The Friarsgate Practice

23/03/2026

💉 Did you know? We offer in house blood tests!

Friarsgate provides a convenient phlebotomy service right here on-site at both our Weeke and Badger Farm surgeries, so you don’t need to travel elsewhere for your blood tests.

✔️ Quick and easy appointments
✔️ Friendly, experienced staff
✔️ Comfortable and familiar setting

If a clinician has requested a blood test for you, simply book an appointment through the NHS App or contact reception to book your appointment.

18/03/2026

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 💛

Ovarian cancer can affect anyone with ovaries, and early symptoms are often subtle. Knowing the signs can make a real difference.

🔎 Symptoms to look out for:
• Persistent bloating
• Feeling full quickly or loss of appetite
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Needing to urinate more urgently or frequently

If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, please don’t ignore them—get in touch with your GP surgery.

✔️ Early diagnosis saves lives
✔️ Trust your body and seek advice if something doesn’t feel right

17/03/2026

Pharmacy opening hours for Easter Bank Holiday 2026 🐣

https://www.friarsgatepractice.nhs.uk/easter-bank-holiday-2026-pharmacy-opening-hours/

17/03/2026

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16/03/2026

💬 Let’s Talk About Vaccines Week 💉

Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective ways to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from serious diseases. During Let’s Talk About Vaccines Week, we’re encouraging everyone to learn more, ask questions, and feel confident about the UK vaccination schedule.

📅 The UK vaccine schedule protects against diseases including:
• Whooping cough
• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Meningitis
• HPV
• Flu and COVID-19 (for eligible groups)

Vaccinations start from 8 weeks of age and continue through childhood, teenage years, and adulthood where needed.

✔ They are carefully tested for safety
✔ They protect both individuals and the wider community
✔ They help prevent outbreaks of serious illness

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/

If you’re unsure whether you or your child are up to date with vaccinations, or if you have questions, our team is here to help.

📞 Check your NHS App or contact the surgery to check your vaccination record or book an appointment.

16/03/2026

⚠️ **Important Health Update: Meningitis Awareness**

We are aware of recent reports of meningitis cases in the UK and want to remind everyone to stay alert to symptoms and seek medical advice promptly if concerned.

Meningitis is an infection that can affect the brain and spinal cord. It can develop quickly and requires urgent medical attention.

**Common symptoms include:**
• High fever
• Severe headache
• Stiff neck
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Cold hands and feet, limb pain, pale or mottled skin
• A rash that does not fade when pressed

**In babies and young children, symptoms may include:**
• Floppy or unresponsive behaviour
• High-pitched crying
• Difficulty feeding
• Bulging soft spot on the head
• Unusual sleepiness

🚨 **Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you suspect meningitis or symptoms are worsening.**

If you are worried but symptoms are milder, please contact the surgery or call NHS 111 for advice.

Vaccination remains the best protection against several types of meningitis. Please ensure you and your children are up to date with routine vaccinations.

The NHS website has all the information you need, including what to look out for and when to get medical help.

➡️ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

15/03/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible women in our community. 🌸
Today we celebrate mothers of every kind – those raising children, those expecting, those remembering, those longing to become mothers, and those who mother in their own unique ways.
From all of us at The Friarsgate Practice, we are thinking of you today. 💙

13/03/2026

13/03/2026

Our health kiosk has been been a very beneficial addition to the practice. We hope our patients will agree 😊

Real-world impact from digital health in practice.

The Friarsgate Practice in Wi******er introduced the EK Digital Health Station to help address growing demand, appointment pressure and administrative workload.

In the last seven months:

• 1,157 blood pressure checks completed
• 423 general health checks recorded
• 840 sessions in the last four months alone

Patients can complete structured questionnaires and key measurements - including blood pressure, height and weight - without needing an appointment. The results are coded directly into the patient record for clinician review.

For the team, this means less time spent collecting routine data and more time focusing on clinical care.

Lucy Burrell, Operations Lead at Friarsgate, explains:

“The system has helped reduce the number of face-to-face appointments required, improving overall workflow and freeing up staff time.”

Read the full case study here: https://www.ekinteractive.co.uk/case-studies-and-impact

11/03/2026

🚭 **No Smoking Day – Take the First Step Today** 🚭

Today is **No Smoking Day** — a great opportunity to think about your health and the positive changes you can make.

Smoking is one of the biggest causes of preventable illness, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung disease and cancer. The good news? It’s never too late to quit — and support is available.

Quitting smoking can improve your health within days, and the benefits continue for years to come.

If you’re ready to quit — or even just thinking about it — check out

11/03/2026

More than 10,000 calls have been made to Martha’s Rule helplines in the first 16 months of the NHS scheme, helping thousands of patients benefit from changes to their care and potentially saving lives.

Martha's Rule helps detect deterioration in hospital patients early. It gives patients and families the right to call for a rapid review if they are worried a loved one’s condition – or their own – is getting worse.

Staff can also ask for a review from a different team if they are concerned any appropriate action is not being taken.

Read more ➡️ https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/03/over-10000-calls-to-marthas-rule-in-first-16-months-to-trigger-urgent-review-of-care/

10/03/2026

We would like to update our patients that eligibility for this year’s Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme has now been announced.

The vaccine will be offered to the following groups:

-Adults aged 75 years and over
-Residents of care homes for older adults
-People aged 18 years and over with a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed)
-People aged 6 months to 17 years with a weakened immune system (immunosuppressed) may also be eligible. We are currently awaiting further guidance from the NHS on whether we will receive a vaccine for this age group. Further updates will follow.

Please see our website for full details: https://www.friarsgatepractice.nhs.uk/spring-covid-boosters/