Category: General

The NHS

It’s time to have your say. The NHS is changing, and you’re being asked to contribute your ideas to how we can ensure a sustainable NHS for the future. https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/

Mind the Gap

Medical information is often geared towards white skin, which is a significant challenge for those with black or brown skin. Mind the Gap aims to raise awareness of how conditions may present in black or brown skins so that we can begin to address this inequality. https://www.blackandbrownskin.co.uk/mindthegap

Pancreatic cancer awareness

Let’s light the UK in purple on 21st November to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer. You can also choose to Take on Challenge 24.
https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk...rence/pancreatic-cancer-awareness-month-pcam/

• Pancreatic cancer may not present any symptoms to start with, though symptoms may include:
• Pain and discomfort in the upper part of the tummy (abdomen) that sometimes spreads out into the back
• Signs of jaundice such as yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, itchy skin, dark pee (urine) or pale and smelly poo (stools) that are difficult to flush away (steatorrhoea)
• Unexplained weight loss

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/pancreatic-cancer-awareness-month

Domestic violence and coercive control

Men, women and children who are escaping domestic violence can contact the appropriate helpline and will be provided with free transport to be able to escape their situation along with other support. https://www.womensaid.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-our-members/travel-to-refuge/

Movember

It’s Movember; time to grow the mo’ to raise awareness of men’s issues such as mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
https://uk.movember.com/

Child flu

Children aged 2-3 can get their flu vaccination from their GP surgery now. For children who are in an at-risk group, you can book an appointment through the surgery if you don’t want to wait for the schools’ programme.
https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine

Winter weather warnings and staying warm

Keeping warm in winter is vital to one’s overall health and studies show that being cold (under 18 degrees indoor temperature) has a negative effect and increases the risk of ill health, especially in those who are vulnerable.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/

There are some simple steps you can take to stay feeling healthy and happy through the winter. Your physical health is important, and so is your mental health. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/wellbeing/stay-healthy-winter

Lung cancer awareness

If you have a cough for three weeks or more, a change in a cough you’ve had for a long time, a chest infection that doesn’t get better or repeated chest infections, chest or shoulder pain that doesn’t get better, a hoarse voice for three weeks or more, then make an appointment to see your GP. Also, if you’re feeling breathless and wheezy for no reason, coughing up blood, losing weight for no obvious reason or feeling tired, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your GP practice. These could be potential signs of lung cancer, and while most won’t be, it’s important to get checked. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/lung-cancer-awareness-month

Stress awareness

Stress can cause both physical and mental symptoms. Recognising signs of stress in yourself and in others is important. Mind has a brilliant guide about the signs and symptoms of stress, and if you recognise these symptoms in yourself or others, perhaps it’s time to take action to reduce your stress. https://www.mind.org.uk/information...problems/stress/signs-and-symptoms-of-stress/

Mouth cancer awareness

We don’t often look into our mouths to check that they’re healthy, but it’s important to keep a look out for potential signs of mouth cancer, which can include lumps, red or white patches, and changes to the roof of your mouth. https://www.dentalhealth.org/mouthcancer

Bonfire Night, 5th November (but many activities held on 1st/2nd/3rd Nov)

Bonfire Night will shortly be upon us, and while it can be great fun, fire and fireworks can be dangerous, so it’s always best to attend a well-organised display. https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/your-safety/safety-at-home/bonfire-night-safety/

If you’re planning to have a bonfire party at home, make sure you’re aware of the safety rules to help keep you, your family and friends safe.
https://www.rospa.com/policy/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety

Social media kindness, 9th November

Social media has become a big presence in many lives. It’s important to keep it in context, to know that what we see reflected is often not reality, and to remember that on the other end is a human being. https://www.socialmediakindnessday.com/

Anti-Bullying Week, 11th to 15th November

The theme of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week is ‘choose respect’. This week encourages us to respect individuals and ensure we treat others with thought and kindness. https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.u...espect/anti-bullying-week-2024-choose-respect

The National Bullying Helpline is available to give advice and to offer support, regardless of your age, if you’re suffering from bullying. https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/about.html

UK Malnutrition Week, 11th to 17th November

As the cost of living increases and more people become vulnerable, there’s an increased risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition happens when people don’t have access to enough food, a well-balanced diet or where their body isn’t able to absorb all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. https://www.bapen.org.uk/malnutrition/uk-malnutrition-awareness-week/

Odd Socks Day, 12th November

Each year, Andy and the Odd Socks support Odd Socks Day. Odd Socks Day encourages us to wear odd socks to celebrate difference and diversity. https://andyandtheoddsocks.com/odd-socks-day/

World Diabetes Day, 14th November

It’s World Diabetes Day. Across the globe, millions of people live with diabetes and good management of their condition ensures that they stay fit and healthy for the long term.https://worlddiabetesday.org

Disability History Month, 14th November to 20th December

The focus of this year’s Disability History Month is ‘disability, livelihood and employment’. With better awareness and reasonable adjustments, we can support people with disabilities to enjoy a long and fruitful career. https://ukdhm.org/

National Self-Care Week, 18th to 24th November

‘Mind & body’ is the theme for this year’s Self-Care Week. Taking time to look after ourselves can help us to live longer and healthier lives. Simple steps in self-care like getting outdoors can help both our physical and mental health, and best of all – it’s FREE. https://www.selfcareforum.org/events/self-care-week/

Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, 18th to 24th November

Antimicrobial resistance is a big issue across the world. Some medicines no longer work to combat disease as the bugs they’re designed to fight have changed to resist them. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-amr-awareness-week

Sugar Awareness Week, 18th to 24th November

It’s Sugar Awareness Week and we’re talking about ‘free sugars’. Free sugars are the kind we add to food and drinks, like sugar, syrups and honey, as well as the sugar our bodies find easy to access in prepared food like smoothies and juices. Free sugars can contribute a large amount of sugar to our diets without any nutritional benefit.https://www.actiononsugar.org/sugar-awareness-week/sugar-awareness-week-2024/

Survivors of suicide loss, 19th November

The loss of someone you care about to suicide is incredibly difficult to deal with. The aftermath of their loss can feel very isolating, but Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide is there to provide support and understanding. https://uksobs.com/

International Men’s Day, 19th November

International Men’s Day encourages us to celebrate the contribution that men bring to our lives and communities. It’s also important to recognise the challenges that men face in talking about the things that affect them. https://ukmensday.org.uk/

Transgender awareness, 20th November

People who are transgender can face difficulty and discrimination. We can unintentionally add to this by using inappropriate terms. GLAAD has a handy guide to appropriate terminology to help and support. https://glaad.org/reference/trans-terms

Carers’ rights, 21st November

21st November is a great day to think about carers’ rights. If you care for someone, then making sure you’re looked after too is important. If you don’t get the support you need, you can’t provide the support that you give to others. https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/our-campaigns/carers-rights-day/

White Ribbon Day, 25th November

White Ribbon Day aims to encourage men to help address the attitudes and behaviours that lead to violence against women. Men have an important part to play in holding each other to account for their behaviour towards women. https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/wrd24

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 25th November

Less than 0.2% of government aid is aimed at preventing violence against women. Making clear our support for women ensures that we’re clear that gender-based violence is unacceptable in our society. https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day

16 days of activism against gender-based violence, 25th November to 10th December

This year’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence aims to draw government attention to the plight faced by many women. Gender-based violence against women must be brought to an end. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism

There is good evidence that patients who live with a long term health condition, live
longer when their condition is well managed. We also need to make sure that any
medications that we give are helping you live well but also not causing any
unintended harm. Therefore it is very important that you are assessed to make sure
that the best things for you are happening.

To help us help you in as efficient way as possible, we are making some changes to
the way that we invite you to review your health. We will be inviting you to attend
appointments in or around your birthday month so that all your health conditions can
be reviewed together. We hope that this will help you to better understand and
manage your health by being able to talk about all your symptoms and medications
at the same time.

If you have one or more long term conditions such as Diabetes, Heart Disease or
Asthma or may be at risk of developing one of these conditions, you will receive an
invitation either by text or by letter to book your annual review with the practice
during your birthday month.

A blood test appointment is required for certain conditions, and this may also include
a mini-health screen which will include your height, weight, pulse check, blood
pressure, waist circumference and lifestyle information. For diabetic patients you will
also be offered a foot check because ensuring good circulation to your feet is
essential to maintaining your good health. This first appointment will provide us with
general information about your health to monitor your care.

If appropriate to your condition(s), you will then be offered an annual review
discussion with a Practice Nurse or GP. If you take a lot of different medication or
there are any changes that may be needed, you may have a final medication review
with either a clinical pharmacist or a GP.

You may find that the period from your last review to your next review is slightly more
or less than 12 months as this enables us to transition to birthday month reviews
over the next year.