Latest Surgery News

Please note that we are having a new phone system installed on 4 March 2024 so we apologise in advance for any issues you may experience as a result of this and ask that you bear with us as we adjust to the new system.

If quitting smoking is one of your New Year resolutions why not contact Stop For Life Devon to get help from the pros? The evidence supports the fact that quitting with the help of a cessation clinic has far greater success rates than trying to do it yourself so don’t delay – get in contact… Read more: Thinking About Quitting?

This service is provided by a registered health professional who is the first point of contact for patients, providing new expertise and increased capacity to general practice and providing patients with faster access to the right care. They are qualified autonomous clinical practitioners (often Advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapists) who are able to assess, diagnose, treat and… Read more: First Contact Physiotherapy

The current COVID-19 guidance, including information about what to do if you feel symptomatic, how to book a vaccine and what to do with school age children with symptoms, is available here. At Caen we would like to encourage any patients attending the surgery with respiratory symptoms (cough with a high temperature for example) to… Read more: Current COVID-19 Guidance (September 2023)

Please be advised that eligible patients can book appointments by logging onto the National Booking System Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment – NHS (www.nhs.uk) You can also see where walk-in vaccinations will be available by going onto the grab-a-jab website Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site – NHS (www.nhs.uk).    NHSE will… Read more: Covid 19 Vaccinations

Please be aware that the surgery will be closed on the following Bank Holidays – Monday 1st May – CLOSED Monday 8th May – CLOSED Monday 29th May – CLOSED If you need to be seen or speak to someone urgently and cannot wait until the surgery re-opens on Tuesday 19th April then please call… Read more: May Bank Holidays

The Lloyds pharmacy located in Sainsburys Roundswell is ceasing trading at 7pm on Thursday 4th May.  They have begun a comprehensive process of winding down activities. If this is currently your nominated pharmacy then you will need to nominate another ASAP. The Lloyds team are actively supporting patients to do so sooner rather than later.

Advice for vulnerable people – The national alert service will be tested on 23 April, and will see a loud siren like sound emitted from mobile phones. For those for whom this could cause danger, there is the option to switch off the alert. This document provides more information. This has been shared with domestic… Read more: National emergency alert scheme

A beautiful new book has been launched, telling the story of a very special character who was a cherished member of the hospice care team and the local community.  Gozo spent many years as a pet therapy dog at North Devon Hospice, visiting patients and families every week to bring happiness and smiles during the… Read more: Hello from Gozo

Thursday 6th April – 0830 – 1800 Friday 7th April -CLOSED Saturday 8th April – CLOSED Sunday 9th April -CLOSED Monday 10th April – CLOSED Tuesday 11th April – 0830 – 1800 If you need to be seen or speak to someone urgently and cannot wait until the surgery re-opens on Tuesday 19th April then… Read more: Easter Hours

We are delighted to welcome two new Social Prescribers to the team at Caen Medical Centre. Charlotte Buttery and Karen Mottram will be working alongside the multi disciplinary team at Caen supporting our patients. For further information please go to our Health & Wellbeing Team page

The Vaccine Support Team is here to support patients across Devon with obtaining their COVID-19 vaccinations. Email: d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net Telephone: 01752 398836 Vaccination appointments can be booked online, alternatively patients can attend a walk-in vaccination site. For more information, please visit the NHS.UK website; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ Patients can also call 119 if they have questions or need… Read more: Devon COVID-19 Vaccination Support Team

The current guidance for parents and carers is to contact NHS 111 or your GP if: your child is getting worse your child is feeding or eating much less than normal your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration your baby is under 3 months and… Read more: Scarlet Fever/Strep A

Currently the COVID-19 vaccine seasonal booster (autumn booster) is available to the following cohorts if it’s been at least 3 months (91 days) since your previous dose: aged 65 or over pregnant aged 5 to 49 and at high risk due to a health condition aged 5 to 49 and at high risk because of… Read more: Covid-19 Seasonal Booster

Monday 29th August CLOSED Tuesday 30th August 0830 -1800 If you need to be seen or speak to someone urgently and cannot wait until the surgery re-opens on Tuesday 29th August then please call NHS 111 Please note that any prescription requests required ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend will need to requested by Tuesday… Read more: August Bank Holiday.

Not sure what to do when your child is unwell? Download the free HANDi Paediatric app, which is available right across Devon, and get expert advice on childhood illness when you need it. Search for ‘HANDi app’ on Apple or Android, or click the link below for further information: https://devonccg.nhs.uk/health-services/children-and-young-people/handi-app

Some people find cervical screening a really difficult thought. Jo’s cervical cancer trust wants to help make the test easier, and this week will be talking about how we can make that happen. Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 49 should have a cervical screening every 3 years. Those aged 50 to… Read more: Cervical Screening Awareness 20th-26th June

June 18th is Autistic Pride Day. Set up by Aspies for Freedom some years ago, the day aims to celebrate autistic people and share stories of positivity about those who are neurodiverse. An autism diagnosis can mean big changes to your life. For some people who are diagnosed, it can give a real sense of… Read more: Autistic Pride Day -18th June

The practice will be closed from 12.30 pm on Wednesday 22nd June 2022. This is to enable the team to take part in a Training and Development afternoon that is being held across our Primary Care Network. If you have an urgent query/need then please call 01271 818030 and follow the instructions. We will reopen… Read more: Training Afternoon.

Rotas for community pharmacy bank holiday opening hours can be viewed on the NHS England website. There you will also find links to maps showing which South West pharmacies are open, and when, over the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend.

Wednesday 1st June 0830 – 1800 Thursday 2nd June CLOSED Friday 3rd June CLOSED Monday 6th June 0830 -1800 If you need to be seen or speak to someone urgently and cannot wait until the surgery re-opens on Monday 6th June then please call NHS 111 IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY PLEASE DIAL 999

We are delighted to announce that along with all North Devon GP practices we are in the process or transferring our online patient triage service from eConsult, to Patient Triage. This new Patient Triage service will provide the same service to contact your GP online, or another member of the team and will usually be… Read more: New Patient Triage Service

The vaccination centre at Barnstaple Leisure Centre is moving from its current site to a purpose-built mobile centre in the car park of the Barnstaple Tesco Extra from Monday 9 May 2022. The new centre is just across the road from its current site and will provide vaccines to those with appointments. Walk-in slots will… Read more: Covid Vaccination Centre Relocation.

Children aged 5 to 11 years can now obtain an NHS COVID Pass letter for international travel Children aged 5 to 11 years living in England, Wales or the Isle of Man who have had a full primary course of COVID-19 vaccination can now get an NHS COVID Pass letter for travel. A person with… Read more: NHS Covid Pass 5 – 11 year olds

Rotas for community pharmacy bank holiday opening hours can be viewed on the NHS England website. There you will also find links to maps showing which South West pharmacies are open, and when, on Bank Holiday Monday.

Friday 29th April -0830 – 1800 Monday 2nd May- CLOSED Tuesday 3rd May – 0830 – 1800 If you need to be seen or speak to someone urgently and cannot wait until the surgery re-opens on Tuesday 3rd May then please call NHS 111 IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY PLEASE DIAL 999

Rotas for community pharmacy bank holiday opening hours can be viewed on the NHS England website. There you will also find links to maps showing which South West pharmacies are open, and when, on each of the Easter days.

Thursday 14th April – 0830 – 1800 Friday 15th April -CLOSED Monday 18th April – CLOSED Tuesday 19th April – 0830 – 1800 If you need to be seen or speak to someone urgently and cannot wait until the surgery re-opens on Tuesday 19th April then please call NHS 111 IN A MEDICAL EMERGENCY PLEASE… Read more: Easter Opening Hours

We’ve teamed up with Libraries Unlimited to offer free baby self-weigh facilities in private areas of 16 libraries across Devon during their popular Bounce & Rhyme sessions. Parents and carers will be given safe guidance around the weighing and plotting of babies and children’s growth and can contact a Health Visitor if they have concerns around… Read more: Launch of new self-weigh service for parents

Please help us to reduce the risk of infection for our colleagues and patients by following this guidance. england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/living-with-covid-19-white-paper-update/ Visit nhs.uk/coronavirus for more information on COVID-19 symptoms, and what to do if you or your child has them.

The NHS in Devon is expecting to be very busy in January due to a predicted surge in Omicron cases, peaking in mid-January. Even with very high vaccination uptake in our patients and staff, the spread of COVID-19 is already having a significant impact on NHS staff absences and this is likely to become worse. … Read more: Preparing for a surge in January of COVID-19 cases

Please look at our ‘Covid Vaccinations’ page for up to date information regarding clinics.

GP practices are clinically prioritising some services to focus on delivery of booster programme 15 December 2021 Following the Government’s call to accelerate the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, the majority of our GP practices have, at very short notice, reallocated the majority of their workforce to delivering Covid-19 vaccines over the next two weeks. Patients… Read more: Devon CCG Statement – Booster Programme

SURGERY OPENING HOURS CHRISTMAS 2021 Monday 20th—Friday 24th December            0830—1800 Monday 27th December                                        Closed Tuesday 28th December                                     Closed Wednesday 29th—Friday 31st December      0830—1800 Monday 3rd January 2022                                 Closed Tuesday 4th—Friday 7th January 2022          0830 –1800 If you need to be seen or speak to someone urgently and cannot wait until the surgery reopens… Read more: Christmas Opening Hours

Those with weakened immune systems are being offered a THIRD primary COVID-19 vaccination instead of just two doses. The third vaccination is NOT the same as a booster. The third dose is a top up because while the first two doses will have offered some protection, they may not have generated a full immune response… Read more: 3rd Dose Covid Vaccinations

Walk-ins are currently NOT available for COVID-19 boosters. These must be booked. The National Booking Service is now allowing eligible people to book their COVID-19 booster vaccine appointments in vaccine sites that are on the NBS. Text messages and letters will start to be sent out to eligible people from the 20th September 2021 and… Read more: Covid-19 Booster Vaccinations

Our clinics on the 23rd October, 6th, 7th November and 16th December are now full. We have a mop up clinic on the 7th December for the over 65s that still has spaces. If you are eligible for a flu jab this year and have been unable to book into one of our clinics then… Read more: Flu Vaccinations

Established in 2004, Mindful Employer is a UK wide initiative run by Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Providing employers with easier access to professional Workplace Mental Health training, information and support, the initiative aims to help empower employers to take a lead in supporting the mental wellbeing of their staff. By signing the ‘Charter for Employer… Read more: Mindful Employer

With the events in Afghanistan over the past few days, there may be veterans that are finding this news overwhelming, particulary for those that have served in the country or have friends currently out there. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, please reach out to a friend,… Read more: Veterans Mental Health & Wellbeing Service

Dear Patient, From Monday 19th July Caen Medical Centre will continue to follow NHSE guidance. Screening of ALL patients before entering the premises and social distancing rules remain in place.  Patients will be expected to wear a face covering when entering the premises unless they are exempt for medical reasons. This is to keep our… Read more: Monday 19th July

  An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status.You may be asked to show your pass to travel abroad, or at events and venues in England asking for proof of your COVID-19 status.Always check the entry requirements for the country or the venue you’re visiting.Further… Read more: NHS COVID Pass

We are getting a lot of queries regarding the NHS App. Please note that this app is not designed or managed by Caen Medical Centre and we are unable to manage passwords, set up or provide support. If you are experiencing problems with the NHS app then you will need to seek help through the… Read more: NHS App

We as a practice, along with all other North Devon practices, are no longer giving any first dose vaccines  and we are not involved in giving vaccines for Groups 10 and lower. This will be done via the National Booking Service. They will contact you directly. Booking for these groups can be done by calling… Read more: Covid Vaccinations Cohorts 1 – 9 Update!

The vaccination site will continue at North Devon Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, but the running of the site will be taken on by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust and bookings can be made through the National Booking Service – not the GP practice. Subject to approval by NHS England and NHS Improvement, it is expected that the Leisure… Read more: Covid vaccination update for cohorts 10-12 (under 50 year olds)

If you are in Priority Groups 1-9 and have not yet had your COVID Vaccination, you can get it this weekend at the following places: • Saturday 17th April – Seafront, St James Place, Ilfracombe EX34 9AR (by the Crazy Golf Course) Vaccinating 10.00am – 2.00pm• Sunday 18th April – Riverbank overflow car park, next… Read more: Covid Vaccination Bus!

Check out “Kooth for Children & Young People (Captioned)” from Kooth on Vimeo. The video is available at https://vimeo.com/452161021 If you like this video, make sure you share it, too!

This is a 2 hour free workshop for parents during pregnancy or if they have a child under the age of 2 years old, to help build resilience and increase wellbeing in pregnancy and parenthood.  It is open to mums, dads, carers of any kind that may fit under pregnancy or up to 2 year… Read more: Free NHS Parenthood Workshops

Thursday 01 April           8.30am – 6.00pm* Friday 02 April   (Good Friday)        Closed Monday 05 April (Easter Monday)   Closed Tuesday 06 April                  8.30am – 6.00pm* *All appointments are booked appointments do not attend surgery unless asked to do so. Patients need to ensure they have sufficient medication to last beyond the four day bank holiday.

The latest pharmacy opening hours for the Easter bank holiday weekend are available to download below – North Devon

Some people in cohort 7 (aged 60-64) will start to receive invites from the national booking service over the next few days. These patients are being directed to the national booking website and will be able to book appointments for the national sites. If you have received a letter from the national NHS booking system,… Read more: National Vaccination Hubs.

Dr Simon Mathieson is our veterans clinical lead, he has a specialist knowledge of service related health conditions and veteran specific health services. Please let us know if you are a veteran and require assistance.

Find my NHS number | Combe Coastal Practice A new service is now live to help find people find their NHS number. This service is for anyone living in England who has forgotten or does not know their NHS number. This service can also be used on behalf of someone else where the name, date… Read more: Find my NHS number!

Is the way that you are feeling affecting your daily life? Are you struggling to cope, feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed by your thoughts and feelings? Are you living with a long term health condition that is making you feel tired, frustrated and worried? You are not alone and we can help. TALKWORKS is a… Read more: Talkworks!

We understand that with the announcement of a new lockdown there are going to be a number of patients concerned about the situation, especially those in very vulnerable risk groups and also those with children attending educational settings. The current government advice about high risk groups is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-novemberFurther publication is due Monday, and… Read more: New National Restrictions from 5 November.

We have been informed by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust that the national supply of biochemistry blood testing equipment that has been significantly disrupted is ongoing. This means that certain blood testing services will only be processed if deemed as urgent, and any non-urgent samples taken will have a significant delay in processing until the equipment… Read more: Blood Tests

All the latest news The Medical Centre does NOT provide face mask exemption letters. Read on for more information concerning face masks.It is now mandatory to wear facial coverings on public transport. To find out: – when you can take your mask off- about different types of masks- how to be safe wearing a mask- if… Read more: Facial Coverings and Exemption Cards

Dear Patients of Caen Medical Centre We hope you and your family are in good health. Our community, like those all around the world, has been through a lot over recent months, and we all look forward to resuming our normal lives. We want to give you an update on the service and availability here… Read more: Please Read – Important Information For Patients **Click Here ** Update On The Services & Availability here at the practice **

On the 30th June 2020, Dr Richard Francis retired from the practice. On the 1st July 2020, Dr Simon Mathieson became a Partner at the practice. All patients previously registered with Dr Richard Francis have been re-allocated to Dr Simon Mathieson. If you were previously registered with Dr Francis and you are not happy with… Read more: Practice News

Check out everything that is happening during Carers Week. If you have any questions or would like to book, you can email online@devoncarers.org.uk For further information please click here.

The Government has recently advised everyone to wear a face covering when out and about, therefore we are requesting that patients please wear a face covering before entering the surgery. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-advised-to-cover-faces-in-enclosed-spaces The surgery has a legal responsibility to protect staff and patients from risks associated with COVID-19; wearing a face covering is an added precaution… Read more: Advice on patients wearing face coverings when visiting the practice.

We are recieving a lot of calls from anxious patients wanting general advice and support rather than clinical advice and support. Please find below a list of resources that patients may find useful – Older People The Silver Line 0800 470 80 90 Free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open… Read more: Coronavirus Support – Helplines for Anxious Patients

Following national guidelines in relation to the Coronavirus we are now going to be running a GP appointment telephone triage service ONLY at Caen Medical Centre The GP will make an appointment for you to come to the surgery if you need to be seen, otherwise you will be treated over the phone. Only attend… Read more: Following national guidelines in relation to the Coronavirus we are now going to be running a GP appointment telephone triage service ONLY at Caen Medical Centre The GP will make an appointment for you to come to the surgery if you need to be seen, otherwise you will be treated over the phone. Only attend if the GP asks you to come to the surgery or you have a pre-arranged appointment with the nursing team.

As of Thursday 12th March 2020, the public are beng advised to stay at home (self isolate) regardless of travel or contact with confirmed cases, if they have: a- A new continuous cough b – High temperature (37.8 degrees centigrade or higher) Individuals should stay at home (self-isolate) for 7 days from the onset of… Read more: Individuals should stay at home (self-isolate) for 7 days from the onset of symptoms following the current advice. If someone has serious symptoms they cannot manage at home they should use NHS 111 online (people should only call NHS111 if they cannot get online).

Dr Sady Bartle is the clinical lead and she has a specialist knowledge of service related health conditions and veteran specific health services.  Please let us know if you are a veteran and require assistance.

We now have copies of the Live Well in Braunton – Adult Clubs, Sports and Activity Directory.  Find out what is available, where to go and when, by popping in to the surgery and asking for a copy. For More Information visit: Live Well In Braunton

Craig Rich, ex-BBC weather forecaster, delivers an important message on medicines waste. Did you know as much as £5.5 million is wasted each year in Devon on unused medicines? The same amount could pay for approximately: – 700 Heart bypass operations – or 1,000 hip replacements – or 2,000 knee replacements – or 11,000 cataract… Read more: Help Us Reduce Medicine Waste

NHS Choices  are now advising on when NOT to go to the GP for common ailments. Their Website is full of useful information to get you to the right place for the right treatment. For More Information Please visit their website: NHS Choices

Online Access currently allows you to make appointments, order repeat medication, update your contact details and see core elements to your medical records. You can now apply for detailed access to your medical records.  If you have already registered for online access for making appointments,  ordering repeat medication or to view core elements of your… Read more: Do You Want To See More Of Your Medical Records?

Our aim is to help you use the services at Caen efficiently and to inform our patients of any changes taking place. We hope you find this newsletter helpful. Any feedback about the services we offer would be gratefully accepted, as would any suggestions for future newsletters; please give your written comments to the receptionists… Read more: Caen Medical Centre Newsletter

Pick up a questionnaire as often as you like. Questionnaires are available at the reception desk, in the waiting room or ask your doctor or nurse for a copy. Only 2 Questions will be asked 1. Would you recommend us to a friend or family members? 2. Is there anything about our service we could… Read more: Friends & Family Test – Please help us by completing a questionnaire next time you attend an appointment at the Caen Medical Centre