our well-being coordinator, [email protected] for all details.
  • Patient Triage
    We are now using a new online consultation service – Patient Triage, (eConsult is no longer in use). Patient Triage is a great way for you to contact our practice for non-urgent medical or admin requests. It is very simple to fill out so please do give it a go if you need to contact… Read more: Patient Triage
  • Covid Vaccines @ Wigton Hospital
    Keswick & Solway Primary Care Network Spring Boosters at Wigton Hospital· From Wednesday 23rd March, GP practices will be inviting all patients aged over 75 years old and those who are clinically immunosuppressed, to book their spring booster appointment. If we have your mobile number on your medical record, you will receive an text invitation… Read more: Covid Vaccines @ Wigton Hospital
  • COVID 19
    As we get used to living with COVID19, we are again reminded that it hasn’t gone away. This practice, like others locally, has staff confirmed with positive covid test results who cannot be in work. The staff shortage may impact on our ability to deliver some of our routine appointments, although we will continue to… Read more: COVID 19
  • Planned Closures
    On the above dates the surgery will be closed from 1pm, reopening the following morning at 8am. This is to allow essential staff training to take place. Phone lines will divert to CHoC Please consider consulting a local pharmacy for minor ailments or ringing NHS111. In a medical emergency please ring 999.
  • Easter Activities
  • Updated Privacy Notice – February 2022
    PRACTICE PRIVACY NOTICE FOR PATIENTS What is a Privacy Notice? A Privacy Notice (or ‘Fair Processing Notice’) is an explanation of what information the Practice collects on patients, and how it is used. Being transparent and providing clear information to patients about how a Practice uses their personal data is an essential requirement of the… Read more: Updated Privacy Notice – February 2022
  • Immunisation services for school age children
  • Do you need support with losing some weight this year?
    With over 400 patients on our register with a BMI over 30 kg/m2 we are really keen to offer as much support as we can to help all our patients towards healthier lifestyles to keep them feeling fit and well. Obesity is one of the biggest health crises the country faces. Almost two-thirds (63%) of… Read more: Do you need support with losing some weight this year?
  • COVID travel pass update
    Please also be advised that the surgery does not provide recovery letters for travel. If you have tested positive and are using the NHS App, your COVID passport will not be available for at least 14 days post the date you were confirmed as having a positive test result. Once the 14 days have passed… Read more: COVID travel pass update
  • Happy January!!
    from our wellbeing service…
  • BOOSTERS
    Patients who have been sent invitations from the surgery have not yet booked their booster appointments; please use the link you have been sent to book your vaccination!! There are appointments available with the local PCN team this weekend at Wigton Hospital.
  • Patient Feedback Is Important to Us
    Thank you to all our patients who answered feedback questionnaires after appointments in November and December. The reports complied from feedback questionnaires are always circulated to all the staff and any suggestions or complaints that are anonymously submitted in this way are reviewed by the management team to see where we can make improvements to… Read more: Patient Feedback Is Important to Us
  • Prescribing
    Handling prescription enquiries is a big part of the workload at the surgery – keeping a few useful medicines at home or visiting a pharmacy for some conditions means you can treat common minor ailments immediately without needing to speak to a GP or nurse. Medicine to keep at the home could include *Painkillers –… Read more: Prescribing
  • Contacting the surgery
    The contact form on this website and the surgery email address are intended for general enquiries to the practice only. In the interests of patient safety and confidentiality, please do not use this form or the practice email address for clinical queries or sending personal information. For such matters including prescription requests, and appointments please… Read more: Contacting the surgery
  • COVID booster vaccinations
    Our team are currently working through the information and guidance recently published concerning the Covid Vaccination Booster Jabs. As we will be following the JCVI cohorts – as we did originally – we are asking people to wait to be called by the Practice for their booster. Please do not call the Practice; we will… Read more: COVID booster vaccinations
  • Blood Tests – don’t call us, we’ll call you!!
    There is a national shortage of blood collection tubes. This is impacting on NHS services countrywide. Please do not contact us to make an appointment for routine monitoring blood tests unless we have been in touch to ask you to arrange this. Once routine testing can start again, we will catch up with our patients.… Read more: Blood Tests – don’t call us, we’ll call you!!
  • August 2021 feedback
    We have had some really useful and pleasing feedback from patients who were seen at the surgery in August. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time and trouble to contact us.
  • Front Desk Triaging
    When patients ring the surgery to make an appointment, reception staff will ask for some basic information in order to direct the patient to the most appropriate clinician. The most important reason for this is to to make sure a patient who has an urgent healthcare need can be seen quickly or that emergency action… Read more: Front Desk Triaging
  • Reviewing patient lists
    The COVID pandemic has seen many changes in healthcare provision and practices across North Cumbria have been tightening their boundaries. This has lead to an influx of new patients to our practice that live in close proximity to the surgery. Over the years we have tried to remain flexible with our boundaries however the doctors… Read more: Reviewing patient lists
  • Face Masks
    Despite the relaxing of some coronavirus restrictions, in health care settings we still working hard to keep everyone safe. We are asking everyone visiting the surgery to wear a facemask – this is to stop the spread of COVID19. This is for the protection of all patients and staff. Our staff may remind you to wear one. Thank… Read more: Face Masks
  • NHS COVID Pass
    People in England who have had a full course of the COVID19 vaccine can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. Please access the NHS website to learn how to obtain the NHS COVID pass.
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  • The Green Impact Project
    Patients might be interested to learn that we are trying to become a more environmentally sustainable practice! At the beginning of this journey we are looking at our product purchasing to incorporate more ethical choices and reducing our waste. This practice is delighted to be signed up to the Green Impace for Health Toolkit and we… Read more: The Green Impact Project
  • Walking for Health is back in Kirkbride!
    We will be running short walks on our lovely footpath network. Meet in the lay-by outside the school at 10.30am  on alternate Tuesdays. Our living well coach Pamela Martyn will lead these walks which will last for 30-40 minutes. Please wear suitable footwear for unpaved surfaces. Facemasks may be worn but they are not compulsory. You should… Read more: Walking for Health is back in Kirkbride!
  • Well-Being services
  • Protected Learning Time
    The surgery will be closed from 1pm on the following dates; we will reopen at 8am the following day. 15th July 2021 15th September 2021 14th October 2021 17th November 2021 13th January 2022 10th February 2022 16th March 2022 Our phone lines will be covered by ChoC You can call NHS111 for medical advice… Read more: Protected Learning Time
  • General Practice Data for Planning and Research
    This practice is supporting vital health and care planning and research by sharing your data with NHS Digital. Learn more here.
  • Closed this Wednesday Afternoon
    We will close this Wednesday 16/06/2021 at 1pm for staff training. The surgery will reopen at 8am on Thursday. Please call 999 in the event of a medical emergency To receive medical advice you can call NHS 111. Our phone lines will divert at 1pm and be covered by the local out of hours service.… Read more: Closed this Wednesday Afternoon
  • Patient Feedback
    as ever, thank you to the patients who take the time to contact us about our services. These wordclouds represent the feedback via the SMS (texting service) from April and May 2021, but you can also let us know about how you feel our services are running by writing to the surgery or using the… Read more: Patient Feedback
  • Lonely after lockdown?
    If you are struggling with loneliness or isolation or the effects of being cut off from friends and family during the pandemic restrictions, you are not alone and there is support available. Click on the link to Let’s Talk Loneliness for some helpful resources and information. We can also arrange for Pamela our well-being co-ordinator from… Read more: Lonely after lockdown?
  • Planned power cut – 1st June 2021
    We have had advice notice from our electricity providers that there will be a loss of power to the surgery on Tuesday 1st June 10am-12noon. This is to allow essential maintenance to take place and is outside our control. We have asked for this to be done at another time but that’s not possible. We… Read more: Planned power cut – 1st June 2021
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  • COVID Vaccinations
    We are now inviting all patients of 18 years and over for their vaccinations to be administered at the local hub – (Wigton Hospital). If we have not been in contact with you, please get in touch. If you receive an invitation by text (SMS) you are advised to book your appointment as soon as… Read more: COVID Vaccinations
  • Vaccination Appointments
  • Vaccination verification for travel
    From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from: •the NHS App which you can download from app stores •the NHS website It may take… Read more: Vaccination verification for travel
  • Appointments
    As life begins to return to something more like the normal we were used to before the pandemic, we are adapting the appointment system at the practice. We will be reintroducing some face to face appointments. However we we will not be returning to running any form of “drop in” urgent surgery. Please help our… Read more: Appointments
  • COVID Vaccinations
    We are now inviting all patients of 18 years and over for their vaccinations to be administered at the local hub – (Wigton Hospital). If we have not been in contact with you, please get in touch. If you receive an invitation by text (SMS) you are advised to book your appointment as soon as… Read more: COVID Vaccinations
  • Closed this Thursday afternoon
    The surgery will be closed on Thursday 20/05/2021 from 1pm. ChoC will cover our phone lines. Always call 999 in an emergency. You can call 111 for medical advice. We will reopen at 8am on Friday morning.
  • Closed this Wednesday afternoon
    The surgery will be closed on Wednesday afternoon 19/04/2021 from 1pm for important staff training. Our phones will be covered by CHoC. Always call 999 in an emergency and you can get medical help and advice by ringing 111 or going to NHS111 online. We will reopen on Thursday from 8am.
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  • Publication of Earnings Statement
    All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average pay) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice. The average pay for GPs working at the Croft Surgery, Kirkbride in the last financial year was £44 583 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 4 part time… Read more: Publication of Earnings Statement
  • Feedback from patients
    Thank you to all the patients who took the time to reply and give feedback on our services in February 2021. We read all the reports and messages and use them to plan changes and improvements to our services where they are identified.
  • Practice Closure Dates
    Please note that the practice will be closed to patients from 1pm on the following dates as staff will be undertaking important training and update sessions. 21st April 2021 20th May 2021 16th June 2021 15th July 2021 15th September 2021 14th October 2021 17th November 2021 13th January 2022 10th February 2022 16th March 2022… Read more: Practice Closure Dates
  • Update on vaccine roll out for our patients
    Over 1050 of our patients have received at least one dose of one of the coronavirus vaccines.  Over 100 are booked in this week. We are continuing to work through the priority groups to invite patients to the local vaccination clinic at Wigton Hospital. Please do not telephone the surgery to ask when you will receive… Read more: Update on vaccine roll out for our patients
  • COVID-19 Clinical Risk Assessment Tool Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) Version 1.0 16 February 2021
    Please click on this file link to see how patient data is used to assess clinical risk from COVID19 in order to support patient care. There is a privacy notice associated with this risk assessment tool. Click on the following file link to see how this is applied.
  • Telephone Calls – Vaccination Enquiries
    After this evening’s briefing from the Health Secretary we are experiencing high call volumes. We will be contacting patients about their COVID vaccination tomorrow and Wednesday; thank you for your patience as you wait for us send a text message or to telephone you in the next 48 hours. Vaccination clinics will be at Wigton… Read more: Telephone Calls – Vaccination Enquiries
  • Thank you
    Thank you so much to everyone who made donations, or paid for a facemask at the surgery.
  • Feedback
    Thank you to all our patients who took the time to send feedback after appointments in January. We really appreciate your input, suggestions, criticisms and notes of support. All the feedback comments are circulated to all our staff and any matters of concern are discussed by the GPs. This helps to drive improvements for patients.
  • Updates
    Over 700 of our patients have now had at least one dose of one of the COVID vaccinations. Please make sure we have up to date contact details for you so that we can get in touch with you quickly and easily when it’s your turn to be called. #wearegettingthere Use our contact form to… Read more: Updates
  • Scams
    Please be aware of scam emails that invite users to input their bank details into a fake NHS website to confirm their COVID-19 vaccine appointment. The NHS will never ask you to share bank details or pay for a vaccine. We are either texting or telephoning patients to book their COVID vaccination appointments. Report suspicious… Read more: Scams
  • COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS
    where are we up to? and who is next? Patients will be invited to attend a booked appointment at Wigton Hospital. Vaccine supplies are limited and all appointments are pre-arranged to match exactly the amount of vaccine available at that site on that day. Below is a breakdown of how we are working through the… Read more: COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS
  • Coronavirus vaccination update
    Please DO NOT ring the surgery about appointments. We will be contacting the next group of eligible patients (aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable) tomorrow and on Wednesday. We know in the daily update from the Health Secretary today, patients were advised to contact their surgeries – but we cannot book appointments until… Read more: Coronavirus vaccination update
  • COVID-19 Vaccination programme
    The first phase of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has started. When it is the right time , patients will receive an invitation to come forward. This letter will include all the information you will need to book appointments, including your NHS number. Please do not contact the NHS to get an appointment until you… Read more: COVID-19 Vaccination programme
  • CLAP!
    Our NHS ClapMany of you clapped for the NHS in the spring. With a great increase in demand on our surgery we ask for your support with Our NHS Clap. C an your problem wait for a more appropriate appointment? See below* L et reception help you by telling us what you are concerned about.… Read more: CLAP!
  • Flu Vaccinations
    We will be running a ‘flu clinic this Saturday, 12th December. If you are one of our patients aged 50+ and you have not had an influenza vaccine this season, please make an appointment to come in to this specially organised clinic. Waiting times will be minimal and social distancing measures are in place with… Read more: Flu Vaccinations
  • Self-Care Week Get ready for Winter
  • It’s Self-Care Week…
  • The Wellbeing Service – online sessions.
    The wellbeing service are offering a range of online well-being sessions. The next session on menopause is open to all women in the Keswick, Solway and Eden NCIC areas – including patients registered at The Crift Surgery. To book your place, click here or scan the QR code in the poster above. To take part, all… Read more: The Wellbeing Service – online sessions.
  • Flu Clinic – Thursday 26th November
    The surgery will be closed to telephone calls and patient visits on Thursday 26th November because we will be running a flu vaccination clinic. Eligible patients should telephone and book into an appointment slot at this clinic if they wish to have their flu vaccination. This is NOT a drop-in session. Because we will be running… Read more: Flu Clinic – Thursday 26th November
  • Thursday 19th November
    We will be closed from 1pm on this date for important staff training. Patients will not be able to collect prescriptions at this time. Urgent GP calls will be handled by Cumbria Health on Call and we will reopen at 8am on Friday 20th November.
  • Fabulous Feedback – October 2020
    Thank you to all the patients who took the time to tell us what they thought about our services.
  • Hospital Waiting Times
    Due to COVID restrictions many people are waiting longer than normal for their hospital outpatient appointments. Referrals to specialists are assessed by the relevant consultant team. The practice has no influence as to when the consultants allocate their appointments and they do this based on the urgency of the clinical needs of all their patients.… Read more: Hospital Waiting Times
  • Patient Feedback – September 2020
    Thank you to all the patients who take the time to let us know about their experiences of the services offered here at The Croft Surgery.
  • National Data Opt-Out
    from 30th September 2020 we are NDOO compliant. If you would like to learn more about what this means for patients, this guide may help.
  • We are open!
    Due to the continuing coronavirus outbreak, how you contact us will be different at the moment from what you have been used to at previous times. This is to limit face-to-face contact whenever possible and help stop the spread of coronavirus. Our practice is open and if you need to see a GP, please ring… Read more: We are open!
  • Togetherall
    Support with your mental health and wellbeing. NHS North Cumbria CCG is commissioning more mental health and wellbeing support from Togetherall (previously known as Big White Wall). It is already used across the UK, including south Cumbria, and is now available for all residents aged 16+ across north Cumbria from August 5 2020. It provides… Read more: Togetherall
  • Flu Vaccines – an update
    We have had our first flu clinic: other sessions are planned and many patients are already booked in. Please be patient as organising these safely is a big undertaking.
  • Please follow all guidelines on hand hygiene, the wearing of face coverings and observing distancing
  • NHS Wellbeing Bunting Challenge
  • Support for Young People
  • Allerdale and Copeland Joint Newsletter
    We have attached a copy of the latest local COVID19 update newsletter for you.
  • Letters of Absence from school
    In line with national guidance we would like to notify patients of the following: Please note that it is not a GP responsibility to issue school letters of absence for your children.  Government guidance is that school attendance is mandatory unless your child is self-isolating, has symptoms of COVID19 or is close to someone who… Read more: Letters of Absence from school
  • ‘Flu Clinics 2020
    This year we are having to do our ‘flu clinics very differently to allow for the restrictions placed upon us by COVID19. Unfortunately we cannot run the usual sociable sessions in community venues nor offer refreshments and the chance to stop and chat. ‘Flu vaccination clinics will be running on Saturdays from the end of… Read more: ‘Flu Clinics 2020
  • Prescribing Changes
    NHS England has published guidance to GPs advising them not to routinely prescribe medications for certain conditions which can be bought over the counter from pharmacies as well as many other supermarkets and convenience shops. We are always keen to do what is best for our patients and have resisted these measures. However it is clear that particularly during… Read more: Prescribing Changes
  • Reallocation of Patients
    Following Dr Swan’s retirement, her patients have been moved onto the list of another of the GP practice partners. Patients with surnames A-L have been moved to Dr Smith’s lists Patients with surnames M-Z have been moved to Dr Hewson’s. In practical terms this makes no difference; patients can book appointments with any of the… Read more: Reallocation of Patients
  • Message from Elspeth Swan
    Dear Patients and friends of The Croft surgery I have been overwhelmed with the good wishes, gifts and expressions and thanks on the occasion of my retirement from The Croft Surgery. Thank you everyone. I have found it humbling that so many of you have appreciated my efforts and presence. 24 years has been a… Read more: Message from Elspeth Swan