Great Shelford Health news
With many older people eating alone most days, and some going days or even weeks without meaningful conversation or a nutritious meal, Barley Manor Care Home in Great Shelford is opening its doors to help create more opportunities for connection.
Every Friday at 12.30 pm, the home invites older members of the local community to join its regular Lunch Club, where guests can enjoy a complimentary lunch freshly prepared by the home’s on-site chef in a relaxed, welcoming and pressure-free setting.
The Lunch Club offers more than just a meal. It gives local people a reason to get out, meet others and enjoy conversation in comfortable, homely surroundings. Guests are welcome to attend alone, with a loved one, or with a friend, whether they are familiar with the home or visiting for the first time.
The initiative is also an opportunity for local people and families to experience everyday life at Barley Manor, meet the team and ask any questions they may have in a setting that feels informal and supportive.
For Porthaven Care Homes, the Lunch Club forms part of a wider commitment to making care homes more open to their local communities, creating spaces that support wellbeing not only for residents, but for older people living nearby too.
Posted April 28 2026
Great Shelford Health news
Form Dental opens its doors in April, bringing a new standard of comfortable, modern dentistry
A brand-new private dental practice, Form Dental, is set to open on 20th April 2026, offering patients a fresh approach to dental care in a calm and thoughtfully designed environment.
Independently owned and founded by local dentist Dr Lara Phillips, the practice aims to redefine the traditional dental experience with a strong focus on comfort, advanced technology, and patient wellbeing.
Located at 65 London Road, Stapleford, in the large curved building on the corner of London Road and Church Street, opposite the Spar, Form Dental is easily accessible, with free parking available both on-site and on surrounding streets.
The practice has been carefully created to make visiting the dentist feel as stress-free as possible. From routine check-ups to advanced same-day crowns, the clinic offers a full range of treatments using state-of-the-art equipment.
Patients will benefit from some of the most up-to-date dental technology available, including advanced digital X-rays and a 3D scanner that allows clinicians to track your oral health over time. The practice has also invested in premium dental chairs renowned for their comfort (and even used in the White House) - helping patients feel more relaxed throughout their visit.
One of the standout features at Form Dental is the introduction of Guided Biofilm Therapy, widely regarded as the gold standard in modern hygiene care. This innovative approach provides a far gentler and more effective clean compared to traditional hygienist treatments, making it particularly appealing for those who may have previously found hygienist visits uncomfortable.
Form Dental is also focused on making high-quality care accessible for families, offering free check-ups for children under six when attending alongside a full-paying adult. The team prides itself on being friendly, kind, and gentle - creating a welcoming atmosphere for patients of all ages.
In addition to general dentistry, the practice will offer a range of natural smile enhancements, including teeth whitening, Invisalign, and composite bonding. These treatments are designed to subtly improve smiles while maintaining a natural appearance.
Dr Lara Phillips explains the vision behind the practice: “We wanted to create a space where people could experience dentistry in a more thoughtful and comfortable way. Our aim is to provide care in an environment that feels calm and reassuring. Form Dental has been designed to feel like a home away from home. The lighting is gentle, the features are soft and the atmosphere is as relaxed as possible. Many patients find that overly clinical spaces bring back memories of more anxious visits, so we worked hard to avoid that feeling. Instead, the practice has a warm, quiet character that helps you settle in from the moment you arrive.”
With its combination of cutting-edge technology, patient-focused design, and a compassionate team, Form Dental is set to become a valuable addition to the local community.
To celebrate the launch, Form Dental is running an exciting opening competition, giving winners the chance to receive free Invisalign treatment and teeth whitening worth over £4,000. Entries are now open, with the competition closing on 5th April at 11:59pm. Full details on how to enter can be found on the practice website and socials.
For more information, visit formdental.co.uk.
Posted March 20 2026
Great Shelford Health news
Easter bank holiday opening hours at Granta GP sites
All practices are closed on Friday April 3 and Monday April 6.
Enhanced Access pre-bookable appointments will be available at:
Royston Health Centre
Saturday 4th April
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
PRESCRIPTION ORDERING & COLLECTION
Order on Wednesday 1st April → Collect on Tuesday 7th April
Order on Thursday 2nd April → Collect on Wednesday 8th April
While we are closed, contact NHS 111 for urgent medical advice
For life-threatening emergencies, call 999.
Thank you and we wish you a lovely spring weekend.
Posted March 20 2026
Great Shelford GP practice appointments
Granta Medical Practices provide more GP appointments per 1,000 patients than any other group in Cambridgeshire.
The update came from Granta's Head of Communications Vicki Collier.
"Appointment-allocation data is not something we provide on an individual basis," said Ms Collier.
"However, the latest ICB data shows Granta Medical Practices provide more GP appointments per 1,000 patients than any of the other Cambridgeshire & Peterborough PCNs which we are incredibly proud of.
"Our Patient Participation Group (PPG) is currently looking into appointments, and all patients are welcome to get involved. "
Posted Jan 1 2026
Private MRI available in Great Shelford health
A company has launched a private MRI and ultrasound service in Great Shelford.
Momentm is on Magog Court, offering fast, professional MRI and ultrasound scans without the long NHS waits from August 2025. Reservations are been taken now.
No GP referral is needed. Scans are from just £195 with transparent pricing. Results are available in 48 hours on average.
The company has expert Cambridge consultants and state-of-the-art equipment.
Comprehensive men’s and women’s health screening available.
Book online at www.momentmhealth.co.uk
Posted July 16 2025
Hay Fever guide
As we enter spring, the hay fever season begins and currently tree pollens are the cause of your symptoms (see pollen calendar). The most common symptoms are runny, itchy and blocked nose, but also itchy eyes.
Things you can do to help:
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When you come inside in the evening have a shower to wash off the pollen and change your clothes.
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Close your windows as pollen levels are greatest at dusk & dawn.
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Try avoid leaving washing outside to dry (they will collect pollen).
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Use a barrier cream like Vaseline in your nostrils to stop some of the pollens entering.
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Use wrap around sun glasses.
There are lots of safe medicines that can help. Ideally start them 2 weeks before your hay fever season starts. They work well together.
Antihistamines: Stick to the non-sedating antihistamines (Cetirizine, Loratidine and Fexofenadine). They are very good for runny, itchy symptoms but not so good for blocked nose symptoms. In children, I often recommend giving one dose in the morning and another in the evening (so double the dose-especially if symptoms are bad). Please avoid using sedating antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine (Piriton).
Nasal Sprays: Nasal steroid sprays are very good for itchy, runny and blocked nose symptoms and are very safe. In children I recommend Fluticasone or Mometasone nasal sprays as very little is absorbed by the body and they work locally. Use them with the correct technique- see https://www.itchysneezywheezy.co.uk. They can be bought over the counter and prescribed by GPs in younger children.
Eye drops: Sodium Chromoglycate eye drops do help.
If your symptoms are still a problem despite this, then pollen desensitisation is an option in specialist clinics. Avoid steroid (Kenalog) injections due to safety concerns.
Have a great spring and summer!
Dr Gary Stiefel
Consultant in Paediatric Allergy
Shelford Resident
Posted March 30 2025

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