The Vale Medical Practice - formerly Wootton & Shortstown surgery

17/07/2026

NEXPLANON Contraceptive implant now licensed for up to 5 years in the UK

The extension of the licensed duration of the etonogestrel contraceptive implant (Nexplanon®) to five years in the UK has been welcomed by the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH).

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has updated the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) to reflect the longer duration of use, following new clinical evidence demonstrating continued safety and effectiveness beyond the previously licensed three-year period.

Dr Rebecca Strauss, Clinical Director at CoSRH, said:

“This is a really positive step forward for both patients and services. Extending the licensed duration to five years due to robust clinical evidence, gives women greater flexibility and choice while also helping to reduce unnecessary clinical appointments.”

The updated guidance is based on findings from a Phase 3, multicentre, open-label study, which evaluated contraceptive efficacy and safety during years four and five of implant use. The study enrolled 498 participants aged 35 years and under who had already completed three years of implant use. Of these, 399 participants, with a mean age of 27 years, were included in the primary analysis.

Crucially, no pregnancies were reported during years four and five of use, and the study did not identify new safety concerns, providing strong reassurance that contraceptive effectiveness is maintained through extended use.

CoSRH highlights that the extended licence offers a significant benefit for both patients and healthcare services, reducing the frequency of replacement procedures and supporting more flexible, person-centred contraceptive care.

14/07/2026

The Vale Medical Practice will be closed for essential staff training on Wednesday 22nd July 2026 from 14:30pm and therefore we will not be available after this time.

Should you need medical advice during this time, please contact NHS 111 or, in an emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.

Phone lines will remain open until 14:30pm.

The surgery will reopen at 8am on Thursday 23rd July 2026

14/07/2026

Message from: NHS Bedfordshire and Luton Children and Young People's Health Services

6-8 week review with the Health Visiting team.

At this point your new baby is starting to develop a personality all of their own, you will be seeing changes daily and there are many more to come and they start to become interested in their surroundings.

With this, parents often like reassurance, guidance and advise about their developing baby, and well as support with adjusting to family life and your changing hormones – This is where our team can help.

Your 6-8 week check with the Health visiting team is different to the one you have with the GP.

You will be sent an SMS link when your child is about 5 weeks to book this appointment at a time, date and venue to suit you.

14/07/2026

The 2026 edition of SEND Matters is out now, including:
Inclusive Island at the River Festival next weekend, 17th and 18th of July.
Info on how to apply for the carers grant with Blue Sky
SEND Summer Activities across the School holidays
To download, visit https://tinyurl.com/SEND-Matters-Summer-Edition See less

14/07/2026

Hot, sleepless nights affect us all, but with a baby it can be especially tough when they struggle to settle. A few simple steps can help keep your little one cool, comfortable and ready for sleep.

14/07/2026

Booking for the MenB vaccine opens today.
If you're aged 17 or 18 or starting university or eligible residential further education this autumn, you may be eligible for the MenB vaccine.
✅ Two doses are essential for protection.
Find out more ➡️ http://nhs.uk/book-menb See less

Book, change or cancel a MenB vaccination appointment online.

24/06/2026

A red heat alert has been issued for parts of the East of England including Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes, while an amber alert remains in place for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, and Hertfordshire.

The red alert comes into effect from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday.

With temperatures expected to continue soaring over the coming days, it is hugely important to try to keep yourself, your home and others cool, while remembering to check up on people who may be vulnerable to the extreme heat.

Here are some useful tips to help you cope with the conditions over the next few days:

• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol during the hot weather
• Avoid extreme physical exertion during the hot weather. If you can’t avoid strenuous outdoor activity, try to do it during cooler time of the day such as the early morning or the evening
• Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
• Stay out of direct sunshine, especially between 11am and 3pm, as UV rays are strongest during these hours
• If you do go out during these times, apply sunscreen, walk in the shade, wear a hat, sunglasses and light, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothes
• Look out for symptoms of heat related illnesses in yourself and others
• If you feel dizzy, weak, sick or are intensely thirsty during hot weather, this may be heat exhaustion. Move to a cool place, rehydrate and cool your body down

24/06/2026

During this spell of extreme weather, please ensure you are drinking enough fluids

22/06/2026

The Vale Medical Practice will be closed for essential staff training on Tuesday 23rd June 2026 from 14:30pm and therefore we will not be available after this time.
Should you need medical advice during this time, please contact NHS 111 or, in an emergency, call 999 or attend A&E.
Phone lines will remain open until 14:30pm.
The surgery will reopen at 8am on Wednesday 24th June 2026

17/06/2026

🚧 Roadworks Update 🚧

Please be aware that roadworks are currently in place outside the Wootton Site on Fields Road.

We recommend allowing extra time for your journey to ensure you arrive at your appointment on time.