Last year saw an increase in measles cases, taking the number of cases to the highest it has been in decades. Vaccination is important to ensure the long-term health of your child, and of the nation as a whole.

From 1 January 2026, all children will be offered the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age. This adds protection against chickenpox to the existing provision of protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

This guidance for healthcare professionals describes eligibility, administration and safety, and answers frequently asked questions about the new vaccination programme.

To learn more about the MMRV vaccine vist the NHS webpage https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmrv-vaccine/ 

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious illnesses, with potentially life-changing complications, that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Mumps outbreaks are currently occurring across England. Children need two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine. Both doses are needed to ensure full and lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

If your child has missed either of these two doses, please contact us for an appointment with Nurse Jo. It’s never too late to catch up and protect those around you.

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is a global network of individuals and organisations dedicated to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding worldwide. They lead research, measure progress and showcase global and regional statistics with highlights of what works and what needs further improvement.

The aim is to empower parents by protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. Breastfeeding saves the lives of both babies and mothers, and also supports nutrition, development and lifelong health. Breastmilk is a low-cost, locally available nutrition, so it also encourages equality.

This awareness week, everyone is invited to find out more, understand and share what is working in countries that are reporting good breastfeeding progress, to help promote a more equal and sustainable start in life for babies worldwide, as well as a reduction in poverty and better food security for them and their families.

Find out more, and learn about the hashtags you can use to increase awareness on social media at: https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org.

World Humanitarian Day is a time to honour those who step into crises to help others, and to stand with the millions of people whose lives hang in the balance.

In 2024 alone, over 380 humanitarian workers were killed in the line of duty or in their homes. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped or detained, and the situation grows worse every year.

Even when these attacks violate international law, they are often ignored, and those responsible walk free. The system is failing not just humanitarian workers, but the people they serve.

Last year this awareness day called upon people in power to:

• Protect humanitarian workers and the civilians they serve
• Uphold international humanitarian law
• Fund the lifelines they claim to support

You can find out about this year’s theme and related events at https://www.un.org/en/observances/humanitarian-day

When you go on holiday, you still need to take your medication, but sometimes your holiday may fall at the wrong time for your prescriptions, or you will be away for longer than your usual prescription covers. As long as you are not going to be away for more than three months, the NHS will supply you with extra medication for the time you are abroad. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed, however, where there are safety concerns.

Make sure you order your repeat prescriptions early when you are planning a holiday, so that you have your medication in plenty of time.                     Let the surgery/pharmacy know why you are ordering early, you may be asked to provide dates or evidence of your travel before your medication is issued.

Be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries, so you should always check with that country’s embassy before you travel. You may need a letter to carry with you to explain what medication you are carrying, and there is a fee for this service.

When you travel:

• Keep your medication in your hand luggage in case you need it, or in case your suitcase is lost or delayed
• If you are travelling abroad, check before you leave whether your destination country has any restrictions on the medication you are taking
• Bring your prescription details with you and have them ready in case you are asked to show them

Find out more at https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/news/order-repeat-prescriptions-before-holiday/.

This summer has already been very hot, and the heatwaves seem likely to continue. Heat and UV rays can have a significant impact on all our health.

UV rays:

• Cause painful sunburn
• Damage skin, causing premature ageing
• Increase your risk of skin cancer
• Can damage your eyes

Excessive or prolonged exposure to heat can lead to heat exhaustion, which can become heatstroke if the person is not cooled down and given fluids quickly.

The symptoms of heat exhaustion for both adults and children include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive sweating and skin becoming paler and clammy
• Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• High temperature
• Being very thirsty
• Feeling irritable

The symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Very high temperature
• Hot skin without sweating
• Fast breathing and heartbeat
• Confusion and restlessness
• Seizure (fit)
• Loss of consciousness

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Get immediate medical help if someone has the symptoms of heatstroke. You can find out more at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/

To stay safe in the sun, follow these handy tips:

• Use the recommended amount of a good sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and at least 4-star protection against UVA rays, even if you have dark skin
• Remember to reapply sunscreen when you have been swimming
• Stay in the shade as much as you can to protect yourself from UV and extreme heat, particularly between 11am and 3pm in the UK
• Wear UV-protective sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat, and loose, long-sleeved clothes to protect your skin and eyes and stay cool
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated

Learn more about sunscreen and staying safe, and take a fun quiz to find out how much you know at https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/48609398.

Insect bites and stings are not usually serious and get better in a few days. But they can be very painful or itchy, and sometimes they can become infected or cause a serious allergic reaction. See a pharmacist for treatment if the skin around the bite or sting is hot and swollen, or there is pus or fluid coming out of it. If a child under one year old is stung or bitten, or if you think you or your child have been bitten by a tick and have flu-like symptoms, or a round/oval rash that may look like a bullseye, see your GP.

Bites from some insects can also cause illnesses, such as Lyme disease from ticks, scabies from mites, and malaria from mosquitoes in certain parts of the world, see your GP if you experience any unusual symptoms, especially if you have been abroad.

The main symptoms of an insect bite or sting are:

• Pain where you were bitten or stung
• A small, swollen lump on the skin – it may look red on pale skin, while on black or brown skin you may only feel a lump
• There may be a mark on your skin where you were bitten or stung
• Sometimes you may have lots of bites grouped together in a small area
• You may have a mild allergic reaction, where the skin becomes itchy and raised around the bite or sting
• The area may become more swollen and painful if the bite or sting gets infected

Sometimes part of whatever bit or stung you may be left in your skin, you can usually remove it yourself, without having to see your GP.

Bee, wasp or hornet stingers – Brush or scrape the stinger sideways with your fingernail or the edge of a bank card (do not use tweezers, as you could squeeze more poison out of it), then wash the area with soap and water.
Ticks – Using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and slowly pull upwards, taking care not to squeeze the tick or leave any of its mouth in your skin. Dispose of the tick and clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.
Caterpillar hairs – Gently remove the caterpillar using tweezers or a pen. Try not to disturb it as it will release more hairs. Rinse your skin with running water and allow it to air dry, then use sticky tape on your skin to pick up any remaining hairs. Take off any jewellery in case your skin becomes swollen. Take off your clothes and wash them at a high temperature.

Even if nothing is left in your skin, wash with soap and water to reduce the chance of infection.
Do:

• Put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, or a clean cloth soaked in cold water, on the bite or sting for at least 20 minutes if it's swollen
• Keep the area raised if you can
• Take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if the sting is painful
• Use antihistamines to relieve any itching (but do not use antihistamine cream if you had caterpillar hairs on your skin)
• Use a hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching and swelling

Don’t:

• Scratch the bite or sting, as it could get infected
• Use home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda to treat the bite or stingSome people have, or may develop an extreme allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting, and could go into anaphylactic shock and need urgent medical treatment. Symptoms include:

• Swelling of the throat and tongue
• Difficulty breathing or breathing very fast
• Difficulty swallowing, tightness in the throat or a hoarse voice
• Wheezing, coughing or noisy breathing
• Feeling tired or confused
• Feeling faint, dizzy or fainting
• Skin that feels cold to the touch
• Blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue – if the person has brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of their hands or soles of their feet

If you, or someone you are with has some of these symptoms after a bite or sting, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. People who know they have an allergy will usually carry an adrenaline auto-injector pen, or someone nearby may have one. If you have to use an adrenaline pen, follow the simple instructions on the side. To find out more, visit: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/about-anaphylaxis/what-to-do-in-an-emergency/.

For more information on bites and stings, go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/insect-bites-and-stings/.

An average of 328 people in the UK and Ireland lose their lives to accidental drowning every year, and many more have accidents in and around water, sometimes suffering life-changing injuries.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has produced the Water Safety Code to help keep you and people around you safe this summer, follow the four simple steps:

Stop and Think

Take time to assess your surroundings. Look for dangers and always research local signs and advice. Be prepared before you go in or near water – many people who are injured or killed in water entered it by accident. Before you go near water, learn how to float on your back and stay calm, and make sure you understand the risks:

• Warm weather does not mean warm water
• Open water stays dangerously cold, even when the weather is hot
• Cold water shock happens in seconds – take it seriously
• Cold water makes you gasp and lose control of your breathing

Make sure you know your own limits:

• Even confident swimmers can quickly lose strength and control
• It can become hard to move or stay afloat
• Panic makes it worse
• Things can go wrong very quickly in open water

Make good choices to stay safe:

• Choose a lifeguarded location, only swim where help is available, and follow all the safety signs and advice
• Wear a well‑fitted wetsuit to help keep you warm
• Make yourself easy to see by wearing a bright swimsuit and swimming hat and towing a brightly-coloured float

Stay together

• Never swim alone, always be with friends and family at a lifeguarded venue when around water
• Always keep young children within arm’s reach
• Tell some one where you are going and when you will be back
• Take a means of calling for help, such as a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, a VHF radio, or a pealess whistl

In an emergency, call 999

• Call 999, if you are at the coast, ask for the Coastguard
• Don't enter the water to rescue someone in trouble, as you might get into difficulties too
• Instead: Phone. Throw. Float. 

Phone 999
Throw something to them that floats
Encourage them to Float to Live

Float
If you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back and call for help. If you see someone who has fallen in, or is struggling, throw something that floats to them

If you find yourself suffering the effects of cold water shock, get tired or cold, or are stuck in a rip current, Float to Live:

• Tilt your head back – Keep your airway clear and your ears under the water
• Relax and breathe – Fight the urge to panic, try to get your breathing under control
• Spread your limbs – Extend your arms and legs to stabilise yourself in the water
• Scull if needed: Gently move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat
• Wait for help – It is normal if your legs sink (everyone floats differently)
• Once your breathing is steady, signal for help or swim to safety

There are lots of resources, posters, information and ways to get involved in spreading water safety awareness at https://www.rlss.org.uk/staying-safe-in-on-and-around-the-water.

The summer holidays can be a stressful time for parents. Trying to find childcare or activities can be time consuming and expensive, while fitting in family time around work can add to the stress, even if you are fortunate enough to have a flexible work pattern. Many couples say they miss out on quality time together due to having to take holiday at different times over the summer to look after children.

Not feeling like you’re able to spend as much time with your children, or all together as a family, or not having the money to spend on trips and activities can also leave parents with feelings of guilt, as if they’re not giving their children ‘the best summer ever’.

So what can you do to make your summer less stressful?

Don’t feel you have to take your children to the big attractions. Theme parks, big zoos, activity centres and water parks can be very expensive, with high entry costs and inflated food, drink and souvenir prices inside. Why not consider:

• Small, local animal sanctuaries and attractions that may have much cheaper entry
• Free play parks and water play areas
• Beaches and riversides
• Shady woodland walks, coastal paths and heritage trails, many of which have play areas, surprising interactive sculptures or downloadable activities online to keep everyone interested as they walk
• Local cafes, which sometimes have a free play area

Or at home, there are many great, cheap, old-fashioned ways to enjoy productive, fun time together:

• Spending time with family and friends
• Face painting
• Using straws and washing up liquid to create bubbles
• Paddling pools, sand pits and garden activities like trampolines, football and swing ball
• Making monsters or spaceships out of recycling
• Build a simple story book, with each person creating one of the characters
• Make a simple treasure hunt to complete around the house and garden, or the local park
• Cooking together
• Taking turns with friends to have 1 night sleepovers
• Building dens
• Arts and crafts – ideas on you tube; lots of free colouring sheets online
• If you have small plastic soldiers or animals – build a fort; a zoo; a farm
• Easy gardening, such as tomatoes, lettuce, bedding plants or runner beans in a flower bed or window box; or stuff empty half-eggshells with damp kitchen roll, scatter cress seeds on top, draw faces on your eggs, sit them in eggcups or boxes and keep them moist for a funny and edible crop!

When you need to work, look for local activities being run by schools, churches and youth groups, these may be free or very cheap, and will often run for a whole morning or day. A lot of camps can be paid for with your Tax-Free Childcare account, so you can get up to 20% off the cost.

To help manage stress in the summer:

• Be kind to yourself, remember your own needs, not just those of your family
• Don’t allow yourself to think negatively about how you’ve failed your children today, give yourself positive encouragement about what you did manage
• Manage expectations and remember that children can enjoy the simple things in life too
• Ask for help when you need it – the adage ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is still true today
• Arrange to meet other parents or friends for a picnic or play-date in the local park so you have the opportunity to catch up with other adults.

If you are struggling with stress, or any other mental health difficulties, the charity Mind has lots of resources specifically aimed at parents, as well as lots of other information on how to get help and support, visit https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campai...es/supporting-parents-during-school-holidays/ to find out more.

If you’re caring for someone at risk of going missing, you might want to have a look at the Herbert Protocol. Named after a war veteran called George Herbert, the Herbert Protocol helps you to establish information about someone who’s at risk before they go missing.

In the event that they later do go missing, you’re able to quickly share the information with the police force.

We’ve linked some national information below, but you’ll be able to find the information for your local police force and their forms by carrying out an internet search. The police will ask additional questions about what happened if/when the individual goes missing, but having the protocol ready helps you to think about important information beforehand when you’re not in a moment of intense stress.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...gether-magazine/scheme-support-missing-people

The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ has being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across England. 

People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. 

Venues that support ‘Ask for Angela’ have been given Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. Delivered by the Met’s licensing officers and Safer Sounds partnership, it gives staff the ability to help customers who may be in a situation that makes them vulnerable or unsafe.

For more information about the scheme, visit: https://askforangela.co.uk/

Aged 17 to 65?

Generally fit and well?

Weigh more than 7st 12lbs (50kg) and less than 25st (158kg)?

You could help by donating blood as stocks are critically low.

Giving blood

You can give blood at thousands of donation venues across England, from permanent donor centres to pop-up community venues.

More about giving blood

Giving plasma

You can give plasma (part of your blood that can make life-saving medicines) at 3 donation venues in England:

• Birmingham
• Reading
• Twickenham

More about giving plasma

Information: 

Note that you can't donate blood and plasma at the same appointment.

If you have a baby under six months of age, it can be really difficult to know whether you need to make a medical appointment, or whether you can safely look after your baby at home.

The Lullaby Trust have built an app to help parents of young babies to know the difference:
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-check-app/

But don't forget we are here for you if you have any doubts, worries or concerns. 

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Babies are usually ready to start trying their first solid foods when they reach six months of age.

Giving your baby a wide variety of normal family foods can encourage habits for life, but we do need to make sure we’re careful as some foods such as salt and honey aren’t suitable for very young children.
https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/how-to-start-weaning-your-baby/