Prescribers at Oaklands Medical Centre have reviewed benzodiazepine prescribing and have agreed a new policy not to prescribe benzodiazepines or sedatives (such as diazepam) to patients for fear of flying. 

Patients come to us, asking us to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying. There are several very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended.

• Diazepam is a sedative that makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there is an emergency during the flight, it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.

• Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep; however, when you do sleep, it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours.

• Whilst most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and increased aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact your safety and that of other passengers and get you into trouble with the local authorities.

• According to doctors’ prescribing guidelines (BNF), Benzodiazepines are contraindicated (not allowed) in treating phobia. Your doctor would take a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should get proper care and support for your mental health and not go on a flight.

• Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in some countries. They may be confiscated, or you may be in trouble with the local authorities.

• Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing, you may fail this, having taken diazepam.

Although we appreciate that the fear of flying is very real and very frightening, we will no longer be providing benzodiazepines or sedatives for flight anxiety and instead suggest the below aviation industry-recommended flight anxiety courses, which are easily accessible for those who wish to conquer their fear of flying:

1. Easy Jet – www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
2. British Airways – www.flyingwithconfidence.com
3. Virgin – Advice For Nervous Flyers | Virgin Atlantic

Website Address:

• https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/services-and-locations/services/central-cheshire-wellbeing-hub/

Contact number: 0300 303 0639

Some services provided are not covered under our contract with the NHS and therefore attract charges.

Examples include the following:

• Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
• Insurance claim forms
• Prescriptions for taking medication abroad
• Private sick notes
• Vaccination certificates

The fees charged are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and our reception staff will be happy to advise you about them along with appointment availability.

Please note: Passports and shotgun licences are no longer signed by the doctor.

Our Musculoskeletal (MSK) First Contact Practitioner works full time at the Oaklands. First Contact Practitioners are physiotherapists with expertise in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.

Our Musculoskeletal (MSK) First Contact Practitioner is here to assess patients with soft tissue, muscle and joint pain and to decide on the most appropriate management pathway. They can perform MSK assessments and support patients who are suffering from any bone, joint or muscle pain.

This includes the following:

• Low back pain
• Sciatica
• Neck Pain
• Arthritis symptoms
• Shoulder, hip, knee and foot/ankle pain
• Elbow, wrist and hand pain
• Acute injuries and falls
• Sprains, strains and sports injuries
• Problems with mobility and activity
• Work related posture problems
• Persistent/chronic pain episodes (including Fibromyalgia flare ups)

To book an appointment contact the practice and we can arrange a first contact appointment.

Our Musculoskeletal (MSK) First Contact Practitioner can not provide help for the following problems:

• Patients that are acutely unwell
• Children under 16
• Medical management of rheumatoid conditions
• Women’s health, antenatal and postnatal problems
• Neurological and respiratory conditions

The One You Cheshire East team want to help you stay fit at home. There has never been a more important time to stay active, keep moving and look after our physical health.

• The NHS suggest that adults should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week.
• Physical activity helps reduce the risk of developing conditions such as coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke, certain cancers, musculoskeletal conditions and mental health issues.
• Physical activity can improve your mental wellbeing, your sleep pattern and relieve stress.

One You Cheshire East team have a range of services and motion available to keep you moving, find out more here. 

Veterans in Mind service is a specialist IAPT psychological therapy service run by Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (GMMH) providing assessment and treatment across Cheshire to military veterans.

They also provide substance misuse recovery interventions and work alongside our Warrington Armed Forces Community Support Hub, Veterans in Sefton and Veterans of the Foundation who provide a wraparound service addressing social, financial, occupational and employment issues.

Please note that individuals referred to the service must be registered with a GP in Cheshire.

A veteran is someone who has served at least one day in any of the British Armed Forces, regular or reserves.

Their aim is to contribute to improving the mental health and wellbeing of ex-forces personnel and their families.

• Find out more information and download a leaflet about them here.

• You can also refer yourself to them by completing the self-referral form on this page.

One You provides a free weight management course, designed by experts and proven to help you lose weight in a safe and sustainable way.

You will find out more about nutrition, eating habits and how to be more active. Your journey starts with a brief 20-minute assessment.

Find out further details about the services available and also how to sign up for the weight management program here.

One You provides support and gives advice about the treatments available to help you stop smoking.

One You provides help for the residents of Cheshire East who would like support to stop smoking.

You are three times more likely to succeed by working one-to-one or in a group with a Health Coach than going it alone.

You will get lots of support and motivation from your Health Coach. They will be able to tell you about nicotine replacement products and other stop smoking medicines. They can also recommend which product or combination of products could work for you.

We can also measure the levels of carbon monoxide in your body – the monitor shows how your level drops to the same as a non-smoker’s just 24 hours after your last cigarette.

If you would like help to stop smoking please call One You free on 0808 1643 202.

• Find out more about One You and its services here.

At the Oaklands, we provide a range of sexual health services. Including cervical smears, contraception advice and HRT advice.

For the emergency contraceptive pill, we recommend you contact your local pharmacist. They may offer you a phone or video consultation. You’ll then be given an electronic prescription so you can collect your contraception. You can also buy emergency contraception directly from a pharmacy without a prescription.

If you think you might have an STD – Cheshire East commission Axess to provide this service and a wide range of other sexual health services at Eagle Bridge in Crewe.

You do not need a referral to access these services please contact Axess directly to book an appointment.

Axess is open Monday to Friday and provides the following services:

• STI testing
• Coil fitting
• Implant fitting
• Vaccines
• Pregnancy test
• Emergency contraception
• Contraception
• Young Persons Service – Under 19 years
• HIV Treatment Clinic
• HIV testing
• PEP a treatment that can stop an HIV infection after the virus has entered a person’s body. It must be taken within 72 hours of exposure.
• Support for people on PrEP