The Barcellos Family Practice

24/08/2025

Why not join an East Dorset Health Walk?
See more in the post below:
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Join an East Dorset Health Walk!
Step into better health and new friendships — join a free East Dorset Health Walk, led by trained volunteers! These walks are ideal for beginners, offering a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air and meet new people. The walks are free of charge. Just turn up, there is no need to book.
Find a walk near you>>
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/eastern-dorset-health-walks
Please note that dogs are not allowed on the listed walks.

22/08/2025

💉 Get Winter-Ready with Your Vaccines! ❄️
We are pleased to advise that this year The Barcellos Family Practice will be offering patients the opportunity of having both their Flu and COVID vaccines at our Corbin Avenue and Glenmoor Road surgeries.

Eligible patients will receive a text message with a link to book their appointment online.

If you do not have a smartphone, don’t worry — we will contact you by phone to arrange your appointment, or you can call the surgery once you receive your text.

🔶🔶Please note there is a change to COVID vaccine eligibility this season🔶🔶
The eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination has narrowed to focus on those at the highest risk of serious illness.

Visit our Vaccinations information web page to check your eligibility and view this year's clinic schedule>>
https://www.barcellosfamilypractice.co.uk/vaccinations

Let’s stay protected this winter. Look out for your text!

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19/08/2025

🌞 August Bank Holiday Update!
Our surgeries will be closed from 6:30 pm on Friday, 22 August, and will reopen at 8 am on Tuesday, 26 August. Need medication for the long weekend? Order early so you’re all set to relax!

If you feel unwell while we’re closed:
• Pharmacist advice: Find your nearest pharmacy
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy
• Non-urgent help: Visit 111 online 👉 https://111.nhs.uk/
• Serious emergency: Call 999 immediately.
Stay prepared and enjoy the bank holiday without worry!

15/08/2025

Changes to the Community Equipment Loan Service in Dorset
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Changes to the Community Equipment Loan Service in Dorset
As of Friday, 1 August 2025, Medequip became the new provider of the Community Equipment Loan Service for Dorset Council, BCP Council, and NHS Dorset, taking over from NRS Healthcare. The service will initially operate on an urgent and critical basis.

Thank you to Healthwatch Dorset for highlighting this change.

Learn more about how this may impact you>>
⬇️
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/community-equipment-loan-service-change-of-provider

13/08/2025

🚨 Free PSA Awareness Testing Event – Saturday 20 September
Wimborne & Ferndown Lions Club is hosting a Prostate Cancer PSA Testing Event to support early detection and awareness. 💙
📍 Location: The Barrington Centre, Ferndown
🗓 Date: Saturday, 20 September
🕤 Time: 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

PSA Tests are conducted and supported by The Graham Fulford Charitable Trust. Open to men aged 40–80, this simple blood test could save your life — early detection is key, so take a step towards safeguarding your health.

🔗 Booking is essential – register and reserve your spot here:
https://gfct.mypsatests.org.uk/Events/?86dd5df0-c67e-4f36-897e-cb522b07f652

Please note you will need to register with GFCT PSA Testing to book a place.

12/08/2025

☀️ Heatwave Safety Tips ☀️
Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe!

✅ Spend time in cool places
✅ Drink plenty of fluids
✅ Wear light clothing
✅ Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat

If you do go out, stay in the shade, apply a high-factor SPF sunscreen or cover up from the sun.

Remember to check in on elderly neighbours, young children, and those with health conditions—they’re more at risk from heat-related illness. 💛
👇
Learn more on how to cope in the heat on the NHS website here>>

https://tinyurl.com/mvsbskt4

31/07/2025

📣 Improved Access, Trusted Care: The Barcellos Family Practice 2025 GP Patient Survey Results
We’re thrilled to be named one of Dorset’s highest-rated GP practices in the 2025 Annual GP Patient Survey — scoring an incredible 98% for overall patient experience. 💙
🌟 Key highlights from this year’s results:
✅ 99% of patients said they felt listened to and treated with care and concern
✅ 100% had trust and confidence in the healthcare professional they saw
📞 Following our investment in a new phone system, more patients found it easy to contact us by phone
📱 And we saw a 15% rise in patients finding it easy to contact us online, especially through the NHS App

We care for over 8,800 patients — each with their own unique needs — and we’re proud to see the results of our efforts to provide the highest level of service to manage our patients' health and wellbeing.

🙏 A huge thank you to our dedicated team and to our Patient Participation Group, who help us continually improve the care we provide across Ferndown, Tricketts Cross, West Moors and West Parley.

View more of the results here>> 👇
https://www.barcellosfamilypractice.co.uk/_common/getdocument?id=368011

28/07/2025

If you pay for NHS prescribed HRT medicine 3 or more times in 12 months, an HRT PPC could save you money. Find out more:

💊 Taking HRT and paying for NHS prescriptions? You could save money! 💷
If you’re paying for 3 or more HRT prescriptions a year, the HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate (HRT PPC) might be just what you need.
✨ For just £19.80 (the cost of two prescriptions), you’ll get 12 months of unlimited access to certain HRT medicines — no matter why they’re prescribed!
✅ Covers select HRT meds for a full year
✅ One simple payment
✅ Easy to check if your HRT is included: tinyurl.com/22j8ew7f

If your HRT meds aren't covered, of you take other prescriptions too, a standard 3 or 12-month PPC might save you even more.
Why pay more than you need to? 💙

28/07/2025

🌟We’ve made getting in touch with us even easier! 🌟
Following a successful trial, the Barcellos Family Practice is now using SystmConnect – a new online consultation system that’s replacing some of the services we previously offered through eConsult. You can now use SystmConnect to:
• Get help with a new or ongoing health issue
• Request a fit/sick note
• Ask about your test results
• Request a doctor’s letter or report

💻 You don’t need a SystmOnline account to use it, but if you do log in with SystmOnline or your NHS login, it’ll save you time by filling in some of your details automatically.

SystmConnect is one of many online ways in which you can contact us. Find out more on accessing online health services on our website here>>
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🔗 https://www.barcellosfamilypractice.co.uk/do-it-online

26/07/2025

Attention unpaid carers! If you look after a loved one, please take some time to complete the annual Carer's UK State of Caring survey. It helps to get a better understanding about the lives of unpaid carers in the UK. The survey closes on the 10th of August 2025.

Carer's UK State of Caring survey 2025 has launched!
The State of Caring survey is the UK’s most comprehensive regular research into the lives and experiences of unpaid carers. It is used as a vital source of evidence not only by Carers UK, but by many other organisations including Government, local authorities, health and social care services, charities and carers groups.

The survey for 2025 has now been launched - if you look after a loved one, please take some time to complete the survey, it will help get a better understanding about the lives of unpaid carers in the UK

Complete the survey online here>>
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q6J2MQ7

The survey closes on the 10th of August 2025

For more information about the survey follow this link to the Carers UK website>>
https://www.carersuk.org/policy-and-research/state-of-caring-survey/