As summer arrives, so do bees and wasps. These insects belong to an order called Hymenoptera, a large family that includes honeybees, bumblebees, wasps, hornets and ants. While most stings cause nothing more than temporary pain and swelling, for a small number of people the venom can trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Thankfully, severe venom allergy is uncommon, and even people with a true venom allergy now have highly effective treatment options. The

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new podcast series, designed to give islanders trusted, accessible health information while offering the chance to get to know some of the people shaping healthcare in Guernsey. Hosted by Dr Nick Dunn, the 'Doctors Decoded’ series will feature conversations covering everything from prevention and wellbeing to diagnosis, treatment and living with long-term conditions. Alongside expert health advice, the podcast will give listen

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) following a major consensus process involving clinicians, researchers and patients from around the world. While the condition itself has not changed, the new name reflects a broader understanding of the condition and how it affects hormonal, metabolic and reproductive health. One of the longstanding challenges with PCOS has been that the name did not accurately reflect the co

Many of us expect hay fever symptoms to disappear once the pollen season comes to an end. But what if your sneezing, blocked nose and itchy eyes continue throughout the year? House dust mite allergy is one of the most common causes of year-round allergy symptoms and can have a significant impact on sleep, concentration, asthma control and overall quality of life. Here, Dr Vicky Carre explains how to recognise the signs of house dust mite allergy, why an accurate diagnosis mat

The heatwave over the past couple of weeks has left many islanders reaching for the tissues and queueing at pharmacies for over-the-counter hay fever remedies. Our GPs, have seen a noticeable increase in the number of patients attending clinics with severe hay fever symptoms. With pollen counts currently running very high, what is often dismissed as a minor seasonal nuisance is proving a significant source of misery for many people. Here, our Allergy Lead, Dr Vicky Carre look

We’ve all enjoyed a week of high temperatures and beautiful sunshine, making the most of the warmer weather and getting out to the beach as much as possible. The glorious sunshine can be a fantastic mood booster, but it’s also so important to remember just how dangerous overexposure to the sun’s rays can be. In his latest blog, our GP Dr Nick Dunn reflects on the risks of skin cancer in Guernsey, why early detection matters, and the small steps we can all take to enjoy the su

If you’ve been finding it harder to sleep over the last few nights, you’re probably not the only one. Hot weather can make it much harder to properly switch off and stay asleep, especially when bedrooms stay warm into the evening and there’s little chance to cool down overnight. For some people it can mean struggling to fall asleep at all, while others find themselves waking repeatedly through the night feeling too hot or uncomfortable to properly rest. What can help? The goo

Why do so many healthy changes fail, even when our intentions are good? In her latest blog, our GP Dr Vicky Carre reflects on the psychology of behaviour change and why trying to make the “perfect” change can sometimes stop us making any change at all. From stopping smoking and improving fitness to losing weight or cutting down on alcohol, the blog explores why progress is rarely straightforward and why setbacks are often a normal part of building healthier habits that la

Our GPs regularly see the impact dementia can have, not only on patients, but on entire families. While some forms of dementia are strongly linked to genetics, growing evidence also shows that lifestyle and vascular health can play an important role in reducing the risk of more common types of dementia. Here, Dr Vicky Carre explores the different causes of dementia, the latest developments in treatment and prevention, and the remarkable story of Jordan Adams, who is current

Cancer rates in the UK have reached an all-time high of over 400,000 cases annually. The “Cancer in the UK 2026” report by Cancer Research UK details how the number of cancer cases has increased over the past 2-3 years, in men by 11% and women by 4%. Some of this can be explained by people living longer and our ageing population: as we get older our risk of cancer increases, however other factors such as improved detection at an earlier stage by GPs play an important role, as

The sun is shining and while we’re all enjoying the beautiful weather the change in seasons is the perfect time for a bit of a reset. Here Dr Vicky Carre shares some simple, practical ways to “spring clean” your health, explaining what a powerful impact simple changes can have. Those of you who know me well will know that I’m partial to a spot of cleaning. Although with two teenagers in the house, it can feel like a distinctly thankless task at times. As the spring equinox

This past week media reports have highlighted an outbreak of meningitis in Kent. Understandably, such news raises concern- obviously for those in the affected area, but also for families and communities further afield. Here, our GP Dr Vicky Carre shares what you need to know about meningitis, including the symptoms to look out for and how to reduce your risk. As both a GP and a parent, I appreciate how worrying an outbreak like this can feel - I have a daughter who will be he

From pregnancy and childbirth to the demands of raising children, navigating midlife and ageing, the journey of motherhood takes women through profound physical and emotional changes at each stage. And through all of this, many mothers instinctively put everyone else first, often at the expense of their own health. Yet staying healthy - both to be there for their families and to model positive health behaviours for their children - is one of the most important things mothers

During Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this March, Dr Nick Dunn explains why recognising the possible signs of ovarian cancer matters, what symptoms women should look out for, and why speaking to your GP if something doesn’t feel right can make an important difference. As GPs, we see women every week with bloating, tummy pain, tiredness or having to wee more frequently. In almost all cases, these symptoms turn out to be something minor—perhaps irritable bowel syndrome, a urine

The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed a large measles outbreak, mostly affecting unvaccinated children under the age of 10. Reports show multiple schools and nurseries have been impacted, and some children have become very unwell, needing hospital treatment. This reminds us that measles is not a mild childhood illness. It is highly infectious and potentially serious. But fortunately, entirely preventable. Here, our GP Dr Vicky Carre discusses the current outbreak in mo

Your heart beats around 100,000 times a day. With each beat, it pumps blood through a vast network of arteries and microscopic capillaries, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every organ in your body. It works tirelessly and usually without complaint, until something goes wrong. As Valentine’s Day approaches, our GP Dr Vicky Carre shares why this is the perfect moment to show your heart a little love and take a moment to think about how you can protect it for the years ahead.

January can feel like a long and challenging month, with dark mornings, unsettled weather and winter bugs taking their toll on both our physical and mental health. In this blog, GP Dr Vicky Carre shares some thoughtful, evidence-based ways to help you look after yourself through the colder months. From supporting your immune system to protecting your mood and energy, her advice focuses on small, realistic steps to help you winter well. It feels like it’s been a tough start to

After the success of our Wellbeing Beach cleans in 2025 we are delighted to announce the events will be continuing throughout 2026. Working in partnership with Guernsey Mind and The Clean Earth Trust , these monthly events offer a simple but powerful way to look after both mental wellbeing and the environment. Each session brings people together to enjoy fresh air, gentle movement and connection, while also helping to protect Guernsey’s beautiful coastline. Guernsey Mind's M

Information about the menopause has flooded the media and social media in recent years, from celebrities to lifestyle guru’s - but how do you know what is accurate, trustworthy information? The supplement industry is big business – but how do you know which products being sold to you, often at high cost, are necessary or effective? Which diet or exercise programme should I follow? There are a bewildering amount of options available leaving women struggling to know what they s

Sleep is one of the most powerful tools we have for good health, yet so many of us struggle to get enough of it. Whether it’s difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, or not feeling refreshed in the morning, poor sleep can take a real toll on mood, energy and overall wellbeing. As the nights draw in, it’s a good time to think about how our sleep works, what influences it, and the habits that can help us rest more deeply. Here Dr Vicky Carre explains the science of