Spring 2024 Newsletter

The PPG met on the 15^th February – you can see the latest news on our Patient Participation Forum page. Our next meeting is June 13^th 1.30 – 2.30pm, please contact our Practice Manager Anne Cooper if you would like to be part of this group.

Organised by our PCN at Hanwell Community Centre every second and fourth Tuesday of each month 10.00 – 12.00pm – please let Adina (our Social Prescriber) know if you  would like to attend 07943 191 305

we are offering individual sessions with our IT lead, Victoria, please ring the surgery to book, every Wednesday 12 – 4pm

Dr Christine Oesterling and Dr Hemant Patel will be  reducing their sessions at the surgery over the summer and we have recruited a new GP, Dr Elizabeth Fong, who will be joining us on the 1^st July 24.

Our GP Registrar, Dr Zeinab Basma left us at the start of this month to go on maternity leave.

Some of our staff run regular local parkruns – we would love to see our patients at Northala or Southall runs – parkruns

parkruns are inclusive events that aim to put friendly, regular activity on the list. Run by groups of volunteers, parkruns are held all over the UK at weekends. You can volunteer to be part of the support team if you don’t wish to run.

You can find out more about where you can join a parkrun event below. Whether you’re looking for a full 5k run, a junior event or you’d like to be part of the friendly support crew, there’s bound to be an event for you!

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events

Gynae red flags

If you’re worried about symptoms of irregular bleeding, pelvic discomfort, bloating, frequent urination or lumps and bumps you’re not expecting, this helpful information can help you to recognise what your GP needs to know.

https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-to-talk-to-your-doctor-about-your-vagina

Healthy diet

Eating a healthy diet is important for long-term health and wellbeing. There are recommendations about the number of portions of fruit and vegetables you should eat, along with suggestions for fibre and protein.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eating-a-balanced-diet/

Cholesterol

High cholesterol makes you more likely to have heart disease or a stroke. You’re more likely to have high cholesterol if you eat fatty foods, don’t exercise enough, are overweight, drink alcohol or smoke. High cholesterol can also run in families.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol/

Bullying

If your child frequently has lost or damaged belongings, a change in behaviour, reluctance to go to school, or suddenly needs access to money, it’s one of a list of things that might indicate they’re victims of bullying. It’s not just children who are affected by bullying.

If you’re being bullied, whether you’re a child or an adult, the National Bullying Helpline can offer help and support so you can deal with the situation and know that you’re not alone in finding things difficult.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/

https://www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk/

Child abuse and safeguarding

Safeguarding of children and adults is everyone’s concern.

If you’re concerned about a child’s welfare, you can report your concerns anonymously. The best way to keep children safe is to report your concerns. Reports can easily be investigated and resolved, keeping the wellbeing of the child in mind.

This isn’t just true for those who work with children, but also for anyone who has a concern about a child’s welfare. You could make a huge and positive difference to their lives.

It’s also important to protect vulnerable adults. Adults who cannot protect themselves need others to help and support them. If you’re concerned about the welfare of a vulnerable adult, make sure your concerns are heard.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/report/

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/duty-of-care-and-safeguarding

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/socia…d-charities/abuse-and-neglect-adults-at-risk/

Changes that happen with age

As we get older, our bodies change. Across the globe, our populations are getting older on average and this provides a challenge for our health and support systems. Ageing healthily can help to ensure you maintain a good quality of life.

We should aim to age well. Keeping our bodies and minds healthy can help to ensure we enjoy our later years to the maximum. Age UK have some suggestions for achieving this.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/10-tips-for-ageing-better/

Testicular cancer awareness

Cancer of the testicles is one of the less common cancers and tends to occur in men aged 15 to 49. There are a number of risk factors, which include an undescended testicle or testicles, a family history and previous testicular cancer, though all men should be vigilant and check for symptoms.

If you have lumps, swelling, hardness, pain or heaviness in your testicles, it could be a sign of a number of conditions. Among the more serious is testicular cancer. So, if you’re worried about any of these symptoms, a short visit to your GP practice should help you to get to the bottom of it.

https://www.testicularcancernetwork.co.uk/april-testicular-cancer-awareness-month

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/


Shingles

Shingles is a painful condition that is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, usually on one side of your body. It can be painful and cause complications. If you’re aged 70 to 79, or turned 65 on or after 1st September 2023, you should be eligible for a free shingles vaccination.
If you’re suffering from shingles, you can find lots of helpful information about how you can best manage the infection including information about how to reduce the pain associated with shingles, and about antivirals you may be offered.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/

https://patient.info/skin-conditions/shingles-herpes-zoster-leaflet