East Barnwell Health Centre

21/04/2026

‼️ PATIENT NOTICE ‼️ -

We will be closed from 2pm today for staff training.

* For non-urgent queries, please use our Online Patient Triage.
* For minor illnesses please contact your local pharmacy.
* For medical problems that can't wait until we re-open, please call 111 or in an emergency dial 999.

15/04/2026

We are hiring for a Domestic Assistant.

Further details and application form available here:

At NHS Property Services, we believe our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our People Strategy - Get, Grow, and Keep Great People, is all about building a values-driven culture where ...

14/04/2026

Book your vaccination today - slots available.....

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞?

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine this spring if you:
• are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 30 June 2026)
• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• live in a care home for older adults

Vaccination will begin from 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚 13𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒍 2026 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 30𝒕𝒉 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 2026.

Contact the surgery after 10am to book your vaccination slot with the practice nurse.

14/04/2026

Don`t forget the garden project - this Thursday!

East Barnwell Health Centre Garden Information

Earth & Mind and East Barnwell Health Centre are partnering to bring you a new gardening for wellbeing project!

It is very important to us that our new project is based on the wants and needs of the patients and staff at East Barnwell Health Centre. These sessions will allow us to co-create the garden, and gather your feedback to shape the upcoming garden project. Thank you for joining us!

Date: Thursday 2nd or 16th of April @ 10am-12pm.

Meeting place: Outside the entrance on the grass at East Barnwell Health Centre (the session will take place in the garden).

These sessions are for patients who are registered at East Barnwell Health Centre and staff.

If you have any questions please contact Emily: contact@earthandmind.co.uk

Here is a link to the sign-up form for the co-creation sessions: https://forms.gle/JV8YzLceZj6viD9r5

11/04/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞?

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine this spring if you:
• are aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by 30 June 2026)
• are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
• live in a care home for older adults

Vaccination will begin from 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒚 13𝒕𝒉 𝑨𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒍 2026 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 30𝒕𝒉 𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 2026.

Contact the surgery after 10am to book your vaccination slot with the practice nurse.

08/04/2026

From 1 April NHS Central East ICB will become the strategic commissioner for NHS services in:

*Hertfordshire,
*Bedfordshire,
*Cambridgeshire,
*Milton Keynes
* Peterborough

taking on the functions of three previous ICBs.

Their new website is available here:
https://www.centraleast.icb.nhs.uk/

02/04/2026

The British Medical Association (BMA) has announced strike action by resident doctors from BMA resident doctors have announced strikes from 7am on 7 April until 7am on 13 April.

We all know that industrial action comes at a very real cost to patients and the rest of the workforce and this round of action comes as the NHS is coming out of the winter period.

During these strikes, all other NHS staff (including consultants and other specialist doctors) will still be working, and the focus of the NHS will be on ensuring as many services as possible continue to operate safely.

The NHS is asking patients to choose services appropriately (self care, Pharmacy or GP) during industrial action and to take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most which includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and as ever only using 999 if it is a serious or life-threatening emergency.

We envisage the surgery being open as usual during this strike period but may experience busier than needs for our service.

01/04/2026

Don`t forget our Garden planning event tomorrow at 10am.

You can either register or just pop along. Will be great to hear your views about the garden.

East Barnwell Health Centre Garden Information

Earth & Mind and East Barnwell Health Centre are partnering to bring you a new gardening for wellbeing project!

It is very important to us that our new project is based on the wants and needs of the patients and staff at East Barnwell Health Centre. These sessions will allow us to co-create the garden, and gather your feedback to shape the upcoming garden project. Thank you for joining us!

Date: Thursday 2nd or 16th of April @ 10am-12pm.

Meeting place: Outside the entrance on the grass at East Barnwell Health Centre (the session will take place in the garden).

These sessions are for patients who are registered at East Barnwell Health Centre and staff.

If you have any questions please contact Emily: contact@earthandmind.co.uk

Here is a link to the sign-up form for the co-creation sessions: https://forms.gle/JV8YzLceZj6viD9r5

27/03/2026

Are you prescription ready for the long Bank Holiday weekend?

Last day for repeat prescription requests is Tuesday 31 March for collection Thursday 2 April.

If you are late submitting your request we may not be able to process this in time ..... please plan ahead.

When we are closed we have provided local pharmacies and their opening times during the Easter weekend.

24/03/2026

Right to Choose & Shared Care Agreements

In many cases you have the legal right to choose where you have your NHS treatment. The NHS is offering more and more options to enable you to make choices that best suit your circumstances, giving you greater control of your care, and hopefully better results. East Barnwell Health Centre has a legal duty to support your legal right to choose and will continue to do so.

However, East Barnwell Health Centre will not be accepting any future shared care agreement requests, with the exception of those patients that are already in the right to choose process or requests that are received from NHS institutions.

This means that your provider will be responsible for your annual reviews and any medications until such time that you are seen within the NHS provision.

18/03/2026

We are moving to a Digital format!

Following feedback received around the phone and appointment system we have taken the decision to move to a total digital GP triage appointment system from 1 May 2026.

This means that you will need to request a GP appointment by completing a online questionaire, which will be assessed by a GP and a plan for assessment and treatment made. Those not confident in completing online forms can still call reception who will complete the forms on their behalf.

This move will:
*remove the 8am scramble for appointments meaning that appointments will be provided on need rather than who managed to call first.
*ensure those in greater need receive appropriate GP support in a timely manner.
*all triage will be assessed by a GP and not by using admin triage guidelines.
*promotes self care and alternate sources of care such as a pharmacy, minor injury and A&E.

More details will be communicated over the next few weeks, so watch this space!

18/03/2026

There is currently an ongoing outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease - a form of meningitis - in Kent. Meningitis is a serious condition where the protective layers (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord become inflamed.

It has many causes, such as different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In the UK, most cases are due to bacteria or viruses. Some of the bacteria that cause meningitis can also lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning), and both conditions can result in sepsis, which is life-threatening.

Although anyone can get meningitis, it’s most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults. It needs to be treated quickly so it is important to know the signs and symptoms which can happen in any order and may not all be present:
Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not happen at all. For meningitis, common signs and symptoms include:

*fever
*a very bad headache (this alone is not a reason to get medical help)
*vomiting
*stiff neck
*dislike of bright lights
*rash
*confusion, delirium
*severe sleepiness, losing consciousness
*fits

Call 999 immediately or go to your nearest A&E if you think you or someone in your care could have meningitis, septicaemia or sepsis. Trust your instincts and do not wait for all symptoms or for a rash to develop. People with meningitis, septicaemia or sepsis can become seriously unwell very quickly.

Call NHS 111 if you're unsure whether it's serious.