Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious illnesses, with potentially life-changing complications, that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Mumps outbreaks are currently occurring across England. Children need two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine. Both doses are needed to ensure full and lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

If your child has missed either of these two doses, please contact us for an appointment with Nurse Sarah. It’s never too late to catch up and protect those around you.

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, which doesn’t gain the same recognition as other cancers.

This month, we stand together to raise awareness, support those affected, and push for more research, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Being aware of the symptoms of blood cancer can save lives. Some of the symptoms may include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Shortness of breath
• Night sweats
• Persistent fatigue

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them. Speak to your GP; it’s always better to check.

https://bloodcancer.org.uk/understanding-blood-cancer/blood-cancer-signs-symptoms

https://bloodcancer.org.uk/about-us...ss Month is,comes together to raise awareness.

Every September, Urology Awareness Month shines a spotlight on urology diseases. This year, the theme of the month is ‘Bladder Leakage: Time to Act’.

One in five people in the UK are affected by bladder problems and one in three women live with bladder leakage. Many people rely on continence products and the impact on daily life and mental health can be significant.

• Bladder leakage can happen for many reasons:
• Menopause or childbirth
• Urology cancers like bladder or prostate cancer
• Urinary tract infections
• Ongoing conditions like incontinence or after surgery

If you’ve experienced symptoms and need some help, please request an appointment with a GP. 

Vascular disease is a leading cause of coronary heart disease and heart attacks, and it also contributes to strokes. It develops, often silently for many years, due to inflammation and weakening of the veins and arteries, along with the gradual build-up of fatty deposits inside blood vessels. It may only become apparent when the damage is severe.

Prevention is better than cure. Take control with a few lifestyle changes:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a balanced diet – think plenty of fruit, vegetables and fibres
• Stay active
• Limit alcohol and stop smoking
• Manage conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes

For support, please speak to a member of our team. Together we can fight vascular diseases.

https://www.penningtonslaw.com/news...nth-dispelling-myths-and-promoting-prevention

September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month. During the month, charities raise awareness of gynaecological cancers, which includes ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.

Each year in the UK, over 22,000 women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer, and early diagnosis is key to improving outcomes.

If you’ve noticed symptoms that aren’t normal for you, it’s worth getting checked. These symptoms aren’t usually cancer but it’s important to identify any changes in your own body.

• Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, including any bleeding after the menopause
• Persistent bloating, feeling full more quickly or nausea
• A persistent itch, lump or changes to the vulval skin or vagina
• Unexplained lower back, abdominal or pelvic pain

For more information visit: https://eveappeal.org.uk/information-and-advice/gynaecological-cancers/  

If you remain concerned you can request online or call our reception team for a GP appointment. 

5 million UK adults aged 18-64 may have undiagnosed high blood pressure, increasing their risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. Many don’t even know it. That’s why getting a simple blood pressure check at home could really save your life!

High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” as it can show no symptoms at all. If you know your numbers, you’ll have the power to act and monitor changes. Whether you need to cut down on salt, increase your activity level or discuss medication, it starts with a simple blood pressure check.

https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/your-blood-pressure/

https://www.bloodpressureuk.org/know-your-numbers/know-your-numbers-week/

Every three seconds, someone dies of sepsis. World Sepsis Day is the annual reminder of the importance of early recognition of this dangerous condition.

Sepsis happens when the body attacks itself following an infection. It may lead to shock, multi-organ failure and death, so it’s vital to pick it up quickly.

Knowing the signs can help early intervention and a greater chance of survival. Symptoms can vary, and can be particularly difficult to spot in babies and children. 

for more information about sepsis, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/

Did you know that one donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation? By saying yes to organ donation, you could give someone else a second chance at life.

Sadly, someone will die today waiting for a transplant, and most of us would accept an organ if we needed one. It takes just two minutes for someone to confirm their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

All adults in England are now considered to have agreed to be an organ donor when they die unless they’ve recorded a decision not to donate or are in one of the excluded groups.

It’s never been easier to show you support donation; simply update the details in your NHS App. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/nhs-app-account-and-settings/organ-donation/

Aged 17 to 65?

Generally fit and well?

Weigh more than 7st 12lbs (50kg) and less than 25st (158kg)?

You could help by donating blood as stocks are critically low.

Giving blood

You can give blood at thousands of donation venues across England, from permanent donor centres to pop-up community venues.

More about giving blood

Giving plasma

You can give plasma (part of your blood that can make life-saving medicines) at 3 donation venues in England:

• Birmingham
• Reading
• Twickenham

More about giving plasma

Information: 

Note that you can't donate blood and plasma at the same appointment.

If you have a baby under six months of age, it can be really difficult to know whether you need to make a medical appointment, or whether you can safely look after your baby at home. The Lullaby Trust built an app to help parents of young babies to know the difference:
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-check-app/

National Weaning Week, 12th – 16th May

Babies are usually ready to start trying their first solid foods when they reach six months of age. Giving your baby a wide variety of normal family foods can encourage habits for life, but we do need to make sure we’re careful as some foods such as salt and honey aren’t suitable for very young children.
https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/how-to-start-weaning-your-baby/

If you’re caring for someone at risk of going missing, you might want to have a look at the Herbert Protocol. Named after a war veteran called George Herbert, the Herbert Protocol helps you to establish information about someone who’s at risk before they go missing.

In the event that they later do go missing, you’re able to quickly share the information with the police force.

We’ve linked some national information below, but you’ll be able to find the information for your local police force and their forms by carrying out an internet search. The police will ask additional questions about what happened if/when the individual goes missing, but having the protocol ready helps you to think about important information beforehand when you’re not in a moment of intense stress.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...gether-magazine/scheme-support-missing-people

The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across England.

People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. 

Venues that support ‘Ask for Angela’ have been given Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. Delivered by the Met’s licensing officers and Safer Sounds partnership, it gives staff the ability to help customers who may be in a situation that makes them vulnerable or unsafe.

For more information about the scheme, visit: https://askforangela.co.uk/