If you are experiencing any of the following:
you can access free NHS appointments at local opticians as part of the urgent eyecare service (CUES). To find your nearest practice and information on how to access it, please visit Find a Practice – Search for your nearest participating optical practice (primaryeyecare.co.uk) Please be aware this is not a sight test.
It was announced on Sunday, 12 December 2021, that the NHS will offer a booster vaccination booking to every adult by the end of December in response the Omicron variant.
Please note that you should not contact your GP Practice to book your booster jab, you should use the National Booking Service or call 119. Some vaccination sites may offer a walk-in service but the best way to ensure you get a jab is to make an appointments through the nationals booking service.
General practice is working hard to support the covid-19 vaccination programme, but we are still here for you but the way you access care may be different:
With the new legal requirements regarding face coverings coming into effect in England, we thought it might be useful to explain when and who requires a covid exemption card/certificate.
If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering:
This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for not wearing a face covering.
However, if you feel more comfortable showing something that says you do not have to wear a face covering, this could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or sign. Carrying an exemption card or badge is a personal choice and not required by law.
If you wish to use an exemption card or badge, you can download and print out or show these templates: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear them, so please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances.
Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
This includes (but is not limited to):
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering:
Alcohol Awareness Week is about raising awareness of the dangers alcohol can have on your health and wellbeing and it’s about campaigning for change.
Cutting back on alcohol consumption can be a really effective way to improve your health, boost your energy, lose weight and save money!
The NHS Better Health Campaign have a free ‘Drink Free Days’ app, allowing you to track your alcohol intake, view tips on cutting down and receive reminders when you need them most. The app is available for FREE on the app store or Google Play.
However, if you are struggling with your drinking and it is becoming an issue for you or your family, help is available, and many people seek it every day – https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help-now
We know feeling stressed and being under pressure is a normal part of life but becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse.
This stress awareness day the aim is to highlight the ways stress can affect people and what you can do to manage your stress before it becomes a problem.
Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure. When you are stressed, your body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Stress is your body’s reaction to help you deal with pressure or threats. This is sometimes called a “fight or flight” response. Your stress hormone levels usually return to normal once the pressure or threat has passed.
A small amount of stress can be useful. It can motivate you to take action and get tasks completed. It can also make you feel alive and excited. But too much stress can cause negative effects such as a change in your mood, your body and relationship issues.
To find out more information about stress and what you can do to manage it, visit https://www.nhs.uk/ or https://www.rethink.org/
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and as it’s the most common cause of death from cancer in both men and women claiming almost 35,000 lives a year, the campaign is encouraging people to visit their GP sooner if they have symptoms.
Early detection of lung cancer makes it more treatable, so encouraging people to recognise symptoms such as a persistent cough, breathlessness and sudden weight loss and to see their GP could save lives.
To find out more about Lung Cancer Awareness Month, visit https://roycastle.org/.