Orchard End Surgery

28/04/2026

Have you ordered yours ? 🤔

With the bank holiday approaching, make sure you order your repeat prescription in good time to avoid any delays in getting your medicines.

GP practices and pharmacies may have different opening hours, so it’s best to plan ahead and not leave it until the last minute.

Find out how to order your repeat prescription here, including via the NHS App: https://nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions/how-to-order-a-repeat-prescription/

22/04/2026

💚 MEET THE TEAM 💚

Nicola joined us in July 2022, bringing with her nearly 15 years of experience in medical administration from Benenden Hospital. With her calm, efficient manner and wealth of knowledge, she’s a huge asset to the surgery and patients.

As part of our Reception team, Nicola is often one of the first friendly voices or faces you’ll encounter—on the phone or at the front desk. From booking appointments to managing messages and paperwork, our receptionists keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

A local through and through, Nicola grew up in Cranbrook and attended Angley and Cranbrook Schools. Some of you might even remember her from her days performing with CODS at the Queens Hall Theatre—her role as the front end of Daisy the tap-dancing cow in Jack and the Beanstalk is still fondly remembered! 🐄✨

Away from work, Nicola and her husband are renovating the home that has been in her family for three generations. She’s also kept busy as “Mum’s taxi” while her son works towards getting his driving licence.

Next time you speak to Nicola, be sure to say hello! 👋

21/04/2026

GP’s across Kent have had persistent IT issues over the last week that are outside of our control.

It has been a very stressful time for our whole team, and we truly appreciate your support.

Please see the document below from NHS Kent and Medway who are working to resolve the matter.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1A9etK14xi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We are aware of IT issues currently affecting GP practices across Kent and Medway and are working hard to resolve these as quickly as possible.

Please be patient with your general practice during this time as they are doing their best to help you.

We would ask patients to continue to treat staff at your GP practice with courtesy and respect as they are working hard to keep services running and they have no control over the situation.

18/03/2026

The recent Meningitis B outbreak has caused a lot of concern in our community.

Please follow the link below for up-to-date advice on:
• Symptoms to watch out for
• Who may be eligible for precautionary (prophylactic) antibiotics and
Meningitis B vaccination

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/

01/03/2026

We don’t usually mark awareness weeks, but we know that many people struggle silently with eating disorders.

If you’re finding things difficult, please know you are not alone.

We are here to listen, to support you without judgement, and to help you access the right care.

Recovery is possible. 💚

BEAT- the UK’s leading eating disorder charity run helplines for ANYONE affected by an eating disorder
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/



Cranbrook, Benenden And Surrounding Areas Information Site
SISSINGHURST PEOPLE
Frittenden Community
Hawkhurst Community Group
Cranbrook (Kent) and Sissinghurst chat 2.0
Biddenden Community
The new hawkhurst community group
Your Village Staplehurst.

We stand in solidarity with every young person struggling with eating.

Parents, if your child has an eating problem or disorder, we are here for you. You can call our Parents Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544.

We're open from 9.30am to 4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 9.30am to 6pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

27/02/2026

💚Meet the Team 💚

We’re delighted to introduce Emma, our brilliant Head Dispenser since January 2022.

Emma leads our dispensary team, who are responsible for accurately preparing and dispensing prescriptions, managing medication orders and stock levels. Her dedication, organisation, and attention to detail ensures our patients receive their medicines safely and efficiently.

Outside work, Emma has a lifelong love of music. She has been a devoted member of Cranbrook Town Band since 1999, progressing from the youth section to 2nd cornet. Brass banding is truly in her blood, with her grandfather, dad, and uncles all playing brass instruments too!

Emma is also a passionate gardener. Since joining Headcorn Gardeners’ Society in 2022, she has enjoyed great success with her stunning dahlias and sweet peas — even earning the prestigious RHS Banksian Medal in 2025 🌸

And of course, we can’t forget to mention her delicious homemade cakes 😋

We’re incredibly proud to have Emma leading our dispensary team — her commitment, both professionally and personally, truly makes her an inspiration!

11/02/2026

🚰 Think you have a UTI?

Common symptoms include:
✅ Burning when weeing
✅ Needing to wee more often or urgently
✅ Cloudy urine

🧑🏽‍⚕️Aged 16–64? Help is closer than you think!
With the Pharmacy First Scheme, your local pharmacist can assess your symptoms and prescribe antibiotics — no GP appointment needed.

⚠️ Outside this age group, pregnant, diabetic, or have recurrent UTIs?
Please contact the surgery so a GP can assess your symptoms and advise on the next steps.

❌ Please don’t drop urine samples off at the surgery unless a doctor has asked you to.

Help yourself at home:
🔹 Drink plenty of water
🔹 Avoid caffeine & alcohol
🔹 Get medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen

📲 Find out more:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/

05/02/2026

At Orchard End Surgery 🌳, we’re here to help you get the care you need.

After reviewing different triage models, we’ve chosen an approach that works best for our patient population.

We offer a mix of same-day and routine appointments with our GPs, nurse, and other healthcare professionals.

Options for accessing help
Monday–Friday, 8:00am–6:30pm:
✅ Book an appointment by calling 01580 713622, walk in or via the NHS App;

✅ Visit our website: www.orchardendsurgery.co.uk to submit administrative or clinical queries via eConsult;

✅ Use the NHS App to:
o Order repeat prescriptions;
o Check test results;
o View hospital letters;
o Access trusted health advice.

29/01/2026

Great news for bowel cancer screening 👏

In the UK, everyone aged 50–74 is sent a FIT bowel screening test kit— and this week the threshold has been lowered, meaning even more early cancers can be detected.

Bowel cancer often has no symptoms, especially early on. This tiny test really can save lives. It’s painless, takes a couple of minutes and can be done at home.

If your kit arrives, please don’t put it off — do it and send it back.

Early detection means better outcomes 💚

21/01/2026

Muscle or joint problems? 💪🦴
No need to see a GP first ❌👩‍⚕️

Our First Contact Physiotherapists are highly skilled at diagnosing your condition and agreeing the best course of action — whether that’s tailored exercises, an X-ray or scan 🩻, or referral to a specialist .

Please book via reception 📞01580 713622

20/01/2026

We’re back online on the NHS network 🎉!
Thank you for your patience while our clinicians and admin team work through the backlog caused by yesterday’s disruption.

20/01/2026

We’re back online on the NHS network 🎉!
Thank you for your patience while our clinicians and admin team work through the backlog caused by yesterday’s disruption.