Bethesda Medical Centre

22/12/2025

🦠Norovirus awareness🦠

This Christmas, keep yourself and your family safe by knowing the symptoms of norovirus and what to do if you catch it.

Norovirus, also called the winter vomiting bug, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually gets better in about 2 days.

The main symptoms of norovirus usually start suddenly and may include:
Feeling sick
Being sick (vomiting)
Diarrhoea

If you experience norovirus, you should stay at home and rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wash your hands regularly to prevent it spreading.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/

19/12/2025

💙Protecting your child’s health starts early 💙

Childhood vaccinations help protect babies and children from serious illnesses such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough and polio. These vaccines are safe, effective, and offered free of charge as part of the NHS routine immunisation programme.

At Bethesda Medical Centre, you can book your child’s vaccinations directly at the surgery. Our friendly clinical team is here to support you and make sure your child gets the best possible start in life.

👉 Parents and carers: if your child is due a vaccination, please contact us to book their appointment.

If you’re worried or have questions about vaccines, we encourage you to contact us; we can talk through any concerns, explain the benefits and possible side effects, and help you make an informed decision for your child.

Vaccinating your child protects them and helps protect others in our community.

📞 Call us on 01843 209300
🌐 Visit our website: https://www.bethesda.nhs.uk/

We’re here to help keep your children healthy and protected.

For information on the NHS' vaccination schedule, click on the below link.

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

09/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Prescription Reminder 🎄

To ensure your medications are ready in time for the festive period, please submit all prescription requests by Wednesday 10th December.

Requests submitted after this date cannot be guaranteed to be filled before Christmas.

Remember to submit any requests, and have a merry Christmas!🎅

08/12/2025

🎄Local pharmacies over Christmas🎄

Don’t forget that some local pharmacies are here to help over Christmas— giving you peace of mind when GPs and other services are closed. 🎄💊

Please see this helpful infographic advertising pharmacies in Thanet and their Christmas/New Year's openings/closures.

Before you head out to a pharmacy — ring ahead or check online to confirm opening hours. It really helps avoid unnecessary trips and ensures you get what you need.

For more information and for pharmacies in other areas, please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/south-east/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2025/12/Kent-Pharmacy-Opening-Times-Winter-BH-2025-26.pdf

05/12/2025

📢Bethesda Medical Centre – Christmas Opening/Closing Hours📢

Please note that we will be closed on:
🎄 Christmas Day
🎁 Boxing Day
🎆 New Year’s Day

We will be open as normal on the 29th, 30th and 31st December, and then will be open as normal from Friday 2nd Janary 2026.

While we are closed:

✔️ For urgent medical advice:
Call NHS 111 or visit https://111.nhs.uk/ – available 24/7. They can offer advice, arrange out-of-hours GP appointments, or direct you to the right service.

🚑 For emergencies or life-threatening situations:
Call 999- 24/7 help in an emergency.

💊 For minor illnesses:
Your local pharmacy can help with common conditions such as colds, coughs, rashes, and more.

⏱️ For ongoing prescriptions:
Make sure to order any repeat medications early to avoid running out during Christmastime.

Visit our website for out-of-hours contacts and information: https://www.bethesda.nhs.uk/opening-closing-hours

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and happy festive season! 🎅✨

Opening Hours

04/12/2025

🎄Reminder- Christmas Prescriptions🎄

Please make sure any prescription requests for December are given to us by the 10th December 2025, to ensure you have your medication over the Christmas period.

📍 Bethesda Medical Centre | 📞 01843 209300

04/12/2025

Remember our Winterwell event is tomorrow! Head to Northdown Road Family Hub for an afternoon of fun, games and community.

📅 Friday 5th December
🕐 1pm – 5pm
📍 Northdown Road Family Hub, Zion Place, Cliftonville

See you there!

🎄❄️ Join us for WINTERWELL! ❄️🎄

Margate PCN and Kent Family Hub are hosting a festive community event — and everyone’s invited!

Bring the family along for an afternoon filled with:
✨ Fun games & activities
✨ A chance to meet your local NHS and community services
✨ Winter cheer for all ages

📅 Friday 5th December
🕐 1pm – 5pm
📍 Northdown Road Family Hub, Zion Place, Cliftonville

It’s family-friendly and a great way to connect with your community.
We’d love to see you there!💙🎁

01/12/2025

❄️ KEEP WELL THIS WINTER ❄️

A few small steps can help you stay healthy:

🔥 Stay warm: Heat your home to at least 18°C, layer up, block draughts, and keep moving.

💉 Protect yourself: Get your Flu/Covid jabs if eligible, wash hands often, and keep essential medicines at home.

😊 Look after your mind: Stay connected, get outdoors in daylight, and speak to your GP about NHS Talking Therapies if needed.

🍲 Eat well: Enjoy regular hot meals and drinks, and include fruit, veg, and protein.

🏥 Know who to contact:
• Minor illnesses → Pharmacy
• Ongoing issues → GP
• Urgent help / no appointment → NHS 111

Let’s stay healthy together this winter. 💙
📍 Bethesda Medical Centre | 📞 01843 209300

01/12/2025

🎄❄️ Join us for WINTERWELL! ❄️🎄

Margate PCN and Kent Family Hub are hosting a festive community event — and everyone’s invited!

Bring the family along for an afternoon filled with:
✨ Fun games & activities
✨ A chance to meet your local NHS and community services
✨ Winter cheer for all ages

📅 Friday 5th December
🕐 1pm – 5pm
📍 Northdown Road Family Hub, Zion Place, Cliftonville

It’s family-friendly and a great way to connect with your community.
We’d love to see you there!💙🎁

28/11/2025

❄️Skin Cancer Doesn’t Take a Winter Break! ❄️

Even though the days are colder and the sun feels weaker, skin cancer can still develop in winter. UV rays are present year-round, and noticing changes early is one of the best ways to protect your health.

Common Symptoms to Watch For:
• New spots or moles appearing on the skin
• Existing moles that change in size, shape, or colour
• A sore that doesn’t heal
• A spot that bleeds, itches, crusts, or becomes painful
• A patch of skin that looks shiny, waxy, or pinkish-red

If you see something unusual, don’t wait—book an appointment with us. Early detection makes treatment easier and more effective. Our team at Bethesda Medical Centre is here to help keep you safe all year long.

Your skin matters in every season. If you have questions or concerns, contact us—we’re here for you.

📍 Bethesda Medical Centre | 📞 01843 209300

💙Stay safe, stay aware, and take care of your skin this winter! 💙

26/11/2025

📝Important- Surgery closed for training📝

On Thursday 27th November, the surgery will be closed from 1pm for staff training and will reopen as normal on Friday 28th November 2025.

For non-urgent enquiries, please contact us when we reopen.
For urgent matters that cannot wait, please call 111.
In a medical emergency, dial 999.

📍 Bethesda Medical Centre | 📞 01843 209300

26/11/2025

🎄Christmas Prescriptions🎄

Please make sure any prescription requests for December are given to us by the 10th December 2025, to ensure you have your medication over the Christmas period.

📍 Bethesda Medical Centre | 📞 01843 209300