Silverdale & Ryecroft Practice

We are a dedicated team providing NHS general practice care to our patient list of around 12,000 patients in Newcastle-under-Lyme. We work from two sites: our main surgery in the village of Silverdale and our branch surgery at Ryecroft in central Newcastle. We also provide the medical care to the residents of two large local nursing homes.

We have a strong commitment to training a wide variety of health care professionals who are closely supervised by an experienced GP at all times.

To register as a new patient, click on https://gp-registration.nhs.uk/M83034.  Alternatively speak to one of our reception team who will be happy to help you.  

Please respect our staff – they are here to help you. Shouting, swearing or being abusive will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

From July 1st 2025 there will be two key updates to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

1. Screening wil be every 5 years (instead of 3) for those aged 25-49 who test HPV negative at their next appointment.
2. Digital invites and reminders will be sent to patients using the NHS App for quicker more convenient access, everyone else will still receive a letter.

Cervical screening saves lives - these changes help ensure its even more effective and accessible.

Patients with musculoskeletal problems (eg back pain, neck pain, soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains, joint pain, muscular pain) can now self refer to more specialised services without needing to see a GP first (unless they are more generally unwell):

For new problems under 6 weeks duration - First Contact Physio (FCP)

• Our experienced physio working in the practice who is the first point of contact for all musculoskeletal problems.
• They are actually more expert than the GPs in assessing these problems and have been employed to specifically provide easy access into the specialist musculoskeletal service.
• They can assess patients, request XRays, provide treatment plans and do specialist referrals to consultants in Rheumatology, Orthopaedics and other clinics when needed, including when scans are needed. 
• This speeds up access to specialist services and frees up GP and nurse appointments for other problems requiring their expertise.
• To book an appointment, please speak to reception and ask for the First Contact Physio.  Our reception staff may also signpost you to these appointments when this is the most appropriate way of dealing with your musculoskeletal problems.

For problems that have lasted for longer than 6 weeks duration - MSK Clinic

• Self refer by completing the online form : MPFT Self Referrals | Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Please note: 

• Please contact NHS 111 or your GP urgently if you have suddenly developed:
  • difficulties passing urine controlling bladder/bowels
  • tingling around your back passage or genitals,
  • numbness/pins & needles or weakness in both legs.
• Consult your GP first if you have
  • changes on your bladder or bowel habit
  • a hot swollen joint 
  • constant very severe pain
  • weakness, pins & needles or loss of feeling
  • unexpected weight loss    
  •     
• This service is also unable to see patients who are pregnany, housebound, have neurological conditions or have problems following an operation.

We have an experienced mental health practitioner working in the practice who is the first point of contact for patients experiencing mental health issues.

They are expert in assessing mental health problems and have been employed specifically to provide easy access to help.

They work in conjunction with our GPs and can assess patients, provide treatment plans, one-to-one interventions, guided self help, relaxation techniques and refer to other specialist services. 

To book an appointment (face to face or telephone) please speak to reception.

We are receiving a significant number of enquiries about the availability of the Mounjaro weight-loss drug which has been approved by NHS England for eligible patients. NHS England has set the criteria for eligibility for the drug; this is a national policy which all NHS prescribers, such as GPs and pharmacists, are required to abide by. The criteria for weight management cannot be changed by prescribers.

Current criteria state that anyone with a BMI of 40 or higher, and with four or more of the qualifying comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes) will be eligible for assessment to identify their suitability for Mounjaro. Anyone not meeting these criteria will not be eligible for assessment in the first year of the drug being available.

Update 23 June 2025: From today (23 June 2025), following approval by NICE, tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) will be available in the NHS for eligible patients who meet the strict, nationally-set, criteria. 

Although NHS England has approved the drug, all GPs are waiting for information about which organisation(s) locally will be contracted to provide this service in primary care in North Staffordshire. 

Please do not contact your GP; if you are eligible to be assessed you will be contacted over the coming months and invited to attend an appointment for assessment. Those with the greatest clinical need will be contacted first. 

If you are looking for support to help you manage your weight you can find useful information and resources on the ICS website at Local Weight Management services - Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, ICS