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Both John Tasker House and Felsted surgeries have regular appointments available for adult blood tests. Where possible, we try to keep these for the elderly, or people with reduced mobility, or vulnerable for other reasons. Blood tests at JTH are usually before midday, while blood tests at Felsted are usually before 10am. This is because the courier takes the blood samples direct to the relevant hospitals at these times. If a GP has requested you get a blood test, you can call our reception to book the appointment, or go online to book at Herts & Essex, Harlow, Braintree or Broomfield. Most blood results are usually back within a week and will be visible on your NHS app once a doctor has reviewed them.
Please note that JTH, Herts and Essex and Princess Alexandra Harlow come under West Essex, while Felsted, Braintree and Broomfield come under Mid Essex. Unfortunately the computer systems between different trusts do not yet link up, which means that a doctor from Broomfield will be unable to see your results if your test was done at JTH, Herts and Essex or PAH.
If a hospital doctor from Broomfield has requested tests, please take the form they gave you and book the appointment at Felsted, Braintree or Broomfield, as then the requesting doctor will be able to see the results.
If really necessary (eg due to reduced mobility), the blood test can sometimes be taken at JTH; however please bear in mind this means that the consultant who wanted the test might not see the result. In these situations the result will come back to a JTH GP, who will then ask our secretaries to email it to Broomfield. These results will not show on your online record in the same way, and can make it difficult for your consultant to manage your condition / give appropriate advice.
Links for blood test booking:
Herts and Essex: Online Appointment Healthcare Platform | Swiftqueue
Braintree/ Broomfield: https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/midessex.php
There have recently been many articles in the media and online about the newer medications that can assist with weight loss. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published draft guidelines in June 2024 suggesting that the medication Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) could possibly be considered for people with obesity who met certain criteria. The final guidelines are likely to be completed later this year.
John Tasker House and Felsted surgeries come under the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), who are responsible for making decisions about which medications can be prescribed in this area. The ICB have informed us:
"Locally, the use of tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight loss has not yet been reviewed by our Area Prescribing Committee (APC) and therefore assumes a ‘non-formulary’ status (i.e. not recommended for prescribing in primary or secondary care for the above indication)."
There is more information from the ICB on their website: Weight loss injections - Herts and West Essex ICS
If you are experiencing side effects from your medication, please go back to the professionals who prescribed your medication as we are not able to advise you.
In the meantime, there is information and free support available to help with weight loss in Essex through
https://essexwellbeingservice.co.uk/support/weight-management/
This can include online or 1-2-1 video support, low carb groups, discounts for the Joe Wicks workout apps, child lifestyle, healthy eating, portion management and keeping active.
However, if you feel you have a significant amount of weight to lose, you may be eligible for a different programme called MoreLife - here is a link to their eligibility criteria.
https://www.more-life.co.uk/eligibility/south-and-west-essex/
This is a very supportive structured weight-loss programme for those people with a higher BMI and/ or certain other medical conditions. Currently a small number of people who complete this then become eligible for consideration for bariatric surgery through the NHS. MoreLife is only accessed by referral from a GP, so if you are interested in this programme, please let us know (preferably by using the online form on our website, or calling reception if you do not go online)
Other weight loss medications that have been in the news include Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), Liraglutide (Saxenda) and Dulaglutide (Trulicity). In West Essex we are currently unable to prescribe these purely for weight loss. Some areas of the country offer obesity clinics at local hospitals where a consultant can prescribe these medications, however there are currently no obesity clinics available at our local hospitals. We have been advised that this may change in 2025.
If you have Type 2 Diabetes then some of the medications above such as Trulicity might be an option for you - please request an appointment with a GP to discuss this further. Currently NICE advises against these medications if you have Type 1 Diabetes.
If your Type 2 Diabetes was diagnosed within the last 6 years you might also be eligible for referral to a free dietician supported remission programme, which aims to help you both lose weight and significantly improve your Diabetic control, or even put your Diabetes into remission. Please ask for an appointment with a GP to discuss this if you are interested.
Please note that Tirzepatide cannot be prescribed by a GP even if you do have Diabetes. We are also unable to continue prescribing the above medicines for you if they were started by a private obesity clinic.
In summary, GPs at this surgery cannot currently prescribe these medications purely for weight loss. This may change next year. Please look at the 2 links above if you are interested in learning about support currently available in West Essex.
