Easter 2026 Pharmacy Opening Times

Enhanced Access Service Update: From 1 April 2026, Billingham and Norton PCN will provide the Enhanced Access service. There will be no changes to clinics or how patients book appointments.

From 1 April 2026, the Enhanced Access service will be provided directly by Billingham and Norton Primary Care Network (PCN). This service was previously delivered by Hartlepool and Stockton Health (HASH)

There will be no pause or disruption to services, and patients will continue to be able to access appointments in the same way as before. Clinics will continue to run at the same locations and times, and patients can expect the same range of services to be available.

This change simply means the service will now be managed locally by the Billingham and Norton PCN on behalf of our member practices.

If you have an appointment booked after 1 April, there is nothing you need to do, and your appointment will go ahead as planned.

We want to focus on you!

Important notice for patients using weight loss medications and taking the pill or HRT

Many patients are now using weight loss medications like Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)or Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) - either for diabetes or privately for weight loss. These medications interact with contraceptive pill and oral HRT, reducing their effect which can lead to important consequences.

NHS App

The NHS is having a campaign to reduce the number of text messages sent.

If you have the NHS App with notifications switched on you can help.

Any messages we send will send to your NHS App first which will help us to keep costs down and communicate with all our patients more.

For more information please visit The NHS App Website

Update: Weight Loss injections on the NHS (Mounjaro)

We know many of you are asking about the Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), lanching on the NHS from Monday 23rd of June 2025.

It is important to understand GP practices, including ours, are not yet able to prescribe it and that there is strict eligibility criteria.

Please do not call at this time to request Mounjaro, or an appointment related to requesting weight loss injections.

Stroke Awareness Month

Mounjaro Injections

To be prescribed the Mounjaro injection, patients must:

Have a BMI of 40 or more, and
Have at least FOUR or more of the following health conditions:

Hypertension
Dyslipidaemia
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes

If you meet the required criteria and wish to considered for the Mounjaro injection, please submit an online consultation below and we will be in touch once your record has been reviewed.

Information for patients on new eligibility criteria for Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) weight loss injections is available on the NHS England website below or on the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board website.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/obesity/medicines-for-obesity/

https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/here-to-help-you/health-advice-and-support/weight-loss-drugs-information-for-patients/

Too young for cancer? We get it!

Cancer support for anyone in their 20s, 30s or 40s

Our North East network hosts friendly & relaxed social meet ups (online & in person)

An online community around 24/7

Resources offering support: videos, blogs, podcasts & personal experiences

Programmes dealing with the impact of cancer

Find out more by emailing:

northeast@shinecancersupport.org

or by visiting:

www.shinecancersupport.org

Tees Urgent Care Service

The new Urgent Care Service, which covers four hospitals across North and South Tees, has now gone live, offering the same care to patients, regardless of where they live.

Menopause Drop-In Sessions

Thank you

The doctors and staff would like to thank patients for using the NHS App.

Paper requests for medication take longer to process.

Requests made electronically take less time to process.

Increased use of the NHS App has provided a more efficient repeat prescription process.