The Friarsgate Practice

03/06/2026

We are delighted to welcome Kirsten to our Proactive Care Team. Kirsten has a background in acute frailty, acute on the day care (ED), long term conditions and surgery. Bringing a wealth of clinical expertise, compassion and experience, Kirsten will play a key role in supporting patients living with frailty, multiple long-term conditions and complex health needs.

Our Proactive Care Service is designed to provide personalised, preventative support, helping patients stay healthier, more independent and better connected to the care they need.

The service aims to:
✅ Keep people healthier and independent for longer
✅ Reduce crisis-driven care and unplanned hospital admissions
✅ Improve patient experience and continuity of care
✅ Provide equitable support for those with complex health needs
✅ Help ease pressures across the wider health system

By identifying needs early and working closely with patients, carers and healthcare professionals, we can provide the right support at the right time.

This approach places patients at the heart of their care, recognising that early intervention and continuity can make a meaningful difference to long-term health and wellbeing.

02/06/2026

💙 NHS Health Check Update 💙

NHS Health Checks are now completed over 2 face-to-face appointments:

🩸 Appointment 1: Blood Test
🩺 Appointment 2: Full NHS Health Check (at least one week later)

This change means your results will be ready for discussion, allowing us to provide personalised advice and support to help you stay healthy.

If you’re invited for an NHS Health Check, please remember to book both appointments.

For eligibility see: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check/

02/06/2026

❤️ Get support – for yourself or someone else

You are not alone. Confidential help is available.

📞 Hampshire Domestic Abuse Advice Line: 03300 165 112

📞 The Advice Line is run by an independent charity,
- Free, confidential, and non-judgemental
- Open to anyone experiencing abuse, including concerned family and friends
- Also available for professionals needing guidance
- You can call for yourself or on behalf of someone else
- You can also access the Live Chat sessions on the Stop Domestic Abuse website: https://stopdomesticabuse.uk

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, always call 999.

01/06/2026

📢 Pharmacy First: Get treatment without a GP appointment

Did you know that your local pharmacy can now provide advice and treatment for several common conditions without the need for a GP appointment?
Through the NHS Pharmacy First service, eligible patients can access support for:
✅ Earache (ages 1–17)
✅ Impetigo (age 1+)
✅ Infected insect bites (age 1+)
✅ Shingles (18+)
✅ Sinusitis (12+)
✅ Sore throat (age 5+)
✅ Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16–64)

Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can assess symptoms and, where appropriate, provide treatment or medication.

Using Pharmacy First can help you get the care you need more quickly while keeping GP appointments available for patients with more complex health needs.

💊 Contact your local pharmacy or visit the NHS website to find out more about Pharmacy First https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/pharmacy-first/

31/05/2026

28/05/2026

Thinking about an IUD fitting? You’re not alone if you feel nervous 💗

At your appointment, you can ask about:
• Local anaesthetic options
• Pain relief before fitting
• Bringing someone for support
• Pausing or stopping the procedure at any time

If you have questions before your appointment, please contact the surgery and speak to a member of our team.

27/05/2026

Last Chance to Book Your Spring COVID-19 Booster 💉

If you are eligible and would still like your vaccine, please contact the surgery as soon as possible to arrange your appointment.

After this point, patients who still need a booster will need to book through the National Booking System: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

Thank you for helping protect yourself and those around you.

27/05/2026

💉 MenACWY Catch-Up Vaccination

Meningitis and septicaemia can become serious very quickly. The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against four types of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W and Y) that can cause these infections.

The vaccine is routinely offered to teenagers in school, but if you missed it, you may still be eligible for a free NHS catch-up vaccination — especially if you are starting university or college for the first time.

✅ Helps protect against meningitis and blood poisoning
✅ Free on the NHS for eligible patients
✅ Important for students and young adults living closely with others

If you think you may have missed your vaccine, please contact the surgery to book an appointment.

26/05/2026

🌸 Spring COVID Booster Update 🌸

We’re pleased to share that The Friarsgate Practice has now delivered over 2,000 COVID Spring Booster vaccinations to our patients.

Thank you to everyone who attended their appointment and helped protect themselves and those around them.

25/05/2026

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week is taking place between Monday 25 and Sunday 31 May this year.

An estimated 6.9 million people (1 in 8) live with prediabetes, but many are not aware of this. If left untreated, prediabetes can develop into type 2 diabetes, which can lead to serious health complications.
You are also at an increased risk of developing type 2 if you have had gestational diabetes — which affects up to 2 in 10 pregnancies.

There’s a range of risk factors at play, including family history and ethnic background but finding out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes means you can take action to protect your health.

Find out your risk score today: https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk