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Autumn newsletter 2025

Last Updated: Thursday, 16 October 2025

Welcome to your autumn newsletter

We hope you find the information below useful.

Flu and COVID-19 Booster Vaccinations 

The seasonal flu and COVID-19 booster vaccination programmes are well under way. Please look out for a text message from us with a link to book your appointment online. If you didn’t get booked in but would still like a jab, please get in touch as we do have stock remaining and will fit you in where we can.  

Flu eligibility criteria: 

  • Adults aged 65 and over 
  • Adults aged 18 to under 65 in clinical risk groups (see below) 
  • Carers (those receiving carer’s allowance, or the main carer for an elderly/disabled person) 
  • Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals 
  • Frontline health and social care workers (especially those without employer-led occupational health schemes).

Clinical Risk Groups Include: 

  • Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g. asthma, COPD) 
  • Heart disease 
  • Kidney or liver disease 
  • Neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s, MS) 
  • Diabetes 
  • Immunosuppression (due to illness or treatment) 
  • Problems with the spleen (e.g. sickle cell disease) 
  • Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40) 

Please note that the criteria for COVID boosters has narrowed this season. These are still booked via the NHS app and are not provided by the practice.

Self-Care for Winter Illnesses 

As we head into the winter months, we expect to see an increase in common winter illnesses such as coughs, colds and sore throats. For advice on how to manage these at home, please visit the Self-Care Forum. We have links to 24 common conditions on our digital front Door which you can visit here: https://blinx.uk/iHo9n

You'll find a wealth of information and resources to help you and your family stay well this winter, often without the need for an appointment. 

Staff Update 

We are soon going to welcome Dr Meghna Patel to our team. Dr Patel is providing maternity cover for Dr Williams, and we are sure you will join us in making her feel welcome. 

We would also like to say a huge congratulations to Ella, who has successfully qualified as a Nurse Associate. Ella will be continuing her studies to become a fully qualified Registered Nurse and we are thrilled to be supporting her on her journey. 

Medical Students at the Practice 

We have been hosting medical students at the practice again this year and have received some fantastic feedback from them about their experiences with us. Congratulations to Dr Widnall on organising such a welcoming and educationally-rich environment for them. We would also like to thank our patients for being so accommodating and for agreeing to see the students. By giving them this valuable experience, you are helping to shape the doctors of the future. We hope you will continue to support us in this important work. 

Warm regards, 

The Grassendale Medical Practice Team.