Health

Mike Hewitson, Community Pharmacist

Residents urged to ‘think pharmacy first’ for seven common conditions

The scores are in— the latest batch of food hygiene ratings for Dorset restaurants, cafes, takeaways and businesses have been revealed.

The scores are in— the latest batch of food hygiene ratings for Dorset restaurants, cafes, takeaways and businesses have been revealed.

Food Hygiene Ratings

Dorset food hygiene ratings - latest scores revealed for cafes and restaurants

Queen Charlotte Care Home, in Chickerell Road, Chickerell, is inviting the public to a King’s birthday celebration – and promising visitors will be royally entertained.

Queen Charlotte Care Home, in Chickerell Road, Chickerell, is inviting the public to a King’s birthday celebration – and promising visitors will be royally entertained.

King Charles III

Chickerell care home invites public to King Charles III birthday celebration

1. Jesse Watkinson (Executive Director), Mayoress Julie Fry, Mayor Les Fry, and Nurse Ajeena Paija.

1. Jesse Watkinson (Executive Director), Mayoress Julie Fry, Mayor Les Fry, and Nurse Ajeena Paija.

Hospital backs mayor's prostate cancer charity campaign

Ambulance service urges people to call 999 only for life-threatening emergencies

Maiden Castle House resident Ken with a photo in his Navy uniform

Maiden Castle House resident Ken with a photo in his Navy uniform

Dorchester care home resident reflects on Navy service ahead of Remembrance Day

More than 170 people attended this year's Dorset Parent Carer Council Big Event, bringing together local SEND services, charities, and support organisations under one roof to help families find information, ask questions and make valuable connections.

More than 170 people attended this year's Dorset Parent Carer Council Big Event, bringing together local SEND services, charities, and support organisations under one roof to help families find information, ask questions and make valuable connections.

More than 170 people attend Dorset event supporting families of SEND children

DorPIP is bringing its free infant massage programme to Purbeck, helping parents and carers build confidence, strengthen their relationship with their baby and connect with other local families.

DorPIP is bringing its free infant massage programme to Purbeck, helping parents and carers build confidence, strengthen their relationship with their baby and connect with other local families.

Free infant massage programme launches for families in Purbeck

Young cook Ziva and Kate Parish Development Team Lead at Dorset Youth (DY).

Young cook Ziva and Kate Parish Development Team Lead at Dorset Youth (DY).

Friendly Food Club

Young people with health challenges grow confidence and skills through cooking

Fern Brook Lodge raised £242 for Dementia Friendly Gillingham by walking 30 miles

Fern Brook Lodge raised £242 for Dementia Friendly Gillingham by walking 30 miles

Care home team in Gillingham walks 30 miles to raise £492 for dementia charities

Homelium Care Dorset is calling on compassionate, reliable people across Weymouth and the surrounding areas to consider a rewarding career as a Home Care Assistant

Homelium Care Dorset is calling on compassionate, reliable people across Weymouth and the surrounding areas to consider a rewarding career as a Home Care Assistant

Home care provider in Dorset launches recruitment drive for new assistants

Dorchester blanket 20mph limit likely to be dropped after public opposition

Paige, Sheena, Kayleigh, Alex and Sarah during the #PinItForSecondary campaign around Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Paige, Sheena, Kayleigh, Alex and Sarah during the #PinItForSecondary campaign around Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Breast Cancer Awareness

Dorset woman shares daily reality of incurable breast cancer

Cllrs Simon Clifford and Gill Taylor at a recent council meeting

Cllrs Simon Clifford and Gill Taylor at a recent council meeting

Dorset councillors welcome budget help for homeless but call for fairer funding

Unpaid carers urged to get free NHS flu jab this winter

Carers urged to get free flu jab.

Carers urged to get free flu jab.

Unpaid carers urged to claim free NHS flu jab this winter

Residents at Queen Charlotte Nursing Home, in Chickerell, were joined by family and friends for a Harvest Festival celebration.

Residents at Queen Charlotte Nursing Home, in Chickerell, were joined by family and friends for a Harvest Festival celebration.

Residents at Chickerell care home organise food donations for Harvest Festival

Leeson House field studies centre where changes are proposed

Leeson House field studies centre where changes are proposed

Dorset field centre to add facilities for transgender pupils and others

Parents in Dorset are being urged to get children vaccinated against flu

Parents in Dorset are being urged to get children vaccinated against flu

Parents encouraged to get their children vaccinated against flu before Christmas

Kath Shayler MBE who was presented with The Will Mitchell Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Kath Shayler MBE who was presented with The Will Mitchell Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Care worker who fostered 150 children among those celebrated at Dorset awards

The scores are in — the latest batch of food hygiene ratings for Isle of Wight restaurants, cafes, takeaways and businesses have been revealed.

The scores are in — the latest batch of food hygiene ratings for Isle of Wight restaurants, cafes, takeaways and businesses have been revealed.

Food Hygiene Ratings

Dorset food hygiene ratings - latest scores revealed for cafes and restaurants

Members of the Dorchester Social Stroke Club, Head of DCH Charity, Simon Pearson, with Rhiannon Swatton from Estates at DCH and Mandy Russell from the Stroke Unit at DCH.

Members of the Dorchester Social Stroke Club, Head of DCH Charity, Simon Pearson, with Rhiannon Swatton from Estates at DCH and Mandy Russell from the Stroke Unit at DCH.

Dorset County Hospital

£10,000 donation to transform stroke unit at Dorset County Hospital

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery exterior

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery exterior

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery renews its commitment to suicide prevention

Three members of staff from Trinity Manor Care Home in Sherborne, have made it through to the Regional Finals of the Great British Care Awards.

Three members of staff from Trinity Manor Care Home in Sherborne, have made it through to the Regional Finals of the Great British Care Awards.

Barchester Healthcare

Three staff at Sherborne care home through to regional finals of care awards

Fiona Pritchard, Colten Care’s Music and Arts Partner, leads the pop-up choir featuring singers from four Dorset care homes who gathered at Castle View in Poundbury.

Fiona Pritchard, Colten Care’s Music and Arts Partner, leads the pop-up choir featuring singers from four Dorset care homes who gathered at Castle View in Poundbury.

Dorset care home singers 'raise the roof' as pop-up choir performs in Poundbury

The cheque is handed over watched by members of Beerex, the Shed and the rugby club

The cheque is handed over watched by members of Beerex, the Shed and the rugby club

Real ale and cider festival in Wareham raised £1,000 for Men's Shed workshop

Sammie McFarland with Baroness Floella Benjamin at the awards ceremony

Sammie McFarland with Baroness Floella Benjamin at the awards ceremony

Mum who has helped thousands of families named among Women of the Year

Home Instead East Dorset has celebrated a decade of providing personalised home care, helping people across the local community maintain their independence and remain in the comfort of their own homes

Home Instead East Dorset has celebrated a decade of providing personalised home care, helping people across the local community maintain their independence and remain in the comfort of their own homes

Home care company in Dorset celebrates decade of supporting clients and families

Residents from Queen Charlotte Nursing home in Chickerell swapped their usual surroundings for seasonal fun during a special outing to Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins.

Residents from Queen Charlotte Nursing home in Chickerell swapped their usual surroundings for seasonal fun during a special outing to Bincombe Bumps Pumpkins.

Care home residents in Chickerell enjoy seasonal fun at pumpkin patch

A dedicated group of local charity supporters has completed an arduous 100 kilometre trek along the world famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in northern Spain, raising an outstanding £58,109.55 for Weldmar Hospicecare

A dedicated group of local charity supporters has completed an arduous 100 kilometre trek along the world famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in northern Spain, raising an outstanding £58,109.55 for Weldmar Hospicecare

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust

Gruelling 100km Camino de Santiago trek raised more than £58,000 for charity

Care South's Community Fund donated £1,000 to Dorset County Hospital Charity

Care South's Community Fund donated £1,000 to Dorset County Hospital Charity

Care provider's community fund donates £1,000 to Dorset County Hospital Charity

Signature House in Dorchester earned the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award, achieving a near-perfect score of 73 out of 77.

Signature House in Dorchester earned the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award, achieving a near-perfect score of 73 out of 77.

Dorchester care home achieves prestigious GSF Quality Hallmark Award

More than 60 Age Friendly Dorset ambassadors and supporters have come together to celebrate helping make Dorset a better place to grow older.

More than 60 Age Friendly Dorset ambassadors and supporters have come together to celebrate helping make Dorset a better place to grow older.

Age Friendly Dorset ambassadors and supporters celebrate a year of progress

Littlemoor youth centre and family hub

Littlemoor youth centre and family hub

Community delight as new look for youth centre approved

People in and around Dorchester can now access a dedicated hearing care service on their doorstep, following the launch of a new audiology hub at Specsavers.

People in and around Dorchester can now access a dedicated hearing care service on their doorstep, following the launch of a new audiology hub at Specsavers.

Dorchester Mayor joins celebrations at launch of town’s new audiology service

Weymouth Pavilion.

Weymouth Pavilion.

Special reason Weymouth Pavilion will light up this week

Residents from Trinity Manor Care Home in Sherborne were filled with joy during their visit to Henstridge Airfield

Residents from Trinity Manor Care Home in Sherborne were filled with joy during their visit to Henstridge Airfield

Barchester Healthcare

Sherborne care home residents filled with joy during visit to nearby airfield

Jack Smith, year 10, and Freddy Whitehead, year 11, raised £2,060 for Meningitis Now.

Jack Smith, year 10, and Freddy Whitehead, year 11, raised £2,060 for Meningitis Now.

Students who battled life-threatening illness praised for giving back to community

The scores are in — the latest batch of food hygiene ratings for Dorset restaurants, cafes, takeaways and other food businesses have been revealed.

The scores are in — the latest batch of food hygiene ratings for Dorset restaurants, cafes, takeaways and other food businesses have been revealed.

Food Hygiene Ratings

Dorset food hygiene ratings - latest scores revealed for cafes and restaurants

The Hobbs family presenting £30,000 to SCBU staff at Dorset County Hospital

The Hobbs family presenting £30,000 to SCBU staff at Dorset County Hospital

Dorset County Hospital

World nettle-eating champion wins £30,000 for unit at Dorset County Hospital

Mother pays tribute to son who was her ‘best friend’ after rare cancer death

Incredible photos show how healthcare in Dorset has changed over 180 years

Anning House in Weymouth will open its bistro on October 14

Anning House in Weymouth will open its bistro on October 14

Weymouth care home to open its new and improved bistro next week

Sherborne Girls has been putting the power of a good night’s sleep firmly on the timetable, with its latest Sleep Week encouraging pupils to slow down, recharge and develop healthy habits around rest and recovery.

Sherborne Girls has been putting the power of a good night’s sleep firmly on the timetable, with its latest Sleep Week encouraging pupils to slow down, recharge and develop healthy habits around rest and recovery.

Dorset girls school putting the power of a good night's sleep on the timetable

Cllr Clare Sutton, education and children portfolio holder

Cllr Clare Sutton, education and children portfolio holder

Backing for Dorset SEND reform plan from Government

Dorset Council's people and health scrutiny meeting

Dorset Council's people and health scrutiny meeting

Dorset AI system expected to save half a day on each child care plan

Mrs Jess achieved a PB at the Brighton half marathon in March 2025, despite being told only 2 weeks prior that she had secondary cancer to the spine, liver, ribs and pelvis.

Mrs Jess achieved a PB at the Brighton half marathon in March 2025, despite being told only 2 weeks prior that she had secondary cancer to the spine, liver, ribs and pelvis.

Mum says cancer diagnosis taught her to 'make life happen'

Unpaid carers across Dorset are being encouraged to join a growing network of free peer support groups, offering a welcoming space to meet others who understand the realities of caring.

Unpaid carers across Dorset are being encouraged to join a growing network of free peer support groups, offering a welcoming space to meet others who understand the realities of caring.

Unpaid carers invited to join friendly peer support groups across Dorset

Children, families and staff at Beechcroft St Paul’s Primary School in Weymouth have been developing lifesaving skills as part of a whole-school focus on first aid.

Children, families and staff at Beechcroft St Paul’s Primary School in Weymouth have been developing lifesaving skills as part of a whole-school focus on first aid.

Primary Schools

Weymouth primary school pupils learn life-saving first aid and CPR skills

April King, home manager at Colten Care’s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, is on the shortlist for Care Home Manager of the Year.

April King, home manager at Colten Care’s Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, is on the shortlist for Care Home Manager of the Year.

Care home provider celebrates matching record award shortlist

Optometrist Aayan Ahmad and 15-year-old Lewis Preuss.

Optometrist Aayan Ahmad and 15-year-old Lewis Preuss.

Routine eye test helps save teenager’s sight after optician spots serious condition

Swanage resident Lyn Fegan, a celebrant, will take to the skies at Compton Abbas airfield on October 2 to mark her 70th birthday in daring style while raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Swanage resident Lyn Fegan, a celebrant, will take to the skies at Compton Abbas airfield on October 2 to mark her 70th birthday in daring style while raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Brain Tumour Charity

Dorset celebrant to take on wing walk for 70th birthday for Brain Tumour Charity

A new report from Healthwatch Dorset has found that poor communication, unclear care pathways and a lack of updates are leaving some NHS patients in Dorset feeling frustrated, anxious and responsible for chasing their own care.

A new report from Healthwatch Dorset has found that poor communication, unclear care pathways and a lack of updates are leaving some NHS patients in Dorset feeling frustrated, anxious and responsible for chasing their own care.

Healthwatch Dorset

Poor communication leaving NHS patients in Dorset feeling ‘lost in the system’

The South Western Ambulance Charity is calling on the public to help raise £400,000 to replace and upgrade 288 defibrillators used by Community First Responders (CFRs) across the South West.

The South Western Ambulance Charity is calling on the public to help raise £400,000 to replace and upgrade 288 defibrillators used by Community First Responders (CFRs) across the South West.

Defibrillators and AEDs

Charity launches £400,000 appeal to upgrade 288 life-saving defibrillators