Blandford Medical Centre

26/02/2026

🧤 Why don’t our nurses always wear gloves?

We’re often asked this question — and it’s a great one.

There’s a common misconception that gloves are always needed to prevent the spread of infection. In fact, good hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to stop infection spreading.

Wearing gloves when they aren’t clinically necessary can actually reduce how often hand hygiene is performed properly.

🌍 There’s also an environmental impact to consider.
In the UK, the NHS contributes around 4–5% of the country’s total carbon emissions. Disposable plastic gloves — made using fossil fuels — are one of the most common single-use plastic items in healthcare.

By reducing unnecessary glove use, we can:
✔️ Maintain safe, effective care
✔️ Promote better hand hygiene
✔️ Reduce plastic waste
✔️ Help create a more sustainable healthcare system

Patient safety always comes first — and sometimes that means not wearing gloves.

Thank you for supporting us in making healthcare safer and more sustainable for everyone 💚

25/02/2026

There’s another way to contact your GP practice, by simply sending your symptoms and requests through their website or the NHS App.

Tap it, type it and we’ll take care of it.

For more info ➡️ nhs.uk/GPOnlineForms

24/02/2026

👶 Thinking of having a baby? 👶

🏥 The preconception clinic is a new pre-pregnancy counselling service that is being launched by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust for people with medical conditions who are planning a pregnancy, or who have had a previous complicated pregnancy due to a medical condition.

💙 This new service offers individuals with medical conditions in the mid and south Essex area the opportunity to take control of their pregnancy planning journey. People can either see experts directly or be referred to a specialist consultant who will assess your medical needs and create a personalised care plan for them during pregnancy and beyond.

❓ What kind of conditions are covered by the service?
▪️ Cardiac or heart conditions
▪️ Hypertension or high blood pressure
▪️ Neurological diseases, such as epilepsy
▪️ Blood conditions, including sickle cell disease, bleeding and clotting disorders
▪️ Endocrine including diabetes and thyroid disorders
▪️ Kidney disease
▪️ Liver disease
▪️ Joint disease
▪️ Severe skin conditions

💙 For more information, including how patients can self refer, visit the Trust website: https://www.mse.nhs.uk/planning-your-pregnancy/
or email
mse.preconception@nhs.net for any advice.

23/02/2026

The UKHSA has reported an increase in measles across the country, with a significant outbreak of measles reported across schools in north London.

The UKHSA is encouraging people to check that they and their children have had two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine, depending on their age.

There has been a resurgence of measles in England and around the world in recent years.
Most of the cases in England have been in children under the age of 10 years with many outbreaks linked to nurseries and schools.

20/02/2026

When you’re pregnant, you don’t always need to give up the things you love. Gentle exercise is good for you and your baby. Find out all you need to know with the Start for Life pregnancy emails.

19/02/2026

📱 Did you know that you can see your results in the app quicker? 📱

18/02/2026

💙 What is Patients Know Best (PKB)? 💙

✅ PKB is an online personal health records system led by Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE FT).

💙 PKB consolidates patient data from different healthcare providers with the patient's own recorded data into a single, secure personal health record. This record is owned by the patient and can be accessed by them at any time via the NHS App or PKB web-based portal.

💙 How Can Patients Register for PKB? 💙
✅ There are many ways that patients can register for PKB and claim their personal health record. These include:

✅ NHS login: via the NHS app or PKB portal, patients can register for PKB with identity verification using their NHS login. More information is available here.

✅ Face to face registration: staff can support patients to register as they have direct interaction with them, either via reception teams, clinical teams, or patient groups in the hospitals.

✅Carers: play a key role in supporting patients who may not be able to access their record or do not wish to access their record. Carers can be invited by healthcare professional directly. Carers can support both adults and children.

Learn more on the website: https://patientsknowbest.com/patients-and-carers/

17/02/2026

16/02/2026

🌙 Health Tips During Ramadan 🌙

As Ramadan begins, it’s a time of reflection, community, and care — including taking care of your health 🤍

While fasting, remember to:
💧 Stay well hydrated between Iftar and Suhoor
🥗 Choose balanced meals with slow-release foods
😴 Get enough rest where you can
💊 Continue prescribed medications as advised by your healthcare professional

If you have a long-term condition, are pregnant, or have concerns about fasting, it’s always okay to seek medical advice — your health comes first.

Wishing everyone observing Ramadan a peaceful, healthy, and blessed month 🌙🤲

13/02/2026

💙 Simple steps to avoid spreading the infection:

Do:
✅ Stay home for 48 hours after symptoms clear
✅ Wash hands with soap & warm water
✅ Wash clothes and bedding at 60 °C

Don't:
❌ Don't prepare food for others
❌ Go to work or school, visit care homes or hospitals

12/02/2026

⚠️ Are you aged 50 - 74❓

⚠️ Bowel cancer screening is changing ⚠️

🧪 FIT kits, sent to everyone aged between 50 and 74, will now checked at a lower threshold.
🔬 This means smaller amounts of blood in poo samples can be spotted — helping to find signs of cancer earlier, treatment can be more successful.

🩺 It’s the same simple test, just better at picking things up even earlier. Most people who use their kit won’t need further tests.

🚽 When your kit arrives, put it by the loo.

🌐 Read more about bowel cancer screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and.../bowel-cancer-screening/

11/02/2026

🍏 If you can help the Braintree area Foodbank that would be amazing. 🍎
🍞 If you need help reach out to them. 🥔
🍶 They do a great job supporting our community. 🥕
📱 Contact them directly, information on the picture. 💻