Mount Chambers Surgery

22/04/2026

Diabetic eye screening is an important part of diabetes care and helps protect your sight. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the eyes, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which can cause vision loss if not detected early. Screening checks for early signs before you notice any changes, meaning treatment can start sooner and help prevent serious damage.

If you have diabetes and are aged 12 or over, you will usually be invited for screening every 1–2 years. The test is quick and involves taking photographs of the back of your eyes to check for any changes.

Attending your screening appointment can:
• Detect problems early before symptoms develop 👁️✨
• Help prevent or reduce sight loss 💙🩺
• Support long-term eye health as part of your diabetes care 🌿📊

Even if your vision feels fine, it’s important to attend when invited. 💙✨

Learn more about diabetic eye screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/diabetic-eye-screening/

20/04/2026

Smoking affects nearly every part of your body, increasing the risk of serious conditions like cancer, heart disease and stroke. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits start almost immediately. It can also have a big impact on your finances, with the cost of smoking adding up over time. Understanding both the health and financial impact can be a powerful motivator to quit. 💷🚭💙✨

Reasons to quit smoking include:
• Improved heart and lung health ❤️🫁✨
• Reduced risk of cancer and serious illness 🎗️💙
• More energy and better overall wellbeing ⚡🌿
• Saving money every week and year 💷📊

Small steps can lead to big changes, and support is available to help you quit for good. 💙🚭✨

Use the smoking cost calculator: https://patient.info/healthy-living/smoking-cost-calculator
Learn about the true impact of smoking: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/why-quit-smoking/understanding-the-true-impact-of-smoking/

17/04/2026

Patient Notice: Update to Appointment Request System 🏥

We would like to inform our patients that, following careful consideration of the feedback regarding the recently introduced eConsult online triage form, the surgery has decided to revert to our online triage form through Accurx.

We are grateful to everyone who shared their experiences. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us assess patient access and service quality. We recognise that the recent change may have caused inconvenience for some, and we sincerely apologise for any frustration caused.

Our priority remains providing patient-centred care, and we believe returning to Accurx will better support our community at this time.

Thank you for your continued understanding.

17/04/2026

Knowing your blood pressure reading is one of the simplest ways to protect your heart and overall health. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but it can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems if left untreated. Checking your reading regularly and understanding what it means can help you take control of your health.

You can help manage your blood pressure by:
• Eating a balanced diet with less salt 🥗🧂✨
• Staying active and moving regularly 🚶‍♂️💪
• Maintaining a healthy weight ⚖️💙
• Reducing alcohol and stopping smoking 🚭🍷
• Managing stress levels 🧠🌿

Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference over time. 💙🩺✨

Check your blood pressure reading: https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/check-your-blood-pressure-reading
Read about foods that can help lower blood pressure: https://patient.info/features/heart-health/foods-to-lower-blood-pressure

15/04/2026

If you're waiting for treatment or surgery, the My Planned Care website can help you stay informed and supported while you wait. It provides average waiting times for local hospital trusts, helping you understand what to expect, as well as signposting to advice and support to help maintain your health and wellbeing during this time. Taking small steps to look after yourself while waiting can make a real difference. 💙🩺✨

Find waiting times and support on My Planned Care: www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk

13/04/2026

IBS Awareness Month highlights a common condition that can have a big impact on daily life.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system and can cause a range of ongoing symptoms that may come and go.

Common symptoms include:
• Stomach pain or cramping, often relieved after going to the toilet 🤕✨
• Bloating and excessive wind 💨💙
• Diarrhoea, constipation or a mix of both 🚽⚠️
• Changes in bowel habits 📊🩺

Symptoms can often be triggered by stress, certain foods or lifestyle factors. Managing IBS may involve dietary changes, staying active, reducing stress and understanding your triggers. If symptoms are persistent or worsening, it’s important to speak to your GP to rule out other conditions. 💙🌿✨

Read NHS guidance on IBS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/
Learn about digestive issues and when it could be something more serious: https://patient.info/features/digestive-health/could-your-digestive-issues-be-ibd

12/04/2026

11/04/2026

Feeling under the weather but struggling to see a GP? 🤒

There are over 200 Pharmacy First appointments available every single week right here in Braintree! Our local pharmacies are ready to help you with minor ailments, sore throats, UTIs, and more—no long waits required.

Getting seen is fast, easy, and right on your doorstep.

📲 How to book:

Scan the QR code in the image below.

Visit the CPNBS (Community Pharmacy National Booking System) website.

Select your nearest pharmacy and find a time that suits you.

Let’s keep Braintree healthy! 💙

10/04/2026

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder of how important screening is, even if you feel well.

The NHS bowel cancer screening programme is designed to detect cancer early, often before symptoms appear, when treatment is more effective and outcomes are better.

If you are aged 50 to 74, you will be sent a free home testing kit every 2 years. The test is simple to do and checks for tiny amounts of blood in your poo, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.

Taking part in screening can:
• Detect cancer early, before symptoms develop 🩺✨
• Help prevent cancer by finding and removing polyps 💙🔍
• Improve survival rates and treatment outcomes 📊🌿

Even if you feel healthy, it’s important to complete your test when invited.

If you notice symptoms like changes in bowel habits, blood in your poo, ongoing tummy pain or unexplained weight loss, contact your GP. Early action can save lives. 💙🎗️✨

Learn more about bowel cancer screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/bowel-cancer-screening/

08/04/2026

Stress Awareness Month is a time to recognise the signs of burnout and take steps to protect your mental wellbeing.

Burnout can build up over time and may leave you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, less motivated or struggling to concentrate. Recognising the early signs and taking action can help prevent things from getting worse.

Common signs of burnout include:
• Constant tiredness or lack of energy 😴💤
• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope 😣💭
• Reduced motivation or productivity 📉💼
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions 🧠⚠️
• Changes in sleep or mood 🌙💙

Taking regular breaks, setting boundaries, speaking to someone you trust and seeking support can all help you manage stress more effectively. You are not alone, and help is available. 💙🌿✨

Learn more about burnout: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/
Read about the symptoms of burnout: https://patient.info/features/mental-health/what-are-the-symptoms-of-burnout

07/04/2026

World Health Day is a great time to highlight how digital access is making healthcare quicker and easier for patients. Our “Tap it, type it, we’ll take care of it” approach encourages patients to use online services like the NHS App, GP websites and online forms to get the help they need without waiting on the phone.

Using online access means you can:
• Contact your GP about a health problem quickly and easily 💻📱✨
• Submit requests at a time that suits you ⏰💙
• Get directed to the right care first time 🩺✅
• Help reduce phone lines for those who need them most ☎️💚

Online forms are simple to use and ensure your request is reviewed and prioritised appropriately by the practice team. Digital access helps improve efficiency, reduce waiting times and make care more accessible for everyone. 📲💙✨

Learn how to use an online form to contact your GP: https://ow.ly/QYig50YB3IN