Briarwood Medical Centre

23/03/2026

We are currently experiencing issues with our EMIS medical record system, please bare with us while we try to resolve this issue.

19/03/2026

🤝 We've signed up NHS England's sexual safety charter as we believe everyone has the right to feel safe at work and at home. If you encounter any inappropriate or unwanted behaviour, please report it and we will support you.

19/03/2026

Meningitis (MenB) Information ⚠️

We are aware of recent reports regarding meningitis and would like to provide clear information for our patients.
At present, the MenB (Meningococcal B) vaccine is not available on the NHS for general use, other than as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme for infants.

Most children will have been offered this vaccine in infancy. There is no current recommendation for a wider or mass vaccination programme.

Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises that management of localised incidents is focused on:

• Targeted vaccination of specific at-risk groups
• Preventative antibiotic treatment for close contacts where appropriate
The MenB vaccine is not offered on request for reassurance, as:
• Protection is specific to certain strains
• Immunity takes time to develop
• It is not part of the current outbreak control strategy

We understand this may be concerning. If you or your child are unwell, or you are worried about symptoms, please seek medical advice via your GP, NHS 111, or urgent care services as appropriate.
For more information please click on the link below:

There is currently an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent. This blog post includes information on MenB and this outbreak, what to do if you are affected and where you can get antibiotics and who is being offered a vaccine.

09/03/2026

The Surgery will be closed on Tuesday 10th March from 1pm for staff training.

If you need medical advice please call 111 or for Urgent medical attention please call 999.

The Surgery will re-open as normal at 8am Wednesday 11th March.

02/03/2026

March is ovarian cancer awareness month in the UK

During the month of March, Ovarian Cancer Action - alongside other UK gynae charities - put the spotlight on ovarian cancer and ask our supporters to help us raise awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms, statistics and stories.

Understanding the symptoms of ovarian cancer is pivotal for early detection. Common symptoms include:

Persistent bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
Changes in urinary habits
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss or gain

In the UK, over 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. Two thirds of women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer too late when the cancer is harder to treat. And every day, 11 women die.

Contact your GP today if you have concerns.

26/02/2026

Do you use a baby sleep pillow? Or perhaps you know someone who does?

Please stop.

Babies have tragically died when being put down on or next to baby sleep pillows.

Why are they so dangerous?
These soft pillows and cushions are often marketed for baby sleep or as somewhere for a baby to be left unsupervised. But this can cause suffocation or overheating, and the baby might even die.

Suffocation – the soft, squishy material can cover a baby’s nose or mouth if they are pressed up against it, causing the baby to suffocate. There would be no sound or warning that the baby is in trouble.

Overheating – the baby’s head can sink into the soft material, stopping heat from escaping. Overheating increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

That’s why the Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a Safety Alert warning parents and carers to stop using these products for babies under one.

25/02/2026

Social prescribing day - 26th March 2026

Many things that affect our health cannot be treated by
doctors or medicine alone, like loneliness, isolation or stress
due to problems with debt or housing. Social prescribing
connects people to non-medical support to address these
issues and other unmet needs.

This could involve a Social Prescribing Link Worker or an
equivalent role:

- Helping someone who is isolated to join a befriending
group, an art class or a community gardening project,
financial stress to a service that helps with managing debt or claiming
benefits.

- Working with someone with high blood pressure to take
up a form of exercise that they’re comfortable with.

- Social prescribing involves understanding the complexities
of people’s lives and the inequalities they may face.

- It can help change the circumstances that make people unwell,
and empower people to manage existing health problems.

- It can help people to connect and to grow in confidence.

Please attend the event at St Bernard's and Larches Community Centre to meet Social Prescriber Craig.

25/02/2026

25/02/2026

Preventable health conditions are costing lives, burdening the NHS and damaging our economy. More than a quarter of the population now have a long-term health condition, and health inequalities are also widening – people in the most deprived areas of England die 8 years younger and spend 19 fewer years in good health than those in the least deprived areas.

The Healthy Choices Quiz provides an easy first step for those who want to feel healthier but may not know where to start. After capturing some basic demographic information and exploring different health motivations, the quiz asks a series of lifestyle questions across six main themes: movement, eating, alcohol consumption, smoking and va**ng, mental health and sleep. Users will then receive an overall score out of 10 based on their answers.

Upon completion, the quiz signposts users to relevant information and support, including our suite of free digital behaviour change tools. These have proven results and already support millions of people every year.

Take the free NHS Healthy Choices Quiz today: https://www.nhs.uk/hcquiz

18/02/2026

📢 Important Update from the Practice

We are currently experiencing a higher-than-usual level of staff sickness, which has impacted our capacity over the past few weeks. As a result, it may be necessary to reschedule some appointments.

We understand that this may cause inconvenience and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Please be assured that our team is working hard to minimise disruption and accommodate patients wherever possible.

If your appointment needs to be rescheduled, a member of our team will contact you directly. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

10/02/2026

The Surgery will be closed today from 1pm for staff training.

If you need medical advice please call 111 or for Urgent medical attention please call 999.

The Surgery will re open as normal at 8am Wednesday 11th February.