Bowel Cancer Screening

We are raising awareness of Bowel Cancer Screening and the importance of completing your at-home test when it is sent in the post.

Bowel Cancer Screening was introduced in the UK, 20 years ago and since then, it has saved thousands of lives.

Cancer screening is for people with no symptoms. Bowel screening aims to find cancer early, or to find changes in your bowel that could lead to cancer before they are noticeable.

If you are aged between 50 and 74, you will be sent a bowel screening at home test in the post. All the instructions are included on the box and just a tiny bit of poo can help find cancer early, when it is easiest to treat. The test is quick, you do it at home, and just a tiny sample of poo is needed.

Visit Cancer Matters Wessex for more information, videos and links to charities who can support you too.

Who will I see at my GP Practice?

Our practice has a team of healthcare professionals with different skills and expertise. When you contact us, we will try to book you with the clinician who is best placed to help you.

Why might I not always see a GP?

Many members of our clinical team are highly trained specialists in their area. Seeing the right clinician means you can often be seen more quickly and receive expert care for your particular health concern. If your clinician feels you need to see a GP, they will arrange this.

If you are unsure who you need to see, our reception team will ask a few questions so they can direct you to the most appropriate clinician.

Protect yourself this winter

Make sure you’re up to date with your vaccinations

Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect yourself, your family, and your community from serious illnesses. As well as the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, you may also be eligible for other important vaccinations that help prevent serious infections. These may include vaccines such as:

• Pneumococcal vaccine – helps protect against serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections, particularly for older adults and people with certain health conditions.
• Shingles vaccine – helps reduce your risk of developing shingles and complications such as long-lasting nerve pain.
• Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine – offered during pregnancy to help protect newborn babies in their first weeks of life.
• RSV vaccine – available for eligible groups to help protect against respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause serious illness in some people.

If you are invited for a vaccination, please consider taking up the offer. Staying up to date with your vaccines can reduce your risk of serious illness, help protect vulnerable people around you, and support the wider NHS during the busy winter period.

If you are unsure which vaccines you are eligible for, please contact the surgery.

Winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations – Who is eligible?

The NHS offers free winter vaccinations to people who are most at risk of becoming seriously unwell from flu and COVID-19.

Flu vaccine – eligible groups include:

• Adults aged 65 years and over
• People aged 6 months to under 65 years with certain long-term health conditions or who are in a clinical risk group
• Pregnant women
• Children eligible through the NHS childhood programme (including children aged 2 to 3 years and school-aged children)
• People living in long-stay residential care homes
• Carers receiving Carer’s Allowance, or those who are the main carer for an older or disabled person
• Close contacts of people who are immunocompromised
• Some frontline health and social care workers (depending on workplace arrangements)

COVID-19 vaccine – eligible groups include:

• Adults aged 75 years and over
• People aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system due to a health condition or treatment
• People living in care homes for older adults

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact our GP practice or speak to your pharmacist for advice.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness and help protect yourself and those around you during the winter months.

Use The NHS App

Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

Find out more and download the app

Visit the NHS website to learn more

Dorset pain management service

Living with persistent pain can affect many aspects of daily life, but support is available. While there is not always a simple cure, learning practical ways to manage pain can help improve confidence, wellbeing and quality of life. The Dorset Pain Management Service offers specialist support, helping people understand persistent pain and develop strategies such as pacing activities, staying active, improving sleep and managing stress.

To find out whether the Dorset Pain Management Service is right for you, visit the website and complete the online suitability questionnaire before speaking to your GP practice about a referral.

Patient Participation Group (PPG)

Our PPG welcomes new members throughout the year. If you’d like to influence how the practice develops and be involved in new services such as the automated telephone service, please get in touch there is a form on our website.

Learn more about the PPG