Newsletter Winter 2025
Welcome
Thank you for taking the time to read our latest newsletter. We hope you find this issue informative and valuable. If you have any questions about anything you read, please speak to a member of our team. More information regarding the surgery can be found at: www.swanmedicalgroup.co.uk
In This Issue:
- SMG surgery News
- Christmas opening hours
- SMG Social Prescribers
- Accessing our services – important update
- Working together to improve blood pressure health
- Patient participation Group
- Cancer awareness
SMG Surgery News
NHS Patient charter
The NHS has published a GP surgery patient charter. This guide tells you what to expect from your general practice (GP) and how you can help them, so you get the best from the National Health Service (NHS). The full charter is available here: NHS England » You and your general practice
GP changes
We are delighted to confirm that from the 6th January Dr Heather Farrell joins the practice, based in Liss, and will be taking over Dr Suzy Holden’s patient list.
Seasons Greetings from the practice team
As Christmas approaches, we’d like to send our warmest wishes to all our patients. We hope you enjoy a peaceful and joyful festive season and find time to rest and look after your wellbeing. Thank you for your support throughout the year — it truly means a lot to our team. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and positive 2026!
SMG Christmas Opening
Please see below our opening hours over the Christmas & New Year period. If you require non-life threatening medical attention during the times we are closed, please call 111. Remember to order any repeat medication in time before we are closed for the bank holidays. 24th December – 8am – 6.30pm 25th December – Closed 26th December – Closed 29th December – 8am – 6.30pm 30th December – 8am – 6.30pm 31st December – 8am – 6.30pm 1st January – Closed 2nd January – 8am – 6.30pm
Social Prescribers
Our Social Prescribing connects people to organisations, groups and services that meet their practical, social and emotional needs. Our team is passionate about supporting our patients, by taking a holistic approach to improve their health and wellbeing.
Social Prescriber December Drop-ins
No appointment needed Tuesdays / 12noon – 2.30 pm / The Church Centre, Liphook, GU30 7DJ December closures / Tue 23rd Dec, Tue 30th Dec / This drop in then changes location from January Thursdays / 9.30 – 12noon / St Peters Church, Petersfield, GU32 3HS December closures / Thur 11th Dec, Thur 25th Dec, Thur 1st Jan
Social Prescriber 2026 Drop-ins
No appointment needed Tuesdays / 2.30 pm – 4.30pm / Liphook Village Surgery, The square, Liphook, GU30 7AQ Thursdays / 9.30 – 12noon / St Peters Church, Petersfield, GU32 3HS
Accessing Our Services – Important Update
We are sorry that in recent months, you may have experienced increasing difficulty in contacting us via phone. We have needed to cap the amount of phone calls we are able to process at certain times due to a change in requirements mandated by the government. As of 1st October 2025, all GP surgeries have been required to keep their eConsult services open during the hours on 08:00—18:30. Whilst capping phone calls and restricting one path of access does not sit easily with us, practices have a finite clinical and administrative capacity—staff time, appointment slots, and resources remain the same. To manage this demand safely and fairly, practices must balance total patient contacts across all access routes (online, phone, and in-person). Since e-consults cannot be limited, practices need to control other acce
Working together to improve Blood Pressure Health
At Swan Medical Group one of our priorities this year is to support more patients with Hypertension (high blood pressure) in reaching their treatment targets (the healthy range agreed between you & your clinician). Why does this matter? Reaching your target blood pressure is one of the most effective ways to reduce long term risks associated with hypertension. Even a small improvement can make a meaningful difference to heart health & overall wellbeing. To support this goal, we are: • Encouraging regular blood pressure checks—either at home or in the practice • Providing guidance on lifestyle changes that can help bring readings into a healthy range • Reviewing medication where appropriate to ensure it remains effective • Offering support & advice through our nursing and pharmacy teams If you have hypertension, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you’d like advice on home monitoring, want to review your treatment plan, or simply need help understanding your readings, please get in touch. Visit Blood Pressure UK to find out more about their ‘Know your Numbers’ campaign.
Patient Participation Group
We will be running a free health promotion event in collaboration with our Patient Participation Group on ‘Prostate Cancer awareness’ in the early part of 2026. There will be guest speakers on the topic, and booking will be essential due to limited spaces. We will promote this nearer the time to include the date, time, location and details on how to book We extend our sincere thanks to our PPG, who generously dedicate their time to support service improvements and consistently advocate for the views of our patients.
Cancer awareness
Mouth Cancer Awarness
The biggest risk factors for mouth and throat cancer are smoking and drinking alcohol — especially together. Quitting smoking or reducing alcohol can cut your risk significantly. Speak to your GP or visit NHS Smokefree or NHS alcohol support for free, confidential help. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to cancers of the throat, tongue, and tonsils. The NHS HPV vaccine protects against high-risk strains and is offered to boys and girls in school years 8 & 9. If you missed your dose, you may still be eligible — contact your GP. Learn more from NHS HPV vaccination. The earlier mouth and throat cancers are found, the easier they are to treat. See your GP or dentist if you notice:
- a mouth ulcer lasting more than 3 weeks
- unexplained hoarseness
- red or white patches in your mouth
- pain or swelling in your mouth or throat
Don’t wait — getting checked early makes treatment more successful.