🎄❄️ Caritas GP Winter Newsletter

🌟 A Winter Message from Caritas Group Practice

Dear Patients,

As the year draws to a close and winter settles in, we wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and say thank you.

At Caritas Group Practice, caring for you is about more than appointments and prescriptions — it’s about relationships, trust, and community. This season reminds us of the importance of kindness, connection, and looking out for one another, especially during the colder and darker months.

💚 Looking Back: A Year of Care & Community

This year has brought its challenges, but also many moments of progress and togetherness.

Thanks to your support and feedback, we have continued to:

• Provide care across our three surgeries — Woodside, Mixenden Stones, and Shelf Health Centre

• Work closely within the North Halifax Primary Care Network to expand services such as physiotherapy, social prescribing, and mental health support

• Strengthen communication with patients through newsletters, digital updates, and community engagement

• Grow our Patient Participation Group (PPG) — ensuring patient voices help shape how we deliver care

“Healthcare works best when patients and practices work together.”

Your patience, understanding, and engagement have made a real difference, and we are deeply grateful.

❄️ Winter Health Advice: Looking After Yourself & Others

Winter can be a challenging time for health and wellbeing. A few gentle reminders to help you stay well:

🧣 Keep Warm

• Heat your home safely and adequately

• Layer clothing and keep active indoors

• Check in on elderly neighbours, friends, and family

💉 Flu & Winter Vaccinations

• If you are eligible, please make sure you have had your flu vaccine

• Vaccination helps protect you and those around you during peak winter months

🫖 Mind & Mood

• Short daylight hours can affect mood — try to get outside when you can

• Stay connected with others, even a phone call can lift spirits

• If you’re feeling low or overwhelmed, please reach out — support is available

📞 Know When to Seek Help

• Don’t delay seeking advice if you’re unwell

• Use NHS 111 for urgent advice when the surgery is closed

For emergencies, always dial 999

🌱 Your Voice Matters: The Patient Participation Group (PPG)

Our Patient Participation Group continues to play an important role in shaping Caritas.

The PPG helps us:

• Understand patient experiences and priorities

• Improve communication and access

• Design services that reflect real community needs

“This is your surgery — your voice helps guide its future.”

You don’t need medical knowledge — just lived experience and a willingness to share ideas.
You can contribute as much or as little as suits you.

👉 Join via the PPG sign-up form on our website or speak to reception.

🎄 Festive Season Message

For many, the festive season is a time of joy and celebration. For others, it can be a time of loneliness, reflection, or difficulty. Wherever you find yourself this winter, please know:

You are not alone, and your health and wellbeing matter.

Our team remains here to support you throughout the season.

✨ Looking Ahead to the New Year

As we step into a new year, our commitment remains the same:

• Compassionate, patient-centred care

• Listening, learning, and improving together

• Supporting not just illness, but overall wellbeing

We look forward to continuing this journey with you in the year ahead.

🎉 With Warmest Wishes

From all of us at Caritas Group Practice, we wish you and your loved ones a peaceful winter season, a healthy start to the New Year, and moments of warmth, rest, and connection.

📞 Stay Connected

Caritas Group Practice
Woodside Surgery | Mixenden Stones Surgery | Shelf Health Centre
📞 01422 557711
🌐 www.caritasgp.co.uk