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Don’t forget to book your Cervical screening test!
Cervical screening (smear test) is a free health test available on the NHS that helps prevent cervical cancer. It check for a virus called high-risk HPV and, if you have HPV, cervical cell changes. It is not a test for cancer.
All women and people born with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 should go for regular cervical screening. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to make an appointment.
If you are worried about how cervical screening is done, check out this short video:
If you missed your last cervical screening, you do not need to wait to book an appointment, call and book today!
Byhowbeck
Diabetes – do you know the signs to look out for?
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are 2 main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes – where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
Type 2 diabetes – where they body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin.
This Diabetes Awareness Week, be aware of the symptoms to look out for:
- Feeling very thirsty
- Peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- Feeling very tired
- Weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
- Blurred vision
Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience that main symptoms of diabetes.
For more information https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/ and https://www.diabetes.org.uk/07
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Diabetes – Check your risk
There are two type of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes isn’t linked with age or being overweight. The causes are unknown and it is unpreventable. Only 10% of people with diabetes have Type 1.
Type 2 diabetes is much more common. It is linked to lifestyle factors and develops over time. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, it is largely preventable.
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The Mental Health Foundation announces ‘loneliness’ as the theme for mental health awareness week 2022
Loneliness affects millions of people in the UK every year and is a key driver of poor mental health. The Foundation’s ‘mental health in the pandemic’ research has found that loneliness has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. The week aims to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental wellbeing and the practical steps we can take to address it.
Read more about the research here https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/mental-health-foundation-announces-loneliness-theme-mental-health-awareness-week-2022
If you need support with your mental health or are worried about someone else visit https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/ for more information.
Byhowbeck
Deaf Awareness Week
This week is Deaf Awareness Week and this year is being used to celebrate deafness!
Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in the UK is deaf or has hearing loss? There are also over 50,000 deaf children and young people in the UK and some of those will be sharing their stories this week using the hashtag #MyDeafStory.
If you would like to know more about how you can communicate easier for someone who is deaf or has hearing loss there are a number of sites you can use:
https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/deaf-awareness/
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/deaf-awareness-week/#:~:text=Deaf%20Awareness%20Week%20is%20an,and%20be%20more%20deaf%20friendly.
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NHS Covid-19 pass for 12-15 year olds for international travel
Fully vaccinated 12 to 15 year olds are now able to access a NHS COVID Pass letter for international travel. You can find out more information about this on the gov.uk website.
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Face coverings and Covid-19 rules are still in place at your practice
Polite notice to all patients and visitors to Balance Street Practice. Whilst government guidance has changed due to the vulnerability of some patients attending the practice we please ask that you continue to wear face coverings when attending the practice. Please DO NOT attend the surgery if you have any Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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Do you want to live in a compassionate community?
We saw an amazing response from our community throughout the pandemic.
Please see this article about the compassionate community project that Dr Atherton is launching with support from the NHS, Patient Participation Groups, Staffordshire County Council, Burton Albion Community Trust, Staffordshire Community Foundation, Support Staffordshire, Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre, Uttoxeter Cares and St Giles Hospice. There is something we can all do to help and this starts with a message of hope.