Abbey Surgery

13/08/2026

💉 Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations 2026/27: Who is Eligible? 💉

We are pleased to announce that the NHS Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will return this autumn to help protect those most at risk of serious illness during the winter months.
🦠 Flu Vaccination Eligibility 2026/27
✅ From 1 September 2026 The free NHS flu vaccine will be available for: • Pregnant women
• Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026
• Children aged 6 months to under 18 years in a clinical risk group
✅ From 1 October 2026 The free NHS flu vaccine will be available for: • Adults aged 65 years and over
• Adults aged 18 to under 65 years in a clinical risk group
• Residents of long-stay care homes
• Carers receiving Carer's Allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• Eligible frontline social care workers
💉 COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility (Autumn/Winter 2026)
The NHS autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme will run from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027.
Eligible patients include: • Adults aged 75 years and over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
✅ Can I Have Both Vaccines Together?
Yes. If you are eligible for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, they can usually be given at the same appointment, providing protection against two serious winter viruses.
📅 Booking Your Vaccination
We will invite eligible patients by sending a booking link. If you are unable to book using the link, please contact the surgery and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Protect yourself and those around you this winter by taking up your vaccination offer when invited.
For more information about flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, visit the NHS website or contact the surgery.

12/08/2026

☀️ Another hot one… because apparently summer has taken this personally! 🥵
Another hot day today — and at this point, we’re starting to suspect the sun has forgotten how to turn itself off. 😂

A little reminder from the surgery to look after yourself in the heat:

💧 Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day — don’t wait until you’re thirsty.

🧢 Keep cool — stay in the shade, wear loose, light clothing and avoid the hottest part of the day where possible.

🏠 Keep your home cool by closing curtains or blinds where the sun is shining directly in.

👵🐶 Check on others who may be more vulnerable to the heat — including older people, young children and those with certain health conditions. And of course, don’t forget our four-legged friends!

🚗 Never leave children, vulnerable people or pets in a parked car, even for a short time.

🌞 AND TONIGHT… WE HAVE AN ECLIPSE! 🌑

It might be tempting to have a good old stare at the sky, but please do NOT look directly at the Sun, eclipse or not. Sunglasses, cameras and homemade filters aren't enough to protect your eyes. Use properly certified eclipse/sun-viewing glasses if you want to watch it safely.

Basically: enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the eclipse, but don’t let either of them fry you! 😎☀️

Stay cool, stay hydrated and keep those eyes safe. 💙
-Team Abbey

10/08/2026

💚 Organ Donation: One Decision, Many Lives Changed 💚

Did you know that one organ donor can help several people through organ and tissue donation? A simple decision today could have a life-changing impact on families across the UK.
🌟 The Facts
Right now, 8,574 people in the UK are waiting for a transplant. Every one of those people is hoping for a second chance at life. [organdonation.nhs.uk]
Since April 2026, more than 1,200 people have received a transplant from a deceased donor, giving them the opportunity to spend more time with loved ones, return to work, travel, and enjoy everyday life again.
❤️ Why Organ Donation Matters
Organ donation is one of the most generous gifts a person can give. It can help people of all ages who are living with serious illnesses affecting their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other organs.
For many patients, a transplant is not just treatment. It is hope.
🗣️ Start the Conversation
One of the most important things you can do is talk to your family and friends about your wishes.
It might feel like a difficult conversation, but letting loved ones know your decision can make things much easier if they're ever asked about organ donation.
Why not bring it up over a cup of tea?
"Have you ever thought about organ donation?"
One simple question could start an important discussion.
✅ Myth Buster
Myth: If I'm an organ donor, doctors won't work as hard to save me.
Fact: Medical teams always focus on saving lives first. Organ donation is only considered after every possible effort has been made to save a patient. [odt.nhs.uk], [organdonation.nhs.uk]
🎁 Leave a Life-Changing Legacy
Whether you're 18 or 80, healthy or managing a medical condition, you may still be able to help others through donation. Specialist healthcare teams assess each case individually. [odt.nhs.uk], [organdonation.nhs.uk]
A few minutes spent thinking about organ donation today could make a lifetime of difference for someone else tomorrow.
Together, we can help give the gift of life. 💚
For more information, visit the NHS Organ Donation website. [organdonation.nhs.uk
You can also update your preferences through the NHS app through your profile. 💚

If you needed an organ transplant would you have one? If so please help those in need of a transplant by opting to donate organs and tissue.

06/08/2026

🌟 A Warm Welcome to Our New GP Registrars! 🌟
We are delighted to welcome three new GP Registrars to Abbey Surgery:
🩺 Dr David Iheme, GP Registrar (ST3)
🩺 Dr Kenechukwa "Kaycee" Monwuba, GP Registrar (ST2)
🩺 Dr Tonye Chuks-Okoye, GP Registrar (ST2)
We are thrilled to have Dr Iheme, Dr Monwuba, and Dr Chuks-Okoye join our team and look forward to supporting them throughout their training with us.
As GP Registrars, they are fully qualified doctors undertaking specialist training in General Practice. Many of our patients will have the opportunity to meet them during appointments over the coming months.
Please join us in giving David, Kaycee, and Tonye a very warm Abbey Surgery welcome. We wish them every success during their time with us and are excited to have them as part of our practice family. 💙
🩺💙

04/08/2026

📢 Bere Alston Surgery – Closed from 12:00pm Today.

Please be aware that Bere Alston Surgery will be closed from 12:00pm today due to staff sickness.

For urgent medical advice while we are closed, please visit NHS 111 online or call 111. In a medical emergency, always call 999.
Thank you for your understanding and patience. 💙
-Team Abbey

14/07/2026

🧪 A little sample of advice... 🧪

Our laboratory team have seen some very creative containers recently... 👀

We've had samples arrive in jam jars, food tubs, paper bags, and all sorts of mystery containers. While we appreciate the ingenuity, we're kindly asking everyone to stick to the official sterile sample pots provided by the surgery. 😊

✅ Please make sure your sample is:
• In a sterile sample pot supplied by the surgery or pharmacy.
• Clearly labelled with your name and date of birth (if requested).
• The lid is screwed on tightly to avoid any unexpected leaks. (Our staff would very much like to keep their shoes clean!)

🚫 Please don't use:
❌ Jam jars
❌ Food containers
❌ Paper bags
❌ Plastic cups
❌️ Plastic bags
❌ Any other "it'll do" container

The correct sample pot helps us process your sample safely, accurately, and keeps our staff protected too.

If you need a sterile sample pot, just pop into the surgery and we'll happily provide one.

Thank you for helping us keep things clean, safe, and a little less... adventurous! 😅🩺

24/06/2026

💗 Breast Screening Saves Lives 💗
Have you received your breast screening invitation in the post?
Breast screening is a quick and simple check that can help find breast cancer early — often before you notice any symptoms. Early detection can make treatment simpler and more effective.
📩 If you’ve been invited, please take a moment to book your appointment. It could make all the difference.
✔️ The screening only takes a few minutes
✔️ Carried out by specially trained staff
✔️ Free on the NHS
If you’re feeling unsure or have questions, don’t hesitate to speak to your GP practice — we’re here to help.
👉 Don’t ignore your invitation — take control of your health today.

West Devon and East Cornwall Breast Screening

23/06/2026

☀️ Public Service Announcement ☀️

This is your gentle reminder that coffee, tea, and "I'll have a drink later" are not hydration plans. 😅

Please make sure you're drinking plenty of water during the warmer weather.

Keep cool, keep hydrated, and look after yourselves and those around you. 💙

— Team Abbey

21/06/2026

🌞 Heat Health Advice – Stay Safe in the Hot Weather 🌞

With very warm weather expected this week, we'd like to remind everyone to take extra care to stay cool and well hydrated.

💧 Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Water is the best choice, and it's important to increase your fluid intake during hot weather.

☀️ Other ways to stay safe include:
• Staying out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day (11am–3pm)
• Wearing loose, light-coloured clothing
• Keeping your home cool by closing curtains or blinds in sunny rooms
• Avoiding strenuous activity during peak temperatures
• Checking in on elderly relatives, neighbours, and anyone who may be more vulnerable to the heat

⚠️ Signs of dehydration can include:
• Feeling thirsty
• Dark yellow urine
• Dizziness or headaches
• Dry mouth
• Feeling tired or confused

And remember... if you're needing to visit the loo a little more often because you're drinking plenty of water, that's usually a much better problem to have than being dehydrated! 🚽😉

If you become unwell due to the heat, develop symptoms of heat exhaustion, or need medical advice when the surgery is closed, please visit NHS 111 online or call 111.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and take care of yourselves and each other. 💙

— Team Abbey

18/06/2026

All systems are now back up and running ✅
Thank you for your patience while we were down for the last 3 hours. Please be mindful that we’re likely to be very busy as we work through the backlog.
We appreciate your understanding 💙