News and Advice
Read articles relevant to you and find out more about the treatment options available at The Oakley Medical Practice.
News and Advice
Read articles relevant to you and find out more about the treatment options available at The Oakley Medical Practice.
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What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for India?
Most UK travellers heading to India are advised to have the hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines, plus a diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster if their last dose was more than 10 years ago. Other travel vaccinations for India, including hepatitis [...]
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for Thailand?
Most people travelling to Thailand are advised to have the hepatitis A vaccine. They should also check that their tetanus, diphtheria, polio and MMR protection is up to date. Typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis vaccines may need to [...]
Children’s Vaccinations: A Parent’s Complete Guide (NHS & Private)
You can vaccinate your child through the NHS, privately or a mix of both. The right choice depends on timing, cost and which vaccines you want. The UK child vaccination schedule changed at the start of 2026. Here we will [...]
What Travel Vaccinations Do I Need for Asia?
The travel vaccinations you need for Asia often include hepatitis A, typhoid and a diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster, with hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis also being common. However, which ones depend on the countries you're visiting, how long you're [...]
What General Practice Has Taught Dr Alan Long About Long-Term Health
Good health is not usually built around one dramatic change. In Dr Alan Long’s experience as a GP, it is the everyday decisions around movement, nutrition, preventative care and seeking medical advice that can have the greatest impact over time. [...]
What Dr Sonia Khorana Wants You to Know About Your Skin
Dr Sonia Khorana is a private GP who sees patients at The Oakley Medical Practice in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. She has a special interest in dermatology, and has experience in A&E, public health and women’s health. She is also an aesthetic [...]
What 35 Years as a GP Has Taught Dr David Eccleston About Patient Care
Healthcare has changed enormously since Dr David Eccleston qualified as a doctor in 1987. Paper records have become digital. Patients can research symptoms in seconds. Treatments that once seemed impossible are now routine. Yet when we sat down with David, [...]
Everything You Need to Know About Medical Weight Loss Management
Losing weight can be much harder for some people than for others because body weight is influenced by factors beyond willpower or motivation. For many people, it gets harder with age, busy routines and underlying health conditions. Medical weight loss [...]
The Ultimate Guide to Travel Vaccinations for 2026 Travellers
Travel vaccinations are one of the most important parts of planning a trip abroad, especially to somewhere you’ve never been before. Certain countries require you to have specific vaccinations to enter, but they also keep you protected against serious diseases [...]
Understanding the TB Vaccine: Who Needs It and Why
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection that most people in the UK have not thought much about. But cases are rising, and the West Midlands saw one of the largest increases in England in 2024. This guide covers what [...]
Meningitis B Vaccine: Why Students Are Being Urged to Get Vaccinated
Meningitis B is a serious but preventable bacterial infection, and the only way to fully protect yourself is through vaccination. The meningitis B vaccine is particularly important for university students and teenagers in the UK, as they are among the [...]
Why You Need a Balanced Diet and Exercise with Your Weight Loss Injections
Weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are used to help people who have struggled with obesity and long-term weight gain. More specifically, when excess weight is affecting health conditions, including prediabetes, hypertension or joint disease. However, these injections [...]
Understanding the New MMRV Vaccine and Alternative Separate Vaccinations
From January 2026, the chickenpox vaccine will be added to the UK’s routine childhood immunisation schedule. This means that instead of separate MMR and chickenpox jabs, young children will now receive a combined MMRV vaccine, protecting them against measles, mumps, rubella [...]
How BHRT Can Help You Manage Menopause Symptoms
This October is Menopause Awareness Month in the UK, highlighted by Menopause Day on October 18th. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the physical and emotional changes women experience during menopause and promoting access to effective care and [...]
When to See a GP About Your Mental Health
Living with untreated mental health issues can be dangerous. Knowing when to reach out for help is the first step to recovery. This World Mental Health Day 2025 is on the 10th of October. So, let’s talk about the [...]
When Should Your Child Get the Chickenpox Vaccine?
Your child should have their first dose of the chickenpox vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second at 18 months. The vaccine does not become less effective as your child surpasses this age, and is still highly recommended [...]
What is a PSA Blood Test and When Should You Get One?
Prostate health is something many men don’t think about until there’s a problem, yet prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide. Catching issues early often means more treatment options and better outcomes. One of the [...]
Why Measles Cases are Rising and How Can You Get Your Child Vaccinated
The recent measles outbreak in the UK is a strong reminder of how serious this virus can be, particularly for young people and children. Across the country, more children are being admitted to hospital with measles, and tragically, a child [...]
