The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has sadly confirmed an outbreak of meningitis in Kent that has resulted in the deaths of a university student and a year 13 pupil. There are also confirmed cases of people having fallen ill with symptoms of meningitis and septicemia.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis causes swelling of the membranes lining the brain and spinal cord, which itself can be life-threatening, as well as the risk of brain or nerve damage in those who recover. But there’s also a high risk of blood infection, leading to sepsis, once the bacteria crosses the blood-brain barrier.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Symptoms – which include a high temperature, severe headache, cold hands and feet, a stiff neck, delirium and fatigue – can worsen extremely rapidly. A rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)

How can I protect myself?

Thankfully, vaccination has reduced the burden of meningitis across the board.

Babies are offered routine immunisation against meningitis B, the most common strain.

The NHS also vaccinates teenagers, typically in year 9 or 10, with the meningitis ACWY jab that protects against other, less common, but equally dangerous strains.The Meningitis B vaccine was added to the UK NHS childhood immunisation programme for babies born on or after 1 July 2015. That means current teenagers will not have been able to have it.
How do I check whether I have been vaccinated?

The easiest way is to use the NHS app to check your vaccination status

What about the meningitis B vaccine?

Currently the meningitis B vaccine is only available to babies born on or after 1st July 2015, unfortunately other age groups wishing for this vaccine would need to seek their own arrangements privately

Please contact UK Health Security Agency Telephone: 0344 225 3861 if you would like further information.

Follow this link to read more about Meningitis

As we move into spring, we want to help our patients stay healthy and protected. COVID-19 is still with us, and for those at higher risk, a “booster” dose helps top up your protection. This year all patients will be vaccinated at Holbrook Surgery.

The NHS spring vaccination programme starts mid April 2026.

Who can get the spring booster?

The booster is offered to people who are most likely to get seriously ill from the virus. You are eligible if you are:

• Aged 75 or over (or if you turn 75 by 30 June 2026)
• Living in a care home for older adults
• Aged 6 months or over with a weakened immune system (for example, due to a health condition or treatment like chemotherapy).

Why should I get the booster?

Protection from previous doses or infections fades over time. Viruses can also change. Getting this extra dose:

• Reduces your risk of getting very poorly
• Helps you recover faster if you do catch it
• Reduces the chance of needing to go to hospital.

How to get your vaccination

• You will be contacted by Holbrook Surgery.

What you need to know

Please try to leave at least six months since your last COVID-19 dose. If you have any questions about whether you should have the vaccine, speak to your local pharmacist or your specialist team.

For more details on the vaccine and its benefits, please visit the NHS.uk COVID-19 vaccine page.

We are pleased to announce that Dr Simon Canham MBBS, has joined our medical team as a General Practitioner.

He is passionate about providing patient-centered care.

Dr Canham joined Holbrook on the 1st November and is settling in well.

From 1st October 2025, you will be able to submit routine requests and queries to the practice through our online form between 06.30am - 18.30pm.

• Any routine requests received after 17.30pm will be reviewed the next working day.
• If your request cannot wait until the next day then please ring the surgery up to 18.30pm. In an emergency, call 999 or NHS 111.
• Telephone lines and reception are open until 18.30pm.

We are introducing the use of an artificial intelligence transcription software called Heidi throughout all consultations moving forwards. The software works by listening to your consultation with the clinician and summarising your history, examination and treatment plan in to easily readable notes which will be transferred on to your medical record.

The software does not retain any recording of your consultation, and none of your personal details are inputted on to the Heidi system.

Using this software allows accurate clinical notes to be transcribed, meaning there is less chance of any essential details being omitted from your record, and less chance of inaccurate information being recorded.

If you would like to read more about the safety policies of Heidi Health, you can do that by clicking here.

If when you see a clinician you would prefer to AI Transcription NOT to be used, please advise them at the start of the appointment that you would prefer it to be switched off. Your notes will then be typed manually as previously done.

the NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. It can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.

From October 2023 you will see all prospective information within your health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App you will be able to see all future notes and health records from your doctor (GP).

This means you will be able to see notes from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from hospitals or other specialists. You will only be able to see information after October 2023. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won't need to do anything.

We are supportive of providing you with access to your record, but we wish to do this safely and make you aware that this is happening so that you can opt out, if you so wish. You may wish to speak with us first to understand what it is that you see, and the risks which may be involved in having such confidential data either on your smartphone with the NHS app installed or online if other people might have access to that information through your devices. If you are in a difficult or pressured relationship for example, you may prefer your records to remain accessible only to those treating you.

it is important to remember that documents may, at times contain information that could be upsetting, especially if they contain news of a serious condition. It can also be a cause for worry seeing results online when it isn't clear what the results might mean, and no one is available to ask, as can be the case during the evening or at weekends, for example.

Sometimes people with a mental health condition might prefer not to see documents that remind them of difficult times in their life. it is possible for individual items to be hidden at your request.

Please contact the surgery if you wish to opt out.

These changes only apply to patients with online accounts.

i-Rock Horsham District is a brand-new support and advice hub for young people aged 14 - 25 in West Sussex. At i-Rock, partnership agencies work collaboratively to offer various support services to help with mental health, relationships, money and benefits, family problems, bullying, housing, education and employment. Young people can access the service by dropping in, booking an appointment or through our virtual platform. At i-Rock, we work with you to ensure you succeed and thrive.

Our Clinical Director, Dr Samir Khan, said: "We are extremely proud to be partnered with the team at i-Rock who demonstrate incredible drive and passion towards supporting their target population. We are privileged to be part of this journey towards creating an essential service in Horsham."

CLICK HERE to find out more