Summer brings sunshine, fresh air, and time with loved ones — but it also comes with health risks like heat, dehydration, allergies, and insect bites. The Stay Well Summer campaign is here to help you and your family stay safe, cool, and well-prepared over the warmer months.

Sun & Heat Safety

• Stay in the shade between 11am–3pm

• Use SPF 30+ sunscreen and reapply regularly

• Wear hats, sunglasses, and light clothing

• Keep cool indoors with fans and closed curtains

• Drink water often – don’t wait until you’re thirsty

• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, especially in vulnerable people

 Stay Hydrated

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day

• Limit alcohol and caffeine

• Support babies, older adults, and those with health conditions to stay hydrated

Allergy & Asthma Tips

• Take medications regularly and carry inhalers

• Keep windows closed on high pollen days

• Ask your pharmacist about allergy relief

Know Where to Go for Help

• Use 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111 for advice

• Visit your local pharmacy for minor ailments

• Use Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) or Urgent Treatment Centres if needed

• Call 999 in emergencies

BBQ & Water Safety

• Keep BBQs supervised and cook meat thoroughly

• Supervise children near water, never swim alone

• Avoid alcohol when swimming and be aware of cold water shock

Caring for Others

• Check on older neighbours, children, and those with long-term conditions

• Help others stay cool, hydrated, and safe indoors

• Know how to spot and respond to heat-related illnesses

For more advice and health tips this summer, visit: Stay Well Summer – Stay Well Dorset

We were delighted to welcome over 60 carers to the successful launch of the Dorchester Carers’ Nook on Tuesday 9th July, a new space created with carers, for carers. With the sun shining, a local band playing in the background, and the scent of fresh coffee in the air, the event offered a wonderful mix of connection, information, and well-deserved respite.

A New Hub for Those Who Care

At Dorchester Carers’ Nook, we’re here for those who care. Whether you're looking for advice, a listening ear, or simply a break and a cuppa, we aim to offer a warm welcome and a chance to feel less alone.

Created collaboratively by:

• Mid Dorset Primary Care Network (PCN)

• Age UK

• Dorset Council

• Dorchester Day Centre

• Carer Support Dorset

…the Nook is a safe, supportive space where unpaid carers can unwind, connect, and access local services — all in one place. With trusted partners and trained staff on hand, you can also arrange supervised activities for your cared-for person, giving you time to recharge.

What Does the Carers’ Nook Offer?

Held on the second Wednesday of every month (10am–12pm) at the Dorchester Connect Day Centre, each session includes:

• Carer Café – Relax, chat, and share experiences with other carers.

• Activities for the Cared-For – Fun, supervised sessions (booking required).

• Information & Advice Stalls – Meet health services, local charities, and community groups.

• On-Hand Support – Speak to PCN teams, social prescribers, and long-term condition coordinators.

Each month has a unique focus to offer tailored support and practical advice.

Highlights from the Launch – 9th July

Our first event brought together carers and key partners in a truly joyful atmosphere. Attendees had the chance to speak directly with representatives from our stakeholder partners, including:

• Carer Support Dorset

• Dorset Council

• Age UK

• Dorchester Day Centre

• Mid Dorset PCN

Alongside these were free refreshments, and our special Wish Tree, where carers shared thoughtful feedback and heartfelt wishes for future support. We’ll be publishing some of those soon, as they’ll shape how we develop the Nook going forward.

Next Session: Wednesday, 13th August – Financial Health Focus

Our next session takes place on Wednesday, 13th August, 10am–12pm, and will focus on financial wellbeing. We’re thrilled to welcome:

• Citizens Advice

• Dorchester Poverty Action

• The Energy Team

• The Energy Outreach Project

• Carer Support Dorset

• Age UK

They’ll be on hand to offer support with benefits, energy bills, budgeting, and more — vital information to help relieve some of the pressures carers may face.

No booking is needed if you’re just attending the Carer Café or want to browse the information stalls — just drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm.

Want to Book Your Loved One into the Activity Session?

We offer free activity sessions for the people you care for during each Carers’ Nook. Spaces are limited to 10 per month and must be pre-booked.

To book, please call Dorchester Connect Day Centre on 01305 269073. A member of staff will help reserve your space and complete a short form so we can tailor activities to individual needs.

If plans change and you can no longer attend, please let us know so someone else can benefit from the session.

We’re so proud to be building a space where carers can feel supported, seen, and valued. Join us next month and be part of the Carers’ Nook community.

More information can be found at: www.carersupportdorset.co.uk

Please note that GP practices in Mid Dorset are not yet set up to provide the new NHS weight management medication, Tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro®), which is due to become available nationally from 23 June 2025.

While around 1,000 people in Dorset are expected to meet the national eligibility criteria for this treatment, local access will not begin until autumn 2025.

What’s Happening Locally?

NHS Dorset is currently working to commission a new community-based weight management service during the summer. This service is expected to launch later in 2025 and will provide access to Tirzepatide through a dedicated referral pathway – not directly through GP practices.

We kindly ask that you do not contact your GP about this medication at this time, as we are currently unable to offer advice, prescriptions, or referrals.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible under the national NHS guidelines, individuals must:

• Have a BMI of 40 kg/m² or more, or 37.5 kg/m² or more for people from minority ethnic backgrounds
  and

• Have at least four of the following long-term conditions:

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)

  • Dyslipidaemia

  • Cardiovascular disease

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea

This guidance comes from NHS England’s interim commissioning framework (based on NICE TA1026).

What to Expect

The upcoming local service is being designed to reflect public feedback, focusing on:

• Choice – both face-to-face and online options

• Accessibility – easy to access and inclusive support

• Equity – addressing health inequalities

• Integration – linking with behavioural and lifestyle support already in place in Dorset

Until the new service launches, existing weight management support remains available via LiveWell Dorset.

We will share more information as soon as the service is ready.

For more information please visit: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) – NHS Dorset

From 1 July 2025, the cervical screening programme in England is changing. Thanks to improvements in testing, most people aged 25 to 49 will now be invited for screening every 5 years, instead of every 3 – if they are low risk.

What’s Changing?

• If your screening result shows no high-risk HPV, you’ll now be invited every 5 years.

• If you have or recently had HPV, you’ll be invited more often based on your risk.

• This new approach is more personalised, helping to prevent more cancers while reducing unnecessary appointments.

How Will You Be Invited?

From June 2025, invitations will be sent through the NHS App. Make sure your app is installed and notifications are turned on.
If you don’t have the NHS App, you’ll still receive an invite by SMS or letter.

What Is HPV?

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus that spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact. It usually clears on its own, but certain high-risk types can cause cancer. Screening helps detect it early.

Vaccination Helps – But Screening Still Matters

The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls aged 12–13. It’s safe and effective, but doesn’t protect against all strains – so cervical screening is still important, especially for those not vaccinated.

Why the Change?

We now use HPV primary testing, which is more accurate than older methods. If you’re HPV negative, research shows it’s safe to screen every five years without increasing cancer risk.

These changes start 1 July 2025. Invitations begin via the NHS App from June.
Please attend when invited – cervical screening saves lives.

For more information visit - Cervical screening moving to every five years in England  - The Eve Appeal

Lung Cancer Screening is a new service in Dorset that will be offered to those aged 55 to 74 who are current or former smokers. Following an initial telephone conversation with a health professional, anyone who has a higher chance of developing a lung condition, including lung cancer, will be offered a low dose CT scan of their lungs.

You will be invited for a Lung Cancer Screening assessment even if you feel fit and healthy and currently have no lung problems, or if you currently have a lung condition.

Lung Cancer Screening assessments are a really important check-up of the overall health of your lungs and can spot any early signs of lung problems, often before you notice anything is wrong. This means that, if lung cancer, or another problem with your breathing or lungs is found at an early stage, treatment could be simpler and more successful.

The Dorset Lung Cancer Screening is being run by specially trained nurses from Dorset County Hospital. All assessments are offered as telephone assessments for patient ease. 

The nurse will ask you some questions about your breathing, overall lung health past medical history, family history and lifestyle. They will also ask for your height and weight to calculate your BMI.

The nurse may also talk to you about having a lung scan. If you are invited to a lung scan, you will be asked to travel to the appointment which will be provided from either University Hospitals Dorset (Poole) or Weymouth Hospital.

You will be contacted with the results of the CT scan via letter or telephone call.  A copy of your results letter will also be sent to your GP.

For more information, please visit https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/service/lung-health-check