We have some fantastic news to share! Crane Valley PCN is officially collaborating with neighbouring Wimborne and Ferndown PCN to expand our Community SWITCH programme.

Because our communities naturally overlap, this partnership makes perfect sense. By joining forces, we are ensuring that no matter which of our neighbouring areas you live in, you will receive the same consistent, high-quality proactive health support.

What is Community SWITCH?

SWITCH stands for Supporting Wellbeing, Improving the Community's Health.

Originally developed by Crane Valley PCN as their flagship network for proactive health, Community SWITCH is all about joined-up care. It connects charities, the NHS, public sector partners, and community groups to complement existing healthcare provision focusing on a holistic, person-centred "What matters to you?" approach not merely the traditional "What is the matter with you?".

How it Works:

• Online platform: At www.communityswitch.org, patients can find a vetted directory of local support. Listings are regularly reviewed by our brilliant patient representatives and Social Prescribers to ensure accuracy.
• The Partner Portal: It’s more than just a website. Local charities and groups get access to a password-protected portal packed with capacity-building materials, grant-funding guidance, and bid templates to help them grow.

By sharing resources across PCN borders, we are building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient community for everyone.

Want to check out the directory or get your community group involved? Head over to www.communityswitch.org today!

We are raising awareness of Bowel Cancer Screening and the importance of completing your at-home test when it is sent in the post. Bowel Cancer Screening was introduced in the UK, 20 years ago and since then, it's saved thousands of lives.  Yet nearly 1 in 3 people in England still miss out by not sending their kit back.

If you are aged 50–74, that little box in the post is your best chance at early detection—when the disease is easiest to treat. Don’t ignore it.

Learn more about the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening programme and why it is so vitally important to take part when invited to do so here.

NHS Dorset have recently launched their new Digital Inclusion Toolkit.  It supports people and organisations to help others develop digital skills, recognises that people may have urgent needs, such as accessing services within a deadline, which can take priority over learning new skills.

The Dorset Digital Inclusion Toolkit has been developed for professionals, volunteers, community organisations, and partner agencies. The toolkit supports people to access digital services, build confidence online, and overcome barriers to digital participation.

Learn more

We are delighted with the success of our latest collaborative event, ‘The Power of Connection: Strengthening Our Dementia Support Network.’

On Wednesday, 10th June, Crane Valley PCN’s Community SWITCH programme brought together more than 25 representatives from local community organisations, charities, support groups, and NHS professionals. The goal? To build a stronger, more connected future for dementia and memory loss support across East Dorset.

Learn more here.

Parks in Mind provides fun nature conservation and other outdoor activities in Bournemouth’s beautiful parks and open spaces to deliver health and wellbeing benefits to the people taking part.  Each month the team publishes a programme of activities including fun wildlife conservation, nature-inspired art and craft, wellbeing, and excerise.  

Check out the Parks Foundation website for the latest programme information

Or visit their Facebook page for updates.

If you have an upcoming appointment at RBH, you’ll notice that ward and department names have changed.  

To help everyone navigate the changes more easily, University Dorset Hospital Trust has shared wayfinding guidance on new for the top 20 locations that patients visit. 

Instead of looking for a department name, you will now be looking for an alphanumeric code. For example:
•    Blood Tests / Phlebotomy is now A6.
•    X-Ray and Ultrasound is now A19.
•    Eye Outpatients is now A2.
•    Pharmacy Boots is now A14.

Using these new identifiers improves your experience and, most importantly, helps you find your way to your hospital appointment without stress.

Download the wayfinding guide here.  

Download and view the new RBH site map here.

Each month, the Crane Valley Social Prescribers Health and Wellbeing team hosts a carers’ afternoon tea. It’s a chance for carers to take a break from daily routines and enjoy tea, cake, and relaxed conversation in a warm, welcoming setting.

These sessions are open to all carers and the people they care for who are registered with GP surgeries in our network.  Events rotate between Parley Place in Ferndown and the Heathland Heritage Centre in Verwood, and take place between 2 and 3.30 pm on the third Monday afternoon each month (except May, which is on the Tuesday after the Bank Holiday).

If you or someone you know is a carer who might enjoy coming along, please join us and connect with others.  

Use this link to download a copy of the Crane Valley PCN Carers Event dates for 2026>>

Ferndown based events at Parley Place Barchester Care Home:

Monday 26th January 2026
Monday 23rd March 2026
Tuesday 26th May 2026
Monday 27th July 2026
Monday 28th September 2026
Monday 23rd November 2026

Verwood based events at Heathland Heritage Centre:

Monday 23rd February 2026
Monday 27th April 2026
Monday 29th June 2026
Monday 24th August 2026
Monday 26th October 2026
Monday 21st December 2026

For more information, please call or text Rachel on 07462 521670, Kate on 07462 050616 or email cranevalleysocialprescribers@dorsetgp.nhs.uk

Following national guidance, NHS Dorset has recently requested that our GP practices cease prescribing gluten-free foods.  This is because NHS Dorset has one of the highest expenditures on gluten-free products in the country, despite having a relatively small population, and the NHS must ensure that funding is used in ways that benefit as many people as possible. 
 
What does this mean for you?
Gluten-free products are now widely available in supermarkets and online. If you rely on gluten-free foods, you will still be able to purchase them directly, but they will no longer be provided on NHS prescription.

If you need support with managing coeliac disease or your diet, don't hesitate to get in touch with your GP practice.

Thank you for your understanding as we work together to make the best use of NHS resources for the whole Dorset community.  For more information, visit the NHS Dorset website here>>

People who regularly look after a family member or friend can now explore resources to support them using an online tool known as Bridgit.  It's quick and easy way for carers or cared for people  to learn about health conditions, get personal advice and find local events and services.

Brought to you by Dorset Council, Bridgit allows people to explore free well-being, employment, finance and care advice and events, local and national support services and training opportunities. People can also build their own ‘self-care plan’. It’s all available any time of day and without registering first.

While registering as a carer unlocks more support, a listening ear, offers and discounts, we recognise people can be worried about requesting outside help. With Bridgit, people can discover the resources first, then sign up for more support if they choose to, and this can include an online carer’s assessment.

Designed by carers and care experts, Bridgit resources are tailored to the busy and often stressful lives of people who regularly care for others. It is also designed to be user-friendly, with simple navigation and a clean layout so people can explore comfortably, even with limited digital skills.

Visit www.bridgit.care/support/dorset to access the Bridgit tool.  People who prefer not to, or cannot go online, can call Carer Support Dorset on 0800 368 8349 to discover the free support and help available.