Dear Patients,

From Saturday 1^st October our opening hours will change at our Astley-Dale Branch, Waters Meeting Health Centre.

Please see updated opening hours below:

Monday: 8AM-6.30PM

Tuesday: 8AM-6.30PM

Wednesday: 8AM-8PM (Phone lines open 8am-6.30pm)

Thursday: 8AM-6.30PM

Friday: 8AM-6.30PM

Saturday: 9AM-5PM (Phone lines open 9am-1pm)

If you have an appointment on a Saturday after 1pm and you need to cancel please telephone 01204 463133 and leave a voicemail message advising us that you wish to cancel and your name, date of birth and appointment time.

Many Thanks,

Bolton Community Practice

The Opening Hours for our 'Online Consult' service are as follows:

Mondays: 6am - 12pm

Tuesdays:  6am - 12pm

Wednesdays:  6am - 12pm

Thursdays:  6am - 12pm

Fridays:  6am - 12pm

Saturdays: Offline

Sundays: Offline

The UKHSA, the organisation in England responsible for public health and infectious diseases, has been monitoring the number of cases and the spread of monkeypox since it was first detected in the UK.

It has advised that pre-exposure vaccination against monkeypox should now be offered to those at greatest risk of infection to help control the recent outbreak of the virus.

The NHS is following UKHSA guidance on prioritising those at greatest risk of exposure and local services are contacting people who are a priority for vaccination. If you are eligible for a monkeypox vaccine you will be contacted directly. You do not need to contact the NHS.

If you think you may have come into contact with someone who has monkeypox or who is feeling unwell or has symptoms that could be consistent with monkeypox infection, limit contact with others and contact your local sexual health clinic or telephone NHS111. Please do not visit A&E or your GP.

Find out more at Monkeypox - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

Please do not contact the surgery enquiring about COVID vaccination certification as we are unable to issue this information from the practice.

Free NHS App: Your vaccination status is available on the free NHS App which can be downloaded to your smartphone or tablet, either from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Proof of your Covid vaccination status will be shown in the NHS App. Open the App and select ‘Check your Covid-19 vaccine record’ then logout. We recommend that you register with the NHS App before booking international travel. To register you will need your NHS patient number. This can be found on your prescription or any letter from the NHS. Please note: This App is not the same as the NHS COVID-19 App.

NHS Website: You can view your COVID-19 vaccination status online and download or print it as a PDF document. You will need to register for an NHS login if you do not have one already, to access the service. NHS login registrations may take longer than usual when there are high numbers of requests.

By calling 119: If you do not have access to a smartphone, computer or tablet and know that the country you are travelling to requires COVID-19 vaccination status, you can call 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you.

Many families and individuals, find themselves in a situation where they are not able to access sufficient or adequate food through no fault of their own.  

Food poverty is complex with multiple factors, this can affect anyone during a period of their life when their home circumstances change rapidly. 

The impacts of not receiving a healthy balanced diet could include heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other diet related health conditions. Food poverty can also affect a child's learning ability, it could lead to poor physical health and motor skills making it harder for children to concentrate at school. 

Food banks have been created to give people a step up when needed. They collect food through partnership working and distribute to people facing economic hardship. 

If anyone is wanting to donate any unwanted food or toiletry items, please contact The Cresent Foodbank, Urban Outreach, look for a collection bin in your local supermarket or contact the surgery direct.

If you feel like you are in a position where you are not able to purchase food, please contact the surgery in confidence, advise could be given or an agency referral can be completed.