Surgery News
*** October 2025 ***
Change to some appointments for the Flu Clinics on 7th and 8th October
On each day the appointments From 5pm ONLY will now be done at the Surgery - Please note that all other appointments for the rest of the day will still be held at the Football club.
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Please don't worry if you can’t make the flu clinic dates: Call us from 13th October and we will be able to book an alternative appointment date at the Surgery.
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September 2025
“The Autumn/Winter COVID campaign will run from 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026. If you are recorded as a housebound patient aged 75 or over, or are recorded as immunosuppressed by the practice, you will be contacted, and we will book your housebound appointment. This may not be at the start of the campaign, but we will contact you before 31 January 2026 to arrange your vaccination.
Please don’t worry if you receive a reminder from NHS England before we have contacted you – this is a national message and does not mean you have been missed. Your vaccination needs are held locally within the Somerset system, and you will be contacted before 31 January 2026 to arrange your vaccination.
If you would like us to confirm that you are coded as housebound on our system, our staff can check this for you. Thank you for your patience.”
It also applies for the Flu vaccination, that we will be in touch with you.
Thank you
Management Team
August 2025
20.08.25
Health Connections Be Healthy, Be Happy sessions:
Improving your life is easier than you think. Whether it’s moving more, getting more sleep, or finding better balance in your life, the key is to start small.
Throughout the sessions we focus on how emotional and physical health are connected and why it’s important to take care of all aspects of both to stay healthy. We will show you how creating happier, healthier lives can be easy, and surprisingly fun!
Please contact us to register your interest – details of our next sessions are below:
SHEPTON MALLET GROUP
2nd September Week 1: Getting Started
9th September Week 2: Movement
16th September Week 3: Eating
23rd September Week 4: Sleep
30th September Week 5: Emotional & Social Wellbeing
7th October Week 6: Next Steps & Maintaining Progress
When: Tuesdays from 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Where: The Committee Room, Somerset Council Complex, Cannards Grave Rd, Shepton Mallet BA4 5BT
BECKINGTON GROUP
4th September Week 1: Getting Started
11th September Week 2: Movement
18th September Week 3: Eating
25th September Week 4: Sleep
2nd October Week 5: Emotional & Social Wellbeing
9th October Week 6: Next Steps & Maintaining Progress
When: Thursdays from 1.00pm – 2.30pm, Where: The Board Room, Frome Medical Practice, Enos Way, Frome BA11 2FH
COLEFORD GROUP
Date to be confirmed, When: Tuesdays from 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Where: The Mendip Room, Mendip Country Practice, Church Street, Coleford, BA3 5NQ
Tea and Coffee will be available.
Please reserve your free place by contacting us on the number or email below.
01373 468368 option 2
somicb.healthconnections.central@nhs.net
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**** 19.08.25: We are sending out text messages from today to book your Flu vaccinations ****
Our clinics will be held at Shepton Mallet Football Club on the 6th, 7th & 8th October. The text will include a booking link for you to book directly.
Those that do not have mobiles will be contacted by our Patient Services Team.
NB: Covid Vaccinations will be available also on the day if you choose to have one but are not bookable at these clinics or available unless you are booking a flu jab.
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13.08.25: We wanted to make our patients aware, that with immediate effect we have changed the name of our Receptionists to Patient Services Advisors and they will now be known as the Patient Services Team.
This change is long overdue as the role has changed significantly over time and it quantifies the level of support they give to patients, the Doctors and the surgery. Being a GP receptionist is now so much more than greeting and answering calls!
I am sure it will take some time for the change to sink in - for all of us, but thank you for your continued support.
Grove House Surgery
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July 2025
We are now actively making it clear to patients via social media and our website, that unless we have consent then patients who are 16 years and above will not be discussed with parents/guardians.
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Are you aged between 18-30 years old and keen to meet new people?
Health Connections Mendip - Games Café Shepton Mallet
Are You a veteran?
My name is David Howard. I am a Royal Navy veteran and a member of the Grove House Surgery PPG group.
My function is to provide welfare support for veterans who proudly served in our armed forces.
You can contact me by telephone on 07564207858.
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June 2025
GP Prescribing Mounjaro
Soon you might hear on the media that weight loss injections can be prescribed by your GP from June 2025.
Whilst this is true, the criteria to qualify will be very strict.
Access to general practice is difficult and resources are limited, therefore we would like very much to avoid booking unnecessary appointments for patients that do not qualify for Mounjaro injections, as this would block access to patients that are unwell and need to be seen by a doctor.
The criteria to qualify is as follows:
•BMI of 40 or more (you need your weight and type to find out your BMI) it will be checked at the appointment to confirm is above 40 if it is not above 40 please do not book an appointment
If BMI is above 40 then you will also need to have been diagnosed with four of the following five criteria
1. Diagnosed hypertension
2.Diagnosed sleep apnoea
3.Diagnosed type 2 diabetes
4.Diagnosed cardiovascular disease
5.Diagnosed hypercholesterolemia
If you do not have a BMI above 40 and four of the conditions above your GP will not be able to prescribe you Mounjaro for weight loss. (Based on the current guidance). Hence, we request that appointments are not booked for this purpose. PLEASE WAIT FOR US TO CONTACT YOU.
June 2025
Please note that we are not able to do NHS Health Checks at this time
In June, Shape Council offices and local libraries will be starting outreach clinics.
May 2025
When needing to request a Dr's appointment, please use Acccurx if you are able, if you have problems the reception team will help you.
Please remember it is not quicker to telephone us as the Reception Team will still have to take the time to submit the request on your behalf. The request will go directly to the Duty Dr and any appointment given will be folowing the advice from the Clinical Team, not the Reception Team. Thank you.
A guide to using Accurx is available here
April 2025
Somerset Sight support for visually impaired
April 2025
The Spring/Summer COVID campaign will run from 1 April 2025 to 17 June 2025. If you are recorded as a Housebound patient, who is Over 75 or also recorded as Immunosuppressed by the Practice you will be contacted, and we will book your housebound appointment. Please note this may not be at the start of the campaign but we will contact you before the 17 June 2025 to arrange a date/time for your vaccination.
Thank you for your patience.
April 2025
April 2025
SSBSS April Newsletter: (Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service)
January 2025:
Grove House Surgery achieves Sustainability award.
Referring for maternity services
Patients can now self-refer for maternity care through the RUH digital system. The link for this can be found on the website: Maternity Services | Royal United Hospitals Bath.
They should ideally be registered with them by their sixth week of pregnancy, to receive an appointment by 10 weeks.
22.12.24
NICE’s announcement on tirzepatide. Frequently asked questions for patients
07.11.24
Do you have a musculoskeletal condition? You have two options that don’t require a GP appointment
Two options for Musculoskeletal appointments
16.10.24
Response to recent article in the Press regarding the state of our building:
Good morning
Some of you may already have seen the article below where Grove House Surgery building is deemed to be "not fit for purpose". We were not notified that this article was due to be released, but felt we should clarify that this statement is purely about the Surgery building.
Our Surgery is a Grade II Listed Building and as such makes it very difficult for us to expand or make improvements and there is no doubt that we have outgrown the premises. However, we continue to strive to provide the best possible service we can within the constraints of the building and I hope that you, our patients, are able to see this.
We do have a couple of changes to the building in the pipeline which we hope to share with you soon, once funding has been approved.
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/nhs-sites-somerset-not-fit-9625320
Teresa Cawsey
Practice Manager (Job Share)
Grove House Surgery
23.08.24
Eligibility for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine - Updated 23.08.24
18.07.24
Global Microsoft IT Outage affecting GP Practices – 19 July 2024
Parents & Carers Information Session
Shepton Mallet Cookery Course Every Other Wednesday 14:00- 16:00 57C High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AQ.
PLEASE NOTE: This is held in the MIND venue but is open to all.
Moving Towards More Whole Foods For better health & wellbeing
This booklet has been designed to support and inspire you to make gradual steps towards eating more whole foods.
Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership is the Active Partnership for Somerset. See all the Programmes and resources available to help older adults and those living with health conditions to move more and live longer better.
April 2024 -
This practice is delighted to be signed up to the Green Impact for Health Toolkit and is actively taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint. The climate emergency is also a health emergency and healthcare in the UK contributes 5.4% of the UK’s carbon emissions.
We need to enhance the health of our current population without compromising the health of future generations, and this means operating within the sustainable boundaries of the planet.
Fortunately, most of the solutions for the planet also make our health better – for example eating a mainly plant-based diet, engaging in active travel and exercise in nature, avoiding smoking, reducing pollution etc all enhance our health and reduce our need for medications, with further benefits to the NHS, your health and the carbon footprint of healthcare.
January 2024
We are very pleased to announce that we are now a Veteran Friendly Accredited Practice.
This means that, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician who has a specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services. This is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment.
If you are ex-forces, please let your GP know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.
Further Information on Healthcare for the armed forces community - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
To find out more, ask your nurse or GP.
We are pleased that we can now offer the getUBetter digital App to our patients
October 2023
https://www.facebook.com/SSLcourses
Job Vacancy: Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship. 37 hours.
We are looking for an outgoing and enthusiastic individual to join the reception team at the medical practice in Shepton. This is an excellent opportunity to start a career in administration within the health care setting.
Apply here https://www.sslcourses.co.uk/.../apprenticeship-vacancies/
#apprenticeship #job #customerservice #level2
September 2023
We have now sent out text messages to all those that are eligible for the flu vaccination this year.
We also pleased to confirm that at all our flu clinics those who are eligible will be offered the opportunity to have a Covid vaccination at the same time.
11.08.23
Methotrexate and vaccinations
There is evidence to suggest that pausing your Methotrexate for two weeks following COVID and Flu vaccinations helps to provide a stronger level of protection against both Viruses.
Please see the below information:https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/a-short-pause-methotrexate-treatment-boosted-immune-response-covid-19-vaccine/
06.09.23
We have now sent out text messages to all those that are eligible for the flu vaccination this year. If you haven't booked yours yet, then please do so as soon as possible as we have limited stocks.
--------- We have a clinic for Saturday 7th October for those who would find a Saturday more convenient. This will be held at the Haskins vaccination centre. -------------------
---------- In addition, we are also pleased to confirm that at all our flu clinics those who are eligible will be offered the opportunity to have a Covid vaccination at the same time. -------------------
The vaccination is free and provides the best protection against an unpredictable virus which infects many people and can cause serious illness and death each year.
Seasonal Flu Vaccination Cohort Eligibility
• Those aged 65 years and over
• Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
• Pregnant women
• All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
• Primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
• Those in long-stay residential care homes
• Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• Frontline workers in a social care setting
Primary school aged children and secondary school children in Years 7 to 11 will be offered the vaccine at school. If there is someone you rely on to care for you, please ask them to contact their own GP Practice as they may be eligible for a free flu vaccination.
POSTED August 2023
Attitudes to Postnatal Instead of Normally-Timed Cervical Screening
The Surgery is promoting new study that is reviewing whether women would find it acceptable to have cervical screening at their six weeks postnatal check and what type of screening they would prefer.
Further details are available here: https://forms.office.com/e/B6rwtWvAy0
New Nurse Practitioner
POSTED 7TH August 2023
We welcome Sarah Stone to the GP team who will be working as a Nurse Practitioner.
Flu Vaccination Program 2023
We will soon be contacting people to invite them for their flu jabs. If you are sent a letter, please contact us as soon as you can to book in to a vaccination clinic. Thank you.
POSTED JULY 2023
Our NHS is 75 Years Old!
POSTED 05.07.23
Welcome to our new website! We also have a new patient triage system called Accurx Patient Triage.
See Online GP Consultations on the Home Page
POSTED May 2023
New Health Initiative for Ages 50 to 65 (grovehousesurgery.nhs.uk)
POSTED May 2023
My Planned Care: Helpful information for patients waiting for clinical opinion, treatment or surgery.
POSTED ON 27TH MARCH, 2023
My Planned Care gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare for your hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving you information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services while you wait.
This site is updated weekly and can be viewed by anyone, which means you, your family or carer as well as your NHS team can all see the latest information.
Your hospital team will be in touch with you as soon as they can. If you are looking for an update, please check this website before contacting your hospital or GP.
Click on the link: South West – My Planned Care NHS
New Nurse Practitioner
POSTED ON 27TH MARCH, 2023
We welcome Ed Roberts to the GP team who will be working as Nurse Practitioner.
Somerset Dementia Wellbeing Service Roadshow 2023
POSTED ON 27TH MARCH, 2023
Please see the Somerset Dementia Wellbeing Service Roadshow 2023 Flyer for details.
Patient Participation Group
POSTED ON 20TH FEBRUARY, 2023
We are currently looking for more members for our Patient Participation Group. This is what some current members of the group say about being a member:
‘I have been a patient with Grove House Surgery for approximately 10 years and have always been very pleased with the care I have had. I hope that I can contribute to the group by supporting this surgery and it’s staff as there are many challenges facing primary care ahead’.
‘I am local having lived in Shepton Mallet all my life and know a lot of local people-I would hope to be able to represent patients of the surgery in a constructive and positive way. I’d like to understand more about the surgery and the NHS generally and hopefully, in time, be able to offer some ideas and suggestions. If anyone else is interested in joining the group please contact the surgery’.
‘We meet at the surgery where we hear about how the practice is functioning, the roles of the various employees are occasionally visited by our very busy clinicians who talk to us about their work’.
‘Some years ago I was asked by a friend whether I would be interested in joining her PPG. Naturally, my first question was “What is the PPG?” I learned that the letters referred to the Patient Participation Group at Grove House Surgery. The more she talked about the group the more my interest was aroused and I became a member. Before Covid we met every 6 weeks but that is now every quarter. We meet at the surgery where we hear about how the practice is functioning, the rôles of the various employees and, occasionally are visited by our very busy clinicians who talk to us about their work. Our role, as a group, is to provide a link between the patients and the surgery and to support, in any way and however small, the excellent work done in the practice. I am proud to be a part of that organisation and to be among other friendly members of a like mind.
So, if you think this would interest you, why not come along and join us. You would be made very welcome’.
Jerry Jeremiah
Vice Chairman Grove House Surgery PPG
If you want to find out more: see the Patient Participation Page here on the website:
Would you like to join our group? Just give your details to Reception or contact the Practice Manager and we will be be in touch. Thank you.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week 27 Feb – 5 March 2023
POSTED ON 20TH FEBRUARY, 2023
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) will be back 27 February – 5 March 2023.
This year Beat, the eating disorders charity, is focusing on eating disorders in men.
At least 1 in 4 people affected by eating disorders are men. Yet many struggle to ask for help (and are often met with disbelief when they do).
This Eating Disorders Awareness Week, you can help Beat set the record straight. You can start conversations, share the Beat video and spread the word.
GP Registrars
POSTED ON 15TH FEBRUARY, 2023
February 2023: We welcome Dr James Cooke to the team who will be with us for 1 year.
January 2023: We have said goodbye to Dr Brimfield.
We still have Dr Ghulam Habib Rahmanzai for another 6 months.
No Smoking Day: Wednesday 8th March 2023
POSTED ON 13TH FEBRUARY, 2023
Get help from the NHS Better Health Quit Smoking website and Download the App
Help shape Somerset’s health and care strategy & plans
POSTED ON 23RD JANUARY, 2023
Help shape Somerset’s health and care strategy & plans
General Practice is under pressure – we know that………….
POSTED ON 9TH JANUARY, 2023
