Bridgend Group Practice - Ashfield, Newcastle & New Street Surgery

24/11/2025

🤢💧 Vomiting and diarrhoea affect both children and adults, but the risks and care needs can differ. Here’s what to watch out for and how to respond 🧠

👶 Children vs 🧔 Adults - What’s Different?

Children:
‑ Dehydrate more quickly - loss of fluid builds up faster
‑ More vulnerable to electrolyte imbalance
‑ May refuse drinking or have a harder time telling how they feel
‑ Risk signs: dry nappies, sunken eyes, irritability, listlessness

Adults:
‑ Might manage symptoms longer before seeking help
‑ Risk of complications if they have chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, kidney disease)
‑ The underlying cause can vary (infection, foodborne, side effect of meds)

✅ What to Do (For All Ages)
🛌 Rest & stay home
💧 Sip small amounts of fluids frequently
🍚 Once able, introduce bland, easy-to-digest foods
🧼 Wash hands often, especially after bathroom or caring for sick
❌ Avoid preparing food for others until 48 hours after symptoms subside

⚠️ When to Seek Medical Help
Watch for these red flags (in both children & adults):

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea lasting more than a few days
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Unable to keep fluids down
• Signs of dehydration (dizziness, extreme thirst, low urine output)
• High fever or unexplained pain

More trusted advice here:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/

Stay alert, act early, and take care 💚

21/11/2025

🥦🧠 It’s Malnutrition Awareness Week - and while it’s often associated with undernutrition, malnutrition can affect anyone, even those trying to lose weight.

Healthy eating isn’t just about cutting calories - it’s about getting the nutrients your body needs to thrive 💪

💡 Did you know?
⚠️ Weight loss medications like Mounjaro, Wegovy or Saxenda can reduce appetite so much that people may miss out on essential nutrients.
⚠️ Malnutrition symptoms can be subtle - like fatigue, slow healing, or feeling cold all the time.
⚠️ Even if you're eating, you could be missing key vitamins or minerals.

✅ Learn more:
🍽️ NHS Better Health tips: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/
📋 Malnutrition symptoms: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/malnutrition/symptoms/
💊 Weight loss med side effects: https://onlinedoctor.boots.com/weight-loss/wegovy-saxenda-side-effects
🥕 10 nutrients you might be lacking: https://patient.info/news-and-features/10-essential-nutrients-you-might-be-lacking

Eat well. Stay strong. Be informed. 💚

20/11/2025

19/11/2025

👨‍⚕️📋 International Men’s Day is approaching – and it’s the perfect moment to prioritise our health checks!

Did you know the NHS offers a free health check for adults to help spot risks like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and more? Check it out:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check

Want to know what happens at the check? Learn more at:
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-to-expect-at-an-nhs-health-check

📌 This is important for every man – whether you feel fine or not. Strong health starts with awareness and action.

17/11/2025

VACANCY FOR PRESCRIBING CLERK
Bridgend Group Practice is looking to recruit a motivated, organised and patient-focused Prescribing Clerk to join our friendly administrative and clinical team. This is a key role supporting the safe and efficient processing of repeat prescription requests for our patient population.
30 hours per week:
• Monday: 8.30am – 4.30pm
• Tuesday: 8.30am – 4.30pm
• Thursday: 8.30am – 4.30pm
• Friday: 9.30am – 5.30pm
About the Role
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
• Processing incoming repeat prescription requests accurately and in line with practice protocols
• Communicating with patients, pharmacies and clinicians regarding medication queries
• Ensuring prescription requests are actioned promptly and safely
• Updating and maintaining accurate patient medication records
• Supporting clinicians with prescription-related administrative tasks
• Contributing to ongoing improvements in prescribing safety and efficiency
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Confident using IT systems (EMIS experience desirable but not essential)
• Able to work well under pressure in a busy environment
• A strong communicator with a positive, patient-centred approach
• Keen to learn and develop within a supportive primary care team
Full training will be provided but previous prescribing experience is desirable.

What We Offer
• A supportive, welcoming team environment
• Opportunities for development within primary care
• NHS pension
• Flexible and understanding practice culture
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter to our Managing Business Partner, Joanne Carter, on 01656 652774 or joanne.carter@wales.nhs.uk

17/11/2025

🦠💊 Antibiotics are powerful medicines - but they aren’t always the answer. Using them when they’re not needed can cause harm and make future infections harder to treat.

Here’s what you should know:
✔️ They only work against bacterial infections, not viruses like colds or flu.
✔️ Overuse is driving antibiotic‑resistance (“superbugs”) - which means common infections can become untreatable.
✔️ Do these things to help protect their effectiveness:
‑ Only take antibiotics when prescribed by a healthcare professional
‑ Complete the full course exactly as directed
‑ Never save antibiotics for later or share them with others

📚 Learn more here:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antibiotics/antibiotic-antimicrobial-resistance/
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/why-antibiotics-should-not-be-overused

14/11/2025

🩺🔍 Worried you could be at risk of type 2 diabetes? A few changes in your family history, lifestyle or symptoms might mean a lot.
Here’s what to keep in mind:

• 👪 Family history matters – If a parent, sibling or relative has diabetes, your own risk goes up.
• 🍔 Lifestyle factors count – Being overweight, inactive or having higher waist size can all raise risk.
• 🚩 Symptoms might be subtle – Increased thirst, tiredness or needing to wee more may be signs.
• 📊 Want to know your risk? Try this tool: https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start
• 📖 More reading on what to expect and why this matters: https://patient.info/diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-leaflet

It doesn’t mean diabetes is inevitable - taking action now could make a real difference. 💪

13/11/2025

Our phone lines are currently down. We will update you once the issue is resolved.

12/11/2025

🥂✨ Not drinking? That’s a valid choice - and one worth celebrating.

is about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable with their own decisions, whether they drink or not.
Some people are cutting back for health, others are taking a break, and some simply don’t enjoy it - and that’s okay 💬🧃

👂 How can we be more supportive?
✔️ Respect someone’s choice without questioning it
✔️ Offer non-alcoholic options
✔️ Keep social events welcoming for everyone

Learn more from:
👉 https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stopsobershaming
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-not-to-say-to-someone-who-doesnt-drink-alcohol
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-sobriety-becoming-trendy

Let’s help make every setting inclusive, whatever’s in your glass 💚

11/11/2025

📢 Flu season alert – book your jab now!

Flu is spreading earlier and harder than usual in Wales. Public Health Wales reports that the flu-season has already started ahead of schedule.

In addition, hospital admissions for flu over winter 2024-25 were the highest since the pandemic.
GOV.WALES

Because demand is high this year, we have added extra vaccine clinics at the surgery to make it as easy as possible for you to get protected.

✅ If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine (for example: aged 65+, pregnant, have a long-term health condition, a carer, etc) – please email us at practice.manager.w95070@wales.nhs.uk to book your appointment or call us in the usual way.

Don’t wait and risk catching flu – being vaccinated not only protects you, but also helps reduce strain on our local healthcare services and protects people around you.

Stay well, get your jab, and help us keep our community safe this winter! 💪

10/11/2025

💙 It’s Anti‑Bullying Week 2025: Power for Good! Time to stand up, speak out, and build kinder communities 🌟

Bullying can happen anywhere: in schools, workplaces, online, even in organisations up and down the ladder. It affects everyone.

Here’s how we can make a difference together:
👫 Be an ally, not a bystander - if you see something, say something
🏫 In schools: encourage safe spaces, peer support, and open dialogue
💼 In workplaces & organisations: promote respect, zero tolerance, and clear reporting structures
🗣️ Share stories, challenge harmful behaviour, and support those who feel alone

Learn more and access resources:
👉 https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
👉 https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-and-bullying

Let’s work together for environments where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued 💪