The Elms Practice

05/09/2025

CHILD FLU VACCINATIONS

Appointments are now available for the child flu vaccinations.

The nasal flu vaccination is recommended to children to protect them from flu and the complications it can cause such as pneumonia.

If your child is aged 2 or 3 years old on 31st August 2025 (with a date of birth on or after 1st September 2021 and on of before 31st August 2023) they are eligible for the free nasal flu vaccination.

Please contact the practice on 02392466216 to make an appointment.

For more information: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

03/09/2025

Please be aware that this Sunday, September 7th, the UK government will be testing the Emergency Alert System.

Please see further information below and opt out if you need to.

The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

The Emergency Alerts system is used to warn if there’s a danger to life nearby, including extreme weather. Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency.

Mobile phones and tablets will receive an alert, make a loud siren-like sound and vibrate. You will not need to take any action.

To find out more, visit About Emergency Alerts - https://orlo.uk/gmGqE

If for any reason you need to opt out of receiving emergency alerts, click here for guidance on how to do so: Opting out of emergency alerts - https://orlo.uk/txQSV

29/08/2025

The NHS bowel cancer screening kit can detect signs of cancer before you notice anything is wrong.

If you’re sent a bowel cancer screening kit, put it by the loo. Don’t put it off.

➡️ http://nhs.uk/bowel-screening

28/08/2025

Update on the Cervical Screening Programme 📱💗

From September, the NHS plans to send digital results from the Cervical Screening Programme to your NHS app.

Those who receive a negative test result will be notified by an NHS app message, which will also appear as an NHS app notification. If the app message is not read within 72 hours, a letter will be sent as a failsafe.

For the time being, abnormal result letters will continue to be sent by post.

27/08/2025

FLU VACCINATION SEASON 2025/26

We are now booking appointments for our seasonal flu vaccinations. 💉

Patients eligible include:

- Adults aged 65 and over
- Those with certain long term health conditions (please check with us if you are unsure)
- Pregnant women
- Those living in a care home
- Main carers for an older or disabled person
- Those living with someone with a weakened immune system
- Frontline health and social care workers

If you are also eligible for the Covid-19 booster, you will be offered this at the same appointment. Those eligible include:

- Adults aged 75 and over
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- Adults who are immunosuppressed

📅Clinics will be running on Saturdays 4th, 11th and 18th October. Weekday and evening appointments will also be available in due course.

📞 Please contact the practice on 02392466216 to make your appointment.

Patients will also be sent invitation links to book their own appointments in the coming days and weeks.

21/08/2025

📱 Breast screening goes digital

The Portsmouth Breast Screening Programme is trialling a new way to send invitations. Instead of a letter, you’ll receive a text from 'NHSPortHosp' with a secure link to view details, confirm, cancel or rebook your appointment, and even access results.

The system is fast, sustainable, and includes accessibility features like translation and text-to-speech. Paper letters will still be sent if needed.

👉 Learn more: https://bit.ly/45G0PES

19/08/2025

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURE 🏖️

Please note The Elms Practice will be closed on Monday, August 25th.

The practice will reopen with our usual working hours on Tuesday, August 26th at 8am.

If you know you will run out of your repeat medication over the Bank Holiday weekend, please ensure you have requested this by 5pm on Wednesday, August 20th as we do require 48 hours to process repeat prescription requests.

If you require urgent medical advice whilst we are closed, please call 111. In the event of a life threatening emergency, please dial 999.

Thank you

31/07/2025

Mobile Phone Disruption 📱📞☎️

We are aware that there is an issue with the EE mobile network on Hayling Island. This is resulting in some of our patients being unable to receive our incoming calls or to call us directly.

We would suggest if you are expecting a call from us to ensure you are connected to a nearby WiFi. Alternatively, please provide us with another number such as a landline if you can.

We will do our best to report this to the mobile network. Thank you for your understanding.

15/07/2025

Please note the practice will be closing at 1pm today.

10/07/2025

PRACTICE CLOSURE ⛔️

Please note the practice will be closed from 1pm on Tuesday, July 15th for staff training.

The practice will reopen with our usual hours at 8am on Wednesday, July 16th.

If you require urgent medical advice whilst we are closed, please call 111. In the event of a life threatening emergency, please dial 999.

Thank you

09/07/2025

Please see event details for the upcoming Dementia Information Day on Friday, July 11th 10am-1pm at the Public Service Plaza in Havant, PO92AX.