Wootton Vale & Shortstown Surgery

17/12/2025

Please see the link below to the NHS England Regional website, with the opening times for community pharmacies over the Christmas period.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/east-of-england/nhs-england-and-nhs-improvement-east-of-englands-work/pharmacy-information/

Your local pharmacy can give you advice on a range of conditions and suggest medicines that can help.

Some pharmacies may be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). Conditions they can treat as part of Pharmacy First are:

earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
shingles (aged 18 years and over)
sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
Other services pharmacies provide include:

advice on medicines
disposal of old medicines
help with new medicines
emergency contraception
free blood pressure checks

NHS England — East of England » Pharmacies open over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays 2025/26

17/12/2025

Important information about NHS Winter Pressures

The NHS is currently under a lot of pressure due to an early rise in seasonal flu and a high number of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

If you think you have a flu like symptoms, cold illness, sore throat, ear pain, cough or UTI symptoms, you do not need to see a GP first.

Your local pharmacy may be able to assess and treat these . If needed, the pharmacist can prescribe antibiotics through the Pharmacy First service

This can be a quicker and more convenient way to get treatment.

Please click this link to Find out more about Pharmacy First:

NHS England » Pharmacy First

11/12/2025

Christmas and New Year Closures:

Please note the surgery will be closed over the festive period on the following dates:

Thursday 25th December 2025, Friday 26th December 2025 and Thursday 1st January 2026

To ensure your prescriptions are processed in time, we ask that you submit any requests by Wednesday 17th December 2025.

This will allow our team sufficient time to review and send them to your nominated pharmacy for timely collection. If you run out of medication during the closure period, you can contact NHS 111 or visit a local pharmacy for further advice.

11/12/2025

Important Update: Changes to Blood Pressure (BP) Monitoring Services
From 1 January 2026, the surgery will no longer provide in-house blood pressure (BP) readings due to infection control requirements.
Why We Have Removed the Self-Service BP Machines
To maintain high standards of infection prevention and ensure a safe environment for all patients and staff, the practice will be removing the self-service blood pressure machines from the surgery.
These machines are used frequently throughout the day, and it has become increasingly difficult to clean and decontaminate them to the required standard. Continuing to offer this service could therefore pose an avoidable infection control risk.
Where You Can Have Your Blood Pressure Checked
Patients who need a blood pressure check will still be fully supported:
• Local pharmacies: Many now offer free blood pressure monitoring.
Our reception team can send you a link to help you find your nearest participating pharmacy. Use this link to find a pharmacy that offers the service https://bit.ly/4pk0G2S
• Clinical appointments: Blood pressure readings will continue to be taken when clinically appropriate.
• Home monitoring: If you have a home blood pressure monitor, you can continue to submit your readings to us through the usual channels.
We appreciate your understanding as we make these changes to maintain a safe and protected environment for all patients and staff.

Find out about the blood pressure check service, including who can use it.

18/11/2025

Reminder:

Wootton & Shortstown surgery will be closed for essential staff training on Wednesday 19th November 2025 from 14:30pm and therefore we will not be available after this time.

Should you need medical advice during this time, please contact NHS 111 or, in an emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.

Phone lines will remain open until 14:30pm.

The surgery will reopen at 8am on Thursday 20th November 2025.

05/11/2025

MOVEMBER starts with a Mo. 💪

Whether you’ve signed up for 60 miles or 60km, remember it’s not about doing it all at once. Not our words, that comes from - so you know it's good advice.

Take it one step, one mile, one day at a time.

Grab a mate, get moving, and make every step count.
You got this.

05/11/2025

FLU VACCINATIONS 2025:

All eligible patients can easily book their flu jab through the NHS National Booking Service.

👉 Book your flu vaccination here:
https://www.nhs.uk/.../vaccination.../book-flu-vaccination/

Protect yourself and others this winter — get vaccinated and stay well!

05/11/2025

Wootton & Shortstown surgery will be closed for essential staff training on Wednesday 19th November 2025 from 14:30pm and therefore we will not be available after this time.
However, if you do have a telephone appointment booked with a locum clinician, this will still be going ahead.
Should you need medical advice during this time, please contact NHS 111 or, in an emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.
Phone lines will remain open until 14:30pm.
The surgery will reopen at 8am on Thursday 20th November 2025. Please note however that the phone lines will likely be very busy at this time.
You will be able to submit a SystmConnect via our website, however this will not be looked at until the following morning. Therefore, if your matter is urgent, please do not use this service. All requests will be reviewed upon our return.

19/10/2025

Let’s quit smoking together this Stoptober!
Stoptober is back! Join thousands of other smokers committing to quit this October.

Even if it’s your first time or you’ve tried before, now is the perfect time to quit smoking. Make it to 28 days smoke-free and you’re 5 times more likely to quit for good.

There’s no need to go it alone. With free tools, advice and support, quitting is easier than you think. We've got your back as you take on the challenge.

Thinking about quitting smoking, ready to stop, or struggling to stay smoke-free? Find the tools, tips, and support you need for a healthier life.

14/10/2025

Wootton & Shortstown surgery will be closed for essential staff training on Wednesday 15th October 2025 from 14:30pm and therefore we will not be available after this time.
However, if you do have a telephone appointment booked with a locum clinician, this will still be going ahead.
Should you need medical advice during this time, please contact NHS 111 or, in an emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.
Phone lines will remain open until 14:30pm.
The surgery will reopen at 8am on Thursday 16th October 2025. Please note however that the phone lines will likely be very busy at this time.
You will be able to submit a SystmConnect via our website, however this will not be looked at until the following morning. Therefore, if your matter is urgent, please do not use this service. All requests will be reviewed upon our return.

23/09/2025

Fibromyalgia Support Group hold a monthly support group in Bedford. Please see details below.

23/09/2025

Reminder to all our patients:

Wootton & Shortstown surgery will be closed for essential staff training on Thursday 25th September 2025 from 14:30pm and therefore we will not be available after this time.
However, if you do have a telephone appointment booked with a locum clinician, this will still be going ahead.
Should you need medical advice during this time, please contact NHS 111 or, in an emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.
Phone lines will remain open until 14:30pm.
The surgery will reopen at 8am on Friday 26th September 2025. Please note however that the phone lines will likely be very busy at this time.
You will be able to submit a SystmConnect via our website, however this will not be looked at until the following morning. Therefore, if your matter is urgent, please do not use this service. All requests will be reviewed upon our return.