To extend an existing sick note, please request this through PATCHS.
You can order a first sick note by calling the practice after 10am and speaking to one of our Patient Advisors who will put your request through to the GP.
We will need you to include the dates that you request your sick note to start and finish and the reason you are signed off work. If you are needing an amended duties note, we will need you to include the details of your amendment to work.
You do not need a fit note if you are off work sick for seven days or less. It should be enough to give proof yourself when you go back to work. This is called ‘self-certification’.
Self-certification forms
If you have been off less than 7 days when you go back to work, you may need to fill in a self-certification form. This includes things like:
details about your sickness or illness
the date your sickness started
the date your sickness ended
These dates may include days you do not normally work, for example a weekend or bank holiday.
Social Prescribing involves link workers focusing on ‘what matters to the patient’. They connect people to community groups or statutory services for practical and emotional support. The Social Prescriber Team also work with external services to help patients with housing and debt issues, getting back to work, helping to find volunteering opportunities or supporting those who are lonely or isolated with a range of befriending services or events. They also run groups for carers, the bereaved and those living with dementia.
Patients can book blood test appointments online or by telephone as an alternative to booking with the GP Surgery
Patients may book a blood test appointment at Whitegate Drive Health Centre or Fleetwood Wellbeing Centre by calling 01253 956719 between the hours of 9.30am-4pm, Monday to Friday, or by booking online at Sangix Appointments – Log in (myappointments.online)
We can also offer blood test appointments on an evening or weekend at the Cleveleys Group Practice, please call the surgery on 01253 204212 to arrange.
Non-urgent advice: Some changes to the service
As you will know, the NHS is under severe financial strain, and this is being felt here at The Thornton Practice just like everywhere else.
For several years we have had inadequate annual increases in our funding, and this has meant that we have had to take some very difficult decisions. The 2025/26 increase only covered increases to national insurance rises and the increase in the national minimum wage, but nothing else.
In addition, we have a local contract with Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). This has been significantly changed across Lancashire and although the ICB tried very hard not to disadvantage the Fylde Coast, our income from this local contract will decrease.
Sadly, like others, the practice is no longer able to offer ‘nice to have’ services for which we are not funded.
One of these areas is hospital requested blood tests where the hospital is paid to do the tests as part of their ‘tariff’.
The picture is complicated; we are funded for some blood tests but not others, and, for some patients, we may be asking the hospital to take back responsibility for filling in blood forms, taking the blood test and interpreting the results.
We recognise that this will cause inconvenience and apologise for that, but we simply cannot afford to continue to do unfunded work.
If you are one of those affected, we apologise and hope that you will understand that this was not a decision that we took lightly. The alternative could have been a smaller team which none of us would want.
Smoking cessation
The local stop smoking service provides advice and support, including nicotine replacement and other products on prescription.
Our Practice Nurses administer immunisations and vaccinations at the practice.
We provide a childhood vaccination clinic weekly, you will be contacted in advance for these to be booked.
Appointments for any other immunisations and vaccinations can be booked through our reception team on 01253 204 212.
We also offer travel vaccinations/advice, please use the Travel Health Pro website to identify what vaccinations you need before travelling.
Flu vaccinations are usually offered in October and are recommended for patients with long term conditions and for anyone over 65.
COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Information:
The Thornton Practice will not be participating in future Covid vaccination programmes as these can be booked via the NHS App, or by calling 119.
Proof of COVID Vaccination record:
Download the NHS app. Proof of your vaccination will be shown within the app together with your medical record.
If you do not have access to a smartphone and know that the country you are travelling to requires COVID-19 vaccination status, you can call 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you.
Family Planning Clinic
This service includes sexually transmitted infections, HIV and contraception such as pills, injections, implants and coils. Our team of doctors and nurses provide Sexual Health Services across Blackpool and Lancashire. They deal with a variety of sexual health related conditions, providing testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), including HIV, in line with national guidelines.
There are a number of family planning clinics you can attend on the Fylde Coast. Appointments are required – telephone0300 1234 154 to book.
