Buckfastleigh Medical Centre

19/03/2026

We understand that some patients are concerned following recent reports of a meningococcal (MenB) outbreak in Kent, and we are currently receiving a high volume of enquiries.

Public health authorities, including UK Health Security Agency, are closely managing this situation. Unless you have been specifically advised to contact us by NHS 111, we kindly ask that you do not contact the practice about this, so we can prioritise those who need urgent care.

The MenB vaccine is part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation programme and has been offered to babies born on or after 1st May 2015. Most people born before this date will not have received it as part of the standard schedule. You can check your child’s vaccination status using the NHS App.

At present, the MenB vaccine is not routinely available on the NHS for adults outside of specific eligibility groups, and there is not sufficient supply to offer vaccination outside of the national programme. Unfortunately, this means we are unable to provide MenB vaccination at the practice in response to the current situation.

If you or your child develop symptoms suggestive of meningitis — such as a high fever, headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, vomiting, or a rash — please seek urgent medical advice straight away by contacting NHS 111 or attending urgent care services.

18/03/2026

We’re hiring! 📣

We’re currently looking for a reliable and organised Medical Secretary to join our team.

🕒 Hours: 30 hours per week
📍 Location: Buckfastleigh Medical Centre

This is a great opportunity for someone who is proactive, detail-oriented, and enjoys supporting a busy team.

If you’re interested or would like more information, please follow the link or email s.webb4@nhs.net

Feel free to share with anyone who might be a great fit!

Medical Secretary/Care Co-ordinator - Buckfastleigh TQ11 0HY - Indeed.com

18/03/2026

Buckfastleigh Medical Centre Patient Participation Group Coffee Mornings

Coffee Mornings on 1st April and 16 May. All Welcome! Come along to the surgery and meet some of the team that work with the surgery and find out more about the work of the PPG.

18/03/2026

⚠️ We’re currently experiencing issues with our telephone lines.

We’re working to resolve this as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please bear with us and consider reaching out via alternative methods if available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding 🙏

17/03/2026

Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.

The NHS website has all the information you need, including what to look out for and when to get medical help.

➡️ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

16/03/2026

⚠️ Be meningitis aware Plymouth!
You might have seen the news about the meningitis outbreak in Kent, where two people have sadly died. While there are no new cases in Plymouth, it’s important to know the signs and act fast if you’re worried.
Meningitis is rare but very serious. It can come on suddenly and lead to sepsis, so spotting symptoms early and getting urgent medical help saves lives.

Know the symptoms!
These may not all appear, but seek help immediately if you notice:
• ❗ A rash that doesn’t fade when you press a glass on it
• 🌡️ High fever that comes on suddenly
• 🤕 Severe, worsening headache
• 😣 Stiff neck
• 🤢 Vomiting or diarrhoea
• 😴 Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking someone

What to do
🚑 If you’re concerned or suspect meningitis:
➡️ Go to A&E immediately or call 999 — early treatment is lifesaving.
📞 Not sure about symptoms? Call NHS 111 for advice.

Vaccination
If you’re under 25 and haven’t had the MenACWY vaccine, contact your GP. It’s free and protects against several common causes of meningitis.
Further info 👇
https://bit.ly/37y7CX1

12/03/2026

03/03/2026

February's figures are in.

The number of appointments that were not attended in February are the lowest we have seen for a couple of years, the last time we had less than 53 appointments missed was in January 2022. Please keep letting us know if you are unable to attend your appointment. You can do this on your NHS app, through the link in your appointment reminder or by calling the practice.

27/02/2026

📢 Important Update: How You’ll Be Invited to Your Annual Reviews📢

We’ve made some changes to how we invite patients for their annual health reviews. Here’s what you need to know:

• You will now be invited 12 months* after your last annual review. This means your review may no longer fall in your birth month, depending on when your last review took place. For most, their review will still happen in their birth month.

•You will receive:
1 initial invitation by text message and 1 repeat message if you haven’t responded or had your review.

Please be aware that you may receive more than one invitation message if you are due for more than one review.

For those who we do not have a mobile number for, they will still be contacted by letter.

*If your medication or conditions require you to be reviewed sooner that 12 months (i.e every 3 or 6 months) you will still be called in line with this)

23/02/2026

📢📢Staff training tomorrow📢📢

Dear Patients

The practice will be closed for staff training Tuesday 24th February 2026 from 12:30.

If your situation is life threatening, please ring 999. For urgent primary care issues that cannot wait until the surgery reopens, please ring 111 and you will be transferred to the urgent care service who will signpost you to the correct service.

The surgery will re-open 08:00 Wednesday 25th February. Thank you

23/02/2026

🌱 Could you get help with healthy food for your family?

If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, you might be eligible for the NHS Healthy Start scheme 💛

You could receive a pre-paid card every 4 weeks to spend on essentials like milk, fruit & veg, pulses and infant formula — plus free vitamins for mums and little ones.

👉 Check if you’re eligible and apply today:
https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

A small step that can make a big difference 🌞🥕

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...

23/02/2026

✨ Save money on your NHS prescriptions! ✨

Did you know you can get a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) to make your NHS meds cheaper? If you live in England, a PPC covers all your prescriptions for a set period — no matter how many you need!

💊 How it works:

A 3-month PPC costs £32.05

A 12-month PPC costs £114.50

💡 This could save you money if you regularly need 4 or more prescription items over 3 months — or 12 or more over a year!

📆 You can even pay for a 12-month certificate in monthly instalments.

👉 Get yours online or by phone:
Visit the official NHS PPC order service https://www.gov.uk/get-a-ppc or call 0300 330 1341 to buy and start saving today.

NHS Business Services Authority contact number for ordering prepaid prescriptions for 3 or 12 months at a cheaper rate than single prescriptions