Brook Medical Centre

20/04/2026

*** Annual Review Appointments ***
If you have been invited for an annual review, it is important that you attend this appointment as it helps us monitor and manage your long-term health conditions safely and effectively.
During your annual review, we may check things such as:
Your current symptoms and overall health
Your medication and how well it is working
Blood pressure, blood tests, or other relevant health checks
Any ongoing care needs or lifestyle advice
These reviews help us ensure your treatment remains safe, appropriate, and up to date.
Why it is important
Regular annual reviews help us:
Detect any changes in your health early
Prevent complications from long-term conditions
Ensure you remain on the most appropriate treatment
Provide ongoing support tailored to your needs
What you need to do
Please attend your appointment when invited
If you are unable to attend, please contact the practice as soon as possible to rearrange
Some reviews may require blood tests before your appointment — if so, you will be advised separately

20/04/2026

*** Requesting Your Repeat Prescription ***
You can request your repeat prescriptions in the following ways:
Via the NHS App
Using Anima
Through SystmOnline
By bringing your repeat prescription slip into the practice
You can order your medication up to 7 days before it is due to run out.
Please ensure you request your medication in good time to allow the practice to process your request and for your nominated pharmacy to prepare your prescription

16/04/2026

🌸Pregnant? Here’s your gentle nudge to get protected!🌸
Growing a tiny human is hard work, so let your vaccines do some of the protecting for you.
Throughout pregnancy, there are a few important vaccines that help keep you and your baby safe, and this handy timeline shows exactly when they’re offered.
💉 Whooping cough – usually around your 20 week scan
💉 RSV – from 28 weeks
🍂 Flu vaccine – offered in autumn/winter, at any stage of pregnancy
These vaccines help protect your baby from the moment they arrive, giving them the best possible start.

If you’re unsure what you’re due or want to chat it through, our team is always happy to help.
Let’s keep you and your little one safe and Strong 👶

07/04/2026

🌼 April is Immunisation Month! 🌼
This month, we’re proudly supporting World Immunisation Week, a global reminder of the power of vaccines to protect people of all ages from preventable disease.
💉 Vaccines save lives.
From childhood jabs to adult boosters, staying up to date with your vaccinations is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your family, and our wider community.
✨ Why it matters:
• Vaccines help stop the spread of serious illnesses
• They protect our most vulnerable, babies, older adults, and those with long‑term conditions
• They keep our community healthier, stronger, and safer
If you’re unsure which vaccines you or your child may need, or you’d like to check your records, our team is here to help. Just give us a call or pop in to speak to one of our clinicians.
Let’s celebrate Immunisation Month by keeping each other protected.
A healthier community starts with all of us. 💙

24/03/2026

💊 Need the contraceptive pill? Your local pharmacy can now help.
Women and young people aged 16 and over can now access the contraceptive pill directly from participating pharmacies, no GP appointment required.
Whether you’re starting the pill for the first time or need a repeat supply, your pharmacist can offer a confidential consultation, discuss your options, and provide the medication where appropriate.
This service is part of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, making it easier to get the care you need in a way that fits your life.
It’s quick, convenient, and completely confidential. Just pop in and speak to your local pharmacist, they’re here to support you.

24/03/2026

🦻 Earache causing trouble?
Did you know children and young people aged 1–17 can now be assessed and treated for earache directly at their local pharmacy? no GP appointment needed?
Our brilliant community pharmacists can check symptoms, offer expert advice, and provide treatment where appropriate. It’s quick, convenient, and designed to help your child feel better sooner.
This service is part of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, making it easier for families to get the care they need, right when they need it.
If your little one, or your not‑so‑little one, is struggling with ear pain, don’t wait. Your local pharmacy is ready to support you.

23/03/2026

🌟 Have You Tried Using Anima Yet? 🌟

It’s the quickest and easiest way to contact the surgery, and the more people who use it, the better it works for everyone.
Using Anima helps free up our telephone lines for those who need urgent help or for patients who are unable to use online services and have nobody to assist them. By choosing Anima for non‑urgent queries, you’re helping us support the whole community.

💻 Why use Anima?
• No long waits on the phone
• No queues in practice
• Submit your request at a time that suits you
• Your query goes straight to the clinical team

📚 Coming soon…
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing simple, step‑by‑step “How To” guides to help you get the most out of Anima. Whether you’re brand new to it or just need a refresher, we’ve got you covered.

🧡 If you can’t use Anima, don’t worry
If you are unable to use online services and have nobody who can assist you, please let us know. We can add a note to your medical record stating that you are “Non‑Digital”. This means you will still be able to make appointments by calling the surgery or by coming into the practice as usual.

✨ Thank you for helping us improve access for everyone. Every Anima submission makes a difference.

18/03/2026

🩺 Meningitis B Update for Our Patients
We know many of you have questions following the recent meningitis cases linked to the Canterbury area, so here’s a simple overview to help keep everyone informed.
💉 Meningitis B Vaccination
The MenB vaccine has been part of the routine childhood schedule only for children born on or after 1 September 2015.
If your child was born before this date, they would not have received it as part of their routine vaccines.
There are no changes to the national vaccine schedule at this time. If this ever changes, eligible patients will be contacted directly.
💊 Who is currently being offered precautionary (prophylactic) antibiotics?
These are being arranged by UKHSA for:
• Students at the Canterbury campus
• Staff living in the affected halls of residence
• Anyone who attended Club Chemistry on 5th, 6th or 7th March
• Close contacts of any of the above groups
If you believe you are a close contact and haven’t been treated, please contact UKHSA on the number below, or let us know so we can support you.
⚠️ Please stay alert to symptoms
Close contacts should be aware of symptoms of meningococcal disease and septicaemia, which can include:
• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Vomiting
• Limb pain
• Cold hands/feet
• Drowsiness
• Rapid deterioration
If these symptoms appear, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
💉 MenB Vaccination Availability
We are not currently able to offer MenB vaccination outside of the routine NHS schedule.
📞 Need more advice?
For any questions, please contact UKHSA on 0344 225 2861, selecting option 5 for meningitis queries.
Thank you for helping us keep our community safe and informed.

18/03/2026

📣 Need Help Using Anima? Watch Our Quick Guide!
We know that trying something new can feel a bit daunting, so we’ve created a simple step‑by‑step video to show you exactly how to use Anima to contact the practice.
Anima is the fastest way to get help for both routine and urgent needs. It lets you submit your request online, and our clinical team can triage it safely and efficiently, meaning you get the right care, at the right time.
🎥 Watch the video here:
👉 https://youtu.be/0yzG7knScdI?si=Yl61c6bsSLECyGJg
This video will walk you through:
✨ How to submit a request
✨ What information to include
✨ How the triage process works
✨ What happens after you send it
If you’re not confident with online systems, don’t worry, our team is always here to support you. But we hope this guide helps make Anima feel a little easier and more familiar.
Please give it a watch and share with anyone who might find it helpful.
Brook Medical Centre 💙

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18/03/2026

🌟 Appointments & Contacting the Practice 🌟

To help us support you as quickly and safely as possible, we encourage patients to use Anima for all routine and urgent requests. Anima uses clinical triage to make sure those with the most urgent needs are prioritised.
Here’s how you can contact us:
📱 Anima: 8am – 11am
📞 Telephone: 8am – 6:30pm
🏥 In person: 7:30am – 6:30pm
💬 Accurx: 7:30am – 6:30pm
📧 Email: northantsicb.k83048bmc.queries@nhs.net (7:30am – 6:30pm)
🕒 Cancellation waiting list: 7:30am – 6:30pm

If you’re unable to use online services, please give us a call, our team is always happy to help.

⏰ Out of Hours
When the practice is closed, please contact NHS 111 for urgent medical advice.
In an emergency, always call 999.

Brook medical Centre 💙

17/03/2026

🌿 It’s Nutrition & Hydration Week! 💧
This week we’re shining a light on the small, everyday habits that help us stay well, energised, and thriving. Good nutrition and staying hydrated play a huge role in our overall health—supporting everything from concentration and mood to immunity and recovery.
Here are a few simple ways to look after yourself this week:
• Keep a refillable water bottle nearby and sip regularly throughout the day
• Enjoy balanced meals with a mix of colours, flavours, and textures
• Take a moment to check in on loved ones who may need a reminder to drink or eat regularly
• Make mealtimes social where you can—connection is just as nourishing
We’d love to hear how you’re getting involved. Share your tips, photos, or ideas in the comments and let’s celebrate healthy habits together.
Here’s to feeling our best—one glass of water and one good meal at a time 🌟

16/03/2026

🌟 Pharmacy First is now live at Ecton Brook Medical Centre🌟
Our local pharmacists can now help you with a range of common conditions, offering quick, expert advice and treatment without needing to see a GP. It’s a faster, easier way to get the care you need, right in the heart of our community. Pop in, speak to your pharmacist, and let us help you feel better sooner.