June 2025: A Little Oasis of Calm in your In-box

Hello and welcome to our June Newsletter!

Thank you very much to everyone who opens and reads these newsletters 🙏   It has been my long-held dream to create a clinic where people come together to heal but also to connect and exchange ideas.  I hope this  newsletter helps you to feel part of the Westbourne community and if there is anything you would like me to include I’m adding a button after this welcome for you to send me your suggestions – please let me know what you’d like to hear more about.

In a couple of weeks it will be the longest day, the fulcrum of the year and at this tipping point in the year I’m thinking about balance.

The whole body is full of systems finely tuned by infinitesimal amounts of different hormones and when one gets out of whack it can have a knock on effect on the whole body.  Our diet, how much we move, how much and how stressful our work is and our sleep all have a big impact on these systems and if this imbalance continues for too long we start to notice symptoms. 
Aptly this second week of June is diabetes week.  Nurse Diane talks in her Notes about how blood tests can help to flag up problems before they become serious.  One of the best examples of this is how checking blood-sugar levels can identify pre-diabetes, if discovered early this can be prevented or delayed with diet and lifestyle changes.

The second week of June is also Carers Week.  As a doctor I am eternally grateful for the carers who I see every week bringing people of all ages to their appointments with me.  They help me to understand what really goes on in the daily lives of their loved ones.  What I see though is people who put their own lives on hold.  They are  up and down during the night and holidays are more work in a different location.  We see you and I urge you to come and get some care for yourself – either a treatment or a check-up.  Our Nourishing Studio is a safe, comfortable space and we have the room and staff available to look after your relative while we look after you.  
Our recipe this month is a summer favourite of mine – Coronation Salad. It’s the perfect balance of crunchy and chewy, sweet and savoury and as a vegetarian is the perfect thing for me to take to Barbecues..

Thank you for reading our Newsletter – I look forward to seeing you next time you are at the Studios.

Notes from Nurse Diane

The most important system in the body is the circulatory system.  Like the oil pressure in your car, when this gets too high or too low it can be catastrophic.

Unlike your car – checking the pressure can be tricky.  Just slipping that cuff on can be all it takes to send the pressure skywards but here at Westbourne we do our best to make sure your appointment is relaxed and happy.

I always check people’s blood pressure when they come to see me – but there are other vital components of blood that warn us that your body is looking for some help.

A blood count helps us to know if there is an infection or inflammation in the body and detect anaemia and certain types of cancer whilst platelet counts can indicate bleeding or clotting disorders.  It can be helpful to check for other substances in the blood such as cholesterol and blood sugar to assess the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.  Kidney, nerve and muscle function can be assessed by checking levels of electrolytes like sodium, potassium and calcium and if the heart muscle is damaged or liver and kidney function compromised there are certain enzymes I would expect to find in the blood.

Every afternoon the laboratory collects our samples from the day for analysis. The results of blood tests are usually back the following morning.  I give you a call and send your results out to you right away and if a follow-up appointment is needed we have time set aside each day to do this.  This way we can address anything that comes up swiftly, getting you back into balance as quickly as possible.

Meet the Team – Dr Claire Higgins

One person who knows all about the delicate balancing of hormones is Dr Claire Higgins our distinguished consultant gynaecologist who specialises in comprehensive outpatient gynaecology services at Westbourne Medical Studios. 

Dr Claire Higgins offers fitting of intrauterine hormone coils (mirena coil) which in addition to contraception, can help with problematic period bleeding and provide the progesterone component of menopausal HRT.

Getting a coil fitted can be off-putting for some women but here at Westbourne we aim to make the whole experience calm and supportive. When you walk through the door you will be welcomed and shown into the Nourishing Studio. At your appointment you will receive a self-care bag with a reusable heat pack and a lovely massage oil from Awesome Hugs. Claire says she is “excited to provide expert, tailored care in a calm and supportive setting. My goal is always to listen carefully, explain clearly, and work collaboratively with each patient to ensure they feel informed, empowered, and cared for.”

Please click on the link below to send an email or give our friendly reception a call on 0141 737 4700. To find out more about Claire’s work click on her picture.

Sound Medicine Workshop

On Wednesday 18th June, 7-8.15pm why not join us for our monthly sound medicine workshop?

Dr V will take you through a guided meditation using singing bowls, gongs and chimes.  As you feel increasingly calmer you start to explore your body’s response to sound.  The vibrations and sounds at these sessions can help induce a state of deep relaxation and well-being.

No need to bring anything except yourself – we have mats, cushions, chairs and blankets so you are comfortable.

Dates for your Diary

Every Tuesday 6.45 – 7.30am then 7.45 – 8.45 – Start your day with breathwork followed by yoga

Every Wednesday 12.30 – 1pm – Lunchtime Meditation
Wednesday 18th June 7-8.15pm – Sound Medicine Workshop

How are you feeling right now?   Spending some time in the countryside, a park or even your own back garden can be a fantastic way to take a moment to re-set.  Why not join Dr V for a moment of calm in her garden.

Recipes from the Nourishing Studio

Dr V’s Coronation Salad

I find making this salad a lovely mindful experience. I put some music on, get a big bowl out and enjoy the rhythmic chop, chop of all the different textures. 

Every colour and flavour adds new phytonutrients to the party in your gut and its jam-packed with fibre and antioxidants. Eating it may benefit eye health, reduce oxidative stress, help prevent cancer and reduce blood pressure levels.

This serves about 10 with generous portions and always seems to get bigger and bigger.  Luckily it is the best next-day’s lunch I know!

Ingredients:

• 1 pot greek yoghurt
• 1/2 jar apricot jam
• 1 tsp each of turmeric, coriander, cumin, roasted garamasala
• 1 bunch spring onions
• 1 bunch celery
• 3 peppers (different colours)
• 1 bunch fresh coriander – or celery leaves
• 1 bunch grapes
• 100g toasted cashews/walnuts

Method

• Mix the spices, apricot jam, yoghurt and onion
• Add everything else
• Sprinkle with chopped coriander and nuts

Start Looking After Yourself

We offer a wide range of bespoke medical and wellbeing therapies to promote true healing of mind, body and spirit. 
Is it time to start looking after yourself?