Health & Wellbeing
2026
Jan. TOTAL TRIAGE
A NEW APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR BOOKING A GP APPOINTMENT
Davenport House Surgery has now moved to a new improved way of access for patients called TOTAL TRIAGE.
The surgery has not taken this step lightly and have done considerable research working with other local practices who are already using this mode of access successfully to ensure that the new system will work well for our patients. Total Triage has been designed to facilitate equity of access to care.
The full announcement can be downloaded by clicking here.
Further information on Total Triage can be found below (please ignore the advertising that may precede the YouTube video).
How total triage works - How Total Triage works with Accurx - YouTube
How patients can submit online consult - Patient Flash Demo: How to submit a medical request in Patient Triage | Accurx Desktop
Jan 6. The Metabolic Way Announces 2026 Dates After Successful First Programme
Following the strong success of its debut programme, which concluded in mid-December, The Metabolic Way is returning to Harpenden with newly released dates for 2026. Feedback from the first cohort has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees praising the course for being empowering, practical, and transformative for their everyday health.
Created by Rose Butler (Metabolic Health Dietitian) and Katharine Tate (Registered Nutritional Therapist and director of The Food Teacher™) The Metabolic Way offers clear, evidence-based guidance on metabolic health, real food principles, cravings management, and sustainable lifestyle change. The programme is also endorsed by Dr Anna Benson (Medical Director of Visage Medical).
In response to demand, the 2026 programme will run in two formats:
• A face-to-face Harpenden session, ideal for those wanting local, hands-on support.
• A live online version, introduced after numerous requests from people wanting to join from further afield.
For more information visit: www.themetabolicway.com or contact: info@themetabolicway.co.uk
Transforming Harpenden's Metabolic
Health One Course at a Time!
Feeling frazzled?
Frazzled Cafe (a space for people who
might be feeling “frazzled” to talk and
share their stories, while meeting
others in a safe, supportive - and non
judgemental - environment) is
launching in Harpenden. It’s an
initiative started by Ruby Wax,
which began as a drop in at M&S
cafes in London. Now, thanks to
funding from the Harpenden Trust,
we have been able to set one up
with fully trained and qualified
facilitators in Harpenden.
The cafe sessions are on Mondays (from 7.30pm - 8.45pm at the Eric Morecambe Centre). It takes place in the Foyer area.
Christina and Sarah (above right) are the two facilitators.
The link to sign up is https://bookwhen.com/harpendentrustxfrazzledcafe
More drivers than ever are switching off for cleaner air. ARE YOU AN IDLER?
Shock NHS medicines wastage revealed.
Did you know that 25% of NHS carbon emissions are from medicines,,,and at least 10% of prescriptions in primary care need not have been issued.
These statistics along with more astonishing facts have been confirmed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society following my visit to Manor Pharmacy in Harpenden who have displayed the huge amounts of returned medicines/prescriptions returned in just one week.
How can local residents help?
*Not to stockpile medicines, only
order repeats when you need then
and dispose of medicines you
don’t need appropriately, at your
local pharmacy.
*If patients find they are not taking
a particular medicines as
prescribed or are struggling with
side effects, in the first instance
then ask community pharmacist
to provide help and advice. They
may be able to offer a medicines
review or arrange one with
the GP practice.
What can Pharmacies do?
*They need to make sure that patients are taking medicines they prescribe, so ensuring they keep up with regular medicine reviews and optimise patients’ treatment.
*They need to highlight medicines waste and look into ways of reusing patient-returned medicines and into environmentally friendly alternatives for single use plastics, such as medicines spoons and syringes, associated with medicines.
*Additionally pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in all sectors are responsible for medication reviews. These are an ideal opportunity to work with patients to reduce medicines waste by addressing concerns, improving compliance and de-prescribing medicines the patient no longer takes or are not appropriate.
How does wastage occur?
Evidence shows that the number of items dispensed by primary care providers has doubled in recent years, from an average of 10 per person in 1996 to around 20 per person by 2020.
A recent report estimated that at least 10% of prescriptions in primary care need not have been issued... Adverse effects of medicines account for 6.5% of hospital admissions.
Every hospital admission and unnecessary prescription adds to the carbon footprint of the NHS, so we must work hard to prevent patient harm from medicines and associated waste in the system. The most environmentally friendly medicine is the one that is not required and not prescribed.
Repeat prescriptions make up an estimated 75% of all prescription items. Repeat prescription arrangements must ensure that patients’ requirements for medicines are checked at every issue. Medicines' waste occurs when every item on a repeat prescription list is automatically ordered but not all are needed. Patients should be encouraged to only order what they need.
Sustainable prescribing
Around 25% of NHS carbon emissions are from medicines.The majority of these emissions result from the manufacture, procurement, transport and use of medicines (20%), with the remaining 5% specifically from inhalers (3%) and anaesthetic gases (2%).
Evidence shows that the number of items dispensed by primary care providers has doubled in recent years, from an average of 10 per person in 1996 to around 20 per person by 2020.
NB. The RPS sustainability policy has a whole section on tackling medicines waste https://www.rpharms.com/recognition/all-our-campaigns/policy-a-z/sustainability-policy/policies
Would you like a cleaner, greener, healthier Harpenden?
HOW? By increasing access to cycling and walking initiatives, Herts County & SADC will help to improve health and air quality, as well as reducing traffic congestion.”
They have produced a technical report identifying key cycling and walking routes in the District where the potential demand is greatest and where changes will most benefit residents. A number of improvements have been put forward and costed for 72 priority routes across the district.
A travel survey has shown there is a strong desire among residents for improved walking and cycling routes to support people who want to choose eco-friendly transport.
Councillor Phil Bibby, HCC’s Executive Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We want cycling and walking to be an easy and convenient choice for people using and visiting our city centres. Receiving feedback on our proposed cycling and walking plan for St Albans is key to helping develop a framework that provides a greener and safer way to travel.
LEARN MORE NOW. I have edited their 73 page report down to 16 pages with Harpenden related details here:
Cycling and Walking Infrastructure 2023 PDF.pdf
Mental Health and Gambling
I attended the Harpenden Society meeting on Oct 17 where many issues about mental health were discussed by Dr Alison Cowan .
I found her talk very informative and helpful.
Having worked with my local MP on gambling harm for 5 years. As a freelance radio presenter, I have interviewed children and adults affected by gambling harm. They have been in all walks of life, homeless, a child of a parent with a gambling addiction, an x army soldier, a once prosperous business man / woman, plus many more. It has been heartbreaking to hear these stories. .
Gambling is an addiction, affected by the dopamine in the brain. .
The NHS now as set up more clinics to cope with the demand for help..
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/03/new-nhs-gambling-clinic-opens-amid-growing-demand/
Unlike Drinking, Smoking and Drugs, it is a silent addiction that many look at as shameful. .and suffer silently. .
Singer with Steve Hackett (Genesis) released this single on Gambling harm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L58wWz9d47E
Sylvia Fountain
Local Nutritional Therapist Meets HRH The Princess Royal at UK’s First Microbiome & Gut Health Festival and Launches Free School Programme
The festival, held in London from 22nd–27th
September 2025, brought together leading
experts, practitioners, and the public to explore
the cutting-edge science of the gut
microbiome. Highlights included a 37-foot
immersive inflatable gut, expert talks and
chef demos, offering attendees an engaging,
hands-on experience of how microbes
affect health, food, and the environment.
Local registered Nutritional Therapist Katharine Tate, founder of The Food Teacher™ and creator of the National Young Chef Awards for Schools, had the honour of meeting HRH The Princess Royal at Inside Out, the UK’s first festival dedicated to microbiome and gut health. Katharine worked with Global Healthcare Projects (GHP) as Education Project Lead, playing an instrumental role in the festival’s success.
Katharine Tate (above in green) commented, “It was such an honour to meet HRH The Princess Royal at Inside Out. As Education Project Lead, I was incredibly proud the festival was such a success, and I’m thrilled that The Micro Matrix can now bring this learning into schools, inspiring children to make healthy, sustainable choices from an early age."
Jola Gore-Booth, Founder and Director of GHP, added, “The success of Inside Out shows the growing public interest in gut health. Katharine’s leadership as Education Project Lead was instrumental in providing a fantastic range of expert speakers. With The Micro Matrix, we’re ensuring that this knowledge reaches schools and families across the country, encouraging positive change at a crucial stage in children’s development."
In conjunction with the festival, Katharine Tate has worked with GHP to launch The Micro Matrix, a free, curriculum-mapped programme for primary schools (KS1–KS2).
The six-hour programme empowers children with interactive lessons, assemblies, teacher guides, and make-at-home recipes all designed to link classroom learning to our understanding of our gut microbiome. Resources are fully aligned with the National Curriculum and available free online at www.themicromatrix.com.
Local schools in Harpenden and beyond are encouraged to deliver the programme and take advantage of this free resource.
Dec. fit20 Harpenden Celebrates One Year with 160 Members and Remarkable Local Results
fit20 Harpenden is marking its first year
in the community with strong member
growth, excellent retention and powerful
transformations across all ages. Since
opening in November 2024, the studio
has welcomed 160 members, many of
whom are reporting improvements in
strength, mobility and confidence they
never thought possible.
Studio owners Liam Lawless and
Alicja Szypryt (right) have created
a calm, private training environment
where members aged 15 to 88 train
for just 20 minutes a week, yet see
measurable, lasting results.
“Being a person who doesn’t enjoy exercise, fit20 has been perfect for me,” says member Jane. “We go as a couple, have the studio to ourselves, and in just 20 minutes a week we’re already feeling stronger. It’s the only exercise routine I can actually see myself sticking to.”
Of the 160 current members, 50 joined within the first three months and continue to train weekly, a strong endorsement of fit20’s effectiveness. Members consistently highlight improvements not only in physical strength but in overall wellbeing and everyday confidence.
“I’ve seen a huge transformation in my strength and muscle definition,” says Caroline. “When I had an injury, Liam adapted the sessions so I could recover safely. It’s the best money I’ve spent on exercise in years.”
Another member, Jenna, adds: “I feel stronger and fitter. I can carry heavier things and feel more capable day-to-day. I knew strength training was important for my age, and this has been the perfect answer.”
fit20’s method is based on slow, controlled, high-intensity strength training carried out in a private studio with a personal trainer without the need to change clothes or shower afterwards. The programme is backed by the world’s largest fitness study, which shows that members can experience strength gains of 30 to 50 percent in the first year alone, regardless of age, gender and fitness level.
The studio’s growth has been organic, driven by member referrals and word-of-mouth. “We’ve attracted exactly who we hoped to reach: busy professionals, people recovering from injuries, and older adults who want to maintain strength and independence,” says Alicja. “But what’s truly special is seeing them surpass what they believed was possible for themselves.”
“Our members mean everything to us,” adds Liam. “Their trust and seeing them exceed their own expectations is what motivates us every day. They are the heart of this studio.”
To support growing demand, the studio has recently welcomed its first additional trainer, Cathal, enabling fit20 Harpenden to support even more members while maintaining the personalised attention that defines the fit20 experience.
“As we move into our second year, our mission stays the same,” says Alicja. “Helping people in Harpenden improve their health, build strength, and feel better in just 20 minutes a week.”
Experience fit20 for yourself with a FREE introductory training session. Call 01582 297200 or visit www.fit20harpenden.co.uk. Book now!
