Following the recent news of a Meningitis B outbreak in Canterbury, we understand many of our patients are concerned about their vaccination status. Our clinical team has provided the following summary to help answer your most frequent questions.

Understanding Vaccination History

The protection you or your child has depends on when they were born:

• Children aged 11 and under: This age group was generally included in the routine MenB vaccination schedule introduced in 2015. Most children in this cohort will already have protection.

• Older Children and Young Adults: This group is usually offered the MenACWY vaccine in school Years 9 and 10. While this provides excellent protection against four types of meningitis, it does not protect against the 'B' strain currently causing the outbreak in Kent.

Current NHS Guidance on Vaccines

At this time, we are not advised to administer the MenB vaccine to older cohorts outside of the immediate outbreak area.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently running a strictly targeted vaccination programme for 5,000 students living in halls at the University of Kent. We are monitoring daily updates from NHS England and the Southwest Vaccination Team; should the eligibility criteria change for patients in Dorset, we will update you immediately.

Who needs preventative antibiotics?

GPs across the country have been advised to provide antibiotics only to:

1. People who attended Club Chemistry in Canterbury on March 5th, 6th, or 7th, 2026.
2. Direct "close contacts" identified by the UKHSA.

Stay Alert for Symptoms

Regardless of vaccination history, everyone should know the signs of meningitis, as it can progress very quickly. Seek urgent medical help (999 or A&E) for:

• A rash that does not fade under a glass.
• Sudden high fever and severe headache.
• Stiff neck and sensitivity to light.
• Confusion, drowsiness, or vomiting.

We kindly ask that you do not call the surgery to check vaccination records unless absolutely necessary, so we can keep our phone lines open for those with urgent medical needs.

People who regularly look after a family member or friend can now explore resources to support them online using a new tool called Bridgit.

Bridgit allows people to explore free wellbeing, employment, finance and care resources, helps identify what services and community support are within a carer’s area, and informs carers 24/7 what is available to them - including community support and the eligibility criteria for support from the council.

People can also build their own ‘self-care plan’ using the tool. It’s all available at any time of day and without registering first.

Bridgit also provides access to the first part of the carers assessment online, submitting your information to start the process which is then completed by an Adult Social Care Practitioner in person or over the phone.

Visit Bridgit Care, online self help for carers to access the Bridgit tool.  People who prefer not to, or cannot go online, can call contact the Carer Support Dorset team on the phone to discover the free support and help available.

Your lungs work hard every minute of your life. As you get older it’s worth having them checked out. 

The Targeted Lung Health Check national screening service is being rolled out across Dorset and is offered to those aged 55 to 74 who are current or former smokers.    The Lung Health Check programme is being offered to spot lung conditions early, at a stage when treatment could be simpler and more successful - ultimately saving more lives. 

Learn more here>>

The new medication Tirzepatide (also known as Mounjaro) is being made available on the NHS for eligible patients across the UK, including Dorset.

• Around 1,000 people in Dorset are expected to qualify based on national criteria.
• However, it won't be available locally until Autumn 2025, so please don’t contact the practice yet—we’re not able to help with this currently.

For the latest local updates, visit the NHS Dorset website here>>

From accessing fitness and nutrition information to staying connected with faraway friends and family or exploring new hobbies, embracing the digital world can enhance people’s lives.

Do you or someone you know need help getting online in person? If you or someone you know could benefit from learning more about how to get online, a Digital Champion can help.

Local Digital Champions Karen (Charmouth) and Andy (Lyme Regis) are friendly and patient volunteers who are good at explaining computers without jargon.

Your local Digital Champion offers FREE Digital Learning sessions by appointment at Charmouth Community Library on Monday afternoons and at Lyme Regis Library on Monday mornings.

To book a slot, telephone the Dorset Digital Hotline on 01305 221048 or pop into the library to ask.

Find out more about the Digital Champion service on the Digital Dorset Council website here>>

As part of our continuing commitment to improving patient access, we are pleased to advise that we are installing a new and improved telephony system at our Lyme Regis and Charmouth surgeries.  This upgrade optimises patient access and simplifies communication, enabling us to serve you better.

Key Benefits of the New Telephony System:

1. Enhanced Patient and Staff Experience: The upgraded telephony system is tailored to improve the patient and staff experience, ensuring smoother communication and efficient handling of enquiries.
2. Effective Call Volume Management: We understand the importance of addressing high call volumes promptly.  The new system is equipped to handle increased call traffic efficiently, minimising wait times and improving accessibility for all.
3. Access to Call Reports for Improved Services:  Detailed call reports generated by the new system will give us valuable insights into call patterns, peak times, and service demand.  This data will enable us to identify areas for improvement and refine our services.

Our dedicated telephony engineers will work diligently to install the new system with minimal disruption to our services.  We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition period.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth. 

Every year in England, out of the approximate 700,000 women that give birth, it is estimated that around 30,000 have GDM. Up to 50% of women diagnosed with GDM develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years of diagnosis with an ongoing elevated risk thereafter. 

To reduce the risk, people with a history of GDM or a current diagnosis you can self-refer to the Healthier You programme. Healthier You is a Diabetes Prevention Programme provided by Living Well Taking Control that supports people in Dorset identified as being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Find out more here>>

Lyme Bay Medical Practice is working closely with local pharmacists to support you with certain minor health conditions.

It may be more appropriate to have your NHS consultation with a trained pharmacist instead of the GP practice. You can choose a pharmacy convenient to you and we will arrange this for you. Your consultation will either be by phone or video call, or you can go into the pharmacy. With your consent, the pharmacist will let us know what happened at your consultation to make sure your medical record is updated.

Find out more here>>