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You and Your General Practice

This guide tells you what to expect from your general practice (GP) and how you can help them, so you get the best from the National Health Service (NHS). Patients are encouraged to be on time, be prepared, and avoid wasted appointments by cancelling early.

The Practice is taking steps to deliver your GP care in line with the ‘You and Your General Practice’ changes. These changes however are subject to available staffing, equipment, safety, amongst other factors which are outside control of the practice.

Please note, our Horden Site (SR8 1AD) is open between 8:00am to 6:00pm daily. Our Peterlee site is open from 8:00am to 8:00pm on a Monday and 8am-5pm Tuesday-Friday.

Our Practice is contactable 8:00am to 6:30pm via e-consults for administrative issues.

Click on the link below to read the guide which tells you what to expect from your general practice and how you can help them so you get the best from the NHS.

You and Your General Practice (YYGP)

Private Prescriptions Policy

Private prescriptions are issued for medications recommended by your private doctor. Unlike NHS prescriptions, private prescriptions are not funded by the NHS and must be paid for by the patient.

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Changes to the Childhood Immunisation Schedule

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The changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule are designed to provide even better protection for babies and young children across the UK. These updates are based on the latest medical advice and will come into effect in phases, starting from July 2025, with further adjustments from January 2026.

Our priority is always to ensure your child receives the best possible protection against preventable diseases. We understand that changes to schedules can sometimes lead to questions, and we’re here to help.

What’s Changed from 1st July 2025?

Here’s a summary of the key modifications to the vaccination programme:

  • Meningitis B (MenB) Vaccine:
    • Old Schedule: Given at 8 weeks and 16 weeks.
    • New Schedule: Now given at 8 weeks and 12 weeks. This change aims to protect babies earlier, when they are most vulnerable to this serious infection.
  • Pneumococcal (PCV13) Vaccine:
    • Old Schedule: Given at 12 weeks.
    • New Schedule: Now given at 16 weeks. This adjustment helps to reduce the number of injections administered at the 12-week appointment, making it more comfortable for your baby.
  • Hib/MenC Vaccine:
    • This vaccine will be phased out for children born after 1st July 2024 due to the reduced need for it within the updated schedule.
  • Hepatitis B (selective group only):
    • For babies identified as being at risk of Hepatitis B, the final dose will now be included in the new 18-month appointment, rather than requiring a separate booster at 12 months.
  • Introducing a New 18-Month Appointment (from January 2026):
    • For babies born after 1st July 2024, a significant new appointment will be introduced at 18 months of age.
    • This appointment will include:
      • A booster vaccine (hexavalent) to provide continued protection.
  • The second dose of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine, if not already given at the 3 year 4-month appointment.

What Stays the Same?

  • 8-week appointment:
    • There are no changes to the vaccines given at the 8-week appointment.
  • 3 year 4-month appointment:
    • This appointment will still include the dTaP/IPV (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and inactivated polio) vaccine and the second MMR dose, if it hasn’t been administered at the 18-month appointment.

Why are These Changes Being Made?

These updates to the childhood immunisation schedule are being implemented to:

  • Protect babies earlier when they are most at risk from certain diseases.
  • Simplify the overall vaccine schedule, making it easier to follow.
  • Reduce the number of injections given at individual visits, improving the experience for young children and their parents.

Where Can You Find More Information?

We understand you may have questions about these changes. Our team is available to discuss the updated schedule with you and address any concerns you may have.

For comprehensive information on all childhood immunisations and the updated schedule, please visit the official NHS vaccinations website:

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Changes to Child Immunisation Schedule

The changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule are designed to provide even better protection for babies and young children across the UK. These updates are based on the latest medical advice and will come into effect in phases, starting from July 2025, with further adjustments from January 2026.

Our priority is always to ensure your child receives the best possible protection against preventable diseases. We understand that changes to schedules can sometimes lead to questions, and we’re here to help.

What’s Changed from 1st July 2025?

Here’s a summary of the key modifications to the vaccination programme:

  • Meningitis B (MenB) Vaccine:
    • Old Schedule: Given at 8 weeks and 16 weeks.
    • New Schedule: Now given at 8 weeks and 12 weeks. This change aims to protect babies earlier, when they are most vulnerable to this serious infection.
  • Pneumococcal (PCV13) Vaccine:
    • Old Schedule: Given at 12 weeks.
    • New Schedule: Now given at 16 weeks. This adjustment helps to reduce the number of injections administered at the 12-week appointment, making it more comfortable for your baby.
  • Hib/MenC Vaccine:
    • This vaccine will be phased out for children born after 1st July 2024 due to the reduced need for it within the updated schedule.
  • Hepatitis B (selective group only):
    • For babies identified as being at risk of Hepatitis B, the final dose will now be included in the new 18-month appointment, rather than requiring a separate booster at 12 months.
  • Introducing a New 18-Month Appointment (from January 2026):
    • For babies born after 1st July 2024, a significant new appointment will be introduced at 18 months of age.
    • This appointment will include:
      • A booster vaccine (hexavalent) to provide continued protection.
  • The second dose of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine, if not already given at the 3 year 4-month appointment.

What Stays the Same?

  • 8-week appointment:
    • There are no changes to the vaccines given at the 8-week appointment.
  • 3 year 4-month appointment:
    • This appointment will still include the dTaP/IPV (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and inactivated polio) vaccine and the second MMR dose, if it hasn’t been administered at the 18-month appointment.

Why are These Changes Being Made?

These updates to the childhood immunisation schedule are being implemented to:

  • Protect babies earlier when they are most at risk from certain diseases.
  • Simplify the overall vaccine schedule, making it easier to follow.
  • Reduce the number of injections given at individual visits, improving the experience for young children and their parents.

Where Can You Find More Information?

We understand you may have questions about these changes. Our team is available to discuss the updated schedule with you and address any concerns you may have.

For comprehensive information on all childhood immunisations and the updated schedule, please visit the official NHS vaccinations website:

Annual GP Patient Survey Results: 2025

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The annual GP Patient Survey Results have been published, and we are pleased to share our results!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.

Our workload and demand is heavier than ever, and the General Practice environment is challenging and ever-changing. The whole team are working as hard as they possibly can, and we will continue to strive to offer the best service to all our patients

Full Report here...

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GP Net Earnings: Updated

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NHS England require that the net earnings of doctors engaged in the practice is publicised, and the required disclosure is shown below.  However it should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how  much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be  used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any  comparison with any other practice.

 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 this practice in the last full financial year was £129,183 before Tax and National insurance. This is for three full time GP, two part time GPs and one locum GP who worked in the practice for more than six months.

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