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Autumn 2026 Newsletter
Practice news
Flu vaccination planning is taking place. Vaccines will start on 1st October 2026, in line with NHS England advice.
In previous years, flu vaccinations have been offered from September. The change in timing follows clinical advice from the government's Independent Clinical Advisors, the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation, that starting later would be better for patients, this is because the positive effect of the flu vaccine increasing people's protection from flu viruses reduces over time following the vaccination. Getting the vaccination at a slightly later time will make it more likely that the persons immune response to virus is higher when flu levels are at their highest.
Please do not contact the surgery at this point.
Staff news
We are delighted to welcome the following doctors to the surgery. Dr Sarah Clemments, Dr Manpreet Brar and Dr Madoc Flynn, who are looking forward to meeting our patients.
Dr Madoc Flynn is a Newcastle-raised and trained doctor. He loves to travel and has worked in Peru and Gambia, having studied infectious disease at Liverpool school of tropical medicine. Outside of work he enjoys family time, camping and tinkering with watches and DIY projects.
Dr Manpreet Brar qualified as a GP in 2022, having completed her GP training in Buckinghamshire & Oxford. She attained her medical degree at the University of East Anglia.
Outside of work, her time is mostly kept busy by her two young children. When she does get a spare moment, she enjoys running, travelling, and exploring the Northumberland coastline.
Dr Brar has recently relocated from the South with her family and is really looking forward to settling into the local area and becoming a valuable member of the clinical team here at Bedlingtonshire Medical Practice.
Dr Sarah Clements is originally from Essex but has lived in the North-East for over 15 years. Parts of General Practice that she most enjoys are women's health, paediatrics, and palliative care. She lives locally with her husband, toddler and cats and enjoys going for family bike rides at the coast, food related activities and engaging in various sports at a low level!
Training practice
Bedlingtonshire Medical Practice is a training practice. At present, we have 2 registrars who joined the practice in August who will be working with the surgery for 6 months. Also, an F2 doctor who will be working with the surgery for four months.
- Registrars: Dr Kieron Camps and Dr Safa Ahmdi
- F2: Dr Romaissa -el -Ghonim
Looking at our data
Every quarter, we release what we call our GP infographics, which aim to give you an insight into the goings-on at your practice.
We hope you find these infographics insightful:
- New registrations: 253
- Prescriptions issued: 7,274
- Home Visits: 85
- Total patients registered: 12,859
- Attended appointments: 6,104
- Did not attend: 452
Vitamin D supplements
During the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet or take a supplement because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D.
Between late March or early April to the end of September, most people can make all the vitamin D they need through sunlight on their skin and from a balanced diet.
People at risk of vitamin D deficiency
The Department of Health and Social Care recommends that adults and children over 4 take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year if they:
- are not often outdoors – for example, if they're frail or housebound
- are in an institution like a care home
- usually wear clothes that cover up most of their skin when outdoors
If you have dark skin – for example you have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background – you may also not make enough vitamin D from sunlight.
You should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year.
Please visit your local chemist where they will be able to advise you of the best product to buy for you and your family members.
Medicine safety
When keeping medicines at home, remember:
- always follow the directions on medicine packets and information leaflets, and never take more than the stated dose
- always keep medicines out of the sight and reach of children – a high, lockable cupboard in a cool, dry place is ideal regularly check the expiry dates on a medicine
- if a medicine is past its use by date, don't use it or throw it. Return it to the pharmacy
How your pharmacist can help you
Don't forget your local Pharmacists can help with many ailments, such as coughs, colds, asthma, eczema, hay fever, and period pain.
They can give advice or, where appropriate, medicines that can help clear up the problem.
Instead of booking an appointment with your GP, you can see your local pharmacist any time – just walk in.
To request your repeat prescription
Prescriptions are open between 8.30am and 4.00pm.
You can place your order through the NHS app, SystmOnline airmid app,SystmConnect, which includes children between 11 and 16 years old, or post your order in the post box provided in the waiting room. Please add your name, date of birth and telephone number and the items you require. Your prescription will be processed and sent to your chosen pharmacy within 48 hours.
The telephone query line is open between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.
The NHS app
Find out more and download the app
Bedlingtonshire Medical Group would like to invite you to use the NHS App. Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS app is a simple way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
How to order your prescription on the NHS app
- Log in to the NHS app on your smartphone, tablet, or via the NHS website
- Ensure you have an NHS login and have verified your identity to access prescription services
- Navigate to the Prescriptions section in the NHS app
- View your list of active repeat medicines, including those not yet available to request
- Select the medicines you want to reorder from the list
- If prompted, enter any required notes or reasons for your request
- Confirm your chosen pharmacy or change it to a more convenient location if needed
- Submit your repeat prescription request; it will be sent to your GP surgery for sign-off
- Check the status of your prescription in the app to track progress
- Collect your medicine from your chosen pharmacy or arrange delivery if your pharmacy offers
The NHS app messaging service
The NHS App messaging service provides a secure inbox that enables patients to receive messages from health and care services such as their GP surgery via the NHS app, instead of SMS (text message) or letter. Patients will get a notification from the NHS app when they receive a message in their secure inbox, if they have notifications enabled on their device. Messages currently going through to the NHS app include: some types of messages from GP surgeries, screening invitations, vaccination invitations and hospital appointments. We recommend you switch on NHS app notifications on your device.
Why does the receptionist need to ask what's wrong with me?
It is not a case of the receptionist being nosey! The reception staff are valuable members of the practice team, and it has been agreed they should ask patients, 'why they need to be seen'. Reception staff are trained to ask particular questions in order to ensure that you receive the most appropriate medical care from the most appropriate health professional at the most appropriate time.
Receptionists are asked to collect brief information from patients to help doctors prioritise patients' needs to ensure all patients receive the appropriate level of care to direct patients to see the nurse or other health professional rather than a doctor where appropriate. Reception staff, like all members of the team, are bound by confidentiality rules, any information given by you is treated strictly confidential.
The practice would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with accordingly. You can ask to speak to a receptionist in private away from reception, however if you feel an issue is very private and do not wish to say what this is, then this will be respected.
Thank you for your support.
Have your say at Bedlingtonshire Medical Group – join our virtual patient group!
At Bedlingtonshire Medical Group, we’re always looking for ways to improve the care and experience we provide to our patients — and your voice matters.
We’re inviting patients to join our Virtual Patient Participation Group (PPG) — a simple, flexible way to share your views, ideas, and feedback from the comfort of your own home.
- No meetings to attend
- No time pressure
- Just occasional emails asking for your thoughts on how we can improve services
- Whether it’s appointment access, online services, communication, or patient experience — your feedback helps shape the future of our surgery
Why join?
- Help improve local healthcare
- Share your opinions easily
- Make a real difference in your community
- Stay informed about what's happening at the practice
Everyone is welcome - all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.
Interested in joining?
Simply contact Bedlingtonshire Medical Group reception on (01670) 822695, and we will pass your details onto our Patient Experience Manager or complete the PPG signup form.
We look forward to hearing from you.
What goes on in the community
Bedlingtonshire GP Surgery coffee morning
Come and meet your Community Link Workers, Graham and Justine, for advice/support on any social issues. Refreshments, chat, tabletop activities, chair-based exercises.
Where and when?
- Trinity Church Hall, Front Street, Bedlington, NE22 5TZ
- First Tuesday of the Month 10:30am to 12pm
Thursday club (fully booked)
Come along and meet your friendly Community Link Workers, meet new friends, and have an afternoon of fun. Board games, jigsaws, quiz, chat and a cuppa.
Where and when
- West Bedlington Community Centre
- Every Thursday 1pm to 3pm.
Published: Sep 28, 2026