Newsletter Spring 2026
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
- Bank Holiday opening hours
- Spring Covid Clinics
- Current System Pressures
- NHS App
- Social Prescribing drop in
- Vaccine Updates
- Prostate cancer UK
- Cancer awareness
SMG Surgery News
Seasons Greetings from the practice team
As we welcome the arrival of spring, we would like to send our warmest wishes to all our patients. This season brings new beginnings, brighter days, and a fresh opportunity to focus on your health and wellbeing. We hope you are able to enjoy the longer days, spend time outdoors, and take moments to look after yourselves and your loved ones.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and positive spring ahead!
SMG Upcoming Bank Holiday Closure Information
Please note the practice will be closed on the following dates:
Friday 3rd April 2026 – Good Friday
Monday 6th April 2026 – Easter Monday
Monday 4th May 2026 – Early May Bank Holiday
Monday 25th May 2026 – Spring Bank Holiday
We will reopen as usual on the next working day following each closure. I f you require urgent
medical assistance while we are closed, please contact NHS 111. In the event of a medical
emergency, please call 999. Thank you for your understanding.
Spring COVID-19 Booster Clinics – 2026
Swan Medical Group will be running our Spring COVID-19 booster clinics during April and May 2026.All eligible patients will be contacted directly by the practice with further details on how to book their appointment. You can check your eligibility here: Advice accepted on spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme – GOV.UK
Current System Pressures
This winter has seen almost unprecedented demand across health services, affecting both primary and secondary care nationwide. At Swan Medical Group, we have always prided ourselves on providing a robust and responsive system of care; ensuring patients benefit from continuity through a named GP and are seen promptly by the most appropriate clinician.
Historically, patients could contact us via multiple routes throughout the day, including the eConsult system, which we operated between 6am–8am and 6pm–8pm. This arrangement enabled patients to access our services flexibly between 6am and 8pm.
In October 2025, the Department of Health introduced new national requirements mandating that all GP practices keep eConsult open continuously between 8am and 6:30pm. This change was intended to improve access for patients who had previously struggled to contact GP surgeries. While this has benefited some patients in certain parts of the country, it has had unintended consequences for practices such as ours, which were already delivering timely access and prompt clinical responses.
Since the change, we have experienced an additional 130–170 patient contacts per day on top of our existing demand. This increase has coincided with the winter flu season, placing significant strain on our capacity and resources over recent months. Our reception and clinical teams have worked tire lessly throughout this period; however, despite their considerable efforts, the sustained pressure has resulted in longer call waiting times and delays in appointment availability. Please be assured that we are continually reviewing and adapting our systems to manage patient demand in line with the capacity we are able to safely absorb. The health and wellbeing of our patients, alongside that of all our staff, remains our highest priority.
Discover the NHS App
The NHS App is a simple, secure way to access a range of NHS services from your smartphone or tablet. Available to anyone aged 13 and over, it puts your health information and services at your fingertips — anytime, anywhere.
With the NHS App, you can:
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Book and manage appointments
- View your GP health record
- Access NHS 111 online
- Receive messages from your GP surgery
- View your COVID-19 vaccination status
It’s quick to download, easy to use, and helps you manage your healthcare without needing to call or visit the practice.
Search NHS App in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or visit the NHS website to find out more and register today.
Social Prescribing Drop in Sessions
No appointment needed – just drop in! Our Social Prescribing Drop-In Sessions at Swan Medical Group offer friendly, confidential support with anything affecting your wellbeing, from loneliness and stress to housing, finances, and community activities. Join us on Tuesdays, 2.30–4.30pm at Liphook Village Surgery, The Square, GU30 7AQ, or Thursdays, 9.30am–12.30pm at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield, GU32 3HS. It’s a simple way to access practical help and connect with the right local support when you need it most.
Changes to UK Childhood Vaccine Programme
From January 2026, there were changes to some of the routine childhood vaccination programme in the UK.
These updates are designed to give children earlier protection against certain illnesses.
New 18-Month Vaccination Appointment A new routine appointment was introduced at 18 months, which will include:
• A booster dose of the 6-in-1 vaccine
• The second MMR vaccine, given earlier than before
• A new combined vaccine called MMRV, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and chicken pox
This means children will receive protection against chickenpox as part of the routine programme for the first time.
NHS Catch-Up Campaign
As part of the National Health Service catch-up campaign, from November some children under the age of 6 will be invited for a vaccination. Families of eligible children will be contacted and offered an appointment to ensure they are up to date with the updated routine childhood immunisation schedule.
RSV Vaccine for Older Adults
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) usually causes cold-like symptoms, but it can lead to serious chest infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in older adults and those with underlying health conditions.
From April 2026, the RSV vaccine will now be offered to:
All adults aged 80 years and over
All older adults living in care homes
This expansion is part of the ongoing programme delivered by the National Health Service to help reduce hospital admissions and severe complications caused by RSV.
These new eligibility groups are in addition to the RSV vaccine offers already in place for those turning 75 years of age and pregnant women. Pregnant women will be invited to have their vaccination via the midwifery team.
Eligible individuals will be contacted and invited for vaccination in line with NHS guidance.
Prostate Cancer Awareness
We would like to thank Dr Steven Allen and Dr William Driver for presenting at our awareness event on Saturday 28th February. We would also like to thank Petersfield Lions, PCaSO and March for Men with Kev for supporting the event and passing on key information on local testing events, as well as the volunteers from our Patient Participation Group who helped organise and run the event.
Whilst the event was well-received, we are aware of some confusion regarding the communication around this event and apologise for any inconvenience caused. We hope to repeat this event in the future due to the phenomenal demand.
Patient Letters
To ensure patients’ clinical safety, and to avoid any delay in treatment or communication with a clinician, please be advised we no longer accept letters handed in to our reception desks. However the only exception is clinical letters which are not already on our clinical system.
We can however, triage any concerns at the desk, as well as over the phone or via the eConsult service on our website. These methods ensure patient safety is not compromised by any administrative delay, and therefore queries will be responded to in a more timely manner.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.