Abbey Surgery

28/10/2026

📢 DISPENSARY CLOSURE NOTICE

Please be aware that, due to staffing issues, our dispensary will be closing at 5pm this afternoon.
We will be open as usual tomorrow.

💊 Ordering your medication: Where possible, please use the NHS App to order your repeat prescriptions. This is a convenient way to request your medication online.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding. 💙

Thank you for your continued support.

Abbey Surgery – Tavistock & Bere Alston

27/10/2026

📢 IMPORTANT PATIENT NOTICE

Unfortunately, due to staff shortages, Bere Alston Surgery will be closing at 12pm tomorrow, Wednesday 28th October.

💙 Tavistock Surgery will remain open as usual.

💻 Please continue to use our online consultation form to submit your medical requests as normal.

🚑 If you require urgent medical advice while Bere Alston Surgery is closed, please contact NHS 111.

⚠️ In the event of a life-threatening emergency, please call 999.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Abbey Surgery Team 💙

15/10/2026

🔬 Important Notice: Delay in Blood Test Results 🔬
We would like to make our patients aware that we are currently experiencing delays in receiving some blood test results from the laboratory.
Unfortunately, this is outside of the practice's control, and we appreciate your patience while the laboratory works to process results as quickly as possible.
Please be assured that we review all results as soon as they are received. If your test result requires urgent action, we will contact you directly. We kindly ask patients to avoid contacting the practice solely to chase routine blood test results, as this may further impact our phone lines and appointment availability.
Thank you for your understanding.
💙 Abbey Surgery Team

25/09/2026

💙 Flu & COVID Vaccination Clinics are starting! 💙

A little reminder that our Flu & COVID vaccination clinics begin the 2nd and 3rd of October. 💉

A few things to help your appointment run as smoothly as possible:

🚗 The car park will not be available during the clinics, unless you have specifically booked an in-car vaccination.

🧥 Please wear suitable clothing that allows easy access to your upper arm — ideally something where sleeves can be easily rolled up.

⏰ Not sure what time your appointment is? Don't worry! Give the surgery a call and we can confirm your appointment time for you.

Thank you for helping us keep things moving smoothly and making the clinics run as efficiently as possible. 💙

We look forward to seeing you!
Team Abbey 🩵

15/09/2026

📣 WE’RE RECRUITING! 💙

We have an exciting opportunity for two new members to join our Reception Team at Abbey Surgery! 🏥

We’re looking for two enthusiastic and caring people to work 30+ hours per week, who are passionate about providing great patient care and want to become part of our team.

Think this could be you?
We’d love to hear from you! Tell us in your cover letter why you think you’d be a great addition to the Abbey Surgery team and why we should invite you for an interview.

📅 Closing date: 28th September

📧 Please send your CV and cover letter to:
[email protected]

Could you be the newest member of our Abbey Surgery family? 💙

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
-Team Abbey

28/08/2026

📢 BERE ALSTON SURGERY – CLOSING FROM 12:30PM TODAY

Unfortunately, due to staff sickness, Bere Alston Surgery will need to close from 12:30pm today.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding. 💙

📞 For any questions or queries, please contact Abbey Surgery on 01822 612247.

🚨 In an emergency:
Please contact NHS 111 or, if it is a life-threatening emergency, call 999.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. 💙
-Team Abbey

24/08/2026

💊 Bank Holiday Prescription Ordering
📅 Important Reminder 💊

✅ Please allow up to 7 days for your prescription to be processed, especially around Bank Holidays.
✅ Check your medication regularly and request repeats early to avoid running out.
✅ Order via the NHS App, online services, or submit your repeat request to the practice.

Bank Holidays can cause delays to both GP practices and pharmacies, so please plan ahead and order your medication before you need it.

If you
order Monday - issued Thursday
order Tuesday - issued Friday
order Wednesday - issued Tuesday
order Thursday - issue Tuesday
order Friday - issued Wednesday

(Please check the turn around times at your primary nominated pharmacy as the issue day is the day the GP has signed off your medications not necessarily the date you can collect it).

Thanks for all your understanding - TEAM ABBEY ❤️

13/08/2026

💉 Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations 2026/27: Who is Eligible? 💉

We are pleased to announce that the NHS Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will return this autumn to help protect those most at risk of serious illness during the winter months.
🦠 Flu Vaccination Eligibility 2026/27
✅ From 1 September 2026 The free NHS flu vaccine will be available for: • Pregnant women
• Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2026
• Children aged 6 months to under 18 years in a clinical risk group
✅ From 1 October 2026 The free NHS flu vaccine will be available for: • Adults aged 65 years and over
• Adults aged 18 to under 65 years in a clinical risk group
• Residents of long-stay care homes
• Carers receiving Carer's Allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• Eligible frontline social care workers
💉 COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility (Autumn/Winter 2026)
The NHS autumn COVID-19 vaccination programme will run from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027.
Eligible patients include: • Adults aged 75 years and over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
✅ Can I Have Both Vaccines Together?
Yes. If you are eligible for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, they can usually be given at the same appointment, providing protection against two serious winter viruses.
📅 Booking Your Vaccination
We will invite eligible patients by sending a booking link. If you are unable to book using the link, please contact the surgery and a member of our team will be happy to help.
Protect yourself and those around you this winter by taking up your vaccination offer when invited.
For more information about flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, visit the NHS website or contact the surgery.

12/08/2026

☀️ Another hot one… because apparently summer has taken this personally! 🥵
Another hot day today — and at this point, we’re starting to suspect the sun has forgotten how to turn itself off. 😂

A little reminder from the surgery to look after yourself in the heat:

💧 Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day — don’t wait until you’re thirsty.

🧢 Keep cool — stay in the shade, wear loose, light clothing and avoid the hottest part of the day where possible.

🏠 Keep your home cool by closing curtains or blinds where the sun is shining directly in.

👵🐶 Check on others who may be more vulnerable to the heat — including older people, young children and those with certain health conditions. And of course, don’t forget our four-legged friends!

🚗 Never leave children, vulnerable people or pets in a parked car, even for a short time.

🌞 AND TONIGHT… WE HAVE AN ECLIPSE! 🌑

It might be tempting to have a good old stare at the sky, but please do NOT look directly at the Sun, eclipse or not. Sunglasses, cameras and homemade filters aren't enough to protect your eyes. Use properly certified eclipse/sun-viewing glasses if you want to watch it safely.

Basically: enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the eclipse, but don’t let either of them fry you! 😎☀️

Stay cool, stay hydrated and keep those eyes safe. 💙
-Team Abbey

10/08/2026

💚 Organ Donation: One Decision, Many Lives Changed 💚

Did you know that one organ donor can help several people through organ and tissue donation? A simple decision today could have a life-changing impact on families across the UK.
🌟 The Facts
Right now, 8,574 people in the UK are waiting for a transplant. Every one of those people is hoping for a second chance at life. [organdonation.nhs.uk]
Since April 2026, more than 1,200 people have received a transplant from a deceased donor, giving them the opportunity to spend more time with loved ones, return to work, travel, and enjoy everyday life again.
❤️ Why Organ Donation Matters
Organ donation is one of the most generous gifts a person can give. It can help people of all ages who are living with serious illnesses affecting their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other organs.
For many patients, a transplant is not just treatment. It is hope.
🗣️ Start the Conversation
One of the most important things you can do is talk to your family and friends about your wishes.
It might feel like a difficult conversation, but letting loved ones know your decision can make things much easier if they're ever asked about organ donation.
Why not bring it up over a cup of tea?
"Have you ever thought about organ donation?"
One simple question could start an important discussion.
✅ Myth Buster
Myth: If I'm an organ donor, doctors won't work as hard to save me.
Fact: Medical teams always focus on saving lives first. Organ donation is only considered after every possible effort has been made to save a patient. [odt.nhs.uk], [organdonation.nhs.uk]
🎁 Leave a Life-Changing Legacy
Whether you're 18 or 80, healthy or managing a medical condition, you may still be able to help others through donation. Specialist healthcare teams assess each case individually. [odt.nhs.uk], [organdonation.nhs.uk]
A few minutes spent thinking about organ donation today could make a lifetime of difference for someone else tomorrow.
Together, we can help give the gift of life. 💚
For more information, visit the NHS Organ Donation website. [organdonation.nhs.uk
You can also update your preferences through the NHS app through your profile. 💚

If you needed an organ transplant would you have one? If so please help those in need of a transplant by opting to donate organs and tissue.