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You may have previously been prescribed Diazepam for fear of flying, however we will no longer be prescribing Diazepam for this indication.

Prescribing these drugs is no longer recommended for fear of flying, for the following reasons:

Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. In the unlikely event that there is an emergency during the flight, it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.

Sedative drugs can make you fall into an unnaturally deep asleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than four hours.

Diazepam can have short term, adverse effects on your memory, co-ordination, concentration and reaction times. They can also lead to addiction.

Whilst most people find diazepam to be sedating, a small number of people experience paradoxical agitation and in aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law.

According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow, Diazepam is contraindicated (not allowed) in phobia. It is also now classed as a controlled drug, due to the potential for misuse and dependence. Your doctor is taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A much better approach is to tackle this properly with a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines and we have listed a number of these below.

Easy Jet www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com Tel 0203 8131644

British Airways https://flyingwithconfidence.com/  Tel 01252 793250

Virgin www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk  Tel 01423 714900

We are aware there has been media coverage and discussion regarding the Meningitis B (Men B) vaccine, and patients are starting to contact the Practice with queries.

We would like to clarify the current position within the NHS.

There is currently no MenB vaccination programme for adults available as part of the NHS vaccination schedule.  Unfortunately, this means the practice is unable to offer the vaccine to adults.

The MenB vaccine was introduced into the routine childhood immunisation schedule from 1st May 2015. This means:

If you are a teenage or young adult born before 1st May 2015, you will not have received the Men B vaccine as part of the schedule
The MenB vaccine is now routinely offered to babies as part of the vaccination schedule at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 12 months.
If your child is eligible for the vaccine for the vaccine, they will automatically be invited as part of their routine childhood immunisations.

If you have any concerns about meningitis symptoms or believe someone may be unwell, please seek urgent medical advice.

For further information about meningitis and vaccinations, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

Thank you for your understanding.

Park Lane Surgery are compliant with the contract requirements effective 1 October 2025. The practice can be accessed in person, by phone, and online Monday–Friday, 8:00am–6:00pm (excluding bank holidays). From 6:00pm–6:30pm, Hartlepool and Stockton Health (H&SH) provide services on our behalf.

Our patient participation group met recently to discuss a range of topis from practical support to online services. Click here to find out more including meeting summaries, and information about how to join the PPG.

Click here to explore our user guides and FAQ's all about SystmConnect - The new way to connect with Park Lane Surgery online. 

Switch on NHS App Notifications and Help Reduce Costs

The NHS is encouraging patients to use the NHS App for updates instead of relying on text messages, which incur a cost to the service. By enabling notifications in the app, you’ll continue to receive all important health messages — at no cost to the NHS.

If you haven’t tried the NHS App yet, now is a great time. It’s easy to use and keeps your health information in one place.

How to enable notifications:

1. Open the NHS App and tap the person icon in the top right corner.

2. Scroll to Notifications.

3. Switch notifications on.

By making this small change, you can stay informed and help the NHS save money.

Starting Monday 1st September 2025, we'll be introducing SystmConnect, a secure online service designed to make it easier than ever to get in touch with us.

Click here to find out more.

• Consider using a non-oral form of contraception (e.g., condoms, patch, injection, implant, or IUD), especially when starting or increasing the dose of a GLP-1 medicine.
• Speak with your healthcare provider about the most suitable contraception option for you.

• If you are taking oral progesterone for HRT and start or increase a GLP-1 medication, your dose may need to be adjusted.
• Do not change your medication on your own — always consult your doctor or menopause specialist.

• You don’t always need a GP appointment — the pharmacist can assess and supply treatment directly in many cases
• Anyone can get scabies. It has nothing to do with poor hygiene
• All household members and close contacts should be treated at the same time, even if they don’t have symptoms
• Wash bedding and clothing at 60°C or higher
• Use this link for more info and advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scabies/

Did you know you can now refer yourself directly to a range of health and wellbeing services—no GP appointment needed?

From mental health, pregnancy support, and sexual health, to MSK, podiatry, audiology, and more—check out our Self-Referral Hub for access to help when you need it: https://bytespcn.nhs.uk/self-referral-hub 

Please note that the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for education and training. Access to the building will be unavailable and clinical cover will be provided by our GP federation and NHS 111. In an emergency, please call 999.

• Tuesday 20th May 2025
• Thursday 19th June 2025
• Thursday 18th September 2025
• Tuesday 14th October 2025
• Wednesday 11th March 2026

Have you ever served in the British Armed Forces? Please let a member of staff know if you have so we can add a code to your medical record to reflect this. The NHS has a duty to deliver on a number of health commitments in relation to the Armed Forces community, their families and veterans which are set out in the Armed Forces Covenant and the NHS Constitution. 

The Armed Forces community should enjoy the same standard of, and access to healthcare as that recieved by any other UK citizen in the area they live. Family members should retain their place on the NHS waiting list, if moved around the UK due to a service person being posted. Veterans should recieve priority treatment for a condition which relates to their service, subject to clinical lead. Those injured in service should be cared for in a way that reflects the nation's moral obligation to them, by healthcare professionals who understand the Armed Forces culture. 

Visit https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ for information.