Changes to the Cervical Screening Programme
From July, younger women (aged 25 to 49) who test negative for HPV, meaning they are at very low risk of cervical cancer over the next 10 years, will safely be invited at 5-year intervals rather than 3, in line with major clinical evidence.
Trans men and non-binary patients with a cervix not registered as female can now opt in to receive automatic routine invitations communications for cervical screening. Please contact the Practice if you wish to opt-in.
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) Injections for Weight Loss
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) injections
You may have seen information in the media recently about the release of NICE guidance (TA1026) Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) injections for managing Obesity and Overweight in Adults, as well as its use to treat Type 2 Diabetes
Mounjaro for Obesity:
From 23rd June 2025 GPs will be able to prescribe Mounjaro on the NHS to certain cohorts of patients that meet strict eligiblity criteria.
Please do not contact your GP - eligible patients will be contacted directly by the Practice.
Cohorts for Mounjaro prescribing in General Practice
NHS England have defined the first 3 cohorts of patients who will be able to access Mounjaro via their GP on the NHS.
The cohorts have been decided nationally by NHS England, this is to prioritise treatment by clinical need.
The initial first 3 years will see approximately 220,000 individually nationally become eligible for treatment on the NHS.
At a practice level, we estimate that the number of our patients eligible for Mounjaro for weight management will be less than 50.
It is expected that after the first 3 years, the cohorts for eligiblity will expand again; however this is to be confirmed.
The interim commissioning policy from NHS England can be viewed here: Interim commissioning guidance NICE TA1026 - Mounjaro for the management of obesity
Cohort 1: 23 June 2025
A BMI of 40 or higher, or 37.5 or higher if from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.
At least 4 of the following comorbidities:
- Hypertension and on treatment for blood pressure
- Dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol) or on cholesterol treatment "statins"
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cohort 2: June 2026 (exact date to be confirmed)
A BMI of 35 or higher, or 32.5 or higher if from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.
At least 4 of the following comorbidities:
- Hypertension and on treatment for blood pressure
- Dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol) or on cholesterol treatment "statins"
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Cohort 3: April 2027 (exact date to be confirmed)
A BMI of 40 or higher, or 37.5 or higher if from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.
At least 3 of the following comorbidities:
- Hypertension and on treatment for blood pressure
- Dyslipidaemia (high cholesterol) or on cholesterol treatment "statins"
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
I think I meet the criteria for Cohort 1, what do I do?
Wait for the Practice to contact you.
We will then book an appointment with our a clinician to discuss further if you are wanting to go ahead with treatment.
Please note that you will also be weighed by the practice at this appointment.
You will also be required to engage in a weight management support programme which will be commissioned nationally by NHS England to support patients being prescribed Mounjaro. This is a condition of prescribing set by NHS England.
There are a number of local weight management services currently available for people living with obesity or overweight, and we are happy to discuss these and support you with your weight management goals.
Mounjaro for Type 2 Diabetes:
Mounjaro is licensed to treat some patients with type 2 diabetes under NICE TA924.
It is not suitable for everyone with Type 2 diabetes, and there are oral medications that we would prescribe first, before even considering if Mounjaro is a suitable option.
More information on the use of Mounjaro for Type 2 Diabetes can be found on the Diabetes UK site and area specific information at https://www.wypartnership.co.uk/our-priorities/medicines-and-prescribing/medicines-information
Risk of Rabies
If you have been abroad recently, have had contact with animals and are concerned that you may have contracted rabies please be aware that if you were simply touching, stroking or feeding the animal you are at low risk. If have been bitten or scratched by an animal ABROAD you can contact the surgery on 01484 503515 and we will arrange for one of ours Nurses to call you back. They will complete a full assessment and will require the following information; date of incident, type of animal, country visited, area bitten/scratched, rabies vaccination history, any allergies you have and any immune suppressing medication you may take.
Did you know?
In May 2024, if you called Skelmanthorpe Family Doctors, you would have waited on average 2 minutes and 57 seconds for a member of the reception team to answer (there were a total of 3528 calls that month).
In May 2025 the average wait time was 1 minute 2 seconds (total calls 3543).
We hope that you are noticing the difference our new phone system is making, and the fact that we have employed more staff so we can offer you the best service.
Phone Line Update
From the 6th May 2025 our phone lines will close for one hour over lunchtime from 12.30 - 1.30pm. We thank you for your understanding.
Parking Update
We’ve been listening to your feedback and we have now added a dedicated disabled parking spot at the entrance of our main branch at Skelmanthorpe Surgery. This enhancement is part of our ongoing commitment to making our facilities more accessible and convenient for all our patients. Thank you for sharing your comments and suggestions with us!
Locala launches new 0-19 app
Locala have launched a new 0-19 app designed to support parents, carers and families across Kirklees from pregnancy through to the teenage years. Topics covered include antenatal care, child development, behaviour support, dental health, immunisations and more. Download the app for free on the Apple store or Google Play.
Change, Grow, Live
Change Grow Lives mission is to help people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. You can access support to help with health and wellbeing, housing, domestic abuse as well as alcohol and drugs advice. For more information, whether it be for yourself or a family member or friend please click on the link
Changes to the medical examiner system and death certification process
A new statutory medical examiner system came into effect in England and Wales on 9 April 2024 to provide independent scrutiny of all deaths that aren’t referred to the coroner.
Medical examiners review medical records and work with doctors to complete a medical certificate of the cause of death (MCCD), commonly known as the death certificate. They talk to the family about their experience of care and discuss and agree the proposed MCCD with them. The MCCD must be completed before the death can be registered and the body released to the family.
This extra step is designed to strengthen safeguards by reviewing how people have died and making sure only the appropriate cases are referred to coroners. Importantly, it will give bereaved families the chance to ask questions or raise concerns, and so will help identify any issues and improve care for patients and bereaved people. It is also an opportunity to give positive feedback about the care a patient has received. This can be passed back to the teams and also helps identify good practice that can be shared with colleagues.
Medical examiners already carry out this function in many cases, as they have been preparing for the change in the law since it was first announced in 2022. They have been working with colleagues in GP practices, coroner and registrars’ offices and bereavement services to make sure that the new arrangement works smoothly and does not cause delays. All involved in the process understand what a difficult time it is for families when a loved one dies and how important it is to be able to make funeral or other arrangements as quickly as possible.
There is more information and answers to frequently asked questions on the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership website.
Pride in Practice
We are proud to announce that we have been awarded a GOLD Pride in Practice award for excellence in LGBTQ+ healthcare
We are proud to be a safe surgery for everyone in our community, and pledge to ensure that everyone in our community receives the quality healthcare they are entitled to. In partnership with Doctors of the World UK, we will ensure that our practice offers a welcome space for everyone who seeks to use our services. We will ensure that a lack of identification, proof of address, or immigration status do not prevent patient registration.
Contacting the Surgery
Routine telephone/face-to-face appointments with GPs and Advanced Nurse Practitioners can be booked online. Requests for medical advice, treatment, sick notes, GP letters and results should be made, where possible by using an online Patchs form. We will respond to you by the end of the next working day.
Denby Dale Surgery
NEW OPENING HOURS!
Monday - 08.00-12.00 13.30-18.00
Tuesday - 08.00-12.00 13.30-18.00
Wednesday - 08.00-12.00 13.30-18.00
Thursday - 08.00-12.00 14.00-18.00
Friday - 08.00-12.00
Prescriptions
We are asking that all our patients make prescription requests online. If you do not have a computer/smart phone you can give proxy access to a friend or relative who can order on your behalf. Prescriptions will be sent electronically to the Pharmacy of your choice.
We DO NOT accept prescription requests over the phone.
Only order your regular medication and do not stockpile. This will create unnecessary shortages.
Prescription requests should be submitted online or using the paper prescription no sooner than 5 working days before the due date.
Ensure you are up-to-date with your reviews to prevent any delays with the issue of your medication.
Patient Privacy Notices
This Practice aims to provide you with the highest quality of Healthcare. To do this we must keep records about you, your health and the care we have provided or plan to provide. Click on the links below to view the Patient Privacy Notice and the Young Patient Privacy Notice.
Privacy Notice for National COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Programmes
NHS England has established a centralised service for the management of both the COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccination programmes. This service is supported by a central system, The Immunisation Management System.
When you attend for your Covid-19 vaccination a record will be made that you have been vaccinated and when. Normally, vaccinations are undertaken in GP settings. However, the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine is being undertaken in a variety of care settings.
NHS England is responsible for processing your personal data for the purposes of the national vaccination programme. To find out more you can access the NHS England privacy notice at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/privacy-notice/
Patient Privacy Notice Young Patient Privacy Notice
CQC Report - Surgery Rated as Good in every area
Following the recent CQC Inspection the Surgery has been rated as Good in every area. A copy of the report is available for you to read here
CQC Inspection Report - September 2016