The Cranborne Practice

08/03/2026

🚧 Bungalow Refurbishment Update:
What to expect when you visit 🚧
Following our recent announcement about the exciting improvements coming to our surgery, we want to share some important information to help you plan your next visit while the work is underway.
To keep everyone safe and allow our contractors to work efficiently, there will be some temporary changes to how you access the surgery:

🚗 Parking & Access
- Limited Parking: The left side of the staff parking area (the gravel area directly outside the front of the bungalow) will be fenced off and inaccessible. This means fewer parking spaces will be available for both patients and staff. Please allow extra time for your journey or consider alternative transport if possible.
- Site Traffic: You may notice workmen’s vehicles entering via the Newtown exit. Large vehicles cannot fit under our drive-through, so this is their only point of entry.
- No Drive-Through: For the duration of the works, the drive-through will be closed. You will not be able to use it to exit the site.

💉 Spring Covid Boosters
Many of you will remember using our drive-through for vaccinations in the past. As the eligible group for this year’s Spring Booster is smaller, we will be delivering these vaccinations inside the surgery rather than via the drive-through. There is no need to contact us. If you are eligible, we will contact you to book an appointment.

🙏 Thank you for your patience: We are working hard to ensure these improvements lead to a better environment for all our patients. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this busy time.

26/02/2026

📢Exciting news about Lake Road Surgery in Verwood! 🏥✨
We are delighted to announce that a major transformation is coming to The Cranborne Practice! Starting 12th March, work begins on the total refurbishment of our bungalow at 131 Newtown Road, next to our Lake Road Surgery.

This isn't just a fresh coat of paint—we’re developing the Bungalow into a dedicated medical hub for our 13,850 patients.

What’s coming?
🏥 3 Brand New Consulting Rooms
🛋️ Dedicated Waiting Room & modern facilities
📈 Capacity for 28,000+ more face-to-face appointments every year!
🚀 Potential for extended services right here in Verwood.

We currently provide around 10,500 appointments a month, and this expansion ensures we can continue to offer the high-quality, in-person care you deserve.

Construction is expected to be complete by mid-summer 2026. Stay tuned for updates as we grow to better serve our community! 🩺💙

23/02/2026

Looking for reliable health advice without the medical jargon? Check out Coughy Break, a podcast hosted by two of our very own local GPs right here from Penny’s Hill Practice in East Dorset!

Whether you're looking for tips on managing common ailments or just want to hear from the doctors who care for our community, it’s a fantastic (and friendly) resource.

Listen now on Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Spotify or online:
👉 https://www.coughybreak.com/

23/02/2026

💬 Staying Connected: A Guide to Dementia-Friendly Conversations
📍 Ferndown Manor
📅 Wednesday 4th March 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 11:30am
🎟️ Free Event
We’re highlighting this warm and welcoming session exploring how to communicate more effectively with people living with dementia.

Discover simple, practical ways to stay connected — helping to build understanding, reduce frustration, and create more meaningful everyday moments.

Spaces are limited — reserve your place today using this link:
👇
https://tinyurl.com/49p9c82s

Or call 01202 147546.

17/02/2026

There is no need to contact the surgery right now. We will contact all eligible patients directly to book their appointment once the rollout begins. Thank you.

Expansion of the NHS RSV Vaccination Programme
Starting 1 April 2026, the NHS is expanding the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccination programme to help protect those most at risk of serious illness.

Who is newly eligible?
✅ Everyone aged 80 and over.
✅ All residents in care homes for older adults.

Who is already eligible?
✅ Adults aged 75 to 79.
✅ Pregnant women (to protect their babies).

What do I need to do?
🛑There is no need to contact the surgery right now. We will contact all eligible patients directly to book their appointment once the rollout begins in April.

Learn more:
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine/

12/02/2026

Your 10-minute "Early Warning System" 🛡️

Cervical screening isn’t just a test; it’s a way to prevent cancer before it even starts. In the UK, it saves approximately 5,000 lives every year.

We know it can feel a little awkward, but please remember:

▪ You are in control: Our nurses perform these tests every day. They are pros at making you feel comfortable.
▪ Tailored to you: You can request a female bring a friend for support, or chat with us about your concerns beforehand.
▪ Flexible for you: We can offer slots to fit your schedule.
▪ It’s never too late. Whether you were invited last week or five years ago, we are here for you. One 10-minute appointment could truly save your life.

Learn more and find support here:
👇
https://tinyurl.com/ywe73ms4

10/02/2026

🛡️ Did you know the HPV vaccine is actually a cancer-prevention vaccine?
Since its introduction, we’ve seen a massive drop in conditions like cervical cancer and ge***al warts. But it’s not just for girls. The NHS offers the vaccine to all children aged 12–13 because HPV affects everyone.

By vaccinating your son or daughter, you are protecting them from multiple types of cancer later in life, including cervical, mouth and pe**le cancers.
Confident decisions come from good information.

Check out our website to learn more and start the conversation with your child.
⬇
🔗 https://www.thecranbornepractice.co.uk/hpv-vaccination

06/02/2026

🏥 Team updates - changes to GP availability, new arrivals and familiar faces!

We have some exciting updates to our clinical team and a few schedule changes starting this Spring.

👋 New Faces: We’re delighted to welcome Dr Sophie Clarke (GP) and Kim Irving (Practice Nurse) to the team! We’re also very happy to announce that Dr Mike Whittington is staying with us permanently after completing his training.

🗓️ Schedule Shifts: Some of our current GPs—Dr Levinson, Dr Scott, and Dr Godin—are adjusting their working days in the coming weeks.

👇 Check out the full details on the Staff Page of our website:
https://www.thecranbornepractice.co.uk/our-staff

This is part of our commitment to maintaining a robust clinical team for our patients. 💙

05/02/2026

The winter months can often feel a bit gloomy, so it's important to make sure we look after our mental health too. 💚

This , why not try a few simple, positive steps to help you feel your best:

🌳 Get outside – Even a short walk in natural daylight can lift your mood and boost energy.

🚶‍➡️ Move your body and eat well – Gentle movement and nourishing food can help you feel more balanced.

🫂 Connect with others – A chat with a friend, colleague or loved one can really make a difference.

🪟 Brighten your space – Keep your environment light, bright and airy - open the curtains, add a lamp or bring in some light where you can.

Let’s talk, connect, and this winter.

Remember, if you need support, help is available:
🤳 Call NHS 111 (Option 2) for urgent mental health support or visit nhs.111.uk
👩‍⚕️ Speak to your GP for assessment and support
📞 Call Samaritans on 116 123 for free, 24/7 listening support
📱 Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line

05/02/2026

❤️February is Heart Month❤️

Regular movement helps keep your heart strong & healthy by:

✔Strengthening the heart muscle
✔Improving circulation
✔Lowering blood pressure

And the good news? You don’t need to do it all at once.

Every Move Matters

03/02/2026

💙 Want to make a difference in your community? 💙

We’re excited to announce the relaunch of the Legs Heal Together Club 🎉 — and we’re looking for friendly volunteers to help us get off the ground!

🌟 What is it?
It’s not just a clinic — it’s a social hub. We’re taking healthcare out of the surgery and into the community. By offering a space for a brew ☕ and a catch-up 💬 while members receive care, we’re tackling social isolation and helping people feel like themselves again.

🙌 No medical experience? Perfect!
We’ve got the clinical side covered. We’re looking for Volunteer Social Champions to help with:

✅ The Meet & Greet – being the first friendly face people see 😊
✅ The Tea & Biscuit Brigade – keeping the kettle on and the treats flowing ☕🍪
✅ The Conversation Starters – sitting down for a chat and making everyone feel welcome 💬❤️
Download a view a copy of the volunteer role description here:
👇
https://www.thecranbornepractice.co.uk/our-leg-club
If you can spare a couple of hours a week, have a heart for the community (and a talent for making a great cuppa), we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Get in touch with Jayne Walton:
Email: jayne.walton@dorsetgp.nhs.uk

📞 Phone: 01202 117370

02/02/2026

We are very excited to be running a learning disability open day at our unit. Please share our event poster with anyone you think may benefit from attending.