Abbey Surgery

17/12/2025

🌟 Celebrating an Outstanding Achievement 🌟
We are absolutely delighted to congratulate Emma Fovargue, a Tavistock community nurse, on being awarded the prestigious national title of Queen’s Nurse, alongside four of her colleagues 👏
This highly respected award from The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing, which recognises exceptional standards of patient care, leadership, learning, and excellence in community nursing practice.
It is a true reflection of Emma’s dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those she cares for.
Here at the surgery, we are incredibly proud to call Emma both a colleague and a friend. Her passion for nursing and the community she serves shines through in everything she does, and this recognition is so well deserved.
💙Congratulations, Emma — and congratulations to the whole team on this wonderful achievement 💙
✨️Join us in congratulating her on this amazing award!✨️
-Team Abbey

17/12/2025

💚 Looking After Your Mental Health This Festive Season 💚
The festive period can be a joyful time for many, but for others it can feel overwhelming, lonely, or emotionally draining — especially as the days grow shorter and darker.
It’s important to remember that it’s okay not to feel okay. Low mood, anxiety, grief, financial worries, or the pressure to feel “festive” can all take a toll at this time of year. You are not weak for feeling this way, and you are certainly not alone.
If you’re struggling, please know that support is available. Reaching out — whether to a trusted friend, family member, or a healthcare professional — can make a real difference. Our team is here to listen and help you access the right support.
Small steps can also help:
✨ Keep connected with others, even in small ways
✨ Try to maintain a gentle routine
✨ Spend time outdoors when you can
✨ Be kind to yourself and lower expectations
If you feel your mental health is affecting your day-to-day life, please contact the surgery. And if you’re in crisis or need urgent help, support is available 24/7 via NHS 111 or local crisis services.
This season, let’s be gentle with ourselves and with each other. 💚
You matter, and help is always available.
-Team Abbey

16/12/2025

💊 Please be aware of Christmas ordering times for your medication. 💊

10/12/2025

💊 Please Be Mindful When Ordering Medication 💊
Over the last 14 days, Abbey Surgery has had to take back £545 worth of unopened medication. Unfortunately, once medication leaves the pharmacy, it cannot be reused and must be destroyed — even if it is unopened.
We kindly ask all patients to be mindful when ordering prescriptions. Please only request the medication you truly need, and check your cupboards before placing an order.
By being careful, you can help reduce waste, protect NHS resources, and ensure medicines are available for those who need them most.
Thank you for your support and cooperation. Together, we can make a difference. 🍃

10/12/2025

❄️ Cold & Flu Season Reminder ❄️
As we head towards Christmas, we’re seeing an increase in cold and flu cases in our community. To help keep yourself and others safe this winter, please follow these simple NHS-recommended steps:
✅ Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
✅ Use tissues for coughs and sneezes and bin them straight away.
✅ Avoid close contact with others if you’re feeling unwell.
✅ Wear a face covering in busy or enclosed spaces if you have symptoms. 😷
✅ Look after your immune system by resting well, staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet.

If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, please rest at home and visit NHS 111 for advice before attending the surgery.
Let’s work together to keep everyone well in the run up to the festive season. 🎄

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/

-Team Abbey

08/12/2025

💬 Did you know?
Your GP surgery receives around £112 per patient, per year to fund your care.
That covers all your phone calls, face-to-face appointments, and home visits when they’re needed – and yes, that’s for the whole year! Thats cheaper than your Tv licence 📺
That works out at less than £10 a month to provide the care and support we offer day in, day out. 😊
We’re really proud to look after our community and appreciate your patience and kindness while our team works hard to be there for everyone.
💙Thank you for your continued support 💙
-Team Abbey

04/12/2025

🎄✨ Christmas Prescription Ordering – Abbey Surgery ✨🎄

To help everyone stay on top of their medication during the festive season, please take note of our adjusted prescription schedule:
📅 Ordering & Collection Dates
- Orders placed Fri 19th Dec ➡️ Ready Weds 24th Dec
- Orders placed Mon 22nd Dec ➡️ Ready Tues 30th Dec
- Orders placed Tues 23rd Dec ➡️ Ready Weds 31st Dec
- Orders placed Weds 24th Dec ➡️ Ready Fri 2nd Jan

🎁 Last Order Date for Christmas:
➡️ Monday 15th December

Please make sure you order in good time to avoid any delays over the holiday period. Thank you for helping us keep everything running smoothly 🌟

How to Order a Repeat Prescription
You can request your repeat prescription in one of the following ways:
• Using your NHS account (app or website)
Log in online to order quickly and securely.
• Via our website
• Bringing your paper copy into the surgery
Hand in your repeat slip at dispensary reception.
• By phone (Mon–Fri, 2pm–4pm only)
This service is reserved for our most vulnerable patients who may find other methods difficult

28/11/2025

🎄 Christmas Tree Festival at St Eustachius Church 🎄
We’re excited to share that our Christmas tree is now on display at the beautiful St Eustachius Church for this year’s Christmas Tree Festival!
✨️ The trees can be viwed between 28th November - 7th December✨
Our theme this year is “Hobbies” — a little celebration of the things that bring us joy, throughout the year. ❤️
If you’re visiting the festival, make sure to stop by and give our tree a look — we’d love to know which decoration reminds you of your own favourite hobby!

"Our Hobbies tree theme celebrates the simple joys that keep minds calm and hearts full - from painting and gardening to reading, crafting, cooking and for the more energetic sports and activities. Each ornament represents a passion that soothes stress sparks connection and promotes mindfulness.
It is important to make time for the things we enjoy.
The best gift you can give yourself this Christmas is time to do what you love. "

✨ Wishing everyone a warm and festive start to the season! ✨

26/11/2025

🦠With all the winter bugs flying around, it can be hard to know when to keep your little one home from school. We’ve all been there! 🤒
This handy NHS/UKHSA graphic below breaks it all down really simply — from chickenpox to tummy bugs and everything in between.
A quick look can help stop germs spreading and give your child the time they need to feel like themselves again.
And if you’re ever unsure, you can always check in with your GP, pharmacist or NHS 111 for a bit of extra reassurance.

Stay cosy, stay well, and fingers crossed for healthier days ahead! 🧣
-Team Abbey

24/11/2025

📢 Surgery Notice 📣
– Temporary Closure for Staff Training.
Please be aware that on Thursday 27th, both surgeries will be closed between 2pm and 4pm, Bere Alston from 1pm and will not be opening again,for essential staff training.
During this time, we will not be able to take any prescription orders, so please make sure to request your medication before this date to avoid any delays or disappointment.
💊 Did you know?
Medications can also be ordered online via the NHS App or through our practice website, making it quick and convenient to stay on top of your prescriptions.
We’ll be back open and running as normal from 4pm.
💙Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 💙
-Team Abbey

19/11/2025

💙♂️

INTERNATIONAL MENS DAY 2025 🗣

75% of su***des are men

12 men a day die by su***de

84 men a week in the U.K. take their own lives.

Let’s just think about that for a second.........

“Man up”

“boys don’t cry”

“nice guys finish last”

These are just some of the unhelpful and damaging messages that almost all boys will hear early on in their lives.

The messages come from all directions, and these reinforcing and toxic messages continue through adolescence and into adulthood. Is it any wonder so many of us men are unable to open up about our feelings and our mental health ??

Let’s be really clear......

right now, there is a major crisis in men’s mental health and wellbeing. Too many men still find it difficult to speak openly about their feelings, worries, and mental health struggles.

Research has shown that this feeling is often most prevalent in the workplace, with 40% of men reporting they would prefer to hide any such issues from senior management, owing to the fear of being told to “man up” and/or their career being negatively impacted.

Let’s start the conversation today, let’s end the shame and squash the stigma attached to men’s mental health.

Let’s talk about it

💙