News

Enhanced Mental Health Support Available - Meet Our First Contact Mental Health Practitioner!

We’re delighted to offer specialist mental health support directly at Southern Group Practice through our First Contact Mental Health Practitioner (FCP MH) service.

This means if you’re experiencing emotional wellbeing or mental health concerns, you can get expert advice, assessment, and care quickly, right here with your Primary Care Team.

Our FCP MH is Francesca Marzocca.

She provides one-to-one consultations, either by telephone or face-to-face.

To book an appointment or get more information, please speak to our Reception Team.

This service helps ensure timely support for issues like anxiety, low mood, stress, or other challenges, so you don’t have to wait longer or navigate separate services alone.

Published on 24th Feb 2026

Direct Access to Our First Contact Physiotherapist

We’re pleased to offer First Contact Physiotherapy right here at Southern Group Practice.

What is First Contact Physiotherapy?

First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) are highly experienced musculoskeletal (MSK) specialists with many years of expertise in assessing and managing joint, bone, muscle, tendon, and soft tissue problems – such as back pain, neck pain, sprains, strains, sports injuries, or arthritis flares.

You can book directly with our FCP for an assessment – no need to see a GP first! This helps you get specialist advice, exercises, diagnosis, and management plans faster, while freeing up GP appointments for other needs.

This service is ideal for new or ongoing musculoskeletal issues.

How to Book:

Contact the surgery on 01624 686979 to arrange your appointment.

 

Published on 18th Feb 2026

Cervical screening programme

Cervical screening (sometimes called a smear test) is part of the Isle of Man national screening programme. It helps find changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer. Early detection through regular screening gives the best chance to prevent cervical cancer. Since 2018, all screening samples are tested for HPV first. HPV is a very common virus. Certain types can cause changes in cervical cells that may develop into cancer over time.

On the Isle of Man, people aged 25 to 64 who have a cervix are invited for screening every five years.

After your first screening appointment, you will automatically be recalled every five years unless advised otherwise.

You should attend screening even if you have gone through the menopause. If you are unsure whether you still need screening, or if you have had a hysterectomy, please speak to your GP or Practice Nurse for advice.

Invitations are issued through the Cervical Screening Programme. Your contact details are provided by your registered GP practice, so please ensure your details are up to date. Further information about the cervical screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing can be found in the video below.                                                                                                                         

Published on 18th Feb 2026