Newsletter

How to book an appointment

As a patient, you have many available options to book or manage an appointment, and it is important that you choose the right option. 

To book or manage an appointment, visit our appointments page. 

Flu and Other Vaccinations

The flu vaccine helps protect against flu, which can be a serious or life-threatening illness. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Find out if you are eligible for the flu vaccine

Diabetes Prevention Programme

The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme provides tailored support to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It includes education on healthy eating, including what to eat to help regulate blood glucose levels and the correct portion sizes for your food.

It also supports you in incorporating activity into your lifestyle along with other holistic wellbeing strategies that have been proven to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

A fully remote group based programme

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first-time during pregnancy. Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects how cells use sugar (glucose). Gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that can affect a woman throughout pregnancy and could also affect the health of the baby.

Half of all women diagnosed with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years. 
GDM programme aims to change this by offering easier access to support, without requiring a blood test for referral.

Benefits of the Healthier You GDM Programme

• Duration: 9-month programme.
• Flexibility: Online and in-person group support.
• Content: Covers nutrition, sleep, alcohol, exercise, and topics like intermittent fasting and belly fat reduction.
• Resources: Includes a recipe book, journal, and access to an online gym.
• Support: Led by experts to help women make sustainable lifestyle changes.

Visit the Healthier You website to refer online

Carer Support

There are up to 44,000 unpaid carers in Southwark, and although caring can be rewarding, the stress and fatigue associated with caring responsibilities can have a significant impact on wellbeing.

If you are providing a caring role for a family member or friend, you may be able to get support. Unpaid carers can self-refer to Southwark Carers; a charity that enables, empowers and enriches the lives of carers in Southwark and beyond.

Visit our carers page for details

Practitioners can now also refer carers for carer support from Southwark Adult Social Care, which could include: 

• education and training 
• practical help in the home 
• support for mental and physical wellbeing 

Carers do not need to be living with the person they look after, or be providing fulltime care.

Southwark Disability Hub

The new Southwark Disability Hub, launched in June 2025, is being developed in collaboration with local residents and partners to provide advice and opportunities for people with disabilities.

The hub will offer support through various channels, including a website, local meet-ups, phone and online appointments, and small group sessions. It will also coordinate short breaks for young people (aged 5-19+), including after-school, holiday and weekend activities. 

Visit our disabilities support page for details

Cost of Living Support

Find out how Southwark and Lewisham Councils can support you through the rising cost of living.

Visit our cost of living page for details

Know Your Numbers

The South East London is urging people to get their blood pressure checked and be aware of the dangers of leaving high blood pressure untreated.

The call comes as new survey data from charity Blood Pressure UK shows that just under half of adults (44%) living in the South East don’t know their current blood pressure reading, and over a third (36%) don’t check it regularly – despite high blood pressure being the biggest preventable cause of death in the country.

In the South East it’s estimated there are over 440,000 people with uncontrolled high blood pressure – many of whom are not aware of their condition.

This year’s survey also found that while a large proportion of adults recognise that high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, just 12% know that people over 40 should check their blood pressure once a year – a critical step in preventing life-threatening complications.

Left untreated, high blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of suffering heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia. 

Blood pressure checks are available at GP surgeries and pharmacies, with anyone over the age of 40 able to get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy.

Devices are available to buy that give people the ability to regularly check their blood pressure at home and the NHS in the South East is encouraging people to take control of their health to help prevent more serious health conditions developing.