Dear All General Practitioners
All Practice Managers
Please share this bulletin with locum GPs and other GP colleagues who may not receive it directly.
Tees Valley Practice Management Association (PMA) Support and Future events
Thank you to everyone who attended the PMA Appraisal Seminar with Darius Ferrigno. We have received excellent feedback from the session. Please keep an eye out for future events coming soon.
PMA are delighted to announce the new “New to Practice Management support programme” — please see the attached leaflet for further details.
Practice Managers across the Tees Valley are at different stages of their careers and bring a wide range of expertise, interests, and challenges to the role. As a GP Practice Manager, you may require support in various aspects of practice management, including managing the business side of the practice, ensuring high-quality patient care, and supporting the health and wellbeing of your team.
We would like to better understand what areas of support Practice Managers across the Tees Valley would find most valuable. Please follow the link to complete a short survey, which will help us organise future events and support opportunities that are relevant and beneficial to our PM community.
Information from the Middlesbrough Health Protection Team
People aged 13 and over in Teesside can now access free sexual health products through a new pilot called Doink!. The pilot is delivered by Preventx, the UK’s largest sexual health testing provider and aims to make accessing essential protection simple, discreet and convenient. Through Doink!, users can order a range of free products, including condoms, dental dams and lubricants. Once registered with the digital service, individuals can choose the option that works best for them – either having items delivered directly by post or collecting them from local pick-up points across Teesside. This flexible approach is designed to reduce barriers and support safer sexual health practices.
In addition to free products, the service provides clear, accessible guidance on correct condom use and broader sexual health information, helping users to make informed choices and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Young people aged 13 to 15 are also able to access Doink! following a brief “check-in” with a trained practitioner. This can be completed either in person or over the phone, ensuring that appropriate safeguarding measures are in place while maintaining accessibility.
Registration is quick and straightforward via the SH UK website, making it easy to sign up and begin accessing support – Free Condoms Teesside — SH.UK
Information for professionals
Professionals working with children and young people across South Tees are encouraged to promote this service to those who may benefit. Increasing awareness of Doink! can play an important role in improving sexual health outcomes and supporting early prevention.
For further information or to discuss how to support access within your setting, please contact: healthprotection@middlesbrough.gov.uk
Free specialist training offer: DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICE: Reflecting on support for people with learning disabilities/autism who report sexual violence 1st July 2026
There is a opportunity for specialist training on “DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICE: Reflecting on support for people with learning disabilities/autism who report sexual violence” hosted by Durham University, University of Sunderland and Open Clasp Theatre.
All the details are in the attached flyer and people can book via the flyer or the link below, there are only 20 spaces per session so get in quick!
Many thanks
Jackie
