October 18th is World Menopause Day, which is held annually to raise awareness of menopause and to support options to improve health and well-being for women in midlife and beyond. The theme for World Menopause Day 2024 is "Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)".

What’s your experience of using local pharmacies in your local community? What works well? What could be improved?

People in our community may have seen reports in the media about the World Health Organization (WHO) identifying mpox as an international public health concern. 

A statement from the UK Health Security Agency has advised that the risk to the UK population is currently considered low. Nevertheless, be assured that NHS plans are underway to prepare for any cases we might see in the UK. This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission.

Information and advice on mpox is available on the NHS website here>>

The UK will become the first country in the world to roll out a national vaccination programme against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), protecting infants & older people from becoming seriously ill. RSV accounts for 39,000 hospitalisations each year.

It is with great sadness that I inform you I will be leaving Verwood Surgery on August 1st 2024, to return mainly to Urgent Care Services.

It has been a pleasure and privilege to have been a GP in Verwood, meeting and working with such wonderful people.

My list will be transferred to a newly appointed GP when appointed.

I wish all my patients and colleagues in Verwood the very best for your future and a long, healthy life.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Scott Crowther, MD, MRCGP

Whooping cough cases have been rising in England. We recommend getting the whooping cough vaccine to help protect you and your baby. It's safe and effective and will provide important protection for your newborn in its first months.
Please contact us to let us know if you have any questions or if you'd like to schedule an appointment.

Seasonal COVID Booster Vaccinations are being offered to our patients aged 75 years old or over, those who live in a care home for older adults or are aged 12 or over and have a weakened immune system.

Patients will be contacted if their NHS record suggests they may be eligible for a seasonal spring COVID-19 vaccine to be offered an appointment at drive-through clinics at the Community Vaccination Centre in Verwood.  These clinics are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings commencing the 22^nd of April through to early June.

Patients with a mobile phone registered with us will be sent an SMS text message with details of how to book an appointment online.  You will be contacted on your landline if you do not have a mobile telephone number registered.

Please wait to be contacted by the NHS if you're eligible.

For more information on this season’s eligibility criteria, please visit the PCN Community Vaccination page here>>

We’re delighted to announce the launch of our brand new website. 

This digital platform has been developed with our patients in mind, and we have tried to make it user-friendly and accessible for everyone, whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started with online platforms.  We have aimed to provide our patients with clear and concise access to services and information they require in an easy and convenient format.

Find our more on the Access to our Services web page by following this link>>

Did you know that approximately 1.6 million medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Dorset every year?  We are asking our patients for help to reduce this.

We know it is getting very hard to access GP services across the UK. We are working beyond capacity, but we can improve how you can access our services to get the care you need.

From November 2023 all patients in our network who are over 16 will be able to view notes and health records.  This includes notes from GP surgery appointments, test results, medications and letters we receive from hospitals.  These can be viewed online via the NHS App, NHS website, SystmOnline or the Airmid app.    For more details, please visit the Crane Valley PCN information page here>>

If you do not want your record to be available online, please speak with the Reception or Patient Services team at your surgery.

This means that as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a  dedicated clinician who has specialist knowledge of military-related health conditions and veteran-specific services. this is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment.

If you are ex-forces, please let your GP know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.

Find out more on our Armed Services Veteran Friendly page by following this link>>