Training Practice
Spinney Brook Meical Center are a training practice, which means we support the education and development of qualified doctors who are undertaking further specialist training to become fully qualified General Practitioners. Training practices work closely with local medical schools and postgraduate deaneries to provide supervised, high-quality learning experiences within a GP setting. This allows future GPs to gain valuable hands-on experience while being fully supported by our experienced clinical team.
As part of this, we have ST level (Specialty Training) resident doctors working with us. These are fully qualified doctors who have already completed medical school and their initial hospital training, and are now completing their specialist GP training. They are experienced clinicians who are supervised by our GP trainers and discuss cases where appropriate, ensuring patients continue to receive safe and effective care.
We are also pleased to have Dr Ashraf working with us as an ST3 doctor. ST3 is the final year of GP specialty training, meaning Dr Ashraf is in the last stage of training before qualifying as an independent General Practitioner. ST3 doctors work with a high level of responsibility while still having the support of a supervising GP.
As training placements are temporary, Dr George has now left the surgery to continue her training elsewhere. We thank her for her contribution to the practice and wish her every success. We are pleased to welcome Dr Alam, who will be joining us for the next four months as part of his GP training, and we are sure patients will make him feel very welcome.
Covid 19 Spring 26 booster vaccinations
We will be offering the Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme for eligible patients in line with the national NHS guidance. The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect against serious illness and is usually offered in spring to those most at risk. For more details on the vaccine and national information, please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/COVID-19-vaccine/.
Under the current NHS eligibility criteria for Spring 2026, you may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if you:
• Are aged 75 years or older;
• Live in a care home for older adults;
• Are aged 6 months or over with a weakened or immunosuppressed immune system due to a health condition or treatment.
Eligible patients should expect to receive an invitation from the surgery soon with details on how to book your appointment. Our clinic will take place on Saturday 25th April at the surgery. Please wait to be contacted by the practice if you meet the criteria.
Stress Awareness Month, 1st– 30th April
Stress is not always a ‘bad’ thing, it is meant to help us survive dangerous situations by putting us into ‘fight-or-flight’ mode, and can improve focus on a task. However, when we experience stress in our workplace or everyday lives, it can make our brains over-react and stop us ‘thinking straight’ overall. If we are kept in a state of stress for long periods, the excess chemicals released by our brain can also harm our health.
The Stress Management Society says that workplace stress is reaching record levels worldwide:
- 1 in 4 workers report feeling unable to cope with stress at work
- 91% of employees have faced high stress or workplace pressure in the past year
- Over 50% of workers show signs of burnout, like exhaustion and disengagement
- Work-related stress contributes to lost productivity and days off
Stress Awareness Month gives organisations a chance to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and actively support employee wellbeing before issues escalate.
This year, the theme is #BeTheChange, inspired by Gandhi’s ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ Learn how your workplace or personal life can embrace this theme on their website: https://www.stress.org.uk/stress-awareness-month-2026/
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, 1st– 30th April
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. It is most often seen in people over 50, but it can affect anyone of any age. This month is aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and knowing the symptoms, which include:
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Blood in your poo
- A change in your pooing habits
- Losing weight but you’re not sure why
- Feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why
- A pain or lump in your tummy
These symptoms don’t mean you definitely have bowel cancer, but it’s important to check. The earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it is, and the more likely it can be cured. Bowel screening kits are being sent to eligible people in the post, but if you have symptoms, don’t wait, submit an anima request about an at-home test.
Why not get involved in Bowel Cancer UK’s ActiveApril campaign, and get active while fundraising to support people with bowel cancer! Sign up on their website: https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
IBS Awareness Month, 1st– 30th April
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal condition that causes episodes of abdominal pain and often discomfort when using the toilet. It affects around 5–10% of the population worldwide, of all ages and genders.
IBS does not shorten your life, but leads to more pain, health care appointments, diagnostic tests, and surgeries, impacting quality of life, and sometimes the ability to work full-time.
This April, you can help to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support people with IBS by sharing the hashtags #IBSAwarenessMonth and #MoreThanAStomachache
Find out more at https://aboutibs.org/living-with-ibs/ibs-awareness-month/
World Autism Acceptance Month, 1st– 30th April
Autistic people face discrimination and barriers across all sectors of society:
- 8 out of 10 autistic people experience mental health problems
- 55% of autistic people avoid going out, being worried how people will treat them
- Only 26% of autistic pupils feel happy at school
- Only 30% of autistic people are in employment
Autistic people, and their families and carers, need support to overcome those barriers, and opportunities to explore interests, develop skills and lead fulfilling lives.
World Autism Acceptance Month is a time for everyone to get involved in fundraising, sharing resources, raising awareness and helping to create a society that works for autistic people. Walk, run or fundraise your own way!
Find out more and sign up at https://waam.autism.org.uk
Public Health England Anniversary, 1st April
April 1st marks the anniversary of the formation of Public Health England (PHE), which began operating in 2013 to protect and improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. It brought together many functions which had previously been covered by a variety of health bodies.
On 29 March 2021, the UK Government announced that PHE would be disbanded. Its health protection functions were formally transferred into the UK Health Security Agency, while its health improvement functions were transferred to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (DHSC), NHS England, and NHS Digital. But its mission, ‘to protect and improve the nation's health and to address inequalities,’ still resonates today.
World Health Day, 7th April
World Health Day is celebrated annually on the 7th of April, the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. Each year, it draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
The theme for 2026 is ‘Together for health. Stand with science.’ We are all invited to celebrate the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet.
WHO and its partners generate scientific knowledge on key health priorities and share evidence, helping countries to improve their research and systems to make good health care accessible to all. Learn more at https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day
World Parkinson’s Day, 11th April
In the UK, around 166,000 people live with Parkinson’s, and someone new is diagnosed every 20 minutes.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, and symptoms start to appear when the brain can’t make enough dopamine to control movement properly. There are over 40 symptoms of Parkinson’s. But the main three are a tremor (shaking), slowness of movement and rigidity (muscle stiffness).
Make it Blue! Last year, more than 180 landmarks, buildings and homes were lit up in blue to shine a light on Parkinson’s, and people knitted, baked and wore blue to raise awareness and fundraise for research and support. Find out how you can join in this year’s ‘Make it Blue’ campaign at https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/community/world-parkinsons-day
Lesbian Visibility Week, 20th–26th April
Lesbian Visibility Week is powered by community. Across the UK, people come together to celebrate, connect and make LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people visible in every space. The theme for Lesbian Visibility Week 2026 is Health and Wellbeing.
You can join in by hosting an event, starting a conversation, sharing your story or supporting someone else’s work. The important thing is to show up and make space for LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people to be seen, heard and celebrated.
You will find a Community Toolkit on the website, https://www.lesbianvisibilityweek.com, with ideas, resources and simple ways to organise an event, bring people together or amplify the message wherever you are.
MS Awareness Week, 20th–26th April
More than 150,000 people in the UK have Multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition that affects the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. The coating (called myelin) that protects your nerves is damaged, and this causes a range of symptoms like blurred vision and problems with how you move, think and feel.
MS affects people from many different ethnic backgrounds, and about two and half times as many women as men. It is a lifelong condition, but treatments can help to manage the condition and its symptoms.
MS Awareness Week is designed to raise awareness about the condition and the issues people with MS are talking about. In 2026 the focus is on challenging MS assumptions and the harm they can cause. You can find out more at https://www.mssociety.org.uk/get-involved/ms-awareness-week
Allergy Awareness Week, 22nd–28th April
An allergy is when the body’s immune system reacts inappropriately to normally harmless substances such as food, pollen, animal products, insect stings or medicines. This can be minor, such as localised itching, but in more severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis, a condition which can lead to upper respiratory obstruction and collapse and can be fatal.
Allergy affects more than a quarter of the UK population, yet many people still struggle to recognise the symptoms or access the support they need. So this year, Allergy Awareness Week continues the ‘I Wish I Knew’ campaign, highlighting ‘Diagnosis Matters’.
You can find out more about the campaign and learn about allergy symptoms, next steps and anaphylaxis on the Allergy UK website: https://www.allergyuk.org/allergy-awareness-weeks/
Earth Day, 22nd April
This Earth Day, we are all asked to stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of the only home we all share. This is a time to lift your voice, take action, and show your love for Planet Earth.
Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, but events start from Saturday, April 18th so that working people, students and families can join in. Events continue throughout Earth Week and beyond, and include community cleanups, teach-ins, peaceful demonstrations and tree planting.
You can find toolkits, news and fact sheets, and find or register an Earth Day event in your area on the Earth Day website, https://www.earthday.org/earth-hub/
World Immunisation Week, 24th–30th April
World Immunisation Week aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease across the globe.
The ultimate goal of World Immunisation Week is for more people and communities to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. This year’s theme is, ‘For every generation, vaccines work,’ and this awareness week will promote how vaccines have safely protected people, families, and communities for generations – and continue to safeguard our future.
To find out more about the importance of immunisation, or to get involved, visit https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-immunization-week/2026
World Malaria Day, 25th April
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by a parasite, which is spread to humans by some types of mosquitoes, and is not infectious from human to human. It is mostly found in tropical countries, and it is preventable and curable. Mild symptoms are fever, chills and headache. Severe symptoms include fatigue, confusion, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
- In 2024, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 malaria deaths in 80 countries
- Africa was home to 95% of malaria cases (265 million) and 95% (579,000) of malaria deaths
- Children under 5 accounted for about 75% of all malaria deaths in Africa in 2024
World Malaria Day, organised by the World Health Organization, highlights the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.
You can learn more at https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-malaria-day