Introduction
The Doctors have implemented a monthly ‘topic of focus’ which aims to raise awareness of current important national and local health campaigns but also to provide a ‘spotlight’ on certain areas/projects the Practice is directly involved in. Information is displayed in surgery waiting areas and on the practice website.
Is your heart older than you?
Do you know your heart age? Adults across the country are being encouraged to take a few minutes out of their day to get to know their heart age by taking a free online, ‘Heart Age Test’, which asks physical and lifestyle related information, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol, and determines if someone’s heart is at a higher age than their actual age.
Having a heart age older than your chronological age means that you are at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke, which are the two main forms of cardiovascular disease, which is the second leading cause of death in the country. It is estimated that over 50 deaths a day from these conditions could be prevented if people had a better understanding of their heart health.**
The Heart Age Test has been completed 1.9 million times so far and four out of five of those have a heart age higher than their chronological age. To find out your heart age, search ‘Heart Age’ or go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/check-your-heart-age-tool/
** This figure has been derived from investigating the number of deaths of this kind in people under 75 years of age
Posted 04.09.18
Be Clear on Cancer campaign urges people to “tell their doctor” if they notice blood in their pee
On 19th July, a Be Clear on Cancer campaign will launch to raise awareness of ‘blood in pee’ as a key symptom of bladder and kidney cancer.
The campaign is urging people to tell their doctor straight away if they notice blood in their pee, even if it is just once. Blood in pee is a key symptom for both bladder and kidney cancers and these cancers are more treatable if they are found early.
Knowing the symptoms of bladder and kidney cancers and going to see the doctor if you have any of them could save your life.
For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/bloodinpee
Posted 03.08.18
CARERS WEEK - SUPPORT FOR CARERS AT THE SURGERY
The surgery runs an annual health check service for patients who are carers. Appointments are designed to give you a full health check and an opportunity to discuss your health. The appointment will last approximately 15 to 40 minutes. Representatives from Carers Support West Wilts and the Wiltshire Council/DWP Financial Assessment & Benefits Team are also available to offer advice or answer any queries.
Hayley Holland is the Practice Carers Representative.
She is able to provide help and information to Carers. She is also able to access services for you (appointments etc) so that they can be arranged at a time that suits you.
To speak with Hayley, please telephone The Health Centre, BOA, 01225 866611.
Allergy Awareness Week
Allergy Awareness Week is run by Allergy UK and will run from Monday 23rd April to Sunday 29th April 2018.
What is the aim of Allergy Awareness Week?
The focus of Allergy Awareness Week will be on “travelling with an allergy” and the difficulties this can cause sufferers. During the awareness week, Allergy UK will be sharing their top travel tips with allergy sufferers and advice on how to cope with these, as well as spreading awareness.
For more information please click here
DIABETES PREVENTION WEEK 16 – 22nd April 2018
Around 2
00,000 people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every year – you don’t need to be one of them.
Start your journey to a Healthier You with the Healthier You:
NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
A free, personalised programme to help you with your weight, healthy eating and exercise – reducing your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
See if you may be at high risk of type 2 diabetes at www.diabetes.org.uk/risk and speak to your GP practice team to check if you’re eligible for the programme.
8th February - Raynaud’s Awareness month
Raynaud’s Phenomenon is a condition thought to affect up to ten million people in the UK and it can be incredibly painful. With Raynaud’s, the small blood vessels in the extremities are over-sensitive to changes in temperature, which can cause a Raynaud’s attack. February is Raynaud’s Awareness Month in which they aim to highlight Raynaud’s and the work of the RSA by asking you to "LOVEyourGLOVES!” February is statistically the coldest month of the year and it is vital to wrap up warm and protect your extremities.
For more information please click here
4th February 2018 - World Cancer Day
Cancer affects so many people across the world and currently 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide each year. World Cancer Day is the ideal opportunity to spread the word and raise awareness of cancer in people’s minds and the world media. This global event takes place every year on 4 February and aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by encouraging individuals to take action.
For more information please click here
5th February 2018 Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violene Awareness Week
Abuse includes domestic violence, rape and sexual assault. Find out where to get help, how you can support a friend and how to recognise the signs of abuse.
Please click here
Reduce your risk’ of cervical cancer
Women across Wiltshire have been urged by local health bosses to do their best to prevent cervical cancer.
National charity Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has today (Monday 
22 January 2018) launched Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, with the theme of ‘reduce your risk’.
And doctors across Wiltshire have joined the call for women in the area to:
- Attend cervical screening when invited;
- Know the symptoms of cervical cancer and seek medical advice if experiencing any;
- Take up the HPV vaccination if aged 11 to 18;
- Talk to friends and family to ensure they know how they can reduce their risk;
- Know where to find support and further information.
For more information on cervical screening, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/
Stop Smoking services available in Wiltshire
Free, proven support to help you quit!
Join the millions of people who have used Smokefree support to help them stop smoking. We’ve got loads of support to help you quit, so choose what's right for you.
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-stop-smoking
Smokers will also find useful information at https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree
Wiltshire IAPT Service (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) 
The Wiltshire IAPT Service is an NHS provider of psychological support to patients over the age of 16 years registered with a Wiltshire GP practice.
The service provides a wide range of support through GP surgeries to people experiencing common mental health difficulties, primarily those associated with anxiety and depression. The Wiltshire IAPT services range from self-help therapies, to psycho-educational courses, online and one to one support.
Assessment appointments with a Psychology Practitioner can be arranged by calling the Wiltshire IAPT Service administration team on 01380 731 335.
For more information please visit the following link
https://iapt-wilts.awp.nhs.uk/
Act F.A.S.T. campaign returns to empower people to call 999 at any sign of a stroke
On 1st February 2018, Public Health England, working closely with Stroke Association, will relaunch the national “Act F.A.S.T.” stroke campaign.
The campaign raises awareness for the signs of stroke and reinforces the importance of acting F.A.S.T. and calling 999 if you notice any single one of the signs in themselves or others. All three signs are not needed in order to make a 999 call, one is enough. Therefore, the campaign urges individuals to act without hesitation, upon spotting any sign, for both themselves and on behalf of others.
The campaign is built around the ‘Act F.A.S.T.’ (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) acronym to highlight the key signs of stroke and emphasise the importance of acting quickly by calling 999:
- Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
- Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
- Speech – is their speech slurred?
- Time to call 999
A stroke is known as a ‘brain attack’. There are over 100,000 strokes a year in the UK, causing over 40,000 deaths. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention as every minute is vital. That is why calling 999 is so crucial. An ambulance can give stroke patients those extra precious minutes, through faster and more specialist treatment via their knowledge of the nearest appropriate Hyper Acute Stroke Unit.
For more information please click here
4th February 2018 - World Cancer Day
Cancer affects so many people across the world and currently 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide each year. World Cancer Day is the ideal opportunity to spread the word and raise awareness of cancer in people’s minds and the world media. This global event takes place every year on 4 February and aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by encouraging individuals to take action.
For more information please click here
New Change4Life campaign encourages parents to 'look for 100-calorie snacks, two a day max' to cut children’s sugar intake.
Public Health England (PHE) is helping parents take control of their children’s snacking by launching the first Change4Life campaign promoting healthier snacks.
This is because half of children’s sugar intake, currently around 7 sugar cubes a day, comes from unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks, leading to obesity and dental decay.
Each year children are consuming almost 400 biscuits; more than 120 cakes, buns and pastries; around 100 portions of sweets; nearly 70 of both chocolate bars and ice creams; washed down with over 150 juice drink pouches and cans of fizzy drink.
09.01.18
Spend lots of time outdoors? Cover up mate!
As part of NHS England’s Cover Up Mate campaign, we are encouraging men who spend a lot of time outdoors, such as farmers, builders, gardeners and sportsmen, to take a safer approach to the sun to help reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the number of cases in the south west almost doubled between 2005 and 2014. A recent survey conducted by Imperial College found that there are 48 deaths, and 241 cases of melanoma skin cancer in Britain a year, caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays absorbed from the sun while at work. In fact getting painful sunburn just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer.
For more information please click here
18.07.17
Diabetes Week - Sunday 11th June - Saturday 17th June
Please click here for more information
5.06.17
Mental Health Awareness Week (8th - 14th May)
This years theme is ‘surviving or thriving’? For more information please click here
12.05.17
Topic of Focus - Over the Counter Remedies - March
As medicines are a crucial part of medical treatment, it is important to have a good understanding of them.
How can you get medicines?
Some medicines are available from pharmacists or supermarkets, while others require a prescription from your GP or another healthcare professional.
The availability of medicines depends on the level of supervision experts believe is necessary before you use a particular medicine.
Under laws governing the supply of medicines, you can obtain medicine under three categories:
- prescription-only medicines
- pharmacy medicines
- general sales list medicines
For more information please click here
04.04.17
Topic of Focus
National Self Care Week (14 - 20 November 2016)
What is Self-Care Week?
Self-care Week is an annual national awareness week that focuses on establishing support for self-care across communities, families and generations.
More needs to be done to support people to better look after their own health. Empowering individuals to self-care has many benefits for their short term and long term health and this is important since people are living longer.
Helping people to look after their own health, and their family’s health also helps to manage demand on health services.
Helpful Fact Sheets - please click on the links
For more information please visit:
http://www.selfcareforum.org/events/self-care-week-resources/
31.10.16
Topic of Focus - June 2016
Diabetes Week 2016
Sunday 12 June to Saturday 18 June 2016
Just about everyone has heard about diabetes. And, with 3.5 million people diagnosed in the UK and a further 549,000 who have the condition but don't yet know it, most of us know a friend or family member living with diabetes. And yet it’s still hugely misunderstood.
For more information please click here
Topic of Focus - March 2016 - Healthy Living
For more information please click here
01.03.16
WHO IMMUNISATION WEEK – Monday 24th April 2017
Your help to raise uptake of routine childhood vaccinations
28 March 2017 -- World Immunization Week, which is held from 24-30 April 2017, aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of full immunization throughout life, and its role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information please click here.
24.04.17
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month - Red meat and the risk of bowel can
cer
Red meat – such as beef, lamb and pork – can form part of a healthy diet. But eating a lot of red and processed meat probably increases your risk of bowel (colorectal) cancer.
That’s why the Department of Health advises people who eat more than 90 grams (cooked weight) of red and processed meat a day to cut down to 70 grams, which is the average daily consumption in the UK.
For more information please click here
No Smoking Day - 9th March 2017
Why quit?
Quitting is the best thing you'll ever do, and you're in the right place to do it. Find out why now is the right time to quit.
Please click here
09.03.17
Eating disorders are characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour.
A person with an eating disorder may focus excessively on their weight and shape, leading them to make unhealthy choices about food with damaging results to their health. For more information please click click here
21.02.17
Out of breath? Listen to your lungs.....
Getting out of breath when you push yourself is healthy and normal. But sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious. Take our online breath test to see if you should get checked out.
Visit:blf.org.uk/breathtest or call our helpline on 03000 030 555 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
07.03.17
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Every man has one, it's important for their sex life, yet few men know anything about their prostate or what can go wrong with it. Better knowledge about this walnut-sized gland will help men to make better choices about testing and treatment. For more information please click here.
02.03.17
National Campaign - February 2016 - Cervical Cancer
For more information please click here
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