Forest Health Care

17/07/2025

There is a problem with power at our Ruardean Surgery.

Please DO NOT attend if you have an appointment today at Ruardean.

We will be in touch to rearrange. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

09/07/2025

🚨 Important Notice 🚨

Please note that the surgery will be closed this afternoon, Wednesday 9th July, from 1:00 PM for staff training. 🩺📚
If you need urgent medical assistance while we are closed, please call 111 or 999, as appropriate. 📞🚑

We will reopen at 8:30 AM on Thursday 10th July. ⏰
Thank you for your understanding! 🙏

03/07/2025

🚧 Road Closure Alert – Morse Road, Raurdean/Drybrook (July 4th–8th) 🚧

Dear patients,

We believe that Morse Road may potentially be closed from 4th July through to 8th July for roadworks. The closure may impact the area near our Ruardean clinic, so we strongly recommend allowing extra travel time to avoid delays.

🗓 Closure Dates: July 4th–8th
📍 Affected Area: Morse Road, Raurdean/Drybrook

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you safely at your appointment.

Thank you - FHC Team

03/07/2025

Important notice for patients using weight loss medications and taking the pill or HRT

Many patients are now using weight loss medications like Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) or Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) — either for diabetes or privately for weight loss.

These medications work partly by slowing down how your stomach empties — which can affect how well other medicines (like the contraceptive pill or HRT tablets) are
absorbed by your body.

If you take the contraceptive pill:
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
This medicine may reduce how well the pill works.
You should:
• Use a non-oral method (e.g. coil or implant) or
• Add a barrier method (like condoms) for 4 weeks after starting or increasing the dose.
• Use extra protection (like condoms) if you have vomiting or diarrhoea and follow the missed pill rules (see the patient information leaflet which comes with your pill) if you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours.

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) and others
These do not appear to reduce the effectiveness of the pill. But side effects like vomiting or diarrhoea can still reduce how well the pill is absorbed. So, use extra protection (like condoms) if you have vomiting or diarrhoea and follow the missed pill rules (see the patient information leaflet which comes with your pill) if you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours

Please see further information here: www.fsrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/Patient-information-GLP-1-agonists-and-contraception.pdf

If you’re taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
This applies if your HRT includes progesterone tablets like:
• Progesterone or Utrogestan
• Norethisterone
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate
There is some concern that weight loss medications – such as Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) – may reduce how well these tablets are absorbed. This could lead to irregular bleeding and may affect the protection of your womb lining (potentially leading to an increased risk of endometrial cancer).

What are the options?
Please contact us to talk through the best choice for you.

Options include:

• Mirena coil (IUS): The ideal option in most cases. Works for 5 years as part of HRT and is also contraceptive. Please contact the practice if you would like to be added to our waiting list for a coil fit.

• Combined HRT patch: Contains both hormones (oestrogen + progestogen) and bypasses the stomach.

• Increase oral progesterone dose: Your GP may recommend a higher dose for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose increase of your weight loss medication.

• Using progesterone vaginally: This is not licensed but is commonly used. You can continue this if already prescribed.

27/06/2025

📢 Important Notice for Our Patients

Due to staff sickness, we are currently short-staffed at our reception today. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Please bear with us if it takes a little longer to answer calls or assist you in person. We’re doing our best to support everyone as efficiently as possible.

Thank you for your continued support

25/06/2025

🚨 Scam Alert – Please Read 🚨

It has been brought to our attention that some patients have received phone calls from a man claiming to be calling from FHC to conduct a questionnaire.

❗ Please be aware: This is a scam.
We are not currently contacting patients to complete any questionnaires over the phone.

If you receive a suspicious call like this, do not share any personal information and end the call immediately.

Please feel free to contact the practice directly if you are unsure or have any concerns. Stay safe and thank you for your vigilance.

FHC Team

23/06/2025

In response to today's news that GP's can prescribe Mounjaro:

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro™) was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care and Excellence (NICE) in the UK in December 2024: NICE [TA1026] guidance on Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity in adults.

We are anticipating guidance from NHS England which will help us implement our plans to prescribe this drug to people with the greatest clinical need in a safe and effective way, alongside a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity and psychological support.

Initially, Tirzepatide will be prescribed in Gloucestershire through a Specialist Weight Management Service. We are working with practices, pharmacies, Public Health, and the specialist service to ensure that those who are eligible for the drug are given the right care and support when they start the treatment to help them gain the greatest health benefits. This will include healthy lifestyle programmes to help people to lose weight through changes to their diet, nutrition, and physical activity. We are advising the public that the medication is not currently available for weight loss via prescription from GP practices and that they should not contact practices to ask for it.

Thank you.
Forest Health Care

15/05/2025

🚨 Important Notice 🚨

Please note that the surgery will be closed this afternoon, Thursday 15th May, from 1:00 PM for staff training. 🩺📚

If you need urgent medical assistance while we are closed, please call 111 or 999, as appropriate. 📞🚑

We will reopen at 8:30 AM on Friday 16th May. ⏰

Thank you for your understanding! 🙏

15/05/2025

Drop in COVID session tomorrow at Tesco for anyone that is eligible and missed our Clinic

Our Outreach Vaccination and Health team are offering drop-in Spring boosters to over 75s and those who are eligible for the vaccine.

📌 This Friday (16 May), the team will be on the information bus at Cinderford Tesco, from 10am-2pm.

People eligible include:

• all adults aged 75 years and over
• residents of care homes for older people
• people aged 6 months and over who are severely immunosuppressed.

As well as a COVID vaccination you can receive healthcare advice and signposting to free local services.

If you are eligible and would like to take up the offer of a free COVID vaccine at one of our drop-in clinics, please see the link to information and further dates in the comments below 👇

NHS Gloucestershire One Gloucestershire Health & Wellbeing Partnership Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals Gloucestershire County Council

14/05/2025

🚧 Important Notice: External Works at Ruardean Surgery This Weekend 🚧

We would like to inform our patients that external site works will be taking place at Ruardean Surgery over the weekend.

If you are planning to drop off a repeat prescription during this time, please take extra care around the site as there may be equipment, machinery and temporary obstructions in place.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

09/05/2025

📢 Important Update for Staff & Patients 🚧

We would like to remind staff and patients of a temporary road closure on Valley Road scheduled for Tuesday, 13th May. 🚗❌

🔒 The closure will affect the stretch from Seven Stars Road (near the Bilson Inn) to the junction accessing Forest Upcycling & Seal Glass — covering approximately 100 metres.

✅ Please note: The surgery entrance will remain open as usual.

⚠️ However, diversions will be in place — so plan ahead and allow extra travel time due to potential traffic delays in the area. 🕒🚦

Thank you for your understanding! 🙏

Gloucestershire County Council have advised of the intention to temporarily close Valley Road. Should you have any further queries regarding this closure, please contact the Gloucestershire Highways helpline 08000 514 514.

09/05/2025

Dave and the NHS Information team is in Coleford Clock Tower today (Friday, May 9), 10am - 3:00pm for , talking to communities about death and dying with the aim of lifting the stigma around this topic which sometimes people find it hard to talk about.

As part of we're encouraging people to get talking in whatever way works for them about end of life care, death and dying. If you live in the Forest of Dean, come and talk to our NHS Information Bus team in Coleford tomorrow. The bus will be parked up at the Clock Tower from 10am to 3pm.