Latest news and updates from the surgery

Update on weight loss injections

We are aware that there has been approval of Mounjaro for NHS use for some patients living with obesity. The local NHS are working hard to establish a weight management service to support the prescribing of this for those with a BMI over 40kg/m2 and living with 4 medically recognised complications of obesity. The criteria is still being established and until this service is up and running we are not able to refer patients or assess anyone further for Mounjaro. If you would like other support with weight loss please do request an appointment clearly stating this via SystmConnect. We will update this statement once we hear more from the local NHS.

You and your general practice

You and your general practice (YYGP) has been developed to help patients understand what to expect from their general practice and how they can get the best from their GP team. YYGP also enables patient to provide feedback or raise concerns with their GP Practice, Healthwatch or the integrated care board (ICB). The YYGP document published by NHS England can be found below.

NHS England » You and your general practice

Flu Campaign 2025

There are 3 groups of patients that will be eligible for the flu vaccination this year, and you will receive your invitation by text (if we have a mobile number on your record), or by letter if we don’t.

The timing of vaccinations for each group is dependent on the delivery date of the vaccination type that is specific to that group – as there is a different type for a different age group.

COVID autumn booster 2025

As part of the national autumn programme, we will be offering covid booster vaccines to over 75’s (or will be 75 by 31^st January 26) alongside the flu vaccines, at St Andrews Church Hall this year.

Due to this, we will not have our blood pressure testing stations this year. We will however still have representatives attending from Audiology, Age UK Bedfordshire, Tibbs Dementia Foundation.

Group 1 – 65 and over (or will be 65 by 31st March 2026)

We will be running two mass vaccination days, where we will vaccinate for flu and offer covid vaccines to the over 75’s as well, and they will be at St Andrews Church Hall on Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2PF.

Day one is on Thursday 2nd October, and we will have 4 sessions:

9:00 to 11:00, surnames A to B

11:00 to 13:00, surnames C to D

1:00 to 15:00, surnames E to G

15:00 to 17:00, surnames H to K

Day two is on Thursday 9th October, and will also have 4 sessions:

9:00 to 11:00, surnames L to M

11:00 to 13:00, surnames N to R

13:00 to 15:00, surnames S to U

15:00 to 17:00, surnames V to Z

Ideally please try to stick to your allocated session day, and timing, so that we can safely manage patient numbers during that time. If you cannot make your allocated time slot or day, please still come along on either of the two dates.

In the event that you are not able to attend either dates, we will arrange ‘catch up’ clinics at the practice, but these will only be scheduled after the two days have been completed. Please call the surgery to be added to our waiting list and be clear if you want flu only or flu and covid if over 75.

Group 2 – under 65 at risk

We will be running flu vaccination clinics at the practice.

We will send out invitations by text (if you have a mobile number on your record) or by letter, once we have received the vaccinations.  The text will have a link to directly book into these clinics or if you receive a letter, you can book your appointment with the reception team.

Group 3 – 2 and 3 year olds (patients born between 1^st September 2021 and 31^st August 2023)

The invitations for this group are sent centrally by Child Health.

The vaccines are supplied from a national stock and should be available from the beginning of September. Once we know we can order vaccines and have delivery dates confirmed, then we will be able to schedule clinics.

Please call the surgery when you receive an invitation and we will add you to a waiting list, when we have dates confirmed we send out a text invitation which will have a link to follow which enables you to book into these clinics.

Out of Hours and Emergencies

111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It’s fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

In case of a life threatening emergency, please dial 999

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