Banks&Bearwood Medical Practice

30/04/2026

Bowel Cancer Screening – what you need to know

Bowel cancer affects around 1 in 20 people, but screening can help find it early—when treatment is more effective.

If you're aged 50–74, you’ll automatically receive a home testing kit every 2 years. It’s quick, simple, and done in the privacy of your own home. The kit checks for tiny traces of blood in your poo.

✔ Helps detect cancer early
✔ Can find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer
✔ No physical risks from the home test

If blood is found, you may be invited for further tests.

Taking part in screening could save your life—so don’t ignore your kit when it arrives.

Find out more:

Find out about bowel cancer screening, including why it’s done, who it’s for, how to do the test, and when you’ll get your results.

29/04/2026

The Banks & Bearwood Medical Practice will be closed on Monday 4th of May 2026 for a Bank Holiday.

If you require medical assistance during the closure please contact the NHS 111 Service.

If the medical matter is life threatening please call 999.

The Surgery will re-open on Tuesday 5th of May 2026 at 8am.

The staff and Management wish all our patients a lovely and hopefully sunny Bank holiday weekend.

27/04/2026

Too much screen time can affect how young children sleep, learn and play - and small changes make a big difference. Find out how to help your little ones build healthy screen habits right from the start. Visit Best Start in Life for more.

It's not just about how long they're watching - it's about what, when, with whom, and the quality of the content. Get the full picture on the latest screen time guidance for under-5s. Head to the Best Start in Life website for more:

Advice and support 
for your child’s development

24/04/2026

It's important to know the symptoms of meningitis. If you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Symptoms can appear in any order and not everyone gets them all.
More info:

There have been a small number of meningitis B cases among young people in Weymouth. All those affected are receiving treatment and are recovering well. The risk to the wider public is very low. Meningitis does not spread easily, and outbreaks are rare. Extra steps are already in place to protect yo...

23/04/2026

An allergy is where your body reacts to something that's normally harmless, like pollen or dust. The symptoms can be mild, but for some people they can be very serious.

Read more about allergy causes, symptoms and when to call 999 - visit

Find out about allergies, including typical symptoms, common allergies, when to get emergency medical help and allergy testing and treatments.

17/04/2026

People who are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. The Healthy Start scheme helps people to buy products including milk, vegetables, pulses, infant formula and some vitamins. For more information please click on the following link:

Get help to buy food and milk Get help to buy food and milk(the Healthy Start scheme) What is Healthy Start? If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with...

17/04/2026

Physical activity is a proven way for those living with Parkinson’s to manage symptoms and this new walking programme will provide weekly walks around Kingston Lacy with a focus on raising the heart rate whilst connect to the nature around you. The 12-week programme is led by experienced walk leaders and commences on Monday 11th May at 2pm. For more information and to book please click on the following link:

Developed alongside our Parkinson’s running programme this walking group will help those living with Parkinson's to maintain activity levels and get out in nature at Kingston Lacy.

17/04/2026

It’s Stress Awareness Month.

Most people feel stressed sometimes. But if stress is affecting your daily life, there are things you can try that may help.

You can refer yourself for free NHS talking therapies or speak to your GP.

For more practical tips on managing stress, visit

Read practical tips and advice on what to do if you're struggling with stress.

17/04/2026

When you dial 999 in an emergency - do you know what happens next?
Do you want to learn about the brilliant skills of paramedics? Or how an emergency department works? Do you want to learn about the latest research taking place in emergency care ?
Experts from University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, South West Ambulance Service Trust and Bournemouth University will talk about emergency care in Dorset. Join us at the Bournemouth Gateway Building at Bournemouth University on 20 April from 5:30pm. Book your free ticket here

Hear from regional experts about emergency care practice across Dorset.

14/04/2026

The do it yourself mouth cancer check that may save your life. Are you checking your mouth for cancer once a month? Do it regularly and save your life!
For more information visit:

Learn how to perform self - examinations for Mouth Cancer. Mouth Cancer Foundation provides a step - by - step guide for early detection and prevention.

01/04/2026

🩺 Share your experience to help improve care at UHD!

University Hospitals Dorset are inviting patients and carers to a listening event on Tuesday 21st April at Christchurch Hospital.

Your stories, ideas, and experiences will help guide the hospital on how best to support people during their stay. Reasonable travel costs will be covered.

For more information, see the poster, or to register: Fundamentals of Care Workshop - https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=slTDN7CF9UeyIge0jXdO4-1r8giOLLxEsXTcerVMmF5UMk1BNTJRU1hLVFNDQUxGSkdaWTBVVzY5TC4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl

Or call: 0300 019 8610

27/03/2026

Easter Surgery Times

The Surgery will be closed on:-
Good Friday 3rd April 2026
Easter Monday 6th April 2026

If you require medical assistance during the surgery closure, please contact the NHS 111 Service or if a matter of life/death situation call 999.

Happy Easter to all our patients.