Winter Newsletter 2026

 
cold

Winter health: staying well

Colder weather often brings an increase in coughs, colds, flu, and other seasonal illnesses. Simple steps can help protect your health:

  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Keep warm and well-ventilated at home
  • Eat well and stay active where possible
  • Check on elderly neighbours, friends, and relatives

If you feel unwell, many minor illnesses can be safely managed at home or with advice from your local pharmacy.

 

Flu vaccinations

Flu can be serious, especially for older adults, pregnant women, carers, and those with long-term health conditions.

If you are eligible for a free NHS vaccination and have not yet booked, please contact the practice. Vaccination remains one of the best ways to protect yourself and others this winter.

 

Appointments and demand

Winter is one of our busiest times. We kindly ask for your patience as we manage a high volume of requests.

  • Please book routine appointments in advance, where possible.
  • Cancel appointments you no longer need so they can be offered to another patient.
  • Be assured that urgent problems will always be assessed appropriately.

Please submit a request online

Our reception and triage teams may ask for brief details to help direct you to the most suitable clinician or service.

 

Feedback

We are always looking for ways to help us improve. We would really appreciate your feedback on the care you receive from us at Churchill Medical Centre.

Please complete a Friends and Family Test

 

What the pharmacy can help you with

Your local community pharmacy can now provide advice and treatment for several common conditions without the need to see a GP, including:

  • Sore throat
  • Earache
  • Sinus pain
  • Infected insect bites
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
pharmacy
 

Winter fuel payments 

Are you of State Pension Age (66+) and on a low income? You could be entitled to Pension Credit, which unlocks other benefits, including the Winter Fuel Payment.

Find out if you are eligible and apply online on the UK government website

If this applies to you and you would like our support to check your eligibility and apply, please contact the practice to arrange a Social Prescribing appointment.

 

When to use NHS 111 or 999

  • NHS 111: For urgent medical advice when the practice is closed or you’re unsure where to go.
  • 999 / A&E: For life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, stroke symptoms, or severe injuries

Using the right service helps ensure everyone gets the care they need quickly

 

Online services

You can help save time by using our online services:

  • Order repeat prescriptions
  • View test results
  • Check appointment details
  • Update contact information

Please contact us to request access to your medical records online so we can set this up for you.

 
news

Practice news

  • New Staff: We are delighted to welcome Dr Ruth Henniker as our new General Practitioner. Dr Henniker Major will be seeing patients on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and we are pleased to have her join our team.
  • Goodbye Karan: Healthcare Assistant, Karan, will be leaving the practice shortly as she has decided to relocate to be closer to her grandchildren. We are grateful for her dedication, compassion, and the excellent care she has provided to our patients. Karan will be greatly missed, and we wish her every happiness in this next chapter. We are sure she will be kept very busy!
  • Happy retirement Kathy: We would like to let patients know that Kathy, our dietitian, is retiring after over 30 years of caring for our patients. We thank her for her dedication since 1992. We all wish Kathy a very happy retirement!
  • Welcome to Nermin: Fortunately, we are lucky enough to welcome Nermin who will be taking over from Kathy as our dietitian. She has been shadowing Kathy as part of the handover. Please speak with a GP if you wish to have a consultation with our dietitian.
  • A message from our Clinical Pharmacist: “Hello! My name is Vishal, a clinical Pharmacist and independent prescriber who joined the practice in May 2025. I have a mixed background of hospital and community pharmacy working. I will primarily be working as a diabetic clinician, reviewing Type 2 diabetics on non-injectable medications. I also run clinics reviewing patients on cholesterol management, hypertension and anticoagulants”. - Vishal Dalia, Clinical Pharmacist

 

 

A thank you from us

Thank you for your continued kindness, patience, and support. Our whole team is working hard to care for you throughout the winter months. We wish you a safe, healthy, and warm winter.

Published: Jan 29, 2026