News

Flying and Anxiety Medication

After careful consideration, we will no longer prescribe benzodiazepines or sedatives (such as diazepam) for patients experiencing fear of flying. Many other GP practices have adopted similar policies.

Patients sometimes request diazepam to help manage a fear of flying or to aid sleep during flights.

Initially introduced in the 1960s, benzodiazepines – such as Diazepam were considered revolutionary. However, over time it became increasingly clear that they have significant drawbacks. Short-term effects include memory impairment, reduced coordination, decreased concentration, and slower reaction times. Long-term use can lead to addiction, with withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, agitation, and confusion. There are also long-term risks, including impacts on cognition and balance. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines have become widely misused and are now a common drug of abuse.

Because of these issues, the use of benzodiazepines has been increasingly restricted worldwide since the 1980s and 1990s—particularly in the UK.

In the UK, Diazepam is classified as a Class C / Schedule IV controlled drug.

The following guide outlines why this medication is no longer prescribed by our practice for flying-related anxiety:

Why Diazepam Is Not Prescribed for Flying Anxiety

• Safety Risk in Emergencies: Benzodiazepines cause delayed reaction times and slower thinking. In the event of an in-flight emergency, this could impair your ability to respond appropriately, putting your safety—and that of others—at risk.
• Increased Risk of Blood Clots: Although Diazepam may help you fall asleep during a flight, it induces non-REM sleep, which reduces natural movement. This immobility increases the risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), particularly on flights longer than four hours. Such clots can be life-threatening.
• Paradoxical Reactions: While Diazepam is usually sedating, a small percentage of individuals experience the opposite effect: agitation, aggression, or disinhibition. These behaviours could endanger yourself and others, and may lead to legal consequences.
• Increased Risks with Alcohol: The combination of benzodiazepines and alcohol magnifies all the risks outlined above.
• Guideline Restrictions: The British National Formulary (BNF) contraindicates the use of Diazepam for treating phobic states and discourages its use for short-term, mild anxiety. Prescribing against these guidelines may expose your doctor to legal liability.
• NICE Guidance: According to NICE guidelines, medications should not be used for mild, self-limiting mental health disorders. In more significant anxiety-related conditions, benzodiazepines, sedating antihistamines, or antipsychotics are also not recommended.
• Legal Risks Abroad: In some countries, including parts of the Middle East, it is illegal to import benzodiazepines. They may be confiscated, and you could face legal repercussions.
• Workplace Drug Testing: Diazepam remains in your system for an extended period. If your employment involves drug testing, you could fail a test after taking it.
• Link to Dementia: Long-term benzodiazepine use has been associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.

Alternative Support

Given the above concerns, we will no longer prescribe Diazepam for flight anxiety. Instead, we recommend either self-referral to NHS Talking Therapies (https://notts-talk.co.uk/getting-support/), Hypnotherapy or the following aviation industry-approved flight anxiety courses, which are widely accessible:

• EasyJet Fearless Flyer: https://fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
  Tel: 0203 813 1644
• British Airways Flying with Confidence: https://flyingwithconfidence.com
  Tel: 01252 793250

Please note: Flight anxiety is not covered under General Medical Services as defined by the NHS GP contract. Therefore, we are not obligated to prescribe medication for this condition.

Medical Procedures

The New Folly Surgery has also decided not to prescribe diazepam or any sedative for medical procedures, including MRI scans and dental treatments.

Some patients have previously received prescriptions for sedatives like diazepam to manage anxiety or claustrophobia during these procedures. However, this practice is no longer considered safe, for the following reasons:

• Responsibility: GPs typically do not request MRI scans—these are usually ordered by hospital teams. If anxiety prevents you from attending your scan, please speak to the requesting department, not your GP practice.
• Inappropriate Sedation: GPs are not trained to administer procedural sedation. Administering too little sedation may be ineffective; too much may dangerously depress breathing or consciousness and lead to cancellation of the procedure. Safe sedation requires monitoring, which we cannot provide in general practice.
• Paradoxical Effects: Diazepam can occasionally cause agitation rather than sedation, increasing risk during procedures.
• Delays in Procedure Timing: Hospital procedures and scans are often delayed. The sedation should be provided by the clinical team conducting the scan to ensure effectiveness at the correct time.
• Radiology Safety Guidelines: The Royal College of Radiologists has strict protocols on sedating patients for CT and MRI scans. Prescribing a sedative without on-site monitoring is considered unsafe. If complications arise and the radiology team is unaware of a sedative you’ve taken, this could be extremely dangerous.
• Surgeon or Dentist Responsibility: If sedation is needed for dental treatment or operations (e.g., cataract surgery), it is the responsibility of the treating clinician to provide it. We do not prescribe sedatives for these purposes.

If you are concerned about undergoing a scan or procedure due to anxiety or claustrophobia, please contact the requesting department or radiology service directly.

You and Your General Practice (new 14 Oct 25)

On 1 October NHS Mid & South Essex ICB introduced some additional GP Contract changes that impact how we work at New Folly Surgery, mainly with  our "online presence". 

In May 2025 we introduced a fully integrated online Triage access service allowing any patient with access to a Smartphone, PC, Tablet or the NHS App to request appointments/services via the Accurx online request forms (available on the website home page and NHS App).  For those patients who dont have that access we have arrangements to support their requests so not to disadvantage any patient.

The link below gives addtitional information on how online access is now available in line with Surgery core hours 8am to 630pm Monday to Friday (previously it was available 8am to 5pm).  Our proviso to patients is that depending on actual demand on the day, requests received after 5pm each working day will be responded to within 24 hours to allow us to deal with the demand requests received up to 5pm.

Also a polite note that for all urgent or emergency care, patients are advised to use the NHS 111 Service and/or one of the two Local Urgent Care Centres at Harold Wood and Orsett Hospital.

The new updated information for patients is via this link

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/you-and-your-general-practice-english/

Digital self-care across Brentwood Primary Care Network area

Please see attached the latest reporting of app uptake within Brentwood Primary Care Network, the umbrella organisation that we and the other 7 Brentwood/Shenfield/Doddinghurst practices belong to.

Due to recent improvements made to the app there have been some reporting developments to reflect this data which had not been fully completed in time for the end of month metrics. This only affects the "Where patients hear about us" graph for the month of September and will be fixed in due course.

As you can see from the attach document, the number of registered patients in Brentwood is only 149.  In contrast, West Basildon PCN has 947 patients registered to use the getUBetter app, indicating there is much that could be done in Brentwood to increase patient engagement with this free service.

Brentwood PCN_GetUBetter data Sep 2025.pdf

Update - Tirzepatide Mounjaro weight management Sep 25

Following the 23 June 2025 announcment that the NHS would be making Mounjaro available to some patients as part of weight management, Mid and South Essex ICB have just issued a further update.

Mounjaro is only available through the specialist Tier 3 weight management service and is prioritised for patients with the highest clinical need. 

If you're currently paying for Mounjaro privately and would like to access it through the NHS, please be aware that you must meet the local NHS eligibility criteria at the time you are referred to the Tier 3 weight management service.

Please note that acceptance onto the Tier 3 weight management service does not guarantee access to the medication, as it may not be clinically suitable for everyone on the programme. In addition, access to the drug on the NHS must also be accompanied by wraparound dietary and physical activity support.

If you are currently paying for Mounjaro privately for weight loss and now wish to stop or taper off the drug, please speak with your private provider.

Visit the NHS Mid and South Essex website for further information about access to Mounjaro, as well as details of wider weight management support services.

Here for you - a free and confidential NHS service

We would like to signpost Vita-Health and their services and talking therapies.

https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-services/nhs-mental-health/basildon-and-brentwood/

If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, excessive worry or low mood, then we at Vita Health can help.

Vita health Group works in partnership with the NHS Talking Therapies to offer a range of short-term psychological therapies, previously known as IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) to adults 16-years and over.

NHS Talking Therapies is a FREE service and you don’t need to visit a GP to get help –  please access the link above to view the options for referring to the service..

Free drop-in service:

Vita Health are offering a FREE drop in service in Billericay – where you can learn more about NHS Talking therapies support and the Employment support we offer at Vita Health Group.

Location: Human Kind Café, 111 High Street, Billericay, CM12 9AJ     Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm

Dates:

• Thursday, 27th November 2025

• Thursday, 18th December 2025

Grab a coffee and have a chat. No booking required.

Travel Vaccinations Clinic & conditions to follow

See the "Services" tab at top of main page, click on "Clinics, Private Fees & Travel Vaccinations"  the form to complete is attached here and we need 6 weeks notice for all travel vaccinations.

TRAVEL RISK ASSESSMENT FORM 2025.pdf

Cardiovascular Risk Score (QRISK2) & Use of Statins

As part of your regular health screening you may have recently had a cholesterol test.  As you may know, the amount of cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk of developing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). 

CVD is a significant health concern worldwide, often leading to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions. To combat this, healthcare professionals use various tools and medications. Two key components in this fight are the QRISK2 assessment tool and the use of statins.

For more information on this and QRISK2 and better health awareness please refer to the leaflet attached below which gives more context and details.

Cardio vascular Risk Score Leaflet New Folly Surgery Jul 25.pdf

Lung Cancer Screening for our patients

The Lung Cancer Screening team at NHS North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) are now sending invites to our registered patients as part of their screening and cancer prevention programme.  A booklet for reading and information is attached here.

Lung Cancer Screening Information for patients July 2025.pdf

On the letter when received there is a link explaining the screening - for patients without access to the internet, you can contact them via the contact details in the letter and booklet.  We will be updating the Patient Reference Group on this subject at the next meeting on 23 July.

For more information, patients are welcome to contact the screening team on 0300 300 1557 or via: https://www.eoelunghealthcheck.nhs.uk

FOR INFO: THE RECALL LIST WAS GENERATED BY THE NHS (NOT THE SURGERY) - IF YOU RECEIVE A LETTER AND HAVE NEVER BEEN A SMOKER PLEASE CONTACT RECEPTION SO WE CAN REPORT INACCURATE DATA BEING USED FOR THIS PROGRAMME - THANK YOU

News for Patients who self medicate at home

From 19 May 2025 Brentwood Council (via their contractor) are now responsible for collecting used sharps and bins from residents homes as the service has been removed by NHS England.

Patients must now complete the 2 forms attached, 1 from them to complete and 1 signed by the GP - they are then forwarded to Brentwood Council as per instructions on the forms who check them and then forward to the collection company.  The collection company then contacts the patient to arrange the mutual date time for collection etc.  Unfortunately as this is a non-NHS core activity, it is therefore a chargeable service.

The forms are attached here for downloading and patient use.

Clinical Waste Request Form for patients to complete.pdf

Clinical waste collection form for GP Signature.pdf

Using your NHS App

NHS App General A5 Leaflet.pdf

WHERE POSSIBLE USE THE NHS APP FOR ALL SERVICES - IT CAN REALLY HELP YOU

Have you got the "NHS app" loaded on your Smartphone or tablet?  if not please download it from your "app store" to your smartphone (if you have one). Also the flyer attached her to open or download gives full details on the benefits of using it and what it can access.

It now allows you to access the ACCURX digital request form to book appointments and request a rasnge of other services from anywhere you may be.

It also gives access to other patient specific data that removes the need to call or visit the Surgery, really making time for you and saving that call or visit.

Blood Pressure at home Calculator

https://rutherfordmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/patient-information-resources/blood-pressure-calculator/

A blood pressure (BP) test is a simple way of checking if your blood pressure is too high or too low.   BP is the term used to describe the strength with which your blood pushes on the sides of your arteries as it's pumped around your body.  See chart image for reference.

High blood pressure (hypertension) can put a strain on your arteries and organs, which can increase your risk of developing serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) isn't usually as serious, although it can cause dizziness and fainting in some people.

A BP test is the only way to find out if your blood pressure is too high or too low, because most people won't have any obvious symptoms. Having a test is easy and could save your life.

We have a great calculator (see the weblink above and below, used by a number of Primary Care GP Practices) for our patients who are able to take their own BPs at home and calculate their 'average BP'; patients can then send/hand to the surgery at the reception desk. This wont suit all patients but it will assist those who can take and calculate at home and provide to the Surgery. 

If you have any queries please speak to a member of the reception team or your GP/Nurse when next visiting the Surgery

https://rutherfordmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/patient-information-resources/blood-pressure-calculator/

Essex Carers Noticeboard - updated 20 November 2025

Essex Wellbeing Service (EWS) part of Essex County Council produce and update lists of carers resources and other associated groups which is updated here each month; these have a host of useful informative information and services designed for carers and their families/friends - this will also be displayed within the Surgery.

EWS Carers Noticeboard_SE_Nov2025.pdf

Think Carers Guide - Accessible.pdf

ECC Support for Unpaid Carers Map Apr2025.pdf

Carers Voices

Additionally we would like to promote "Carers Voices" (see flyer below) part of the work being undertaken by Healthwatch Essex.  There is a QR code on the flyer to use to obtain further information. 

Carers Voices March 2025.pdf

Hospital Discharge Guide for Unpaid Carers (new Nov 25)

ECC Supporting someone leaving hospital Nov 25.pdf

This Carers Rights Day, EWS is joining our partners across Essex to highlight the support available for unpaid carers and the resources that can help during key moments—like hospital discharge.

Carers often face challenges such as understanding discharge procedures, coordinating care at home and accessing support services.  Essex County Council’s new Hospital Discharge Support Guide is a practical resource designed to help unpaid carers support someone leaving hospital.

This guide was developed in response to feedback from carers and professionals highlighting the need for simple, reliable information during hospital discharge.

It aims to help carers feel informed, involved, and supported throughout the process. It provides:

• Clear, accessible information
• Helpful checklists to make the transition from hospital to home safer and less stressful,
• Signposts carers to local and national support services, ensuring they know where to turn for help.

It also reinforces carers’ legal right to be involved in discharge planning.

GP Consulting & Transcribing Software at New Folly Surgery

The practice is using a tool called "Heidi AI Scribe" to help us to write up our clinical notes. This processes our consultations (either while we are talking or using the recording that our telephone system makes) and quickly generates a detailed and accurate write up which we check and then use to form the basis of our consultation notes. The computer assistance makes this both faster and more thorough than we can manage by hand, and also allows us to concentrate better on the conversation we are having without having to keep notes simultaneously which we find is a huge benefit.

To allay concerns about data security, the system is accredited for use in the NHS, is compliant with GDPR and ISO 27001:2022, no recordings are made or stored by Heidi, and there is no link with our clinical notes so there is no risk of data loss of information that is in your medical record. You can find more detail here:

https://intercom.help/heidi-health/en/collections/8034858-compliance-data-privacy

If you nevertheless wish us not to make use of this technology in your consultation you just have to let us know and we will, of course, respect your request.

Accessing new Radiology Reports via the NHS App

From Monday 16 December, patients will be able to access newly created radiology reports from scans carried out at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) hospitals and community settings.

These reports are available through the online patient portal, Patients Know Best (PKB), and via the NHS App. This expands on the existing functionality that already allows patients to view some test information provided by their GP practice.

• Exclusions apply: Certain radiology reports will not be shared online at this stage. These include reports for tests conducted during pregnancy, relating to the heart and post-mortem examination reports.

• Delayed release of reports: Radiology reports will be available online for patients to view 35 days after the test is carried out. This delay is in line with NHS England’s guidance on automating results release and allows the requesting clinicians time to review the results, discuss them with patients as needed, and ensure appropriate follow-up care.

• Text reports only: Radiology images will not be available online. Patients will only have access to the textual report, which is the same as the one shared with the clinician who requested the test. Each report includes a message stating that it is written for clinicians, ensuring clarity about its intended audience and purpose.

• No historical uploads: Only newly created radiology reports will be shared online. Historical radiology reports will not be uploaded to the NHS App or Patients Know Best portal.

X-Ray Bookings online via Swiftqueue

Please see the attached flyer from the ICB giving information on how patients will be able to book X-rays online via the Swiftqueue system from 25 Jan 25.

X-ray bookings via Swiftqueue

Respect to our staff and other patients

We ask all patients to please be respectful to our staff and other patients at all times - our care navigators/receptionists are not trained or able to give clinical advice to patients whatever the subject matter - please note they have to message the duty Doctor during their clinics and will have to get back to you later in the day with any advice you may ask or request.  

We operate and enforce a strict Zero Tolerance Policy for any aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour to any of our staff.  If appropriate this may lead to a formal warning and/or removal from the Surgery list under direction and guidance from NHS Mid & South Essex ICB.

We all make every effort to help all patients and deliver the best level of care we can.