Alconbury and Brampton Surgeries

21/04/2026

Practice Afternoon Closure Tuesday 21st April

Patient Reminder that both Alconbury and Brampton Surgeries will be closed for staff training this afternoon 2-6pm.
Our dispensary remains closed on Tuesdays from 1pm.

This protected time allows staff to carry out mandatory and specialist training.
It also allows us to come together as a team and develop better ways of working so that we can continue to deliver high standards of care to our patients.

If you feel you need to speak to a medical professional, please call 111 and they will be able to direct you to the appropriate service to meet your needs. If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 999.
Thank you for your understanding

20/04/2026

Morning all,

Saturday was another successful Covid clinic.
We thank all our wonderful patients who attended and waited patiently as our clinical staff worked hard to deliver this spring's vaccinations.
We also thank our amazing staff who stepped up as always and gave up their Saturdays to deliver a fantastic service.

Alongside the Covid we were also offering the RSV vaccination as part of the extended programme.
We did run out on the day, but we will be running additional clinics.
Please do not call to book, invites and booking links will be sent to those patients who are eligable.
Anyone without a mobile number will be contacted by our care coordinator

For more information on the extended RSV programme, head to https://www.gov.uk/government/news/advice-accepted-on-extending-the-rsv-vaccination-programme #:~:text=Those%20who%20are%20eligible%20for,care%20home%20for%20older%20adults

For information about the RSV infection https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/

The government has accepted advice on eligibility from the JCVI for the RSV vaccination programme.

20/04/2026

Smoking affects nearly every part of your body, increasing the risk of serious conditions like cancer, heart disease and stroke. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start almost immediately. It can also have a big impact on your finances, with the cost of smoking adding up over time. Understanding both the health and financial impact can be a powerful motivator to quit. 💷🚭💙✨

Reasons to quit smoking include:
• Improved heart and lung health ❤️🫁✨
• Reduced risk of cancer and serious illness 🎗️💙
• More energy and better overall wellbeing ⚡🌿
• Saving money every week and year 💷📊

Small steps can lead to big changes, and support is available to help you quit for good. 💙🚭✨

Use the smoking cost calculator: https://patient.info/healthy-living/smoking-cost-calculator
Learn about the true impact of smoking: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/why-quit-smoking/understanding-the-true-impact-of-smoking/

18/04/2026

Saturday 18th April

Just a reminder that today we are running our Covid spring booster clinic.

This is for pre-booked appointments only as the vaccine allocation to GP Surgeries is being tightly managed to avoid wastage.

We would like to thank our neighbours in advance for the additional footfall this morning, we are running a clinic at both Surgeries but finish at 2pm.

Thank you for your understanding. 💉🩺🦠

17/04/2026

Knowing your blood pressure reading is one of the simplest ways to protect your heart and overall health. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but it can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems if left untreated. Checking your reading regularly and understanding what it means can help you take control of your health.

You can help manage your blood pressure by:
• Eating a balanced diet with less salt 🥗🧂✨
• Staying active and moving regularly 🚶‍♂️💪
• Maintaining a healthy weight ⚖️💙
• Reducing alcohol and stopping smoking 🚭🍷
• Managing stress levels 🧠🌿

Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference over time. 💙🩺✨

Check your blood pressure reading: https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/check-your-blood-pressure-reading
Read about foods that can help lower blood pressure: https://patient.info/features/heart-health/foods-to-lower-blood-pressure

15/04/2026

If you're waiting for treatment or surgery, the My Planned Care website can help you stay informed and supported while you wait. It provides average waiting times for local hospital trusts, helping you understand what to expect, as well as signposting to advice and support to help maintain your health and wellbeing during this time. Taking small steps to look after yourself while waiting can make a real difference. 💙🩺✨

Find waiting times and support on My Planned Care: www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk

13/04/2026

13/04/2026

IBS Awareness Month highlights a common condition that can have a big impact on daily life.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system and can cause a range of ongoing symptoms that may come and go.

Common symptoms include:
• Stomach pain or cramping, often relieved after going to the toilet 🤕✨
• Bloating and excessive wind 💨💙
• Diarrhoea, constipation or a mix of both 🚽⚠️
• Changes in bowel habits 📊🩺

Symptoms can often be triggered by stress, certain foods or lifestyle factors. Managing IBS may involve dietary changes, staying active, reducing stress and understanding your triggers. If symptoms are persistent or worsening, it’s important to speak to your GP to rule out other conditions. 💙🌿✨

Read NHS guidance on IBS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
Learn about digestive issues and when it could be something more serious: https://patient.info/features/digestive-health/could-your-digestive-issues-be-ibd

10/04/2026

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder of how important screening is, even if you feel well.

The NHS bowel cancer screening programme is designed to detect cancer early, often before symptoms appear, when treatment is more effective and outcomes are better.

If you are aged 50 to 74, you will be sent a free home testing kit every 2 years. The test is simple to do and checks for tiny amounts of blood in your poo, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.

Taking part in screening can:
• Detect cancer early, before symptoms develop 🩺✨
• Help prevent cancer by finding and removing polyps 💙🔍
• Improve survival rates and treatment outcomes 📊🌿

Even if you feel healthy, it’s important to complete your test when invited.

If you notice symptoms like changes in bowel habits, blood in your poo, ongoing tummy pain or unexplained weight loss, contact your GP. Early action can save lives. 💙🎗️✨

Learn more about bowel cancer screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/bowel-cancer-screening/

09/04/2026

Patient Update Thursday 09.04.26

As we ease out of the easter weekend our routine appointment availability is unfortunately still impacted by higher than usual absences at the Practice.

Whenever we have a busy period of pre-booked annual leave and then additional unplanned absences due to illness this inevitably compromises our appointment availability in the short term.

This week, this has been compounded by the Junior Doctor Strike as with 7 GP Trainees at the Practice, any additional absences inevitably have an impact on appointments.

At present we are offering routine appointments 4 weeks ahead. If the matter you are contacting us about is routine then we do not consider this to be an unreasonable wait.

In addition to this we offer Urgent appointments every day, every GP has a number of 48 hour appointments bookable for 2 days time released every day and GPs also have an allocated week ahead appointment to recall patients who they feel need to be followed up or seen sooner than the routine wait.

We work hard as a Practice to offer a mix of appointment types within a range of timescales. However demand is currently particularly high and when we reach capacity it is not safe for our clinicians to compromise the care offered to our patients by simply seeing everyone.

Our reception teams cannot offer you what we do not have.

They are trained to signpost your request and book the most appropriate appointment based on clinical need. They can be contacted via phone or though our online consultation form on our website from where your non-urgent requests will be received.

If you consider your matter more urgent then please either call or attend the surgery in person.

Thank you for your patience at this busy time, stay well and enjoy the sunshine!

08/04/2026

Stress Awareness Month is a time to recognise the signs of burnout and take steps to protect your mental wellbeing. Burnout can build up over time and may leave you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, less motivated or struggling to concentrate. Recognising the early signs and taking action can help prevent things from getting worse.

Common signs of burnout include:
• Constant tiredness or lack of energy 😴💤
• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope 😣💭
• Reduced motivation or productivity 📉💼
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions 🧠⚠️
• Changes in sleep or mood 🌙💙

Taking regular breaks, setting boundaries, speaking to someone you trust and seeking support can all help you manage stress more effectively. You are not alone, and help is available. 💙🌿✨

Learn more about burnout: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/
Read about the symptoms of burnout: https://patient.info/features/mental-health/what-are-the-symptoms-of-burnout

07/04/2026

World Health Day is a great time to highlight how digital access is making healthcare quicker and easier for patients. Our “Tap it, type it, we’ll take care of it” approach encourages patients to use online services like the NHS App, GP websites and online forms to get the help they need without waiting on the phone.

Using online access means you can:
• Contact your GP about a health problem quickly and easily 💻📱✨
• Submit requests at a time that suits you ⏰💙
• Get directed to the right care first time 🩺✅
• Help reduce phone lines for those who need them most ☎️💚

Online forms are simple to use and ensure your request is reviewed and prioritised appropriately by the practice team. Digital access helps improve efficiency, reduce waiting times and make care more accessible for everyone. 📲💙✨

Learn how to use an online form to contact your GP: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/using-an-online-form-to-contact-your-gp-surgery/