You may have seen media coverage about a new drug which is expected to be made available to a limited number of patients over the coming year.

NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which advises the NHS on use of medicines – is expecting to approve Mounjaro (also known as Tirzepatide) for some patients from March 2025.

This will initially include only people who have the most serious need for this medication, based on body mass index (BMI) and having at least one obesity-related health problem. It will be provided along with extra support and advice to help patients improve their diet and exercise, which is vital to maintaining a healthy weight in the long term.

It’s important to bear in mind that medicines are not the only way to improve your weight, fitness and health, and for many people they are not the best option.

Our specialist weight management services offer a wide range of support to help patients find a sustainable solution to weight problems. We are working to urgently expand these services, as we know waiting lists are currently longer than we would all like. Our GP practices are currently receiving a high level of enquiries about weight loss drugs.

Click the link for self referral: Weight loss medicines and lifestyle changes

The Integrated Care Board (ICB) will get back in touch with the patients within 4-6 weeks to invite them to an engagement session to give them more information about the weight loss medicines and next steps.

It is important to register with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment.

If you have recently left the forces, it is important to give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This will help to make sure, your military health record transfers to your NHS health record, it gives your GP information on your health and ensures that any ongoing care and treatment is continued.

Regardless of when you left the military, tell your GP that you’ve served in the armed forces. This will help your GP to better understand any military related health conditions that you may have and ensure that you are referred, when appropriate, to dedicated services for veterans. This includes the specialist mental and physical health services, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing service.

When using these services, you will be able to speak to people who:

• understand the Armed Forces and military life 
• are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families. 
• will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment
• work closely with a range of organisations and charities, including military charities, to support your wider health and wellbeing needs

With your agreement, it can sometimes be helpful for your doctor to refer you to Armed Forces charities, such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress or Help for Heroes. They can often offer significant help and support, even if they do not all deliver healthcare.

You may be worried about sharing information about your time in the Armed Forces. Please note that the NHS is bound by a confidentiality code of practice to ensure GPs, nurses and other people working within the NHS deliver a confidential service bound by law.

The “Local Offer” provides a wide range of information for families of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)0-25 years available the following link http://www.countydurhamfamilies.info or if you google “County Durham Local Offer” on any search engine. This information provides details of all services, including health provision, support and advocacy that may help you or your child as they progress from birth to 25 years old, during their time in education.

 What information is included in the Local Offer ?  It includes:

• sources of support, advice and information
• education, health and care provision
• arrangements for identifying and assessing children and young people with SEN
• how services can be accessed (including eligibility criteria) and how decisions are made
• arrangements for supporting children and young people move between school phases
• services to support young people in preparing for adulthood and independence
• leisure activities
• arrangements for disagreement resolution, complaints, mediation and appealing to the SEN Tribunal
• information on the review and development of the Local Offer itself. 

 How to use the Local Offer

To find what you need, you can select a topic or age category. You can also search by keyword(s) and/or postcode/location. You can narrow (filter) results, show results on a map, or even add results to a shortlist to tailor them to your child and family’s needs. Further details about your search can be found in the more information area.  Local Offer help videos are also available in English, العربية, 普通話, Polski

Can’t find what you are looking for?

Visit the ‘For families‘ section which has additional information and services. If you still can’t find what you are looking for let us know.

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges. Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
• Insurance claim forms
• Passport signing
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.

We have a  “LTC clinic” on wednesday mornings at Wingate between 9:00 am and 12:00 Noon. This is a patient centered Multi Disciplinary Clinic which will give patients an opportunity to see the Practice Nurse,GP and pharmacist on the same day to address various aspects to LTC management. Appointments are pre-bookable into this clinic.