Suffolk Primary Care

We are proud that eight of our GP practices have been rated as “good” overall by @CareQualityComm and our leadership as “outstanding”. This is a testament to our staff who are committed to doing their best for our patients and carers. Read more here: suffolkprimarycare.uk/news/inspector…

Our winter newsletter is now available, and is packed full of stories about our brilliant staff, improvements to our bases and awards success. Get in touch if you'd like to receive a copy direct to your inbox. You can read the latest here: suffolkprimarycare.uk/news/

For our patients, this means more accurate assessment, fewer unnecessary referrals, earlier identification of lesions that genuinely require urgent attention and better continuity of care.

The device will allow our GPs to look under the surface of the skin to help tell the difference between benign and suspicious legions. This will make sure that only those which need urgent attention are referred onto hospital.

We’re sending huge thanks to Hartismere Hospital League of Friends, who have generously donated a state-of-the-art dermatoscope to our surgery at Debenham to improve diagnosis for patients with suspected skin cancer.

Some local pharmacies will be open today for anyone who needs health help on New Year's Day. To find your nearest, visit nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy

Some of Suffolk's pharmacies will be open today and tomorrow for anyone who needs medical help over Christmas. To find your nearest, visit nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy

We'd like to wish all of our patients, staff, local communities and partners a relaxing and restful festive season and a happy and healthy 2026.

It comes after they used a tool called OpenPrescribing to identify every SPC patient who was being prescribed an antidepressant with potentially serious side effects so they could be gradually switched to safer medication.

We're sending congratulations to our Clinical Safety Team, which has been awarded the Bennett Institute Prize in recognition of the outstanding way it uses data to improve the care we provide to patients. The team was been named as joint clinical winner during a celebration event

When you need us, A&E might seem like the obvious choice – but there are many ways to get help for non-emergencies. For urgent medical help, access NHS 111 by calling, going online or using the NHS App. Get the right care, in the right place, at the right time this winter.

Its not too late to protect yourself from illness this winter by having the flu jab. Please book with your GP surgery - it helps to keep vital resources in the NHS so that we can continue providing the best possible care for you and your family.

Temperatures are expected to drop across parts of England this week. Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly in older people and those with pre-existing health conditions. Find out how you can stay well this winter ➡️ nhs.uk/staywell

Experts are warning flu season this year could be particuarly nasty. If you've received an invite for an NHS vaccination, please book your appointment asap with your GP surgery.

They were named as finalists for their work to transform an unused room into a relaxing space for residents with dementia. Although they didn’t pick up first prize, they were honoured to be shortlisted and thoroughly enjoyed the awards ceremony. Well done Nick and Nicky! 🎉

Congratulations to SPC GP Dr Nick Neill and Nicky, team leader from the Firs care home in Felixstowe, for being shortlisted in the dementia carer award category of the Great British Care Awards.

Resident doctors will undertake strike action from 7am this Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November. Patients with planned appointments and procedures should continue to attend these as planned, unless you are contacted directly to reschedule.

The room includes light boxes, smart speakers and water features, as well as areas for relaxing hand and head massage. Nick planned, funded and created it as part of his GP trailblazer fellowship, which tasked him with running a project designed to tackle health inequalities.

The Namaste Room, which Nick created alongside Nicky, team leader from the Firs care home in Felixstowe, has been named as a finalist in the dementia carer award category. The winner will be announced on 31 October.

We're delighted that a project spearheaded by SPC GP Dr Nick Neill to transform an unused room into a relaxing space where care home residents can safeguard their wellbeing has been shortlisted for a Great British Care Award.

Have you booked your flu and COVID jabs yet? If you've been invited by the NHS, please arrange an appointment with your GP surgery as soon as you can. You'll not only protect yourself and your family this winter, but will also help keep vital resources in the local NHS.