Last year saw an increase in measles cases, taking the number of cases to the highest it has been in decades. Vaccination is important to ensure the long-term health of your child, and of the nation as a whole.

From 1 January 2026, all children will be offered the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age. This adds protection against chickenpox to the existing provision of protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

This guidance for healthcare professionals describes eligibility, administration and safety, and answers frequently asked questions about the new vaccination programme.

To learn more about the MMRV vaccine vist the NHS webpage https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmrv-vaccine/ 

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious illnesses, with potentially life-changing complications, that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Mumps outbreaks are currently occurring across England. Children need two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine. Both doses are needed to ensure full and lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

If your child has missed either of these two doses, please contact us for an appointment with Nurse Jo. It’s never too late to catch up and protect those around you.

Depression is often misunderstood, but it’s more than a passing low mood. Mild depression can mean you’re unable to enjoy your normal activities, while severe depression can make you feel suicidal or as if life isn’t worth living.

If you’re struggling with feelings of depression, there are things you can do to help your mood. Getting outdoors and doing exercise are some of the well-known tips for helping mood, but what are the others? See the article below for some self-help advice.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/cope-with-depression/

However, if you’re suffering from severe symptoms, please make an appointment.

If you remain cold over a period of time, you can become unwell, particularly if you’re in a more vulnerable group, such as those with chronic conditions, older adults or young children. It’s important to stay warm to reduce the risk of illness and unplanned hospital admissions.

There are a few things you can do to help keep you and your family safe and well over the winter months:

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/keep-well-this-winter/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/

The weather in the UK can be cold and miserable during the winter, and days are shorter, so finding motivation to keep exercising can be challenging.

Exercising helps to keep you fit and healthy, and it can boost your mood when you’re feeling low. These helpful articles contain some brilliant hints and tips to help you stay active during the cold winter months.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/dec/03/seven-ways-to-keep-exercising-in-the-cold-dark-winter-months 

https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/fitness/easy-winter-exercise-tips-help-you-stay-fit/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/ 

Did you know that someone dies from a heart or circulatory condition every three minutes in the UK?

February is Heart Month, so let’s raise awareness and help reduce this number.

If you’d like to check your blood pressure, please pop into the surgery and use the blood pressure machine in the patient room, it comes with instructions, but if you need help, just ask reception and one of use will assist you.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/support-our-campaigns/heart-month

Everyone’s cancer journey is unique to them. In the UK, we’re lucky to have access to healthcare free at the point of need.

Over the last 50 years, the proportion of the UK population dying from cancer (the cancer death rate) has fallen by more than a fifth, which is amazing news, but there is still much work to be done.

These figures are a testament to the progress we’ve made in preventing, detecting and treating cancer. Today, 1 in 2 people diagnosed with the disease will survive it for at least ten years, compared to just 1 in 4 in the early 1970s. And we’re on the cusp of many more improvements.

Let’s help to raise awareness. https://www.worldcancerday.org/

One in 20 adults experience domestic abuse every year, that’s almost 21,000 people a year in Buckinghamshire or 57 people every day. People may live with abuse for a long period of time before seeking help.

Together, we must change this.

We need to talk about the signs of controlling behaviour and domestic abuse and look out for our relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbours and people in our community.

Buckinghamshire Council is working to raise awareness of the signs of domestic abuse and the support that is available.

Please visit their website for more information on how to recognise, report and get support - https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/campaign/domestic-abuse-red-flags/ 

If you’re caring for someone at risk of going missing, you might want to have a look at the Herbert Protocol. Named after a war veteran called George Herbert, the Herbert Protocol helps you to establish information about someone who’s at risk before they go missing.

In the event that they later do go missing, you’re able to quickly share the information with the police force.

We’ve linked some national information below, but you’ll be able to find the information for your local police force and their forms by carrying out an internet search. The police will ask additional questions about what happened if/when the individual goes missing, but having the protocol ready helps you to think about important information beforehand when you’re not in a moment of intense stress.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...gether-magazine/scheme-support-missing-people

The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across England.

People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. 

Venues that support ‘Ask for Angela’ have been given Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. Delivered by the Met’s licensing officers and Safer Sounds partnership, it gives staff the ability to help customers who may be in a situation that makes them vulnerable or unsafe.

For more information about the scheme, visit: https://askforangela.co.uk/

Aged 17 to 65?

Generally fit and well?

Weigh more than 7st 12lbs (50kg) and less than 25st (158kg)?

You could help by donating blood as stocks are critically low.

Giving blood

You can give blood at thousands of donation venues across England, from permanent donor centres to pop-up community venues.

More about giving blood

Giving plasma

You can give plasma (part of your blood that can make life-saving medicines) at 3 donation venues in England:

• Birmingham
• Reading
• Twickenham

More about giving plasma

Information: 

Note that you can't donate blood and plasma at the same appointment.

If you have a baby under six months of age, it can be really difficult to know whether you need to make a medical appointment, or whether you can safely look after your baby at home.

The Lullaby Trust have built an app to help parents of young babies to know the difference:
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-check-app/

But don't forget we are here for you if you have any doubts, worries or concerns. 

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Babies are usually ready to start trying their first solid foods when they reach six months of age.

Giving your baby a wide variety of normal family foods can encourage habits for life, but we do need to make sure we’re careful as some foods such as salt and honey aren’t suitable for very young children.
https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/how-to-start-weaning-your-baby/