As the autumn season sets in, we’re joining national campaigns to shine a spotlight on four important health initiatives that can make a real difference to our community’s wellbeing.

Sober October – Take a Break for Your Health

This October, why not give your body a break and go alcohol-free for Sober October? Cutting out alcohol, even for just a month, can:

• Improve sleep and energy levels

• Boost mental wellbeing

• Reduce the risk of liver disease and certain cancers

• Support healthy weight management

Every alcohol-free day helps your liver recover and lowers long-term health risks. If you need support to cut down or quit alcohol, local services are here to help, like LiveWell Dorset.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Early Detection Saves Lives

Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women in the UK, but early detection dramatically improves survival rates. This month, we encourage everyone to:

• Be breast aware – check your breasts regularly for changes such as lumps, skin dimpling, or nipple changes

• Attend routine NHS breast screening if you’re invited (usually for women aged 50–71)

• Talk to your GP if you notice any changes – don’t wait and see

Men can also develop breast cancer, so everyone should know the signs and seek advice early.

Liver Cancer Awareness Month – Protect Your Liver

The liver plays a vital role in filtering toxins and supporting digestion, but cases of liver cancer are rising. Risk factors include:

• Long-term alcohol use

• Chronic hepatitis B or C infection

• Obesity and fatty liver disease

You can reduce your risk by limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active. If you have ongoing liver concerns or a history of liver disease, speak to your GP about monitoring and support.

National Cholesterol Month – Check Your Numbers

High cholesterol often has no symptoms, but it can lead to heart disease and stroke. This month is the perfect time to:

• Book a cholesterol check with your GP or local pharmacy

• Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and healthy fats

• Increase physical activity and aim for a healthy weight

• Avoid smoking and reduce processed and high-fat foods

Knowing your cholesterol numbers is the first step to protecting your heart health.

A Message from Mid Dorset PCN

We’re proud to support these national campaigns throughout October. Small changes, such as cutting back on alcohol, checking your breasts regularly, or booking a cholesterol test, can have a huge impact on your long-term health. Our team is here to provide advice, support, and guidance every step of the way.

Look around our website for information and advice or contact your GP practice to find out more about local support, screening services, and health checks available to you.

Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility - from reception desks to consulting rooms, from prescriptions to passwords.
This Cyber Awareness Month, Mid Dorset Primary Care Network is joining the national #KeepITConfidential campaign to remind all NHS staff that protecting patient information is an essential part of delivering safe, high-quality care.

The NHS holds some of the most sensitive personal data there is, which makes it a target for cyber criminals. A single weak password, an unlocked screen or a misplaced ID badge can open the door to a serious breach. Together we can make a big difference by following simple, practical steps to keep our systems secure.

Simple Steps for Better Cyber Security

• Use strong, unique passwords: Choose three random words that are memorable but difficult to guess. Never share your passwords.
• Report suspicious emails: If something looks unusual or “phishy”, click ‘Report Phishing’ and delete it immediately.
• Lock your screen: Always lock your computer or device when you step away – it only takes a moment but helps keep patient data safe.
• Keep your NHS ID badge secure: Avoid wearing it outside work or sharing images of it on social media.
• Challenge unauthorised access: Don’t allow tailgating into secure areas, and check for visible ID if it’s safe to do so.
• Stay alert wherever you work: Whether at home, on site, or travelling, make sure Wi-Fi is secure, keep devices safe, and be cautious about discussing sensitive information in public places.

Learn More and Build Your Cyber Skills

All NHS colleagues can access free cyber security training through the interactive Immersive platform – including real-world threat simulations and CPD credits.
You can also boost your knowledge with The Cyber Sessions podcast series, where NHS cyber specialists and guest experts break down key topics.

🎧 Listen to The Cyber Sessions ›
📚 Sign up for free NHS cyber training ›

Together We Can #KeepITConfidential

Every small action - locking a screen, questioning a stranger, spotting a phishing email - helps protect our patients and the NHS.
Let’s use Cyber Awareness Month as a reminder to stay vigilant and build strong cyber-secure habits across Mid Dorset PCN.

If you want to quit smoking, you don’t have to go it alone. It’s much easier to stop when you have the right support, and if you live in Dorset, LiveWell is here for you.

Stoptober is the perfect time to break free from tobacco as you’ll join thousands of other smokers across Dorset and the rest of the UK committing to quit this October. 

Of all the changes you can make for your health, quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your body. You’ll start to feel the benefits almost immediately. And it’s a fact that if you can stop smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to quit for good. 

LiveWell offers a choice of two easy-to-access quit packages: 

Self-service: sign up online and claim a free vape kit and liquids with coaching videos and a downloadable quit app to track your progress.

Supported: the Livewell team will help you choose a kit that works for you, from nicotine replacement patches and gum, a one-day Allen Carr Easyway seminar and 1-2-1 coaching plus ongoing support  to guide you through the quitting process.

Visit livewelldorset.co.uk/stoptober or call free on 0800 840 1628.

15–21 September 2025 marks National Inclusion Week (NIW), a nationwide campaign founded by Inclusive Employers to celebrate inclusion and inspire action in workplaces and communities.

This year’s theme, “Now is the Time”, highlights the urgency of building inclusive cultures that are resilient, sustainable, and meaningful. It’s a call to each of us to take practical steps – however small – that help make inclusion part of everyday life.

At Mid Dorset PCN, we are proud to support National Inclusion Week by launching our own “Inclusion Conversation”. This new initiative will run beyond NIW and create ongoing opportunities for staff and colleagues across our network to reflect on, share, and explore what inclusion means in practice.

As part of our Inclusion Conversation, we will be hosting a series of lunchtime virtual mini-talks over the coming months. These sessions will bring in a range of voices – including some perspectives that are too often seldom heard – to spark new ideas and encourage open reflection.

Our aim is simple: to keep inclusion at the forefront of our culture, and to make sure every member of our team feels they belong, are respected, and can thrive.

National Inclusion Week is not only about awareness, but also about action. By starting these conversations now, we can begin to shape a more inclusive environment across Mid Dorset PCN – for our staff, our patients, and the wider community we serve.

To learn more about the national campaign, visit Inclusive Employers – National Inclusion Week.

We’re excited to announce that the PCN Health & Wellbeing Clinic and our Respiratory Clinics are moving to a new home. From 6th October 2025, all appointments will be held at The Old Cereal Factory, Peverell Avenue East, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 3WE, moving from our current location at 4 Frederick Treves House, St John Way, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 2FD.

The last appointments at Frederick Treves House will take place on 18th September 2025. Between 19th September and 5th October, there will be no clinics, giving us time to complete the move and ensure everything is ready for patients. Clinics will resume at the new location from 6th October.

The Health & Wellbeing Clinic offers a holistic 40-minute review of your physical, mental, and social health. During your appointment, our team will check your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and BMI, and have a supportive conversation about how you’re feeling mentally and socially. Your results will be shared with your GP, and we can connect you with additional services if needed.

Please note that all respiratory nurse appointments will also take place at the new location from 6th October.

For more information on the Health & Wellbeing clinic visit - Health & Wellbeing Clinic - Mid Dorset Primary Care Network

We look forward to welcoming you to our new home and continuing to provide excellent care for your health and wellbeing.

Mid Dorset Primary Care Network would like to let our community know about some important changes to the monthly Community Hub drop-ins.

Unfortunately, the drop-ins previously held on the 4th Wednesday of every month will no longer be taking place. Due to staffing challenges, it has not been sustainable to continue running these sessions in their current format.

However, support for local residents is still available:

• Weekly Wellbeing Drop-in at Dorchester Library
  Thanks to The Lantern Trust, a new weekly wellbeing drop-in will be available at Dorchester Library every Monday from 10am–1pm, starting 15th September. This will provide a regular space for people to access wellbeing support and advice.

• Dorchester Carers Nook
  For unpaid carers, the Dorchester Carers Nook will continue as usual on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. More information can be found here: Dorchester Carers Nook.

We’d like to thank everyone who has attended and supported the Community Hub drop-ins, and we encourage you to make use of the new and ongoing services available in Dorchester.

Following the successful launch of Dorchester Carers’ Nook in July, we’ve been reflecting on what carers really want from the service. The launch brought together over 60 carers in a joyful atmosphere, with local partners, live music, and a chance to connect over coffee.

Since then, we have gathered carers’ thoughts from our Wish Tree, where attendees could share what they would like from the service. This valuable feedback helps us shape the Nook to better meet carers’ needs. Key themes include:

• Feeling overwhelmed and wanting strategies to cope with caring responsibilities.

• Isolation and a desire for a supportive community.

• Clearer information and signposting about local services, with reassurance that support will be ongoing.

• Interest in a virtual service alongside the hub for those unable to attend.

• Attention to personal health, including annual checks.

• Support for young carers.

• Recognition of the vital role carers play and the need to be heard in clinical settings.

Carers can have their say at any time to shape the service by completing this short feedback form: Give Your Feedback

We’re taking these insights seriously and designing each session to address practical needs, wellbeing, and connection.

Upcoming Sessions

Tuesday, 10th September – Physical Wellness Focus
10am–12pm, Dorchester Connect Day Centre

Carers will have the chance to focus on their own physical wellbeing with support from:

• Carer Support Dorset

• Age UK

• MDPCN Occupational Therapy Team

• LiveWell Dorset

• Community Action Network

This session is designed to give carers practical tools to care for their own health, including exercises, advice, and resources to keep physically well while supporting others.

Activity Sessions

We continue to offer free, supervised activities for the people you care for during each Carers’ Nook. Spaces are limited and must be pre-booked. To reserve a space, call Dorchester Connect Day Centre on 01305 269073.

Your feedback shapes the Nook, and we’re committed to building a service that truly supports carers — helping you feel less alone, more informed, and better able to care for yourself and your loved ones.