We have compiled a list of useful medicines and dressings that are worth keeping in the house for the occasion when you may need them. All are inexpensive and may be useful some day. Please keep them in a locked place well away from children (never underestimate your children’s capacity for getting at things!).

View list of useful medicines and dressings (PDF 17KB) | Read More

Covering topics including:

LOCATE | What to do if things go wrong | EHIC - European Health Insurance Card
Know before you go... | Health issues when planning your flight
Travel Immunisations | Malaria | Crossing borders with medicines 
Pregnancy and travel | Travellers with existing health problems 
First aid kit for travelling | Read More

We've prepared advice for staying healthy during your journey to your holiday destination, including:

During your flight
Jet lag
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Read More.

Our advice page re staying healthy once at your holiday destination, including:

Avoidance of insect bites
Food and Water
Travellers Diarrhoea
Sun Protection

Read More

Throughout the NHS annually 1000’s of pounds are squandered on waste medicines.

Please only order those medicines you need and are currently taking. Should there ever be repeat items on your list that you are no longer using please inform the dispensary or the health professional when you have your repeat prescription review.

Dispensary Page

Healthy Choices is a joint initiative between our local NHS and commercial weight loss companies, for example Weight Watchers and Slimming World. Funded by the Dorset PCT Healthy Choices offers practical support and guidance to help people attain and manage a healthier lifestyle through local weight loss sessions.

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Antibiotics are not always necessary for all infections.

Antibiotics are very useful for some infections, caused by bacteria, but are useless against others, caused by viruses. Most common infections, (e.g. the common cold, coughs, flu and many sore throats) are caused by viruses, which are not affected by antibiotics. In children and adults, who are normally well, their immune system is good at fighting off many types of viruses. Read More

It is estimated that there are 750,000 patients in the UK who are Diabetic and don’t know it. A simple waist measurement can help identify if you are at risk.

Read More

In order to increase our efficiency, together with the improvements to reception we have installed an automated arrivals screen. This screen allows you to check in for your appointment yourself.

This can be done in two ways, either by registering your fingerprint and then by using the same finger each time you arrive for an appointment, or alternatively it is possible to use your date of birth.

With over 150,000 people in the UK having a stroke every year, it is imperative that people can recognise a stroke when it's happening and take prompt action.
To read more visit http://www.nhs.uk/Actfast/Pages/default.aspx or http://www.stroke.org.uk.

View F.A.S.T. leaflet.

You can now use the internet to book, amend or cancel appointments and to request repeat prescriptions at Stalbridge Surgery 24 hours a day.
Whether you are at home or work, you can quickly log on and book your appointments or submit your repeat medication request. It’s especially useful when the practice is closed, telephone lines are busy or you’re simply unable to visit the practice.

View Patient Leaflet | Access our online system

Asking the right question is important to get the most out of your appointment. But it is not always as easy at it sounds. Questions to ask is a checklist and some tips about sensible questions to ask which has been developed with patients and healthcare professionals.

View leaflet (PDF 324 Kb) | Top Tips

We have a new updated Practice Leaflet that explains the essentials of the practice. Importantly it explains the composition of the team of 8 health professionals at the surgery who are available to provide health care for you.

It contains all the essential telephone numbers to contact us here at the surgery. It is available to print direct from this site or a hard copy is available at the practice.

View online (PDF 202 Kb)

We are happy to accept patients from a range of approximately 8 miles from the surgery. If you are unsure please discuss this with reception.

New patients are always welcome and are encouraged to come and have a look around the surgery prior to registering.

View a detailed map of our Practice Area | View a street map of Stalbridge
See us on Google Maps | Register with Stalbridge Surgery

Full of fun activity ideas

This new exciting website and booklet seeks to build on the Dorset Leisure Month programme which has been a great success over the last 6 years, aiming to encourage everyone to be active and highlight what is available to take your first tentative steps into a more fun and healthier lifestyle.

Visit www.b-activeindorset.org or www.nhs.uk/change4life for more.

Join the NHS Organ Donor Register

Organ transplants are the only hope for people with organ failure. More than 16 million people have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register yet there is a critical shortage of organs available for transplant.

To read more visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk

We've attached a number of advice leaflets and posters as recently distributed by Dorset PCT.
Important information about swine flu (PDF 912KB)
Swine Flu - help us to help you - an advice leaflet from Bournemouth Dorset and Poole Local Resilience Forum (PDF 230KB)
Catch it, kill it, bin it (PDF 52KB)

Websites: http://www.nhs.uk | http://www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu

Quite a number of our patients have benefited from the aftercare offered by Yeovil Heartbeat following Heart-related problems. This facility provides excercise equipment and expert advice so that those affected can resume a healthy and normal lifestyle with confidence. The continued existance of this service depends solely on the support of individuals, and it is a registered charity. Each year there is a sponsored Walk and Greta Lowe, one of those who has benefited from the service, is taking part in the walk on 12th July. Anyone wishing to support Heartbeat is invited to be a sponsor by contacting Greta on 01963 362825. Alternatively you may like to get in touch direct with Yeovil Heartbeat, Yeovil District Hospital, Higher Kingston, Yeovil, BA21 4AT.

The prostate gland is only found in men. It lies just beneath the bladder and is usually about the size of a chestnut. The prostate gets bigger gradually after about the age of 50. About 8 in 10 men will have an enlarged prostate by the age of 70. Certain symptoms can arise from the prostate enlarging:- poor stream, hesitancy, dribbling, frequency and urgency.

Check your Prostate with our Prostate Health Checklist
Use our Prostate Symptom Score card - printable version | View our Prostate page(s)

Is your body trying to tell you something?

Ovarian cancer can often be mistaken for diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome which is far more common, but research shows that the frequency of symptoms can help a doctor distinguish between ovarian cancer and other conditions with very similar symptoms.

Read More

'I remember that holiday as clear as can be...
but it’s a struggle to recall what I did this morning'.

It is important to diagnose dementia as early as possible, to help people access the services and support they need. Yet there remains a huge amount of stigma and misunderstanding about dementia and its symptoms, and people often delay seeking help when they are concerned about their memory problems.
Read More

Being in the sun makes us feel better. The sun can improve our mood and provide us with essential vitamins to help keep us healthy. Too much sun however, especially when we are young, can damage the skin and this may start to become apparent later in life.

Read More

'Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK yet it is one of the most curable cancers if diagnosed and treated early enough. Being aware of your bum and taking action if you experience symptoms such as bleeding is vital.
You may just have a common condition such as piles. However sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious, such as bowel cancer.
MATT DAWSON former England rugby player and Patron of Beating Bowel Cancer

View leaflet | Read more at http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org

A pain in the centre of your chest can be a symptom of a heart attack.
If you get a central chest pain, call 999 immediately.
Too many people waste time doubting their symptoms and wondering whether they should call an ambulance. If you are having a heart attack, calling 999 straight away could protect your heart from damage and save your life.

Every second counts. Read more at http://www.2minutes.org.uk/