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.

Did you know, over the past ten years there has been no improvement in ovarian cancer survival rates? Over 7,000 women are diagnosed every year, with two-thirds at a late stage when it’s harder to treat.

This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, it’s time to make a change. Often symptoms can be missed or attributed to another condition. If you’re struggling with persistent bloating, pain around the tummy, difficulty eating or feeling full, or a change in urination habits, you may find this checker useful: https://ovarian.org.uk/ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-symptoms/ovarian-cancer-symptoms-checker/

Let’s help to raise awareness of the symptoms and improve survival rates. If you have any concerns, or any symptoms, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your GP.

You can find some useful guides here:
https://ovarian.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/download-our-materials/)

Take action on endometriosis this March and make a change for the 1 in 10 women, and those assigned female at birth, with endometriosis in the UK.
Endometriosis can affect everyone differently. Some people may have transient symptoms, and some may struggle to cope day to day.
Common symptoms include:

• Pelvic pain
• Disruptive, painful periods
• Pain during/after sex
• Bloating around periods
• Bowel difficulties
• Fatigue combined with the above

Find out more here: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/what-is-endometriosis

If you suspect you have this condition or it’s interfering with your ability to live a normal life, please make an appointment with your GP.

The UK says ‘No More’ to domestic abuse and sexual violence.

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, reaching out can be a frightening step, but there is help and you can access a safe space. There are over 4,500 safe spaces across the UK; simply walk in and ask to use their safe space, alongside online space[PS1] to find the help you need, when you need it.

https://uksaysnomore.org/safespaces/ #NoMoreWeek

https://uksaysnomore.org/online-safe-spaces/

You can find some great resources to download and use here: https://www.hestia.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=a4afee25-8bc2-4c3e-a8c7-8bc388f40f4c

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/ 

Are you a young carer registered with our practice? Being a young carer can take its toll on you, and it’s really important you have access to the right support yourself.

If you’re a carer for someone, and you’re under 18, please do let us know at reception.

Carers Bucks offer a Young Carers Service for young people (under 18) that live within Buckinghamshire.

You can find more information about them here: https://carersbucks.org/information-for-carers/young-carers/  

‘Commit to Quit’ this No Smoking Day. If you’re looking for a sign to improve your health, breathe easily and minimise the risk of long-term conditions, here it is! Start today and you’ll feel the benefits so quickly!

Within days, you’ll notice:

• Your sense of taste and smell improves
• You start to breathe more easily
• You have more energy

As the weeks progress, you’ll find you have:

Better blood circulation to your heart and muscles, making physical activity easier

Improved lung function – any coughs, wheezing or other breathing problems can reduce

And you’ll see the benefits in your pockets! Why not start today?
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

World Kidney Day 2026 is on 12th March and we’re challenging the myths about kidney disease and explaining why kidneys matter!

Our kidneys have an incredibly important role in our overall health and in removing toxins, so it’s vital to take care of them.

• Stay active – this can help to maintain an ideal body weight, reduce your blood pressure and the risk of chronic kidney disease
• Eat a healthy diet – this can assist with maintaining an ideal body weight and reducing your blood pressure
• Keep control of your blood sugar and blood pressure
• Minimise use of over-the-counter NSAIDs to reduce the burden on your kidneys
• Drink plenty of water

Give your kidneys the care they deserve.
https://www.worldkidneyday.org/about-kidney-health/

It’s World Sleep Day! Did you know that without enough sleep, your health can suffer? The theme this year is to ‘Sleep Well, Live Better’, and to understand the importance of getting plenty of snoozing time.

Sleep is essential to your health and has so many benefits:

• It boosts memory and learning
• It helps to clear waste from the brain and promote brain health
• It supports immune health

Find some tips here on promoting a better quality of sleep: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matte...s/how-to-fall-asleep-faster-and-sleep-better/

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/