2026 will be different, make a resolution you can keep

We know that a significant number of people who smoke have tried to quit before, with many quit attempts being made without using any form of quitting support

When you quit smoking, good things start to happen. You'll begin to see almost immediate improvements to your health.

It's never too late to quit and it's easier to stop smoking with the right support.

You don't need to imagine a life without smoking, you can live it!

Download the free NHS Quit Smoking app

The NHS Quit Smoking app is designed to provide you with personalised support to help you quit smoking for good.

The app allows you to:

  • track your progress

  • see how much you're saving

  • get daily support

  • get inspired by others

Once you reach 28 days smoke-free, you're much more likely to quit for good!

download on the apple app store
get it on google play

Create your free Personal Quit Plan

Don't know where to start? Answer some simple questions to get a free 8-step quit smoking plan made just for you! It will help you prepare for your quit date, show how much money you can save, and give tips for managing smoking triggers.

With clear steps and support, your plan will give you the tools to quit smoking and stay smoke-free for good.

get your personal quit plan

#gp #nhs #stwulfstan #southam #bishopsitchington #harbury #longitchington #stockton #napton #lighthorne

Fitter Futures - Funded by Warwickshire County Council

 
 

Adult Weight Management – Slimming World

Fitter Futures, delivered by Everyone Health, offers Adult Weight Management referrals to Slimming World.

Staying at a healthy weight isn’t just good for your physical health, it’s great for your mental well-being too. We can help you learn about healthy eating, portion sizes, healthy swaps, and meal planning. We offer free support to help you eat well and to move more.

Slimming World Programme

If you are eligible, you can receive a referral to Slimming World for a FREE 12-week programme.

Slimming World’s unique healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on science, backed by evidence, and loved by millions.

Join the motivating weekly group and receive member support, commitment and accountability – a powerful combination that helps boost happiness, self-esteem and slimming success! Plus, gain access to our members-only website and app for on-the-go weight loss support.

Cut calories without counting them!

*To access Slimming World, individuals must not have been a paying member in the 12 weeks prior to the referral.

Who can use this service?

  • Aged 18 or over

  • Living in Warwickshire or registered with a Warwickshire GP

  • Individuals with a BMI between 30 and 49.9 (or 27.5 when adjusted for ethnicity*) and any of the following:

    • A high-risk health condition such as cancer, cardiac and pulmonary conditions

    • Be registered with a severe mental illness

    • Have a learning disability

    • Pregnant, postnatal or has suffered pregnancy loss in the last 6 months

    • Receive Universal Credit

    • Homeless

    • A care leaver

    • A migrant

    • In the justice system

    • Be a victim of modern slavery

    • Be from the Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller Communities

      *People with a South Asian, Chinese, Other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background are more at risk of heart conditions and other health conditions. Therefore, a lower BMI threshold of 27.5 is used for eligibility in these groups.

Self-refer to fitter futures

New NHS England Pilot running December 2025 - February 2026

What is being tested?

NHS England is testing a primarily digital contact route for patient list maintenance. It will allow patients to update their address digitally.

what will happen in the pilot?

About 10,000 patients per month will be contacted through the digital-first route owned by NHS England.

NHS England are contacting a small sample of these patients because they hold a valid email address for them in the Personal Demographics Service (PDS).

They will ask these patients to confirm if they: 

  • still live at the registered address NHS England have for the them

  • have moved to a new address in England

  • have left the UK, either permanently or temporarily

As soon as the patient confirms their home address or that they have moved, their record will be updated in PDS. They will get an email confirmation of any changes they have made.

If a patient does not have the highest level of identity verification in the NHS App, they will need to call the NHS England Customer Contact Centre (CCC) to confirm their address.

how are patients being contacted?

Patients will first be contacted through the NHS App, if they use it.

NHS England will send the patient an email if they do not interact with the App message within 3 days.

NHS England will send the patient a text message (SMS) if they do not interact with the email within 8 days.

If the patient does not respond to any of the previous communications within 28 days of getting the App message, NHS England will send a letter to the address they hold for the patient.

The patients GP practice will be notified via GP Links 30 days after this letter is sent to the patient.

What if a patient can’t use the NHS APp?

The patient will need to call the CCC on 0300 311 22 33

They can only use this option if their home address has not changed.

If you receive a message in the NHS App, an email, SMS or a letter from NHS England, please be aware that this is a legitimate communication. Please follow the steps in the communication.

NHS England have recently published a news article about the new features to help patients confirm their address with the NHS.

New Courses From Creative Health Organisation Arts Uplift

Creative health organisation Arts Uplift are excited to announce continued funding for Ageing Well, a dementia-friendly creative programme for people aged 60+ designed to promote health and wellbeing in Southam

As well as a new ten-week Inside Stories Song Writing course from January at The Benn Partnership Centre in Rugby. Both courses are for adults from across Coventry and Warwickshire who are looking to improve their mental well-being through the arts.

Starting in December 2025, Ageing Well are weekly workshops that offer a chance to try out a variety of enjoyable arts and craft activities, led by experienced artists in a sociable and supportive environment. These will include collage, working with clay, badge making, as well festive activities such as wreath making and bauble painting, with plenty of time for tea and a chat.

"The atmosphere was lovely, and we were made to feel welcome. Jess was a good teacher and everybody was friendly. We liked meeting people that were going through the same journey." Previous participant

Day: Mondays

Time: 14.00 pm – 15.30 pm

Place: The Graham Adams Centre, St James Road, Southam CV47 0LY

Cost: There is a ‘pay what you can’ charge

 

Song Writing for Wellbeing is a chance to discover the power of songwriting to improve mental wellbeing, in a friendly and welcoming environment. The course is also a chance to meet new people and gain peer-to-peer support

Expertly led by professional songwriter and musician Martin Riley and guest artists, participants will:

  • learn how to use songwriting to improve wellbeing

  • learn how to construct a good song using basic computer sequencing skills, layering tracks and choosing suitable rhythms

  • gain understanding of song construction as well as the practice of song-writing using lyrics and/or music

  • learn how to perform and share songs

Day: Thursdays, starting 15th January

Dates: 15, 22, 29 January; 5, 12, 19, 26 February; 5, 12, 19 March 2026

Time: 7.15pm - 8.45pm

Venue: Benn Partnership Centre, Railway Terrace, Rugby CV21 3HR


Booking is essential for all courses as places are limited. Please book via the Arts Uplift website at:

Book via the Arts uplift website

NOTICE FOR PATIENTS ATTENDING THE SURGERY

Do you need to come to the surgery for a tummy bug, respiratory illness, or other potentially infectious illness?

If you are unfortunate enough to be experiencing a tummy bug, respiratory illness or any other potentially infectious illness, and need to visit the surgery, please advise our reception team of your symptoms when booking your appointment, or add these details when booking your appointment online.

We would then advise that you wait in your car when you arrive at the surgery and call reception on 01926 810939, option 1, to let us know you are here and what vehicle you are in.

The Doctor will come out to your car to collect you, you will be asked to wear a mask whilst in the surgery. If you do not have a face mask, one will be provided for you.

This is to help prevent the spread of any infection to our other patients and to our staff.

That way, we will all be able to stay as healthy as possible and see you when you need us!

If you are unsure whether you need a face-to-face appointment, please give our friendly reception team a call and they will be able to advise you.

#gp #nhs #stwulfstan #southam #bishopsitchington #harbury #longitchington #stockton #napton #lighthorne

FREE Movement to Music programme in Kenilworth for 60+

Warwickshire based not-for-profit organisation Arts Uplift is delighted to announce new funding for their weekly Movement to Music workshops aimed at the over 60s as part of their Ageing Well programme

These are gentle movement workshops set to familiar tunes and aim to improve mental and physical wellbeing. The workshops will take place every week on Fridays from 10:45am to 12:15pm at Kenilworth Library & Information Centre, Smalley Place, Kenilworth CV8 1QG.

Each session includes one hour of movement and half an hour of social time, meaning these workshops are also a wonderful way to meet new friends. They are accessible and dementia-friendly, and are designed for all abilities (can be done seated). Free refreshments, biscuits and chat included! 

Booking Booking is essential as places are limited.

Email: info@artsuplift.co.uk or Call: 01926 504212

Further information Please visit: www.artsuplift.co.uk/ageing-well

Changes to childhood immunisation schedule from 01-01-2026

The introduction of the Varicella (chicken pox) vaccination into routine child immunisations schedule is being introduced from 1st Jan 2026. It will be combined with the existing Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination and will be called the MMRV vaccine

From 1st Jan 2026, all children will be offered the combined MMRV instead of the MMR as part of the childhood routine 2-dose vaccination schedule.

Immunisation schedules for children:

Children born from 1st Jan 2025 will get 2 doses of MMRV at 12 months and 18 months

12 month immunisations:

- MMRV (Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox)

- PCV (Pneumococcal disease)

- MenB (Meningococcal B disease)

18 month immunisations:

- MMRV (Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox)

- 6-in-1 DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, haemophilus influenzae B, hepatitis B)

Children born from 1st July 2024 to 31st December 2024 should have had MMR at 12 months, will get two doses at remaining appointments at 18 months and 3 years 4 months

12 month immunisations

- MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella)

- PCV (Pneumococcus)

- MenB (Meningococcus B)

 

18 month immunisations

- MMRV (Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox)

- 6-in-1 DTaP/IPV/Hib/HepB (Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, haemophilus influenzae B, hepatitis B)

3 years 4 months (pre-school immunisations)

- MMRV (Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox)

- dTaP/IPV (Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio)

Children who present late for their 12-month appointment should receive MMRV and the 3-year-4-month dose can be omitted

Children born from 1st September 2022 to 30th June 2024 should have had MMR at 12 months, will get one dose of MMRV at 3 years 4 month

12 month immunisations

- MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella)

- PCV (Pneumococcal disease)

- MenB (Meningococcal B disease)

-  Hib/MenC (Haemophilus influenzae B, meningococcal C disease)

3 years 4 months (pre-school immunisations)

-  MMRV (Measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox)

- dTaP/IPV (Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio)

Children born from 1st January 2020 to 31st August 2022 should have had two MMR’s at 12 months and 3 years 4 months. No further scheduled childhood appointments.

There will be a selective catch-up programme for

- Children who have not had chickenpox infection

- Children who are not fully immunised (2 doses) against chickenpox

Implementation: 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2028

Children born on or before 31st December 2019 should have had two MMR’s at 12 months and 3 years 4 months. No further scheduled childhood appointments.

A significant proportion of this age group will have had chickenpox before and are not eligible for MMRV through either routine schedule or selective catch-up.

Some children will only receive 1 dose of MMRV

There is still a very good protection against severe disease and older children are more likely to have already been exposed

There are two types of MMRV vaccine used:

Priorix-Tetra (GSK)
does not contain porcine gelatine

ProQuad (MSD)
contains porcine gelatine

Recovery & Wellbeing Academy Courses Available: December 2025

The Academy offers a wide range of courses and workshops designed to empower your mental health and wellbeing, provided by a number of partner organisations working together

Courses are delivered face to face and online via Zoom. All Academy courses and workshops are completely FREE OF CHARGE and open to anyone over the age of 18 living in Coventry and Warwickshire who wants to better manage or understand their mental health and wellbeing.

To book visit: https://www.recoveryandwellbeing.co.uk/

Our new community page on our website

We have a new feature of our website, called ‘Our Community’. If you click on this tab, it will give you 3 options:

  • Community Events

  • Community Professional Services

  • Community Social Groups

If you click on ‘Community Events’ tab, it will bring you to the following screen

This page will bring up lots of local community events that we have been made aware of. If you are aware of any upcoming events that you think would be good for us to promote, there is a link above this yellow box that says ‘Click to submit a new event or group’.

If you click on the box that says ‘Community Professional Services’, it will bring up this page:

This page contains the names and contact details of lots of different community support groups, these groups are colour coded by the type of support on offer. You can see above, for example, that bereavement support is purple, and mental health support is turquoise. There are also groups for autism support, domestic abuse support, seniors support, drug and alcohol addiction support and pregnancy support to name a few.

If you click on the box that says ‘Community Social Groups’, it will bring up the page below:

This page contains information on local groups within the community, such as the Armed Forces & Veterans Club and the Chatty Cafe, that run out of The Community Hub & Cafe at Galanos House. If you are aware of any existing or new community groups that are not on our page already, that you think would be good for us to promote, there is a link above this yellow box that says ‘Click to submit a new event or group’.

World Diabetes Day 2025

Earlier this month we celebrated World Diabetes Day!

World Diabetes Day 2025 was a global awareness campaign that aims to raise understanding about diabetes, advocate for improved diabetes care and prevention, and support those affected by the condition. This day serves as a rallying point for the worldwide diabetes community, including healthcare professionals, organizations, and individuals, to address the growing diabetes epidemic.

What is World Diabetes Day?

World Diabetes Day is an internationally recognized event that was established by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the rising concerns about diabetes. It focuses on raising awareness about diabetes, its risk factors, and the importance of early diagnosis and effective management.

Health Exchange's Christmas Bonanza 2025

Health Exchange are holding their third Health Exchange Christmas Bonanza

On: Wednesday 3rd December 2025 10am-12.00pm

At: Thornfield indoor bowling club, Bruce Williams Way, Rugby, CV22 5LL  (for satnav use CV22 5LJ).

There will be a mix of partner services, Christmas stalls, crafts and free festive refreshments along with their lovely pets as therapy dogs, music and much more. 

It is open to everyone and last year they had over 60 attendees.

It is free to attend and there is no charge to have a stall, tables and chairs are provided.

Find out more about Health Exchange here: Home - Health Exchange