Swingbridge Surgery

17/04/2026

📢 Phone Issues at Swingbridge Surgery

We’re currently having some problems with our phone system and are working hard to get this sorted as quickly as possible.

If your query isn’t urgent, please try calling back a little later 🙏

Thanks so much for your patience 💙

16/04/2026

📢 Spring 2026 COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

We are now inviting eligible patients for their spring COVID-19 booster.

🧑‍⚕️ Who is eligible?
The spring vaccine is being offered to:
• People aged 75 years and over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• People aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system

📅 When will I be invited?
Appointments will run between April and June, with those at highest risk contacted first.
You will usually be invited around 6 months after your last dose (but can have it from 3 months if needed).

If you are turning 75 between April and June, you don’t need to wait until your birthday — you can attend when invited.

💉 Which vaccine will I get?
You may be offered a vaccine from Pfizer, Moderna or Sanofi. These are updated vaccines designed to better protect against current COVID-19 variants.

⚠️ Side effects (common)
Most are mild and short-lived:
• Sore arm
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Mild flu-like symptoms

These usually settle within a week. Paracetamol and rest can help.

❗ Very rare serious side effects (seek urgent advice):
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fast or irregular heartbeat

📌 If you are unwell on the day
Please do not attend if you have a fever or feel infectious — your appointment can be rearranged.

📱 How to book
You may be contacted by your GP practice or be able to book via the NHS App.

Getting vaccinated helps reduce your risk of severe illness this spring and summer.

Thank you

15/04/2026

When diagnosed early, nine in ten people survive bowel cancer. That’s why this , I'm helping raise awareness of the disease, so everyone has the best chance of an early diagnosis.

Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.

Get involved today and .

https://bit.ly/4sJYMcT

08/04/2026

This we’re supporting ’s campaign.

They’re asking everyone to help raise vital awareness so everyone has the best chance of an early diagnosis.

Get involved today and .

https://bit.ly/4sJYMcT

01/04/2026

When diagnosed early, nine in ten people survive bowel cancer. That’s why this , we're helping raise awareness of the disease, so everyone has the best chance of an early diagnosis.

Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.

Get involved today and .

https://bit.ly/4sJYMcT

25/03/2026

📢 Update on Cervical Screening Results

From 24 March 2026, if your cervical screening result requires a referral to colposcopy, you’ll be able to see it on the NHS App.

Here’s how it works:
📱 If you have the NHS App, you’ll get a notification there first.
✉️ If you don’t read it within 24 hours, a letter will be sent as a backup.
📩 Some patients may also receive an SMS notification.
📬 If you don’t have the NHS App, your result will be sent by post.

What you can do:
✅ Download the NHS App and enable notifications to get your results faster: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app

💬 If you have questions, speak to your sample taker or GP practice.

This change is designed to make it quicker and easier to receive your results safely.

18/03/2026

16/03/2026

💊 Did you know? You may be able to get contraception directly from your local pharmacy.

The NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service allows you to access advice and certain types of contraception directly from a pharmacist – without needing to see a GP first.

Through participating pharmacies, you may be able to:
• Start the contraceptive pill
• Continue your regular oral contraception
• Access emergency contraception (the morning after pill)

The service is free on the NHS, and consultations take place privately with a trained pharmacist.

This service helps make contraception more accessible and convenient, and may also reduce the need for a GP appointment for routine contraceptive care.

You can find out more here:
🔗https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/find-a-pharmacy-offering-contraceptive-pill-without-prescription/

If you have questions about contraception options that are not pill-based, please speak to your GP or local sexual health clinic.

24/02/2026

🍬 Mapping Sweet Sensing in Type 2 Diabetes Study🍬

We are inviting volunteers to take part in a research study exploring sweet taste perception in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Study details:

-Online tasting session (1 hour)
-Online eating behaviour questionnaires
-Inconvenience allowance provided

Who we’re looking for:

-Adults with Type 2 diabetes (

24/02/2026

Important Patient Notice – Swingbridge Surgery

Due to a gas leak at Swingbridge Surgery, and in the interests of patient and staff safety, we are currently unable to see patients or have anyone present in the building.

The relevant services have been notified and we are awaiting their arrival as a priority.

We will provide further updates as soon as we are able and will keep patients informed throughout. Thank you for your understanding while we manage this situation safely.

11/02/2026

💘 Valentine’s Date… With Your Cervix! 💘

Roses are red, violets are blue,
Your cervix wants a check-up… and so do you! 😅

Cervical screening is a quick, simple test for women aged 25–64 that looks for HPV — a virus that can sometimes lead to cervical cancer. It only takes 10 minutes and could save your life.

📄 More info (and less awkward than a Valentine’s date): https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/

This Valentine’s, show yourself some love — book your screening! 💖

10/02/2026

👶💉 MMRV Vaccination – A Guide for Parents

The MMRV vaccine protects children against Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (chickenpox) — four infections that can be serious, particularly in young children.

We’re sharing a helpful guide for parents that explains:
• What the MMRV vaccine is
• When it’s offered
• Why it’s important
• Answers to common questions

ℹ️ Important information for parents
There is a slightly increased risk of febrile convulsions (fits caused by a fever) in young children following the MMRV vaccine, compared to giving the MMR and chickenpox vaccines separately. These convulsions can be frightening but are usually short-lived and do not cause long-term harm.

You can find more detailed information here:
🔗 Further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mmrv-vaccination/mmrv-vaccination-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers

To support different needs and preferences, the information is also available in alternative formats:

📘 British Sign Language (BSL) video: https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/MMRV programme - measles%2C mumps%2C rubella and chickenpox vaccine/9793EN002

🎧 Audio version: https://find-public-health-resources.service.gov.uk/MMRV programme - measles%2C mumps%2C rubella and chickenpox vaccine/9793EN002

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your GP or practice nurse — they’ll be happy to help.