The Parish Fields Practice

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/8Wr350YcflT

Explore Parentkind’s online safety toolkit: 🔗https://ow.ly/ISf750YcflQ

Get NSPCC online safety advice for parents and carers: 🔗https://ow.ly/wW9m50YcflW

Find out more about Children’s Mental Health Week: 🔗https://ow.ly/uveO50Ycfm1

Place2Be's official Children's Mental Health Week exists to empower, equip and give a voice to all children and young people in the UK.

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/cUrH50Y8L2Q
Learn about HIV Prevention England and prevention support: https://ow.ly/HyOP50Y8L2F
Read about antibody and antigen tests: https://ow.ly/af6V50Y8L35
Get information about HIV and AIDS: https://ow.ly/ioFg50Y8L2S

HIV and AIDS are not the same thing and people who get HIV infection do not automatically develop AIDS. Written by a GP.

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:

Read about ways to help you cope while on a waiting list for therapy, including understanding the waiting list, self-care activities, and other resources.

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/iyPk50Y82mk
Learn about NHS screening and early diagnosis: https://ow.ly/x1iC50Y82mI
Read about causes and risk factors for cancer: https://ow.ly/kFYQ50Y82mh

Certain risk factors are Certain risk factors are known to increase the chance that one or more of your cells will become abnormal and lead to cancer. Written by a GP. known to increase the chance that one or more of your cells will become abnormal and lead to cancer.

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/HKGZ50Y5Xri

🔗 Read about sexual violence against men: https://ow.ly/IfFX50Y5Xrq

🔗 NHS help after r**e and sexual assault (including SARC services): https://ow.ly/jRVi50Y5XrS

🔗 How to opt out of emergency phone alerts: https://ow.ly/zSyu50Y5Xry

Victims of domestic abuse can take steps to opt out of a test of the Emergency Alerts system this weekend, the Justice Minister has said.

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/

29/01/2026

TELEPHONE CALLS TO THE PRACTICE
A reminder that our automated telephone call system opens at 8.00am each weekday (excluding Bank Holidays).
This is the easiest way to request an appointment if you do not have online access. (Our online appointment request forms on our website also open at 8am each weekday).
Our automated telephone service is accessed by dialling 01379 642023 and selecting option 1.
Our automated telephone service remains open until 6.30pm on these days.
You simply need to speak into the telephone to detail how you would like the Practice to help you- just as you would if you were speaking to a receptionist.
Your request will then be reviewed by our Triage Team, which is led by a Duty Doctor, and we will then contact you with an update.
Please can we also remind patients that the Practice has ONE WORKING DAY to respond to appointment requests, whether these are submitted online, at the telephone or at the Reception window at the Practice.
Can we please ask that patients do not contact us to chase their request within one working day of submitting a request, unless their condition is deteriorating or they need help with a different enquiry.
Our telephone lines are becoming under increased pressure from patients telephoning to see if we have received their request, sometimes as soon as half an hour from the original request, which means our Reception team are delayed in answering other appointment request calls. This at a time of year when the Practice is seeing the highest levels of demand.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency at any time please dial 999 and ask for the ambulance service.
Thank you for your cooperation which will help us to help you more efficiently.

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

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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

While many people see later life as a time to slow down, it's vitally important to stay physically active. But it's important to do it safely, particularly if you haven't exercised before.

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

Articles on mental health and wellbeing, with advice on managing stress, anxiety and more.

22/01/2026

PATIENTS NOT ATTENDING APPOINTMENTS
Unfortunately we are experiencing an increasing number of patients not attending appointments and not advising us beforehand.
Since 1st December 2025 there have been 244 appointments lost because of this issue.
This equates to the equivalent of almost 10 days of clinical time lost.
This is at a time when the demand for appointments has reached its highest level in 12 months, with 5,442 appointments booked by the Pratice in December 2025.
We appreciate that there are some occasions when missing an appointment is unavoidable, but we would again please request that, wherever possible, patients advise us in advance when they cannot attend an appointment.
Our “Cancel an appointment” option on the Practice website is available 24/7, and our telephone service is available weekdays (excluding Bank Holidays) 8.00am - 6.30pm for patients to advise if if they cannot attend a booked appointment.
Where we identify patients are consistently missing appointments without advising us, we will regrettably have to consider options which could, in serious cases, result in the Practice removing the patient from our patient list.
We hope that this will not be necessary, and that patients will work with us on this important issue.

21/01/2026

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is a reminder of the importance of taking steps to protect your health. Cervical screening helps detect abnormal cells before they can turn into cancer, and attending when invited can save lives.

Understanding the facts, challenging common myths and knowing what to expect from screening can help reduce anxiety and encourage more people to attend. Reliable information and support are available to help you make informed choices about your cervical health. 💗🩺✨

Learn more from The Eve Appeal: https://eveappeal.org.uk/

Read NHS guidance on cervical screening: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/

Explore myths and facts about cervical screening: https://patient.info/features/cancer/what-are-the-common-myths-and-facts-about-cervical-screening

Misinformation, fear and embarrassment put many people off attending their cervical screening appointments. Why it is important to attend your smear test?