Friends of Worthing Medical Group

We are proud to have a close relationship with our Friends Of WMG (previously known as the Patient Supporters Group) which was founded in 1995 to raise money to purchase equipment for the surgery that was not otherwise funded by the NHS. The group are patients and practice staff who volunteer to meet at regular intervals to discuss ways of making a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by the Practice.

We are pleased to introduce our Friends Of WMG email forum which will enable us to continue our fund raising and gather important feedback on services provided. This forum will be proactive in holding events to raise funds for both clinical and other equipment, such as BP machines, nebulisers, waiting room chairs and patient check-in screens.

New members are welcome, so if you would like to be involved:

• Email us using our secure online form giving a brief summary of your background and any areas of specific interest in the health service.
• Contact us by calling: 01903 234 844

There are no entry fees and no obligation to participate in anything but we would really appreciate your help to keep up the good work.  In these times of tightening belts and changes within the NHS your opinions and help is needed more than ever.

Friends Of WMG can look forward to:

• a 6 monthly newsletter
• quarterly meetings 
• regular opportunities to provide your feedback on important Surgery decisions
• the chance to take part in organising open evenings, events and virtual raffles as well as other fundraising fun
• email forum discussions to contribute your ideas

Members can choose which level of participation they would like to be involved in, volunteering only for those activities they have an interest in.

Friends Of WMG Newsletter: September 2025

Staff News

We are delighted to introduce three wonderful new doctors who have recently joined our practice.

Dr Craig Milne

Dr Milne is a highly experienced GP with many years of practice under his belt. Craig previously worked as a partner in a busy practice in Brighton before making the move to Worthing.

In addition to his work as a General Practitioner, he is also a specialist GP with the Sussex Gender Service.

When not at the practice, Craig enjoys all things creative and outdoors. He loves going to the theatre, listening to music, and taking his dog for long walks. You might even spot him on stage, as he is an active member of a local amateur dramatics group.

Dr Samantha Barker

Dr Barker has been a practicing GP since 2009. Before her career as a general practitioner, she studied anaesthetics, she also has a special interest in women's health and is qualified to fit coils and implants for patients.

Outside of her work, she loves to travel, enjoys salsa dancing, and spending time with her family.

Dr Duncan Wells

Dr Wells is a highly experienced doctor, having worked in medicine for almost 30 years. For two decades, he was a GP Partner in Mid Sussex, and we are thrilled to have him bring his expertise to our practice. He enjoys all aspects of primary care, with a particular interest in diabetes, cardiology, dermatology, and the health care of the elderly.

Outside of the surgery, he keeps busy with a variety of hobbies. He enjoys traveling and staying active with a game of squash—though he admits he doesn't play very well! He is also currently learning to fly, which he jokes is his way of making up for a missed calling in Top Gun

We are thrilled to report that all three doctors are already making a positive impact and settling in well. They have all received a warm welcome from our patients, and we are excited for the contributions they will continue to make to our Practice.

Flu and Covid Vaccinations

We are excited to announce that our COVID-19 and flu vaccination campaigns have officially begun.

This year, there have been some important changes to the eligibility criteria for both vaccines. We urge you to check the information below carefully to see if you are now eligible for a free vaccination.

If you are one of the groups recommended for a jab, don't delay! Getting vaccinated is the single best thing you can do to protect yourself from serious illness and help our community stay well this winter.

To book your appointment, please call us on 01903 234 844

If you have any questions about eligibility, please read the information below, and if you have any further concerns, do not hesitate to call the number provided.

Flu eligibility

Children and Young People

• All children aged 2 or 3 years on August 31, 2025.
• All primary and secondary school-aged children, from Reception up to Year 11.
• Children aged 6 months to 17 years with certain long-term health conditions.

Adults

• Everyone aged 65 and over.
• Pregnant women.
• Individuals aged 18 to 64 with a long-term health condition that puts them at increased risk from flu. This includes conditions affecting the lungs (e.g., severe asthma, COPD), heart, kidneys, or liver. It also covers conditions like diabetes, neurological conditions, learning disabilities, and a BMI of 40 or more.
• Residents in long-stay residential care homes.
• Carers who are in receipt of a carer's allowance, or who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.
• Household contacts of individuals with a weakened immune system, as defined in the official guidance.
• Frontline health and social care workers.

Covid eligibility

The following groups are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from 1st October 2025:

• Adults aged 75 years and over. This includes anyone who will turn 75 by January 31, 2026.
• Residents in a care home for older adults.
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed. This is a specific clinical definition, and eligibility is determined based on the criteria in the UK's official guidance document, "The Green Book, Chapter 14a." This includes conditions such as:
  • People with or who have had blood cancer (e.g., leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma).
  • Those who have had an organ transplant, bone marrow transplant, or stem cell transplant.
  • Individuals with HIV.
  • Those receiving specific treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or long-term steroid medicine.

Note: Unlike previous years, frontline health and social care workers are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine under the national program for autumn 2025 unless they meet one of the other eligibility criteria.

Frequently asked questions

A Look Inside Our Practice: Updates & Health Tips

Your Health, Our Priority: The NHS Health Check

Getting an NHS Health Check, is a simple yet powerful way to take control of your health.

Think of it as a free "midlife MOT" for your body, designed to help you stay healthy and happy for years to come.

Who is it for?

If you are aged between 40 and 74, and you haven't been diagnosed with any of the following conditions, you're eligible for a free NHS Health Check every five years:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease

If you're in this age group and haven't had a check in the last five years, you should receive an invitation from us. If you think you're eligible and haven't heard from us, please don't hesitate to give us a call!

What's involved?

The check is quick, easy, and nothing to worry about. It usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes with a member of our Practice Team Nursing Team. They will:

• Ask a few questions about your lifestyle (like diet, exercise, and alcohol intake) and your family's medical history. This helps us get a full picture of your health.
• Take some routine measurements, including your height, weight, and blood pressure.
• Do a simple blood test, which is often just a quick finger-prick, to check your cholesterol levels.

The best part? You'll get your results right there and then, and have an opportunity to talk about what they mean.

Why is it so important?

Many of the early signs of conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol don't have any symptoms. The NHS Health Check helps us spot these potential issues before they become a problem, giving you the power to make simple changes that can have a big impact on your future health.

Our team is here to support you every step of the way, whether that's with advice on healthy eating, exercise, or other lifestyle changes. It's all about working together to help you live your healthiest life.

To find out more or to book your NHS Health Check, please contact our Patient Services on 01903 234 844. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Submitting Your Urine Samples

A New, Simpler Way to Hand in Urine Samples

We've made a small change to how we accept urine samples to make sure you get the right care as quickly as possible.

If you think you need to provide a urine sample, please call our Patient Services Team first.

Our team will ask you about your symptoms. A GP will then review this information and let you know if a sample is needed.

If it is, we will tell you exactly where and when to drop it off.

This new process helps our team work more efficiently and get you an answer faster.

Tips before having a Blood Test

Staying hydrated is important for overall health, especially before a blood test.

Drinking water helps keep your veins fuller making it easier for the Nurse or Phlebotomist to draw blood.

Easy and Fast Health Checks at Our Practice

We know that keeping an eye on your health is important, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to do so.

That’s why we have self-service health kiosks at both of our practice sites.

These kiosks are a quick and simple way to check your blood pressure, height, and weight.

Need a help?

Simply contact us with a short description of the problem you're having, and Niamh will be happy to guide you through it.

Prefer In-Person Help?

If you'd rather have face-to-face support, the friendly team at Worthing Library can also assist you with digital queries. You can find more information and book a session on their website.

Learn more and book

Appointments statistics

Did you know?

By the end of every day:

• GP surgery appointments: 1.3 million
• Hospital outpatients: 250,000
• Community health services: 200,000
• A&E visits: 67,000
• 111 calls: 36,000
• New hospital inpatients: 30,000
• 999 calls: 22,000

Every day, General Practice deals with more than double the number of patients dealt with by the rest of the NHS combined.

Can you imagine what life would be like if General Practice wasn't around to do what it does?

Aims of the Group

Patient Participation is about patients and practices working together to:

• Improve communication between practice staff and patients
• Enable patients to look after their own health, with the support of the practice staff
• Discuss topics of mutual interest to the practice and patients
• Encourage improvements within the practice
• Increase patient satisfaction with the service they receive.

If you would like a copy of our older newsletters please send us a message using our secure online form