The Portchester Practice

15/03/2026

Mother's Day can be really challenging for some people. If you're one of those, don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help or support from those around you. There is no correct way to feel if you are grieving or if you have a complicated relationship with mothers or motherhood.

Take care of yourself and don't feel like you need to follow traditions or expectations if they don't feel right to you. You may find it helpful to plan something to keep you busy or help you process your feelings, or you might prefer not to acknowledge the day at all. Just remember, you are not alone and there are many others who feel like you do.

If you would like to talk to someone for support following bereavement, call the Cruse Bereavement Support helpline on: 0808 808 1677. If you are struggling with your mental health, call NHS 111 at any time of the day or night for specialist support.

22/02/2026

11/02/2026

Aged 11-19? Starting a conversation about mental health isn’t always easy, and can make you feel a bit nervous.

You can chat to a local nurse anonymously about how you’re feeling.

We are available Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm and if you text after hours, you’ll still get a reply the next day.

📲 Text 07507 332160 today.

Hampshire Healthy Families

28/01/2026

Several dental practices, including new urgent dental hubs, across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are offering urgent appointments as part of a national programme. In November around 34,000 additional urgent dental appointments were commissioned to support patients across the region who need to see an NHS dentist for emergency treatments.

These urgent appointments are for patients who are likely to be in significant pain, including those suffering from infections or needing urgent repairs to a lost filling or crown, and require urgent treatment. Patients who need urgent dental care can access these appointments by using 111 online or phoning 111. Patients will be directed to the appropriate practice to be seen for their urgent need.

Conditions suitable for urgent dental appointments include:

🦷 Severe toothache - persistent and intense pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
🦷 Dental abscesses - infections causing swelling, pain, and possibly fever.
🦷 Broken or knocked-out teeth - trauma resulting in a fractured or completely dislodged tooth.
🦷 Bleeding in the mouth following a dental procedure or an injury that doesn’t stop by itself, but can be self-controlled using local measures (If the bleeding cannot be self-controlled in any way, emergency care may be necessary).
🦷 Swelling - significant swelling in the mouth or face that could indicate an infection.
🦷 Fractured, loose or displaced fillings causing pain.
🦷 Severe bleeding from gums, or acute conditions affecting other soft areas of the mouth (such as cheeks or tongue) which require urgent treatment.

Other treatments may be available at the discretion of the dentist. These treatments may require extra visits and costs.

27/01/2026

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in the UK, yet it remains under-recognised and under-researched within the context of women’s health.

The symptoms of CVD are often missed in women, resulting in diagnostic delays and avoidable negative health consequences. Women experiencing CVD also often face barriers linked to gender biases, which can make it even more difficult to access support.

We are running a survey to better understand women’s awareness of heart health, and the risks associated with cardiovascular disease. Women face unique risks and challenges related to heart health, and this survey will help us to better understand women’s experiences of accessing support, identify gaps, and provide recommendations to improve the experience for women living with CVD. This survey also provides an opportunity to attend a focus group to help shape recommendations for improvement.

Please take our short survey by 2nd February 2026 to help us understand what women know about heart health, how confident they feel about their risk, and what support or information would make a difference. You can find the link in the comments.

Thank you very much for your help.

24/10/2025

Flu and COVID Vaccinations
If you are registered at the Portchester Practice and are eligible for your flu and/or COVID vaccination, we are open for walk ins between 11:30am and 2:30pm tomorrow afternoon (Saturday)

28/07/2025

We are very proud to have been ranked 14th best GP surgery in Hampshire in the national patient survey. Thank you for all your support

If you are interested you can find the survey results here

https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/patientexperience/results?code=J82012

Check if your GP surgery made the list 🩺

23/07/2025

The summer holidays are here! If you need advice about your child’s health or wellbeing during the holidays, visit the Healthier Together app or website.

Summer holidays can bring plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure but can also be a time where minor injuries occur, as well as heat-related illnesses and common infections. The Healthier Together website offers clear, reliable advice created by healthcare professionals to help families make the right decisions about caring for their child if they do become unwell.

Dr Tom Bertram, Local GP and Clinical Director for Primary and Local Care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said “We want children to enjoy their summer and for parents to feel reassured that there is easy to access help and advice at your fingertips. If your child is feeling unwell or has had an injury, there are a number of services available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight where you can get help.

“If you’re unsure of where to go or what to do, the Healthier Together website is a great place to start as it helps identify what’s normal and when to seek help. The website offers guidance for common childhood illnesses, injuries and symptoms as well as advice on sun safety, mental health, and emotional wellbeing.

“It can help you decide whether you can self-care at home or if you need help, which service is best for the needs of children aged up to 18.”

Parents and carers are also encouraged to make sure children are up to date with their vaccinations, pack a family first aid kit for day trips and holidays and keep a close eye on children around water.

Download the Healthier Together app or visit the website for more information - you'll find the link in the comments.

15/07/2025

Have you downloaded the NHS App? More than 62 per cent of residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are now using the NHS App to order prescriptions, make appointments, view their test results and more.

The App allows patients to view their GP health record, and makes it easier for people to better manage their condition without having to phone their GP surgery.

To make sure you receive these reminders and messages, it is encouraged that you switch on your notifications for the app.

Start using the NHS App today by downloading it on your smartphone or tablet via the Google play or App store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.

19/06/2025

We are supporting a new NHS campaign launching today to increase uptake in cervical screening among women aged 25 to 29.

The Love Your Cervix campaign will target those who are either due or overdue their first and second screening appointments. It is designed to encourage them to ‘love your cervix, show it you care,’ by booking an appointment with their GP practice when invited by the NHS for their cervical screening, and get checked out to help stop cancer developing.

In addition, Love Your Cervix is designed to increase awareness about the importance of cervical screening and promote healthy behaviours that can improve overall health outcomes.

Dr Charlotte Hutchings, Local GP and Clinical Director at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “We want young women to take charge of their health, take-up their invitation to attend cervical screening and develop the healthy habit of regular cervical screening for the rest of their lives.

“It is a not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer and usually only takes a few minutes. Our health practitioners can put you at ease and help support you through this safe, simple and effective process.

“If you are scared or have concerns, please speak to your practice, as they will do all they can to make you feel safe and reassured.”

NHS screening helps prevent cervical cancer by using a highly effective test to check for high-risk HPV, which may cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. These abnormal cells can, over time, turn into cancer if left untreated. The test takes less than 5 minutes and the whole appointment takes 10 minutes.

It is important all eligible women attend screening. Whatever your age or where you live, if you’ve been invited to attend your cervical screening please book an appointment with your GP practice.

21/02/2025

For minor illness please think Pharmacy First ✅

29/12/2024

Poorly children? Visit the Healthier Together website or download the app to get up to date advice on what to do, where to go and how to treat a whole variety of common childhood illnesses and ailments. It's like having a GP in your pocket.