A31 PCN October Newsletter
Our regular newsletters highlight what’s going on across the A31 Primary Care Network — from community events and health campaigns to updates from your local practice teams.
Our regular newsletters highlight what’s going on across the A31 Primary Care Network — from community events and health campaigns to updates from your local practice teams.
October is Cholesterol Awareness Month – a great time to learn more about how cholesterol affects your health and what you can do to keep it at a healthy level. Cholesterol often gets a bad name, but it’s actually something your body needs to stay healthy. It helps build cells and make certain hormones. The
Every October, people across the country come together to raise awareness of breast cancer, the most common cancer in the UK. Around 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and while it is much less common in men, it can still affect them too. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is
Every year, thousands of people in the UK suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. The statistics are sobering: fewer than 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, the chance of survival reduces by up to 10%. That’s why Restart a Heart Day on 16th October
We know that using AccuRx can feel a bit confusing or intimidating at first. Don’t worry — we’re here to help! Simply click on “Submit a new request” on the homepage of the practice’s website. Check out this helpful video from AccuRx, which walks you through how to submit a request. Just follow the steps
Every year, World Mental Health Day is marked on 10 October. It’s a chance to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing, encourage conversations, and remind ourselves that support is available. This year’s theme is “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies”. It highlights how important it is for people to be
The A31 Primary Care Network (PCN), along with Boundaries Surgery, Chawton Park Surgery, and The Wilson Practice, would love to hear your thoughts on local health and wellbeing events. We want to understand how you usually find out about these events, what interests you most, and how we can make future activities even more useful,
October marks the return of Stoptober, the national campaign that helps people quit smoking and start living healthier, smokefree lives. Whether you’ve been thinking about giving up for a while or this is your very first attempt, now is the perfect time to take that step. Why join Stoptober? Local help and support Here in
Theme: Looking for the Missing Millions Every September, Know Your Numbers Week shines a spotlight on the importance of blood pressure checks. This year’s theme – Looking for the Missing Millions – highlights that millions of people in the UK are living with high blood pressure without even realising it. Why it matters High blood
World Suicide Prevention Day is marked on 10 September each year. It’s a chance for us all to come together, raise awareness, and remember that suicide is preventable. This year’s theme is “Creating hope through action” — reminding us that even small acts can make a big difference. Why Awareness Matters If You’re Feeling Suicidal

As the colder months approach, it’s a great time to think about how we can all stay as healthy as possible. Getting your winter vaccinations is one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you from serious illnesses like flu and COVID-19.

We know that getting the right help from your GP practice can sometimes feel a little confusing. That’s why we wanted to share a new guide from the NHS called ‘You and Your General Practice’.
Vaccinations aren’t just for children — they’re an important way of protecting health throughout life. From babies to older adults, immunisations help defend against serious illnesses that can spread quickly and cause long-term complications. Vaccinations are one of the most significant achievements in public health. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines prevent an estimated
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful way to nourish and bond with your baby—but it’s not always easy. Whether you’re preparing to breastfeed, currently navigating the challenges, or figuring out what works best for you and your baby, we want you to know: you’re not alone. Every feeding journey is unique. Some babies latch straight away,

We understand that fear of flying is a very real and distressing issue. However, there are several important reasons why prescribing diazepam (or similar sedatives) for this purpose is not recommended: Alternative Support for Fear of Flying Rather than relying on medication, a much more effective and long-term solution is to address your fear of
July is a time to raise awareness of two lesser-known but important types of cancer — Sarcoma and Head & Neck Cancers. Spotting the signs early can make a big difference. Sarcoma Awareness Month Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can develop in the bones or soft tissues like muscles, fat, or blood

Planning a trip to Europe or certain other countries? Don’t forget your free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)! It’s an important card that can help you get necessary state healthcare if you suddenly fall ill or have an accident while you’re away.

With measles cases recently highlighted in the news, it’s more important than ever to ensure you and your family are protected. Getting two doses of the MMR vaccine offers long-lasting protection, helping to keep our communities safe. It also helps to keep those safe who can’t have the vaccine themselves, like very young babies or people with certain health conditions.

The changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule are designed to provide even better protection for babies and young children across the UK.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory illness. It can be particularly serious for young babies and older adults, sometimes leading to bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and hospital admission.

Music Therapy Aimed at stroke support survivors who are struggling with aphasia. No musical or vocal skills are required, just some enthusiasm to consider music therapy and learn more about it. No one will be asked to do anything they feel uncomfortable with, and the aim is to enjoy yourselves. As always, tea and cake
It was Men’s Health Week last week (10–16 June 2024) so this is a great time to take stock of how you’re feeling — physically, mentally and emotionally. Whether you’re dealing with stress, aches and pains, or just want to feel more energised, small changes can make a big difference. Here are 10 things you
Healthy Eating Week is the perfect time to think about how what we eat affects our health and wellbeing – both now and in the long term. Whether you’re cooking for a family, living alone, or supporting someone else, small changes can make a big difference. Why healthy eating matters Eating well doesn’t mean dieting
Please have a read of what has been going on in the practices, the PCN and the community. Pt newsletter – May
5-11 May is Dying Matters Awareness Week, a time to encourage people to talk openly about death, dying, and end-of-life care. It’s an important topic that can feel uncomfortable, but having open conversations about death can help reduce fear and ensure that you receive the care and support you need at the end of life.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a vital time to raise awareness about the most common form of cancer in the UK. While skin cancer is often treatable when caught early, prevention and early detection are key. Why It Matters Each year, thousands of people in the UK are diagnosed with skin cancer. The two
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, but early detection saves lives. Over 90% of cases can be treated successfully if caught early. That’s why it’s important to know the symptoms and take part in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. Signs & Symptoms Symptoms of bowel cancer can be subtle,
Please see our new-look newsletter with updates from the PCN and the practices.
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the most common cancer in young men (ages 15–49). While testicular cancer is relatively rare and has high survival rates, early detection is key to successful treatment. Know the Symptoms Testicular cancer can often be spotted early. Look out for: ✔ A painless lump
Please see our new-look newsletter with updates from the PCN and the practices.

Taking your bra off at the end of the day feels great. And so does getting your breast screening sorted.

The NHS App is no longer accessible as a mobile app for anybody using older devices. If you cannot use the NHS App on a mobile device, you can log in through the NHS website.

The first sign of a stroke might not seem serious. Like not being able to raise your arm, or struggling to smile, or slurring when you speak.

When you quit smoking, good things start to happen. You’ll begin to see almost immediate improvements to your health.

Article written by members of The Chawton Park Surgery Patient Participation Group Recently the Chairs of the three Patient Participation Groups (Chawton Park, Wilson Practice and Boundaries) visited the hospital to find out more about the care offered there. The hospital is physically and administratively divided into two: Visiting the wards, observing the atmosphere and