Church Stretton Medical Practice

13/02/2026

National Heart Month is a great time to think about simple ways to protect your heart and improve your long-term health. ❤️🩺💪✨

Checking your blood pressure, understanding your heart age and making positive lifestyle changes like stopping smoking can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Small steps taken today can make a big difference for your future heart health.

If you experience chest pain and tightness, or shortness of breath, call 999 📲

Calculate your heart age: https://ow.ly/besb50YcOGh
Check your blood pressure reading: https://ow.ly/XZJx50YcOGj
Read about smoking and your blood pressure: https://ow.ly/NECv50YcOGg

11/02/2026

Children’s Mental Health Week is a great opportunity to think about how we can support children’s wellbeing in everyday life. 🧠💙📱✨

Creating healthy habits around screen time and internet use, having open conversations about what children see online, and knowing where to find support can all make a positive difference.

For families waiting for neurodiversity or mental health assessments, trusted guidance and early support can help while you’re on the journey. Small, consistent actions at home can help children feel safer, more confident and better supported.

Read about talking to children about healthy internet use: 🔗https://ow.ly/7Vpc50YcfGt

Explore Parentkind’s online safety toolkit: 🔗https://ow.ly/GX2U50YcfGf

Get NSPCC online safety advice for parents and carers: 🔗https://ow.ly/93Ib50YcfGa

Find out more about Children’s Mental Health Week: 🔗https://ow.ly/9WiO50YcfGo

09/02/2026

HIV testing is quick, confidential and an important part of looking after your sexual health. Many people with HIV do not have symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your status.

Free testing options are available, including home testing and local services, making it easier than ever to get checked. Prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment mean people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. 🧪💙🩺✨

Order a free HIV test: https://ow.ly/WnF450Y8L7R
Learn about HIV Prevention England and prevention support: https://ow.ly/29wo50Y8L7Y
Read about antibody and antigen tests: https://ow.ly/Syh250Y8L7X
Get information about HIV and AIDS: https://ow.ly/ETYf50Y8L7W

05/02/2026

Mind’s Time to Talk Day is a reminder that talking really can change lives. Whether you’re feeling lonely around Valentine’s Day, coping with grief or bereavement, or struggling with your mental health, you deserve to be heard and supported.

If you’re waiting for therapy, there are ways to look after yourself, manage difficult feelings and find support in the meantime. Small conversations, with friends, family or professionals, can be a powerful first step towards feeling less alone. 💙🗣️🌱✨

Read Mind’s advice on coping while on a waiting list for therapy: https://ow.ly/Fivi50Y85Ew

04/02/2026

World Cancer Day is a chance to raise awareness of cancer prevention, early diagnosis and the importance of national screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer. Screening can help find changes early, before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful. 💙✨

Many people diagnosed with cancer now live longer and better lives thanks to improvements in detection, treatment and support. Understanding risk factors, making healthy lifestyle choices and attending screening when invited can all help reduce risk and improve survival. Support is also available for anyone affected by cancer, from diagnosis through recovery and beyond. 🎗️

View cancer survival statistics: https://ow.ly/ELQm50Y82ti
Learn about NHS screening and early diagnosis: https://ow.ly/tKaN50Y82uw
Read about causes and risk factors for cancer: https://ow.ly/wU3p50Y82tW

02/02/2026

Sexual Violence Awareness Week is a time to highlight support for anyone affected by sexual assault or sexual violence, including women and men. 💜

Help is available if you have experienced abuse, are worried about someone else, or need advice on staying safe. Confidential support, medical care, forensic services and sexual health checks (including STI testing) can be accessed through specialist services.

You may also see emergency alert test notifications on your phone during national testing. Opting out can help some people keep phones hidden and safe, as these alerts override silent and do not disturb settings.

You are not alone, and support is there when you are ready. 🕊️🩺✨

🔗 Get personal safety & domestic abuse advice: https://ow.ly/63yw50Y5XCp

🔗 Read about sexual violence against men: https://ow.ly/C6fA50Y5XCa

🔗 NHS help after r**e and sexual assault (including SARC services): https://ow.ly/NJxS50Y5XFm

🔗 How to opt out of emergency phone alerts: https://ow.ly/ZhbL50Y5XCc

30/01/2026

Turning on NHS App notifications is a simple way to help the NHS save money while staying informed about your healthcare. 💙

Notifications can remind you about appointments, test results, prescriptions and important updates, helping reduce missed appointments and unnecessary letters or texts.

Using the NHS App makes it easier to manage your health in one place, saves time for NHS services and helps resources be used where they are needed most. Making this small change can have a big impact for you and the NHS. 📱

Learn how to manage NHS App notifications: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/nhs-app-help-and-support/nhs-app-account-and-settings/managing-nhs-app-notifications/

28/01/2026

28/01/2026

NHS 111 is there to help when you need urgent medical advice but it’s not an emergency. You can use NHS 111 if you’re unsure what to do, where to go, or if you need help outside of GP opening hours. 🩺💙

Find out when to use NHS 111: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/

Trained advisors and healthcare professionals can assess your symptoms, give advice, book appointments, or direct you to the right service quickly and safely. You can access NHS 111 online or by phone, and it’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 📞✨

Use NHS 111 online: https://111.nhs.uk
Contact NHS 111 by phone: Call 111

26/01/2026

Regular exercise plays a vital role in maintaining both physical and mental health, and it does not have to mean spending hours in the gym. Being active can help reduce the risk of long-term conditions, improve mood and boost energy levels, while also supporting independence as we age.

Examples of regular exercise include:
🚴‍♂️ Brisk walking or cycling to improve heart health
💪 Strength exercises like carrying shopping or resistance training to build muscle
🧘‍♀️Balance and flexibility activities such as yoga or stretching to reduce falls and stiffness
💙 Low-impact activities like swimming or chair-based exercises, especially later in life

Staying active in ways you enjoy makes it easier to keep exercise as part of everyday life.

Learn about the health benefits of exercise: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/

Explore exercise ideas for weight loss without the gym: https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/the-best-exercises-for-weight-loss-if-you-hate-the-gym

Read advice on exercising safely in later life: https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/how-to-exercise-safely-in-later-life

23/01/2026

Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as caring for your physical health. The Better Health – Mind Plan Quiz helps you create a personalised plan with simple, practical actions to support how you’re feeling right now. From managing stress and anxiety to improving sleep and boosting mood, trusted advice and resources can help you take positive steps for your mental health. 💙🧠✨

Take the Mind Plan Quiz: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/your-mind-plan-quiz/

Read the latest mental health features and advice: https://patient.info/features/mental-health?sort=recent

21/01/2026

Please see the attached planning application that the Practice has submitted to gain permission to add a more substantial porch to the front of the Medical Practice, this will provide better access for patients and better and more efficient heating of the Practice. You can view the application on the Shropshire Planning portal at https://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/ and make comments up until 4 March 2026. This notice will also be displayed on the Practice Door.