Forest Health Care

13/03/2026

🩺 Don’t skip your smear test — it could save your life.

A smear test (cervical screening) checks for abnormal cells on the cervix before they turn into cancer. It’s quick, usually painless, and one of the most effective ways to help prevent cervical cancer.

✨ Most cervical cancers are preventable when changes are found early
✨ The test usually takes just a few minutes
✨ Early detection means better treatment and outcomes

Drop-in Smear Clinic – Saturday 21st March

We are holding a drop-in clinic open to women who are due their smear test from:
• Forest Health Care
• Dockham Surgery
• Drybrook Surgery
• Mitcheldean Surgery

📍 No booking needed – just come along.

Taking a few minutes for your screening could protect your health for years to come. 💗

11/03/2026

💤 Safer Sleep Week | 9–15 March 👶
Every year, the Lullaby Trust promotes safe sleeping through Safer Sleep Week, which runs from 9 to 15 March. The theme for 2026 is Baby Necessities, encouraging parents and carers to “keep it simple to keep it safe” when choosing baby sleep products.
Sadly, around four babies a week still die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) ⚠️. If all parents were aware of safer sleep advice, many of these deaths could be prevented ❤️.
The Lullaby Trust campaign offers advice and information on:
🛒 What products to buy
❌ What to avoid
🔎 How to check if a product is safe for sleep
🌡️ What to dress your baby in for sleep in different temperatures
More at: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/about-us/our-campaigns/safer-sleep-week/
The NHS Best Start in Life website also has a brief safer sleep advice page:
🔗 https://ow.ly/BrQE50YpHIM

05/03/2026

We know life can be busy and it’s not always easy to fit appointments into your day. If you’ve been meaning to book your smear test but haven’t quite got round to it yet, this is a great chance to pop in.

We’re holding a Drop-In Smear Clinic for anyone who is due their cervical screening — no appointment needed.

Many people put off their smear test for different reasons. You might feel embarrassed, worried it might be uncomfortable, or think you’ll get round to it another time. Please know that our nurses perform smear tests every day and are there to help you feel as comfortable, supported and at ease as possible.

A smear test is quick, and it’s a really important test that can help detect early changes and prevent cervical cancer.

If this drop-in clinic is well attended, we hope to offer more flexible clinics like this in the future to make it easier for everyone to access their screening.

If you’re due your smear test, we’d love to see you there 💙

04/03/2026

Please note that the surgery will be closed this afternoon, Wednesday 4th March, 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 5th March.

25/02/2026

🌼 Easter Dispensary Opening Hours 2026 🌼

Please see our dispensary opening hours over the Easter period:

Cinderford & Westbury Surgery
🕒 Monday to Thursday: 8:30am – 6:00pm
(Closed 1:00pm – 2:00pm daily)
❌ Closed:
• Good Friday – 3rd April 2026
• Saturday – 4th April 2026
• Sunday – 5th April 2026
• Easter Monday – 6th April 2026

Ruardean Surgery
🕒 Monday to Thursday: 8:30am – 12:45pm
❌ Closed:
• Good Friday – 3rd April 2026
• Saturday – 4th April 2026
• Sunday – 5th April 2026
• Easter Monday – 6th April 2026

💊 Please ensure you request any repeat prescriptions by the 31st of March to allow time for them to be processed before the holiday. 💊

Wishing all our patients a safe and happy Easter! 🐣🌷

29/01/2026

💉FINAL FLU CLINIC 💉

This Saturday we will be holding a small flu clinic at our Cinderford Surgery between 8.30 - 12noon.

Please use the self booking links that have been sent to you recently or contact the Surgery to book.

28/01/2026

⚠️❗️ROADWORKS WARNING ❗️⚠️
2 Feb - 6 Mar
A4151 From Junction With The Branch To Steam Mills Road

Please ensure you give yourselves plenty of time to attend your appointments during this time.

26/01/2026

Ordering your repeat prescription on the NHS App is easier than you think.
If you take medicine regularly, you can order a repeat prescription through the app – meaning you don't need to visit your GP, saving you time.
https://www.nhs.uk/.../how-to-order-a-repeat-prescription/

23/01/2026

Our Outreach Vaccination and Health team are offering drop-in vaccinations to over 75s and those who are eligible.

Tomorrow you can receive your COVID vaccine at Ow Bist Forest Community Space, Dockham Road, Cinderford, 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 a blood pressure check, healthcare advice and signposting to free local services.

Next week we have clinics at:

📌 Monday 26 January: Redwell Centre, Redwell Road, Matson, Gloucester - 10am-2pm
📌 Tuesday 27 January: Cirencester Livestock Market (Voyce Pullin Markets Ltd), Cotswold Agricultural Centre, Driffield Road, Cirencester - 9.30am-2pm

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 in the comments below 👇

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

22/01/2026

21/01/2026

TRAFFIC LIGHT WARNING!

Due to traffic lights in steam mill and on valley road, please allow yourself additional time to get to your appointments.

09/01/2026

Due to last nights weather, please take extra care if you are attending any of our Surgeries today, as the car parks are slippery.