Depression / Anxiety Care

Suffering with anxiety / depression? Self refer for Talking Therapies.

Register with SilverCloud or self refer for counselling now

Monitor your mood and make it available for your clinician to see

MyGM Care allows you to record your mood over time and also you can then share this with your healthcare professional at the hospital, mental health and GP practice via the Greater Manchester Care Record

An inspiring, provocative and accessible guide to mindfulness from comedian and neuroscientist Ruby Wax

Five hundred years ago no one died of stress: we invented this concept and now we let it rule us. Ruby Wax shows us how to de-frazzle for good by making simple changes that give us time to breathe, reflect and live in the moment.

Let Ruby be your guide to a healthier, happier you. You’ve nothing to lose but your stress…

Addressing issues such as change, uncertainty and loneliness, Ruby uses her mindfulness expertise to show the reader how to be better prepared. Contains practical advice, with easy to follow, step-by-step exercises to better deal with whatever life throws at you.

Learn more about Mindfullness from NHS Choices here.

Mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it. 

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. 

Mental health problems affect around one in four people in any given year. They range from common problems, such as depression and anxiety, to rarer problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. 50% of all lifetime mental illness will be established by age 14, and 75% by the time a person reaches their mid-twenties.

Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. But if you go through a period of poor mental health you might find the ways you’re frequently thinking, feeling or reacting become difficult, or even impossible, to cope with. This can feel just as bad as a physical illness, or even worse.

It’s important to understand when you might need to get some help or support with how you are feeling – or to know when perhaps you may be experiencing a more serious problem. Currently in Tameside there are a number of options to support people who are struggling with their mental health.

Andys Man Club
Andys Man Club

Evergreen Life PHR – Monitor your Wellness Scores and Access your GP electronic health record

The Evergreen Life PHR app for iOS and Android devices includes a “happiness score” and an overall “wellness score” which you can use to improve your health. Click here to learn more and how to use this to support your physical and mental health needs. 

Start recording your wellness score today and monitor it over time to see how it changes whilst making it fun too!

Wellness App & GP Services | Evergreen Life (evergreen-life.co.uk)

Minds Matter

MInds matterhttps://www.facebook.com/MindsMatterTG/MInds matterMInds matterMInds matterhttps://www.facebook.com/MindsMatterTG/https://www.facebook.com/MindsMatterTG/

(more…)

Self-help leaflets

Self help leaflet

SilverCloud

Talking Therapies

Aged 11-25: www.kooth.com

Aged more than 25:
www.Qwell.com

Online CBT: Mood Gym (small payment required)

Anthony Seddon Centre: Want to see somebody in person

Living Well Tameside

https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/service/living-life-well-neighbourhood-mental-health-team/

Living Life Well Neighbourhood Mental Health Team

neighbourhood

Calm

Headspace

Headspace

Stay Alive

<a href="https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/">Stay Alive</a>

Learn about Mental Health

Mental healthhttps://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health Mental healthhttps://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health

Mentell – Men, is it time to talk?

How do I know if I have postnatal depression?

How do I know if I have postnatal depressionHow do I know if I have psotnatal depressionhttps://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health

Living Life to the Full

https://llttf.com/

YouTube mental health playlists from Dr Rami Nader

https://www.youtube.com/c/DrRamiNader/playlists

Mindfullness: Funny and Fun – Ruby Wax

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_DgOoKrkDA

CAMHS: Child and Adolescent mental health services

https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/camhs<a href="https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/camhs">CAMHS: Child and Adolescent mental health services</a>

Community Hive – 8 to 18 years old

https://www.togmind.org/youth-in-mind/community-hive<a href="https://www.togmind.org/youth-in-mind/community-hive">Community Hive</a> - 8 to 18 years old

Minds Matter

MInds matterhttps://www.facebook.com/MindsMatterTG/MInds matterMInds matterMInds matterhttps://www.facebook.com/MindsMatterTG/https://www.facebook.com/MindsMatterTG/

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Care (COPD)

Information and useful links on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Care (COPD).

1. What condition do you suffer with?

If you have access to your medical records then check it says Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In the past this used to be called Emphysema or Chronic Bronchitis.

2. What does COPD mean?

2. What does COPD mean?
Here are some links for COPD which you may find interesting;

Standards for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with COPD

3. What help is available for you to use?

  • Your doctor or nurse would be happy to advise you about your condition. Here is some really good advice on what to do before you come and see the doctor or nurse. 
  • In general the nurse deals with ongoing COPD including developing a personalised care pathway with you and showing you how to use your inhalers, ensuring you are up-to-date with your vaccinations and doing repeat spirometry for you.
  • Your GP usually deals with any exacerbations you may suffer with and follow-up if needed urgently if you have needed rescue medication or needed to go to the hospital or call the Out of Hours service, They can also ensure you get repeat antibiotics and steroids if you have needed to use them.
  • Make sure you remember to get your flu injection. You will also need a pneumococcal injection once every 10 years too.
  • It is important to know how to get an appointment with a doctor in the surgery if you need it. We do telephone triage over the phone to determine whether the problem can be solved over the phone rather than having to come to the surgery. If it is out of hours and you are not sure what to do then click here to see what options you have. 
  • Smoking cessation services are available in the practice and also by the smoking cessation service. Please speak to the receptionist who can inform you about the service available or you can go online here.
  • Watch this series of videos to ensure your inhaler technique is correct
  • Breathe Easy Tameside run by the British Lung Foundation provides essential self help support and advice and is headed by Ian Kenworthy, a local COPD champion.
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation is very beneficial for all COPD patients. See a video on what this means

4. What does COPD mean for you?

You need to know that you have stopped smoking or where to get help to stop smoking if you are still doing so. You should have your flu injection annually. It is important to know what inhalers you should be taking and how to take them. If you have been given antibiotics and steroids to keep at home then you should know what the first symptoms of a chest infection are so that you can start the treatment immediately and then order repeat prescriptions to replace what you have used. If you are also on oxygen then you should know how to get help if you have problems with your oxygen. You should ensure you have spirometry done at least annually including a note of your MRC Dyspnoea Scale and have a personalised care plan that has been reviewed with your nurse or doctor. You should have been on pulmonary rehabilitation to help you to safely exercise. Patients with COPD can often suffer with anxiety, depression, panic disorder and loneliness. 

5. What needs to happen now and in the future?

You should have your flu injection once a year. You should have an annual review of your COPD once a year with your nurse which should include a review of your personal care plan, review of inhalers and inhaler technique, smoking advice, pulmonary rehabilitation and information about self-help groups such as Breathe-Easy that may also be able to help you too. You should also discuss how you feel about your condition and whether you feel anxious, depressed or lonely. 

6. What can you do to help?

As this is a new way of working, it is worth discussing this with the nurse to see how this can be done the first time you decide to take control.

Asthma Care

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.

It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

There’s currently no cure, but there are simple treatments that can help keep the symptoms under control so it does not have a big impact on your life.

Please note that asthma in CHILDREN is different to asthma in children aged 12 and above and ADULTS. The treatment and management plans are different. Click here for advice for children and young people with asthma. Asthma is a serious condition and can lead to death if not managed appropriately. 

What is asthma
Listen to Punam and Dr Hannan talk about the new Asthma Guidelines for adults launched in 2024

See transcript of above advice

Hello everyone, I am Amir Hannan, a GP at Haughton Thornley Medical Centres

And I am Punam, our Senior Clinical Pharmacist. 

We’re here to discuss some significant updates regarding asthma management that are essential for you to understand. These changes are being implemented by experts in the field, and they are designed to improve the way asthma is diagnosed and managed, as well as to guide you on what to do in the event of an asthma attack. Our goal is straightforward: to enhance your care, prioritise your safety, and ultimately save lives.

Asthma is more prevalent than you might think. In the UK alone, 7.2 million people are living with this respiratory condition, which equates to about 8% of the population. At our practice, we manage asthma for more than 2000 patients out of a total of nearly 13000. In addition Tameside has the highest level of asthma admissions across Greater Manchester and patients stay in hospital longer than elsewhere. Those living with asthma often experience symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, persistent coughing, or a feeling of tightness in the chest. These symptoms can vary in severity and sometimes escalate rapidly, leading to an asthma attack. You might find that different factors trigger your symptoms—these can include exercise, allergens, and even changes in the weather. Each individual with asthma has unique triggers, which means it’s vital to understand and manage your condition accordingly.

Currently, while there is no cure for asthma, most individuals can successfully control their symptoms using asthma inhalers and various medications. It’s worth noting that some people may go several weeks or even months without experiencing any symptoms. However, the statistics surrounding asthma are concerning, with four individuals dying each day in the UK due to asthma attacks, the majority of which are preventable. The most effective way to reduce your risk is by adhering to your prescribed asthma medications, even when you’re feeling well, and having an asthma action plan in place can significantly improve your management.

Now, let’s talk about the changes we’ve made. We now have the ability to diagnose asthma more effectively using a straightforward blood test that can help confirm your diagnosis. If you’ve already had this test recently, you might not need to repeat it. Alternatively, our nurses can conduct a quick FENO test that only takes about five minutes. If required, we will ask you to monitor your peak flow readings twice daily to track variations, or we might request a more formal spirometry test. In rare cases where we are unsure about the diagnosis, a referral to a hospital for further specialist testing may be necessary.

One of the most significant adjustments in asthma management is related to treatment protocols. We are moving away from the traditional use of salbutamol inhalers for managing asthma attacks. For patients with well-managed asthma, we now recommend alternatives such as DuroResp, Symbicort, or WockAir. You can take one puff of these inhalers up to six times in a single instance if you’re experiencing symptoms, and you may use them as a reliever medication up to eight times a day as needed.

If you find yourself needing to use your inhaler more frequently, we recommend that you take one puff of DuroResp, Symbicort, or WockAir twice daily while also keeping the option available to use up to six doses for immediate relief. In situations where you continue to experience symptoms, your doctor may advise increasing your intake to two puffs twice daily while still allowing for the usual reliever doses. Depending on your circumstances, you may also be prescribed additional medications such as Montelukast or Spiriva Respimat.

As the phased transition away from salbutamol takes place, we are focused on ensuring that patients are adequately supported during this change. It’s not just up to the doctors; our pharmacists and nurses are here to help you, particularly if your asthma is not well controlled. We will help guide you through adding new medications and adjusting your treatment plan to better suit your needs.

Furthermore, we encourage the use of dry powder devices for inhalation therapy. These devices are more environmentally friendly and help to decrease our carbon footprint. While some patients may initially find these devices less familiar, with practice, you will adapt, and many will find them easier to use. Remember all inhalers taste and feel different and it may take time to get used to them.

If you’d like to learn more about managing your asthma effectively, there are plenty of resources available on our dedicated asthma care page. We are committed to ensuring you have access to the information and support you need as you navigate these changes.

Remember, these modifications to how we approach asthma care are aimed at you—at enhancing your quality of life and safeguarding your health. We are here to assist you every step of the way. Thank you for taking the time to listen, and we look forward to helping you manage your asthma more effectively.

“Our goal is straightforward: to enhance your care, prioritise your safety, and ultimately save lives. We are no longer prescribing the blue inhaler (salbutamol / ventolin) as reliever therapy for asthma in adults as there is a better alternative for you”

Dr Amir Hannan, GP

We NO LONGER recommend the BLUE inhaler (salbutamol) for adults aged 12 and over. Please speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist who advise you about the new AIR or MART treatments as described below following the new NICE guidance

AIR (anti-inflammatory reliever)

If you only get asthma symptoms occasionally, your doctor or nurse may prescribe you an anti-inflammatory reliever inhaler, known as AIR to use only when you need to.  

Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART)

Find out more about anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) and Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART), when your doctor or nurse might prescribe MART, and how it can help your asthma symptoms. 

Greater Manchester Asthma Guideline for all adults 18 and over

What is asthma

What is asthma?
How serious is asthma
What causes asthma ?

Other aspects of asthma

Understanding asthma

Asthma triggers

Asthma and your child

Diagnosing asthma

Manage your asthma

Asthma inhalers, medicines and treatments

Asthma attacks

Severe asthma

Living with asthma

Asthma care in the NHS

Air pollution and Asthma

What to do if you are an adult aged 12 or over and have an asthma attack and are on the NEW AIR or MART Asthma Management plan

Click here to learn what to do if you have an asthma attack (for adults aged 12 and above)

What to do if your child has asthma attack

Asthma attack advice for a MART inhaler

  1. Sit up – try to keep calm.
  2. Take one puff of your MART inhaler every 1 to 3 minutes up to six puffs.
  3. If you feel worse at any point OR you do not feel better after six puffs, call 999 for an ambulance.
  4. If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes and your symptoms are not improving, repeat step 2.
  5. If your symptoms are no better after repeating step 2, and the ambulance has still not arrived, contact 999 again immediately.

If you do not have your MART inhaler, call 999 straight away.

Asthma attack advice for an AIR inhaler

  1. Sit up – try to keep calm.
  2. Take one puff of your AIR inhaler every 1 to 3 minutes up to six puffs.
  3. If you feel worse at any point OR you do not feel better after six puffs, call 999 for an ambulance.
  4. If the ambulance has not arrived after 10 minutes and your symptoms are not improving, repeat step 2.
  5. If your symptoms are no better after repeating step 2, and the ambulance has still not arrived, contact 999 again immediately.

If you do not have your AIR inhaler, call 999 straight away.

I do not have a reliever inhaler

If you do not have your reliever inhaler, and you’re struggling to breathe, call 999 straight away.

Do not wait to see if you get better on your own. An asthma attack makes it hard to breathe, which is a medical emergency. You must get the reliever treatment you need quickly.

  1. Sit up and try to stay calm.
  2. Call 999 for an ambulance.
  3. Tell the call handler that you do not have a reliever inhaler with you.
What to do in an asthma attack if you have a BLUE inhaler (please note we are phasing this out and changing to the new AIR or MART regime)

NHS Choices in adults 

The Greater Manchester Medicine Management Asthma plan provides a step by step advice for children aged over 12 and adults

Patient.co.uk 

Asthma UK: How good inhaler technique can help you to manage your asthma well

Air Pollution

Find out how air pollution affects your lung condition, the risk from different types of pollutants, when and where air quality is likely to be worse, and what you can do to limit the effects

My Experience + Awareness: Asthma
What to do in an asthma attack could save lives
Download your personalised Child Asthma Care Plan
Download your personalised Adult Asthma Care Plan

Learn more for adults

NHS Choices: Asthma in Adults

Patient.co.uk: Asthma in Adults

Learn more for children

Patient.co.uk: Asthma in children

Asthma in Children – talk by Dr Levy, consultant paediatrician with an interest in asthma

Pre-consultation Care

Pre-consultation Care

Helping patients prepare PRIOR TO A CONSULTATION to get the best out of the time you are with a doctor and the NHS overall.

This web-site is about helping you to understand how you can get the best out of the practice and other resources. 

You may ask why? 

The most recent patient survey has shown that patients want to be able to see the clinician sooner (i.e. less than 2 weeks) and on time (i.e. not have to wait an hour for a scheduled appointment) and feel that all their concerns have been met. It has been independently confirmed that the practice already offers more appointments than the average to its patients. 

So how can we meet the demand? 

Being prepared for the consultation greatly helps as does recognising the length of the appointment slot and helping the clinician to stay within the time limit.  

You may ask how? 

There are some simple steps that are essential for you to understand that will help you on your journey of discovery for your health and well-being:

This is a pre-requisite to getting the most from the consultation. Instead of asking us whether the blood results or letter from the hospital have come, you will then have the opportunity to check the results, understand what they mean and what you then think should happen next. Most of the time the results or letters are normal or as you expected in which case you may not even need to come to the surgery at all. Or you may find that something needs to happen and hence you need to book an appointment. When you do come to see the clinician, you will already have the answers to the rest of these questions

Understanding who it is with and how long you have will mean that you get the best out of the consultation. Medicine is becoming increasingly complex and can be very time-consuming. Often developments happen over a period of time with consultations with different people inside the practice (nurse, doctor or health care professional or even counsellor, midwife, health visitor) or outside the practice (hospital doctor, specialist community nurse, pharmacist, optician or physio). Each person can help you as long as you know their expertise and what they can offer. No one person can do everything for you but we are all here to help. Different people have different amounts of time and also much depends on where you are being seen. A consultation with your nurse whilst she is assisting the doctor during a minor surgical procedure may not be the best time for you or the nurse (or doctor) even though you are altogether in one room. This is how mistakes can happen. 

Ideally each consultation should only be for one problem or issue. One of the biggest reasons why the surgery runs late is because patients often have a list of things that they need to do, each of which could take 10 minutes. The clinician then tries to squeeze 2 or 3 problems into a 10 minute slot with the result that they are not covered adequately and the surgery runs over. But we also understand that there can be times when you may have more than 1 problem which the clinician may be able to resolve within the time limit. So why don’t you write a list of the main things you want out of the consultation e.g. medication review or getting indigestion (or both). At least the clinician knows what is on your mind. But remember not to become over ambitious and it is better to try to limit the consultation to 8 minutes. That is because some things may take longer than expected (eg if the doctor decides to refer you to the hospital, we will need to have a discussion about your choice of hospital and give you information about how to book your appointment using the internet which can take time or there may be other aspects of your health that you were not planning on discussing that may need to be looked into). We want the medical record to help support your experience with healthcare. If there are things that you think are missing or that you would like to know to understand your health better then please write these down. These will be very important for us and you as we try to co-construct the medical record together so that it is useful for you and us!

This may be what we have been up to in the practice – eg checked your blood pressure 3 times and had blood tests and urine test done as well as an ECG at the hospital. The results are all back because you have checked them on-line and you just need to know whether you have high blood pressure or not and whether you need to start medication. You may also add what other information you have read eg NHS Choices, recording blood pressures in HealthSpace or what you think the choices are that you wish to discuss with the clinician (eg do I need to go on tablets or can we have a go with some lifestyle changes first as per advice that you have read). This means we are both running from the starting blocks. 

It’s always a good opportunity for you to look at your repeat medications and check that everything is in order or whether there are problems with it. Perhaps there is a medication that is not on repeat. Since repeat prescriptions are done by the receptionists, you ought to ask them first to see if it can be changed. But if they ask you to mention it to the nurse or doctor then now is the time to raise it. Tell us which medications and perhaps why. Or it may be that some drugs are causing unpleasant side effects or even that you have decided to stop taking them. It’s in your interests to tell us this so we know what you are taking and not taking. We are here to help you. But remember if this is going to be a long discussion then make it the reason for coming and not an afterthought after the list of other things you may have. 

This may sound silly but the chances are that if you know what you want and we think you need that then we may be able to just deliver it without too much fuss and ensure your needs are fulfilled. Note our use of your wants and needs. We are here to fulfil your needs as much as possible and not necessarily your wants. Understanding this will help us all to become more effective at achieving our shared goals and hence build “a partnership of trust” between us. 

This may sound obvious again but if you bring this with you then you can book another appointment whilst you are still at the surgery. Of course if it is with another doctor then you could do it on-line in the comfort of your own home or when other family members eg carers are with you.

How can you help us do even better and help other patients too? 

This is very important. In your journey of discovery about your health, you may come across odd things that do not make sense about the way the practice runs and you may have a better suggestion. Or you may come across something new that we have not considered that helps you even more. Tell us about it next time you see a clinician or preferably write it down and hand it in or send it as a comment to the Patient Participation Group (PPG) so that they can bring it up with the practice the next time we meet up. Even better, why don’t you join the PPG and become an active member. We are always on the look out for new members and new ideas. 

Most importantly, by working together and understanding each other’s needs better, we can help you to get the best out of the practice and the wider NHS

Travel Advice and Vaccinations

Travelling away / abroad

  • Make sure you are able to view your GP electronic health record and know your passwords. (Ask the receptionist if you need help to do this). You can also ask for somebody else to do this on your behalf if you are not IT savvy. This means if you fall ill whilst abroad, you can show your records to those caring for you and they can instantly see your past medical history, results of tests and letters from any hospitals or other clinics you have visited
  • Please look back at your consultations with the doctor or nurse to see if you are doing everything you can to help improve your health as best as possible. If you are unsure about anything then please ask! Please book an appointment with your doctor or nurse before you travel abroad if you have a long term condition and want specific advice on what you can do to improve things so that you can enjoy your holiday and stay safe.
  • Please ensure you take adequate medication for your holiday including simple painkillers and treatments for common ailments. Speak to your pharmacist who may be able to advise you depending on where you plan to travel. 
  • Ensure you order any repeat prescriptions so you have enough for whilst you are abroad and do not run out. (Please note we can only prescribe up to 3 months of medications at the discretion of the doctor due to safety reasons). Please order medications a week before you plan to fly to ensure your request is dealt with in a timely fashion and make clear when you plan to travel and how long for. 
  • You can order repeat prescriptions online whilst you are abroad so that the prescriptions are ready to collect when you return to the UK. Please order 3 working days before returning to the UK.
  • We do not recommend you contacting the GP surgery for medical advice whilst you are abroad as we are not insured to provide safe advice when you are not in the UK. Please contact a local medical establishment for advice as they will know local diseases and how best to manage them with the local resources available, what antibiotics to prescribe, what painkillers etc. If you do get treatment whilst abroad then please bring any paperwork of the encounter and ideally have it translated into English if in a foreign language and hand it into the surgery so that we can add this to your electronic health record. 

Covid19 pandemic and travel

General Advice for Travel Abroad

Wanting to go on a great holiday of a lifetime to a far flung corner of the world? Do you need to check though whether it is safe for you fly by plane first if you or your loved one suffers with a serious health problem. 

Am I Fit To Fly? by the Civil Aviation Authority. Includes great FAQs for patients and specific advice for patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, haematological disorders, pregnancy, psychiatric conditions, respiratory disease and surgical conditions too. 

Sorted the tickets out, hotels and entertainment? But do you need to know what vaccines you need and whether you will need malaria prophylaxis or not? 

Here are a couple of websites that our nurses use to get the latest most up-to-date and reliable information for patients. Why don’t you save time and look here yourself too?

What vaccinations do you need before you travel (ideally should be 6 weeks before you fly out) ? 

Check here what vaccinations you need for the country you plan to travel to

Information taken from the National Travel Health Network and centre including info about Yellow Fever

Where can you get your travel vaccines from?

Boots at Crown Point in Denton has a travel clinic where you can get all your vaccinations. You can phone Boots on 0161234242

Asda is able to provide vaccinations for Hajj and Umrah

Our practice nurses can provide NHS Vaccinations only including Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Cholera. Please contact the surgery to complete a form. 

Information on how to stay safe and healthy whilst abroad

NHS Choices: Travel Health

Fit for Travel from NHS Scotland including latest up-to-date news

Want to delay Your Period for your Holiday ?

How can I delay my period? You can get pills to delay your period by going online to Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, Superdrug and others. Please note this is only available online – you cannot walk into a store to get these. Please make sure you go to a reputable online pharmacy that is regulated by the Care Quality Commission. We no longer prescribe pills for delaying periods as you can buy them safely online.

We do not prescribe Diazepam or other tranquilisers for people that have a fear for flying

In Britain an estimated nine million people suffer anxiety about flying. There is no single personality type, prone to fear of flying it may develop following a bad experience such as a rough flight, or after a news report of a high jack or a crash. Panic attacks are common, the sensation is often so frightening that the sufferer may refuse to fly in the future. Fear of flying is often underpinned by a fear of losing control but fear of turbulence, terrorism, feeling trapped, claustrophobia or fear of heights can all be contributing or causative factors.

Following an extensive review of the safety of prescribing diazepam (a type of benzodiazepine) or other tranquilisers for people who have a fear of flying we at Haughton Thornley Medical Centres have decided it is no longer safe to prescribe such tablets for this purpose (unless you are taking them for other reasons already). 

  1. The use of any sort of central nervous system (CNS) depressant during a flight will put the passenger at significant risk of not being able to act in a manor which could save their life in the event of a safety critical scenario (& there will be no-one else to do it for them – cabin crew are there to guide them & not do it for them);
  2. The use of any sort of CNS depressant has the potential to increase the risk of a DVT – these drugs can induce non-REM sleep which tends to be of a type where the person does not move in their sleep, and therefore increases the possibility of sitting without moving for more than 4 hrs (the amount of time which has been shown to increase the risk of developing DVT whether in an aeroplane or elsewhere);  
  3. A paradoxical increase in aggression may be reported by patients taking benzodiazepines & therefore has potential to put other occupants of the aircraft at risk; benzodiazepines are not to be prescribed in phobic states 
  4. For some countries it is illegal to import these drugs and so the passenger will need to use a different strategy for the homeward bound journey and / or any subsequent legs of the journey; 
  5. NICE guidelines suggest that medication should not be used for mild & self limiting mental health disorders; in more significant anxiety related states – benzodiazepines, sedating antihistamines or antipsychotics should not be prescribed

What can patients do who have a fear of flying that is safe?

Fear of flying is common despite flying being safer than road or rail travel in most developed countries.

A visit to the doctor prior to travel can provide reassurance about general fitness for air travel.

  • Try distraction by talking with other passengers, watching a film, listening to music or reading.
  • Tell the cabin crew. Reassurance about routine aircraft sounds and in flight activities can help.
  • There are courses available (including FREE courses) for those who have a fear of flying
  • BBC: How to beat the fear of flying
  • 8 steps to overcome your fear of flying
  • Anxiety UK: Fear of flying
  • See our advice for people with anxiety and depression for other sources of self help you can try 
  • Consider self-referral for counselling to help overcome your fears and anxiety (but note there is at least a 3 month waiting time for this and treatment can last 6 weeks from when it starts)
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy does work. Recent research has indicated that cognitive behaviour therapy can be helpful for more severe cases. The person identifies what they actually fear and then learns different ways of overcoming it. Moodgym is an online CBT course that you can start immediately if you cannot wait for face to face counselling. 
  • Talk to your GP to see what simple measures we may be able to offer if the above do not work which are usually not related to medications

Malaria Prevention

Here is a Malaria Prevention Consultation with an actual practice nurse to show you some of the issues you may wish to consider when considering malaria prophylaxis – remember ABCD!

Malaria Prevention Consultation

Do not forget to get access to your GP electronic health records and that of your family too before you go so that you can check when you last had your immunisations and also so that if you fall ill whilst abroad you can access your record and share it with the doctor or nurse there! 

Remember you can only access your records – they cannot be changed but you must look after your passwords and pin numbers so that nobody else gets them. Many patients have already benefited from access to their records whilst abroad and you can too!