Spring 2026 Newsletter

Vaccination Updates

We are now offering Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Chickenpox vaccinations.

HPV vaccinations are available to book for anyone under the age of 25 who missed receiving them at school. The vaccine helps reduce the risk of HPV, a common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact, most often during sexual activity.

The Chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine is now combined with the MMR vaccine to form the MMRV vaccination. This is routinely given in two doses at 12 months and 18 months of age. Older children born on or after 1st January 2020 may also be offered one or two doses, depending on their vaccination history.

Over The Counter Medication

Please be reminded that hay fever medications such as Loratadine and Cetirizine are no longer available on NHS prescription and must be purchased over the counter.

This also applies to other commonly requested items, including pain relief and vitamin supplements. Your local pharmacist can offer advice and will refer you back to the surgery if they feel this is necessary.

Please note that pharmacies can supply stronger pain relief than supermarkets. GPs will not be able to prescribe you stronger pain medication unless these options have been tried first. 

New Member of the Team

We would like to introduce you all to our new team member ANP Claire Homer! She has decided to close her chapter working with Wyke Regis Health Centre and begin her journey with us on Portland.

“Hi to all, I am Claire and I have joined the surgery as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. 

I was previously working at the Wyke Regs Health Centre for four and a half years as an ANP and previously to this in secondary care for over twenty years, mainly on the surgical side of care with about ten years in anaesthetic pre op assessment as a specialist nurse.

I live in Weymouth, have four children aged between 14 and 27, I enjoy running, keeping active, eating cake, drinking red wine, and try to do it all regularly but not at the same time!

I am very happy to be here at the surgery and look forward to meeting you all.

I am currently raising funds by running the Putney & Fulham half marathon on Sunday 5th April, for a charity I am a trustee of: Global Hope Connections

My aim is to fundraise enough money to build a new kitchen for the Dominion Hope Academy in Gachie, Kenya. 

The school supports 185 children, and its current kitchen uses small, ground-level jiko fires that create heavy smoke and an unsafe cooking environment. A new, safer kitchen would provide healthier, more sustainable meal preparation for the children.

Any donation, large or small, would make a meaningful difference. Thank you for your support.”

Fundraiser by Claire Homer : Please help build a school kitchen in Gachie, Kenya

Weymouth and Portland Health Walks

#HelpAndKindness is an organisation that helps connect people with services and support across the county and beyond. They link individuals to opportunities and resources that can make a positive difference to their lives and the lives of those around them.

They are currently running ‘health walks’ in Weymouth and Portland which are social walking groups designed especially for people who are unable to walk long distances. All walks start at 10:30am.

• Monday: Meeting at Easton Gardens, Portland
• Thursday: Meeting on the Promenade to the left of the beach office/toilets
• Friday: Meeting at the entrance to Swannery car park next to the traffic lights crossing

Dr Morris’ Marathon

On Sunday 26th April 2026, our lovely Dr Morris will be running the London Marathon to raise awareness and money to fund research for The National Brain Appeal in support for her husband Dr Ward. 

In 2019 Andy noticed something wrong with his legs, and during the months of poking and prodding by the medical profession that followed they decided they needed to work on their fitness together. Suzie ran her first 5k with him during lockdown, and her first 10k race with him in 2022.

Sadly, her first 10k was Andy's last 10k. His legs got worse and he started falling over. 5k runs on a Saturday morning got slower, harder, and eventually, impossible. This year he has had to give up working as a GP and he is now using a wheelchair, but she has carried on running for both of them.

Andy is looked after by an incredible team of neurologists, physios and occupational therapists at the National Hospital for Neurology, in London. He has a rare genetic illness called Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis (HSP). There is so much we don't know about this illness and, sadly, there is no treatment at present. 

If you would like to donate, please visit Suzie Ward’s just giving page on Google. Let’s raise money for research that may one day beat this awful condition.

Covid + Flu Vaccinations

The flu and covid vaccination autumn season ends at the end of March. If you would like to make any queries regarding covid jabs, please direct them to the Covid Advice Line 119.

Spring covid booster clinics will begin on 1st April. These clinics will not be held at the surgery and will instead be provided by Dorset HealthCare. Further details, including the location, will be shared closer to the time. 

We will be posting information about walk-in clinics on both our Facebook page and our website. 

Published: Mar 11, 2026