Spring 2026 Newsletter

Movement is Changing

People today are generally less active than previous generations. Modern technology has made many everyday tasks easier—cars and public transport reduce the need to walk, machines do our housework, and screens entertain us. Fewer jobs require manual labour, and many of us spend long periods sitting.

So, the theme for March is Exercise!

Exercise is one of the most effective tools for managing stress. It can help by:

• Lowering stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. Boosting feel-good chemicals like endorphins, dopamine and serotonin to support mood and motivation
• Calming the nervous system and improving heart rate variability
• Clearing mental overload, giving your mind a break from worry
• Building self-confidence and emotional strength
• Improving sleep, which increases resilience to stress

Stress affects people in different ways—physically, emotionally and in varying intensities.

Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. It can be linked to paid work, but also to parenting, caring, studying or voluntary roles. Burnout can develop when pressure is constant, or when you don’t have the support, resources or environment you need to meet your potential.

Regular movement can increase self-confidence, improve your mood, help you relax, and lower symptoms of mild depression and anxiety. Moving more can also improve your sleep, which is often disrupted by stress, depression and anxiety. All of these benefits can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life.

Find Activities Near You

For ideas on how to become more active, especially if you have a health condition, or to explore new activities, visit active dorset

They offer activities for all ages, from early years to Active Ageing, there’s something for everyone!

Enhanced Access to General Practice Services

Enhanced Access services enable GP practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to offer appointments beyond traditional operating hours, including evenings and weekends. 

There are five GP Practices in Weymouth and Portland, and patients may be offered an appointment at any Practice as part of the enhanced access service.

Please note that although you may receive an SMS confirming your appointment, if your appointment is at a different Surgery to the one you are registered with, you will be unable to see this appointment or cancel it via online services such as the NHS App.

Audiology self-referral service 

A new Self-referral service for patients with hearing loss and/or hearing aids issues has been rolled out. If you are aged 50 or over, and are registered with a Dorset GP, you can self-refer directly to Audiology for a hearing assessment.

For useful information on other ear-related issues such as tinnitus, balance and ear wax for further information visit the Dorset Health Care website

Audiology Self-Referral

If you are aged under 50 and are concerned about your hearing, please speak to your GP in the first instance. 

Diary dates

 

• Tuesday 24th March Closed from 3.30pm
• Good Friday 3rd April Closed
• Easter Monday 6th April Closed

Staff News

After caring for countless patients and making a lasting difference working as a GP, Dr Wayne Knight is closing his chapter as a GP and beginning a new life of retirement at the end of March 2026. It is with a mixture of sadness and fond, happy memories that we say farewell to Dr Wayne Knight, but we wish him a long and happy retirement.

A few words from Dr Wayne Knight on his retirement:

For all those who know me, I have announced my intention to retire after 36yrs of working in the NHS.  I arrived in Weymouth in 1992 to do my GP training and joined the surgery in 1998.  Over this period of time NHS care has been revolutionised; cancer survival has doubled over the past 50yrs, annual heart disease deaths have halved, and UK life expectancy has increased from 76yrs in 1990 to 82 yrs in 2026.   As I reflect back, these are amazing achievements of the NHS, but it is easy to lose sight of this as we grapple with the many problems that also come our way.

I have seen general practice evolve from the traditional family GP sitting behind his desk with pen and paper to a much bigger multidisciplinary team working in the community using increasingly powerful computers, vastly improving the monitoring and effectiveness of the care we offer. The merger between Dorchester Road and Royal Crescent and Preston Road to create Weymouth Bay Medical Practice was another big moment that was needed to ensure a viable and thriving General Practice providing excellent care to the citizens of Weymouth.

Having seen this through and approaching my 60th birthday it felt time to hang up my stethoscope. It has been the utmost privilege to have played my very small part in the lives of my patients over many years hopefully helping some of you through the ups and downs of life. I have enjoyed hearing your stories, experiencing your humanity and learning from you too. It will be a sad day, but I have many plans and many things to look forward to. I will remain in wonderful Weymouth, and I am sure to bump into many of you. So, thank you all.

Dr Wayne Knight

Musculoskeletal Practitioner (MSK) vs Physiotherapist

What’s the Difference?

Low back and neck pain are the leading causes of years lost to disability in the UK, and more than 8.75 million people live with chronic joint pain or osteoarthritis. Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems make up around 30% of all GP appointments. Both Physiotherapists and MSK Practitioners play important roles in managing these conditions, but their roles are different.

MSK Practitioners are specialist clinicians based in GP practices who see patients with MSK problems as their first point of contact. They offer rapid assessments, tailored advice, and personalised exercise plans straight away. This helps patients get the right care more quickly and reduces waiting times for physiotherapy.

Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals trained to help people improve movement and function after injury, illness, or disability. They assess physical problems, diagnose issues, and create treatment plans to restore movement, reduce pain, and improve overall function. They work across many settings and treat a wide range of conditions—not just MSK problems.

Key Differences

• Scope of practice: Physiotherapists treat a broad range of conditions, whereas MSK Practitioners focus specifically on MSK problems in primary care.
• First point of contact: MSK Practitioners assess and diagnose MSK issues quickly and decide on the best next steps.
• Setting: MSK Practitioners work within GP surgeries; physiotherapists work in many different healthcare settings.
• How to Access Care: ou can book an appointment with an MSK Practitioner here at the surgery.

If you feel you need Secondary Care Physiotherapy, you can self-refer online

The MSK Dorset website offers lots of helpful information about different body areas, common conditions, self-care advice, and guidance on when to seek medical help.

Published: Mar 17, 2026