High Road Family Doctors, Benfleet

21/10/2026

Save your family GP before it's too late

Please sign this petition to help ALL our local G.P. practises.

Save your family GP before it's too late https://c.org/fWhJrH9B64
The Issue
I know first-hand how important it is to have access to my family doctor. I have multiple chronic health conditions and rely on seeing a regular GP, who knows my medical history. But in Leeds, where I live, it has become increasingly hard to get appointments with my GP.

I know I'm not alone. Across the country, patients are finding it harder to see their family GP, to talk to someone who knows them.

It’s clear there aren’t enough GPs to deliver the care we all need.

I was shocked to learn that GP practices receive just 36p per day for each patient they care for, less than the cost of a supermarket apple. And that nearly 20% of surgeries have disappeared over the last ten years, placing more pressure on the GPs that remain.

This must change. We need to know that when our parents, friends or any one of us need help, our GPs will still be there for us.

The Government must invest in general practice. Sign my petition to help protect your family GP.

15/10/2026

Shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It's available on the NHS for all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

What the shingles vaccine is for:-

Shingles is a common condition that causes a painful rash. It can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness.

You're more likely to get shingles, and it's more likely to cause serious problems, as you get older or if you have a severely weakened immune system.

The shingles vaccine helps:

reduce your chances of getting shingles
reduce your chances of getting serious problems if you do get shingles
Who should have the shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for some older adults and people with a severely weakened immune system.

rom 1 September 2023, you're eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65.

You'll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. These are given between 6 and 12 months apart.

Your GP should contact you to make an appointment to have your shingles vaccine. Contact your GP surgery if you think you're eligible for the shingles vaccine and you've not been contacted about it.

You'll remain eligible until your 80th birthday (but you can have your 2nd dose up until your 81st birthday).

If you turned 65 before 1 September 2023, you'll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 70.

People aged 18 and over with a severely weakened immune system
You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you're aged 18 or over and you're at higher risk from shingles because you have a severely weakened immune system.

This includes:

some people with blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
some people with HIV or AIDS
some people who've recently had a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or an organ transplant
people taking certain medicines that severely weaken the immune system
You'll be given 2 doses of the shingles vaccine. These are given between 8 weeks and 6 months apart.

Ask your GP or care team if you're not sure if you're eligible for the shingles vaccine.

15/10/2026

Let's Talk Vaccines to help keep you healthy and well.

The RSV vaccine helps protect against infection with RSV, a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It's offered on the NHS if you're pregnant or at higher risk of getting seriously ill from RSV.

What the RSV vaccine is for:-
The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.

RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. Most people get it several times during their life.

It usually gets better by itself, but in some people (especially babies and older adults) it can cause illnesses, such as:

pneumonia (a lung infection)

bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies)
These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems. They may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening.

Getting an RSV infection can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The RSV vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious breathing problems like pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

Who should have the RSV vaccine
You can get a free RSV vaccination on the NHS if:

you're 28 weeks pregnant or more – the vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy to help protect your baby after they're born
you're aged 75 or over
you're aged 65 to 74 and have a weakened immune system or have a long-term lung condition (this does not include asthma that is under control)
you live in a care home for older adults
How to get the RSV vaccine
There are different ways to get the RSV vaccine.

If you're pregnant
You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.

Getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks will provide the best protection for your baby. But the vaccine can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.

Speak to your maternity service or GP surgery if you're 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.

If you're aged 75 or over
Your GP surgery will contact you about getting the RSV vaccine. This may be by letter, text, phone call or email.

If you’re aged 65 to 74 and have a weakened immune system or long-term lung condition
Your GP surgery will contact you about getting the RSV vaccine. This may be by letter, text, phone call or email. I f you haven't heard from them why not ring our friendly reception Staff.

12/10/2026

And children can have the vaccine up the nose 👃
So book yours today! Ring our friendly reception team to book in.

06/10/2026

Whether it’s catching up with friends, spending time with the grandchildren or enjoying your usual routine, there’s plenty to look forward to this winter. ❄️

As you make your plans, make time for your flu jab too.

If you’re aged 65 or over, you can get a free NHS flu vaccination at your GP surgery. Book now.

💉

Find out about vaccinations in Essex, including NHS vaccines, who is eligible, and where to get vaccinated near you.

02/10/2026

29/09/2026

Patient Participation Group- We have decided to postpone our forthcoming "Teams" meeting until 15th October,2026.

If you would like to join our group, offering suggestions and opinions to improve our Surgery from the Patients perspective please contact Jill Lewis (Practise Manager). You can join the Teams meeting via computer, laptop or smartphone. Meetings are generally held bi-monthly and last for 1 hour.

28/09/2026

Parents and carers across Essex are being encouraged to make sure eligible children have their flu vaccination this winter.

Last winter, 190 children and young people in Essex were admitted to hospital with flu, with most needing emergency care.

The flu vaccine is quick, free and helps protect children from serious illness. Most school-aged children will be offered the vaccine at school, while children aged two or three can have it through their GP practice.

*** Most children who are eligible for a flu vaccine can have the nasal spray. So no needles.

Pregnant women can also protect their baby before birth by having their flu and RSV vaccinations.

28/09/2026

Would you like to join our Surgery Patient Participation Group. We hold bi-monthly meetings via Teams. You can join via computer/laptop/smart phone. Meetings are maximum of 1 hour.

Help us to help our Doctors surgery be the BEST for ALL.