Practice News

Update: DentaLine Emergency Out-of-Hours Dental Service Contact Number

Please be aware that the contact number for the Kent and Medway emergency out-of-hours dental service (DentaLine), provided by Medway Community Healthcare, has recently changed.

The new contact number is: 01634 382230

If you require urgent dental care outside of normal working hours, please use this updated number.

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease confirmed in Kent

Statement issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 15 March 2026.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS are arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area of Kent following a number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease. The specific strain has not been identified at the present time.

For more information including signs and symptoms, please click on the link below:

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease confirmed in Kent - GOV.UK

UKHSA helpline for the public. Opening times are Monday to Friday from  9am-5pm – 0344 225 3861, if you have no symptoms but are concerned you have been in contact with a confirmed case or have a general enquiry.

Criteria for prophylaxis: 

contact with/or self-reported contact with a confirmed case of meningococcal diseases/meningitis

Living on the Kent University Campus

Attended the Chemistry night club on 5th,6th or 7th March 2026 

Available  at: 

• Senate Building, University of Kent, CT2 7NZ -  Open daily from 9am to 8pm.
• Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury CT1 3NG - Open daily from 8.30am to 7.30pm.
• Thanet Community Health Hub, Northwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2WA - Open daily from 8.30am to 8pm (last patient 7.30pm).
• Westgate Hall, Westgate Hall Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2BT - Open daily from 8.30am to 7.30pm.

Health Publications orderline: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/Home.html

Meningitis NOW: https://www.meningitisnow.org (Tel: 0808 801 0388)

Meningitis Research Foundation: www.meningitis.org (Tel: 0808 800 3344).

National guidelines on the management of meningococcal cases and their contacts can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningococcal-disease-guidance-on-public-health-management

Preventing the spread of meningococcal disease

The best way to stop the disease spreading is by giving antibiotics to the very close contacts of the patient with the illness. That usually means that only people who live in the same house as the sick person need treatment.

There are numerous strains of the meningococcal infection. The MenACWY vaccination gives good protection against MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY and is routinely offered to teenagers in school Years 9 and 10. However, this vaccine does not protect against all forms of meningitis. Other strains such as MenB can circulate in young adults, which is why it’s important to know how to spot the symptoms of Meningitis and septicaemia as early detection and treatment can save lives.  

Symptoms of meningococcal disease

It is sensible to be aware of the main signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, outlined below.

Some common signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease

One or more of these symptoms may develop and they can appear in any order.

Meningococcal disease can be hard to identify at first because it can be like a bad case of flu. However, anyone affected with meningococcal disease will usually become seriously ill within a few hours. You should keep checking yourself/ your child if they are unwell and contact your GP (family doctor) or NHS 111 for advice if you have any concerns.

If you become worried about your/your child’s condition, particularly if they are getting worse, seek medical help urgently at the closest A&E Department or by dialling 999.

Be watchful and use your instincts. Early treatment can be lifesaving.

Further information on meningococcal disease is available from:

The Meningitis Research Foundation, www.meningitis.org telephone: 0808 800 3344

Meningitis Now, www.meningitisnow.org telephone: 0808 80 10 388 helpline email address: helpline@meningitisnow.org

Get free support to stop smoking in Medway

If you live, work, or are registered to a GP in Medway, you can attend an Allen Carr’s Easyway to stop smoking seminar for free. You’re eligible if you currently smoke & are aged 18 or over.

Allen Carr’s Easyway has been helping people to stop smoking for over 40 years.

Our seminars normally cost £379 but smokers who live, work, or are registered to a GP in Medway can attend for free.

Find out more here.

Beyond Bump Club

Risk Stratification

You might spot something in your NHS App called segmentation. Don’t worry – it’s not a test result you need to act on!

Think of segmentation as us creating a simple “map” of our patients’ health and wellbeing needs. This helps us understand what matters most to you, so we can make your care more personal and timely.

✅ No action is needed from you – it just helps us help you.
ℹ️ More information can be found here

Bereavement Support

Bowel and Breast Cancer Screening

Breast Screening

If you have missed your breast screening appointment, you can contact your local Breast Screening Unit to reschedule:

📍 Canterbury Breast Screening Unit
✉️ ekh-tr.breastscreening@nhs.net
📞 01227 783000

📍 Maidstone Breast Screening Unit
✉️ mtw-tr.bsu@nhs.net
📞 01622 710185

📍 Medway Breast Screening Unit
✉️ met-tr.medwaybreastscreening@nhs.net
📞 01634 825036

Bowel Screening

To request a replacement bowel screening kit or if you have any queries about the bowel screening programme, contact the free NHS helpline:

📞 0800 707 60 60

✅ People over 74 can continue to be screened every two years by calling this number to request a kit.

💙 Early Detection Saves Lives

Don’t delay—screening helps find cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

If you have been affected by suicide - AMPARO CAN HELP

Published on 8th Jul 2025

Feeling Good App

We are excited to be sharing a fantastic digital solution for improving mental health and wellbeing that our PCN has been selected to be trialling.

The app is audio, simple and effective for depression, anxiety and sleep

The Feeling Good App contains the evidence-based audio programme Feeling Good for Life, which is the new name for Positive Mental Training, a series of 12 audio tracks to help you build essential skills, not only to deal with mental stresses and strains, but to bounce forwards and become mentally stronger and more resilient.  There are other modules on the app, all contain the same beginning tracks from Feeling Good for Life.

 This programme can help relax & calm your mind and body, lift your mood, help you feel more positive, let go of worries, sleep better and deal with stresses more easily. It can also help with physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches, irritable bowel, fatigue, and chronic pain. It can improve your ability to focus on a task, to feel positive about yourself when talking to others, to perform at your best when you need to.

Click here for more information.

Better care Support

Kent County Council has launched BetterCare Support - an online self-assessment tool, to enable people to live independently and safely within their communities and home. By answering questions about their social care needs, the tool provides people with information, advice, and guidance about the options and services available to them.

You can find other online resources below.

·         Social care and health - Kent County Council

·         Financial calculator

·         Kent Connect to Support

·         Kent PA Web

·         Adult social care and health procedures, practice guidance and tools