News

Meningitis Public Health Update

You may have seen on the news about the recent Meningitis B outbreak in Kent. We understand how worrying this may be. The UK Health Security Agency is managing the situation with targeted antibiotics and vaccinations for affected students in Canterbury.

Important to know

The MenB vaccine is part of the routine NHS infant immunisation programme only. Older children, teens and adults are not routinely offered MenB on the NHS unless advised during a specific outbreak response.

If you would like the MenB vaccine privately, it is available through some pharmacies and private clinics.

What is meningitis and how can you stay protected?

Meningitis is a serious infection that causes swelling around the brain and spinal cord. It can be life-threatening, but many cases can be prevented through vaccination.

What are the symptoms to look out for?

Symptoms can develop quickly and may include:

High temperature (fever)
Severe headache
Stiff neck
Sensitivity to light
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion or difficulty concentrating
A rash that does not fade when pressed (in some cases)

If you notice these symptoms, seek medical help urgently.

Who is most at risk?

Meningitis can affect anyone, but babies, young children, teenagers and older adults are at higher risk.

How can you protect yourself and your family?

The best protection against meningitis is vaccination. In the UK, several routine vaccines help protect against different types of meningitis:

MenB vaccine – given to babies at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 1 year
6-in-1 vaccine – given to babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks
Pneumococcal vaccine – given to babies at 16 weeks and 1 year, and to adults aged 65 and over
Hib/MenC vaccine – given to babies at 1 year (for those born on or before 30 June 2024)
MMR vaccine – given to babies at 1 year, with a second dose at 18 months
MenACWY vaccine – offered to teenagers aged 13 to 14

Making sure you and your children are up to date with these vaccinations is the most effective way to reduce the risk of meningitis.

YOU CAN CHECK YOUR VACCINATION HISTORY IN YOUR CHILD HEALTH RED BOOK OR VIA THE NHS APP

Published on 18th Mar 2026

Weight Loss Injections

We are not allowed to prescribe Mounjaro Injections for weight loss.

They are licensed for suitable Type 2 diabetic patients who meet criteria ( NOT type 1 diabetes in primary care though some consultant led care may use these). The current NICE guidance now advises we could in theory initiate the GLP1 Mounjaro for NON diabetics for weight indication of BMI >35 now.

We have however had a bulletin from the Black Country ICB asking us NOT to prescribe this in primary care yet because they should be supported by a weight management service alongside this, which is not yet in place as below

'Black Country ICB knows there are many patients eligible for this medication who would like to be able to access this as soon as possible.

However, this medication will be made available in phases over a number of years. We ask that you are patient with us whilst we wait for further communication from NHS England on how Mounjaro will be rolled out and establish the best way to do so to meet our system's needs.

We have also asked our GPs not to prescribe Mounjaro for weight loss at this time, whilst we work with clinical colleagues to develop options for the new service, including the training and education needed for these medications to be safely prescribed. We are also working with a range of experts from across the Black Country to strengthen our specialist weight management service for patients with more complex needs, which will prescribe weight management medication in future.'

https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/health-advice/weight-management

Published on 13th May 2025

PPG Meeting Monday 7th July 2025 @ 5:30pm

The next PPG meeting will be held on Monday 7th July 2025, 5:30pm at the surgery.

Please let the chairperson know if you will be attending.

Published on 13th Mar 2025

Coffee Morning Friday 27th March 2026

The surgery is holding a coffee morning

Friday 27th March 2026

10am-1pm

Join our social prescriber, Joy

for coffee and a chat.

Everyone is welcome

Published on 13th Mar 2025

Change in telephone opening times for Secretary Department

From 11th November the Secretary Query telephone line will be open from 11am-1pm

0121 421 8400 option 2

Published on 14th Oct 2024

RSV Vaccine

RSV vaccine to be offered in the Black Country

Eligible people in the Black Country are being encouraged to come forward for a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine.

RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. It often causes symptoms similar to a cold, such as a runny nose, cough and fever, and usually gets better by itself. However, for infants and older adults, the virus can lead to more severe illness and hospitalisation.

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), from 1 September 2024 the NHS will invite everyone aged 75 to 79 to come forward for a free vaccine to protect them from RSV.

Pregnant women are also being offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy to help protect their babies from RSV for the first few months after they’re born.

Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness and can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly. It can occur all year round, but cases peak each winter leaving thousands of vulnerable people needed hospital care.

“The RSV vaccine is safe and effective and is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by RSV. This is a new vaccination programme that will protect thousands of people from serious illness each winter, keeping more people out of hospital and from needing to see a GP.

“I would encourage everyone who receives an invite to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Older adults will be offered the RSV vaccination by their GP practice. Pregnant women over 28 weeks will be offered the vaccine by the maternity service they are receiving antenatal care from.

For more information about the RSV vaccination, visit the NHS Black Country ICB website.

Published on 5th Sep 2024