CHRISTMAS TIMETABLE
The Practice will be open as usual throughout the holiday period, although we will close at 3pm on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
When the surgery is closed, one of our own GPs – Dr Krishan Joseph – will be available. His direct contact number is 07960 460204.
INFLUENZA
We have seen an upsurge in cases of influenza (H3N2) over the past two weeks along with other seasonal upper respiratory viruses.
The current flu virus is distinguished by rapid onset of symptoms – fever, muscle ache, headache and a dry hacking-quality cough.
As this is a viral infection, antibiotics are not helpful and the mainstay of treatment is rest, maintaining a fluid intake of at least 2 litres daily, and the use of paracetamol and/or ibuprofen.
Over-the-counter cough medicines may help a little with the cough, although interestingly in the only head-to-head study of cough medicines, honey and lemon came out on top! Honey in particular has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Symptoms usually peak by the 3rd/4th day and then start to resolve.
Worsening symptoms, however, at that point of the illness (in particular a persistent fever, worsening cough, shortness of breath or chest pain) may represent a more serious infection – if you were concerned that this may be the case, do please contact us to discuss.
It is not too late to get vaccinated against flu and we still have a small supply of flu vaccines available (which can be administered to anyone over the age of six months)
DR LAURA WOOD MOVING ON
After 14 years of being part of the Courtfield family, Dr Wood is leaving us to set up her own practice on 1st January.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her enormous contribution to Courtfield over that time and wish her well in her new venture.
Laura has already written to her patients to let them know of her new arrangements which are also available on her website.
Laura‘s departure will allow Dr Tim Ladbrooke to return to being available Monday – Friday and Dr Clare Thompson will now also be available all day on a Friday.
Dr Ebba Khalil will move her Friday surgeries to Wednesday from 1st January.
Dr. Tim Ladbrooke will also be offering late evening appointments on a Monday and an early morning start on a Friday to add to the Tuesday late evening surgery with Dr Joseph.
Dr. Tim Ladbrooke would incidentally like to take the opportunity to use this newsletter to quash any rumours that he is retiring!
To misquote Mark Twain “reports of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated”.
FEES 2026
We are pleased to be able to hold our headline consultation and new membership scheme rates at the same levels as this past year. However, laboratory test and vaccine fees will rise in line with the increased costs incurred to us from our suppliers.
GOOGLE REVIEWS and SOCIAL MEDIA
We would be incredibly grateful if you happen to have a spare moment in this busy time of year to leave us a google review.
We also post regular updates on social media and our latest video is on ‘Signs of an Unwell Child’ – hopefully a useful one during this winter season.
Finally, we would like to wish all our patients a healthy and fun packed holiday and all best wishes for a prosperous 2026!
Best wishes from the team at Courtfield Private Practice
