Practice News

Stay well this winter – advice from the NHS

The NHS is urging people across Norfolk and Suffolk to take simple steps to stay healthy and well this winter. Information, advice and support are available to help you, your family and your loved ones look after your physical and mental wellbeing throughout the season.

One of the most effective things you can do is take up any vaccination offers you are eligible for. Vaccinations can help protect you from serious illness and reduce the impact of winter viruses on you and those around you.

The NHS is also encouraging people to stay active, eat well, keep warm and stay connected with friends, family and their local community. Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home can also help you manage common winter illnesses quickly and comfortably should they arise.

If you do need support, choosing the right service can help get you the help you need, quicker. Your local pharmacy can provide advice and treatment for several common conditions without the need for a GP appointment, while NHS 111 can help with urgent physical, mental and dental health problems.

For more health advice, help to stay warm and guidance on choosing the right service, visit: www.norfolkandsuffolk.icb.nhs.uk/winter.

Dispensary Lunchtime Closing Dates Oct / Nov

PATIENT NOTICE

The Dispensary will be closed for an hour due to staff training on the following dates:

• Wednesday 14^th October 12pm – 1pm
• Friday 16^th October 12pm – 1pm
• Monday 19^th October 12pm – 1pm
• Wednesday 21^st October 12pm – 1pm
• Thursday 22^nd October 12pm – 1pm
• Friday 23^rd October 12pm – 1pm
• Friday 13^th November 12pm -1pm

We apologise for any inconvenience

PRACTICE CLOSURE FOR STAFF TRAINING: WEDNESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2026

From 12.30pm to 18:30pm on Wednesday 11^th November 2026, this practice will be closed for important clinical education and training purposes:

Emergency cover will be provided, please telephone 111 to access these services: 

• Telephone triage
• Face-to-face appointments
• Any clinically necessary home visits

Repeat prescription requests will not be dealt with during these times so please ensure sufficient notice is given to enable your practice to provide these for you prior to practice closure dates.

The Armed Forces Covenant

The Rookery is proud to be a RCGP acccredited Veteran Friendly Practice. This means that we abide by the Armed Forces Covenent which states the following: 

• The Armed Forces community should enjoy the same standard of, and access to healthcare as that received by any other UK citizen in the area they live.
• Family members should retain their place on any NHS waiting list, if moved around the UK due to the service person being posted.
• Veterans should receive priority treatment for a condition which relates to their service, subject to clinical need.
• Those injured in service should be cared for in a way that reflects the nation's moral obligation to them, by healthcare professionals who understand the Armed Forces culture.

This is recognised in the NHS Constitution, which states:

"The NHS will ensure that in line with the Armed Forces Covenant, those in the Armed Forces, reservists, their families and veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing health services in the area they reside"

Rookery Policy on prescription of benzodiazepines and sedatives

Please see below for our current policy on the prescrption on benzodiazepines and sedatives for patients dealing with dental work or flights.

Rookery Policy on prescription of benzodiazepines and sedatives.docx

Patient Survey 2026

Dear all,

Thank you to everyone who completed this year’s survey. We received almost exactly the same number of responses as we did a year ago. Your feedback and ratings are greatly valued, and it is always helpful to read your comments and reflections.

Please find the survey results and analysis via the link below:

Survey 2026 Analysis.docx

Best wishes
Scott
Practice Manager

Update regarding access to weight management services

An introduction to WMCOS

The ICB has commissioned services to help people access the most suitable support and treatment for their individual weight management and obesity disease needs. Together, these services form the Weight Management and Complex Obesity Service (WMCOS).

This means patients can access support for healthy lifestyle changes and, if needed, specialist care for more complex needs – all accessible through this one service for both local and national programmes.

All referrals go through an assessment process to ensure patients get the right care for their needs. This assessment is undertaken within the WMCOS Single Point of Access.

You can access this service, providing you meet the criteria, via a consultation with your GP. For more information please visit https://www.norfolkandsuffolk.icb.nhs.uk/health/managing-your-health/weight-management/ 

Updated information about meningitis

Cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been confirmed in Kent. It's important to know the signs of symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. Get more info from @NHSuk, this link, or the poster below