Windermere and Bowness Medical Practice

17/12/2025

As we head into winter, we’re seeing flu and other seasonal illnesses rising earlier than expected, with cases already higher than this time last year.

To help protect our patients and our teams, we’re asking anyone attending our Out of Hours services or GP practices to wear a mask if you have respiratory or flu-like symptoms.

What you need to know:
😷 If you have a cough, cold, sore throat or flu-like symptoms, please wear a mask when visiting our sites
🤝 This helps reduce the spread of germs
❤️ It helps protect vulnerable patients and our staff

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe this winter.

16/12/2025

Christmas is coming! 🎅

Don’t get caught out missing your medicines, make sure your repeat prescriptions are ordered in plenty of time.

Why it’s important:
- Many GP practices and pharmacies are closed or have reduced hours over the festive period.
- Running out of essential medicines could disrupt your treatment or health condition, especially for long-term conditions like diabetes, asthma, or heart problems.
- Planning ahead gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy the holidays without worry.

✅ Arrange collection or delivery before the holidays begin
✅ Check your stock — you don’t want to run out when pharmacies may be closed
✅ Plan ahead and stay prepared for the festive break

💡 Ordering early ensures you have everything you need to stay well over Christmas and New Year.

13/12/2025

Looking after little ones can feel overwhelming, especially in winter. 📖

Looking after poorly little ones can feel overwhelming, especially in winter.

The Little Orange Book is designed to help parents and carers of babies and small children. It covers everything from common minor ailments like teething, constipation, and colds, to more serious conditions such as urinary tract infections and wheezy chests.

Using a traffic light system, it helps parents decide what action to take:
🟢 Self-care at home
🟡 Consult your GP or primary care professional
🟠 Call NHS 111
🔴 Visit Accident & Emergency if needed

Keep it handy this festive season, it’s a great guide to help you know when to care at home and when to seek professional help.

https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Little-Orange-Book.pdf

10/12/2025

Little ones running a temperature? 🌡️
Don’t panic, here’s what to do:

✅ Keep them cool & comfortable
✅ Dress lightly, keep room temperature moderate
✅ Offer plenty of fluids & rest
✅ If child is distressed or uncomfortable, you can give age-appropriate paracetamol, neurofen or ibuprofen (check the packaging or ask a pharmacist)

If their fever lasts more than 3–4 days or they seem unusually unwell, call your GP or NHS 111 for advice.

👉 For full NHS guidance on fevers in children, visit https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/

02/12/2025

Brilliant new initiative, that I’m sure some of our patients will find invaluable.

Be sure to share with anyone you know that might benefit.

Take care,
Nick@Windermere.

🌼 New Dementia Café Coming to Windermere! 🌼
We’re delighted to announce that our brand-new Windermere Dementia Café will open on Tuesday 10th February 2026, 10.30am–12.30pm, at the beautiful Ladyholme Centre, Windermere, LA23 7JA.

Our Dementia Cafés are friendly, relaxed spaces where people living with dementia, and those who care for them, can come together for company, conversation, refreshments and gentle activities. They offer:
✨ A safe, welcoming place to connect
✨ Support from our specialist dementia team
✨ Time for carers to take a breather or join in
✨ A chance to build confidence, friendships and community
✨ Opportunities to pick up helpful information, tips and guidance
✨ Evidence based activities that boost wellbeing, memory and mood

This new café is part of St. Mary's Hospice's growing dementia network across Furness and South Lakes, and we’re so proud of how our dementia service is expanding to reach more people who need us. Every new group represents another space of kindness, understanding and joy, something our community truly deserves.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a supportive, dementia-friendly environment, we’d love to welcome you. 💛

For more information or to make a referral, please call 01229 444407 or visit our website.

Ladyholme Bowness and Windermere Community Centre
Windermere and Bowness Medical Practice
St. Mary's Surgery

02/12/2025

19/11/2025

💙 International Men’s Day – Celebrating Men & Supporting Their Health
📅 November 19, 2025
🌍 International Men’s Day

Today is about more than raising awareness of men’s health, it’s also about celebrating the positive influence of men as fathers, mentors, leaders, and role models in our communities. 💪

This year, our Charity of the Year is Andys Man Club, a fantastic peer-support organisation providing safe spaces for men to talk and look after their mental and emotional wellbeing. Their clubs across Carlisle, Maryport, Cockermouth, Workington, Whitehaven, Barrow, Kendal, Penrith, and beyond are transforming lives every day.

We also want to recognise other Cumbrian organisations doing incredible work to support men’s mental health:

- Every Life Matters: su***de prevention, training, and bereavement support.
- Carlisle Eden Mind (MindLine Cumbria): mental health support, crisis services, and one-to-one listening.
- Together We CIC: wellbeing programs, talking therapies, and recovery support.
- West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership: working with Andy’s Man Club and local services to strengthen men’s mental health support.

On this day, we not only highlight the challenges men face but also celebrate their everyday contributions: the guidance they give, the inspiration they provide, and the difference they make in our communities.

💬 Let’s continue to break the stigma, support one another, and remind the men in our lives: “It’s okay to talk, help is here.”

👉 Learn more and get involved: Andys Man Club

11/11/2025

Today, we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
🌹Lest we forget.

09/11/2025

Afternoon all,

I'm pleased to share that St Marys Hospice will be launching some new services at The Ladyholme in the new year. 🙂

They will be here at the surgery this Friday too, to chat to patients about their plans - positive stuff, that will hopefully be really helpful for some of you.

Have a good week everyone!

Take care,
Nick@Windermere.

05/11/2025

This week is Stress Awareness Week (3rd–7th November)! 🌿

It’s a time to reflect on the everyday stresses of modern life. A little stress can motivate us, too little can lead to boredom, but too much over time can harm our health and wellbeing.

💚 Be aware of the signs of stress:
😟 Irritability
💤 Poor sleep or fatigue
🤯 Worry or feeling overwhelmed

🧘♀️ Tips to manage stress:
Practice relaxation, deep breathing or mindfulness
Eat well, stay hydrated and get enough rest
Keep active and exercise regularly
Stay connected with friends, family and colleagues

You’re not alone, talk to someone you trust and don’t suffer in silence.

For further help and information, visit the NHS page on stress:
💻 https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/stress/

30/10/2025

If you feel unwell or need medical help but aren’t sure which NHS service is right for you, please visit NHS 111 https://www.nhs.uk first. A&E is for emergencies only. 🚨