Stow Surgery

06/04/2026

BMA Resident Doctors’ Industrial Action:

Cheltenham’s Emergency Department (ED) will temporarily switch to a day time only Minor Injury and Illness Unit (MIIU) from 8pm on Monday 6 April.

🕖Daytime (8am - 8pm): The department will operate as an MIIU from Tuesday 7 April up to, and including, Sunday 12 April.
🌙Overnight (8pm - 8am): The department will be closed overnight from Monday 6 April until 8am on Monday 13 April.

The Emergency Department service at Cheltenham General Hospital will resume at 8am on Monday 13 April 2026.

Emergency care services will be centralised at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital 24/7 during this period. The public are advised to only attend Gloucester ED or call 999 if their condition is life-threatening or serious.

Community Minor Injury and Illness Units and GP practices across the county will continue to provide services. The public can get advice on their healthcare options at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.

For more information: https://www.nhsglos.nhs.uk/news/bma-resident-doctors-industrial-action-tuesday-7-april-7am-to-monday-13-april-7am/

02/04/2026

27/03/2026

Tips & Tricks to Stay Safe from Ticks

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures. They feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans. They vary in size and are usually between 1mm to 1cm long. They have either 6 or 8 legs.

Tick bites aren’t usually painful but they may cause a red lump to develop where you were bitten.

In some cases, tick bites may cause swelling, itchiness, blistering
and bruising.

Please speak to us or the Minor Injury & Ilness Unit if you’ve been in an area where you could have been bitten by a tick and you have:

*a pink or red rash
* a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
* other flu-like symptoms, like a headache or joint pain
* swollen lymph nodes

For further information please see the links below:-

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2014/03/24/tips-and-tricks-to-stay-safe-from-ticks/

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/injuries/skin-injuries/tick-bites/

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans. Find out about tick bites, including how to prevent them.

27/03/2026

Live Better to Feel Better wellbeing course

Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing College is inviting people to sign up for Live Better to Feel Better – a six-week course for people living with a diagnosed, long-term physical health condition. This free course is co-facilitated by Peer Support Workers - all of whom have their own lived experience.

Live Better to Feel Better is open to people over 18 with a diagnosed long-term physical health condition and registered with a Gloucestershire GP.

Attendees will learn a range of self-management tools and techniques and gain the confidence to use them in their day-to-day life. These friendly and relaxed sessions also provide the ideal opportunity to meet new people and find out what is happening in your area.

Topics covered include:
• Link between physical and mental health
• Being kind to yourself and looking after me
• Problem solving and decision making
• Mindfulness and breathing for relaxation
• Communication and working with health professionals and services
• Managing pain
• Sleep and fatigue

Online course (MS Teams)
Tuesdays, 14 April - 19 May 2026, 10.30am - 12.30pm, six weeks (same day and time each week)

In-person course
Wednesdays, 3 June - 8 July 2026, 1 - 3pm every Wednesday, six weeks (same day and time each week) at Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, Churchdown, Gloucester GL3 2JH

The closing date for applications is Monday 11 May 2026.

To find out more visit: www.ghc.nhs.uk/other-areas/ghwb-college
If you have an enquiry and would like to get in touch, call the Health and Wellbeing College on 0300 421 4414 or email ghwc@ghc.nhs.uk

A recovery college provides courses and educational workshops that teach people to become experts in their own recovery and self-care.

25/03/2026

We are hosting 3 online workshops to support parents with understanding their children's Mental health. To sign up or for more information please drop us an email: getinvolved@youngglos.org.uk

25/03/2026

Looking to get out more, meet new people, and enjoy your community? 💛

Our Community Activities are here for you — from friendly lunch clubs and Men in Sheds, to gentle exercise sessions and much more. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking to stay active, try something new, or simply enjoy good company.

🔨Men-in-Sheds
🍴Lunch Clubs
🐛Community Garden
🎨Art and Craft
🎶Community Singing
☕Friendship Cafes
⚽Walking Football
🚶🏼‍♂️Walk & Chat

Each month brings a range of welcoming, relaxed activities designed to help you stay connected and feel part of your community.

To get involved, reach out to our activities team on:
01608 692 811
or email on activities@cotswoldfriends.org

25/03/2026

Covid Vaccination - Spring Boosters

Appointments are now available to book for Covid vaccination spring boosters.

Eligibility is defined as below:-
* Individuals aged 75 years and over (including individuals who turn 75 years old by 30 June 2026).
* Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed

Text messages have been sent to those who are eligible and where we have up to date contact details. Those without a mobile phone will receive a telephone call to their landline in the next few days.

We have a record of patients who are housebound but if you are newly housebound or temporarily housebound please give us a call to ensure that you are not missed.

We'd like to encourage patients to book online where possible but if you have difficulties with this please call the surgery on 01451 830625.

25/03/2026

Meningitis ACWY Vaccinations

We have a couple of appointment slots available tomorrow (Thursday 26th March) for Meningitis ACWY vaccinations.

The MenACWY vaccine helps protect against life-threatening illnesses like meningitis and sepsis. It's offered to teenagers in school, but can be given up to the age of 25 if it's been missed.

For further information please see the link below.
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/menacwy-vaccine/

This vaccine will NOT provide cover for the Meningitis strain (Men B) recently detected in Kent but is recommended for young people, to cover other Meningitis strains.

There are 119 young people, registered with Stow Surgery who have not received this vaccine. Text messages have been sent to those where we have up to date contact details.

Please call the surgery on 01451 830625 to make an appointment.

Find out about the MenACWY vaccine, including what it’s for, who should have it, how to get it and possible side effects.

08/03/2026

⚠️ Medicines recall: Ramipril 5 mg Capsules (Crescent Pharma Limited)

One batch of Ramipril 5 mg Capsules is being recalled as a precaution after a packaging error.

This follows reports from a pharmacy that a pack labelled Ramipril 5 mg Capsules (Batch GR164099) incorrectly contained blister strips of Amlodipine 5 mg Tablets inside the sealed carton.

If you take Ramipril, check the packaging of your medicine for batch number GR164099. If your pack contains blister strips labelled “Amlodipine”, return it to your pharmacist.

The risk to patients of the accidental substitution of one widely used blood pressure medication for another is low. The most likely side effect would be dizziness related to low blood pressure.

If you have concerns about your medication or experience any suspected side effects, speak to your pharmacist or another healthcare professional. Patients and healthcare professionals can also report suspected side effects via our Yellow Card scheme.

Further information: https://bit.ly/4ult3k7

06/03/2026

🌐 Are you a carer in Gloucestershire? Need help with technology or accessing online services?

💻 Session 1: A Carer’s Guide to Local Digital Services
🗓️ Monday 30th March 2026, 11am–12pm
🔐 Session 2: Scammer Awareness & Password Keeping
🗓️ Thursday 2nd April 2026, 2:30pm–3:30pm

📩 To attend, email bookings@peopleplus.co.uk

06/03/2026

✨ What’s happening this month? ✨

There’s plenty to get involved with across our Community Activities programme!

From friendly lunch clubs and our fully booked Tai Chi sessions, to energetic walking football and much more — there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 💛

These activities are all about staying active, building friendships and feeling connected within your community.

Take a look at what’s on this month and come along — we’d love to see you.

To get involved - speak to our team at:
📞 01608 692 811
📧 activities@cotswoldfriends.org