Heywood Health

11/12/2025

👀Look who trotted into Heywood Health today...

Our very own Christmas elf is on reindeer duty and ready to bring festive smiles to patients young and old.

We hope this brings a little brightness to your day🌟🎄🦌

09/12/2025

❄️With colder temperatures and shorter days - plus all the coughs, colds and bugs doing the rounds - winter can be tough for us all.

Our NHS also comes under extra under pressure too so it’s more important than ever to know what to do and where to go if you’re feeling under the weather.

To find the right service for your needs, go to the get to know where to go page: https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/gtkwtg/

08/12/2025

🎄 CHRISTMAS HAMPER RAFFLE! 🎄
Fancy winning an amazing festive food hamper packed with treats?

We’re selling raffle tickets for just 50p each/ £2 a strip and every penny raised goes straight back into supporting the Darnhill community Darnhill Community Cafe

✨ How to enter:
Pop into the surgery and grab your ticket!

📅 Raffle will be drawn on 22nd December, just in time for Christmas!

Don’t miss out… it could be your lucky ticket! 🎉

05/12/2025

Did Not Attend Appointments. A Quick Reminder

Last month, we had a high number of missed appointments at the surgery. Every missed slot means another patient waiting longer to be seen.

If you can’t make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible - even a quick call or message helps us offer that slot to someone else. Thank you.

04/12/2025

✨New vaccine update for parents✨
From January 2026 the NHS will begin offering a brand new combined vaccine for children: MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella & chickenpox)!

📆 What you need to know:
Eligible children will be offered the vaccine as part of the routine schedule.

For many kids, this means two doses one around their 12 month birthday, and a follow-up around 18 months.

Older children who haven’t had chickenpox or the full course will also be offered a catch up dose.

✅Why this matters:
This helps reduce the risk of children getting chickenpox which, while often mild, can sometimes lead to serious complications.

It also means fewer injections and visits, which can make vaccinations a bit easier on little ones (and busy parents).

For further information please see below links:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692730d1a245b0985f034130/UKHSA_13469_A5_MMRV_leaflet_12_WEB.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/free-chickenpox-vaccination-offered-for-first-time-to-children

02/12/2025

🤢Vomiting & Diarrhoea🤢: What’s Different for Children vs Adults

Vomiting and diarrhoea can affect anyone, but the risks can look very different depending on age. Here’s what to watch out for:

👶 Children

Dehydrate much faster 💧

More prone to electrolyte imbalance ⚖️

May refuse drinks or struggle to explain how they feel 😣

Warning signs: dry nappies, sunken eyes, irritability, unusual tiredness 😴

👩‍🦰 Adults

May cope longer before seeking help ⏳

Higher risk of complications if they have long-term conditions (diabetes, kidney disease) ⚠️

Causes may vary: infection, foodborne illness, or medication side effects 🍽️💊

What Everyone Should Do

Rest & stay home 🛌

Sip small amounts of fluids often 🥤

Try bland foods once able 🍞

Wash hands regularly 🧼

Avoid preparing food for others for 48 hours after symptoms stop

❗When to Seek Medical Help

• Symptoms 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 NHS advice here:
https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/

20/11/2025

This week is Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week.

We can all do our part by using antibiotics wisely:
✔ Only when prescribed
✔ Never sharing or saving leftover antibiotics
✔ Completing the full course

Together we can slow resistance and keep these medicines working for our community 💙

13/11/2025

❤️A heartfelt thank you to those who attended their face to face appointments last month.

However 89 appointments were unfortunately not attended.

*These appointments are highly sought after. Please inform us if you are not able to attend your appointment for whatever reason, so we can give it to another patient who needs it.

❌Cancel the appointment by:
Replying to your message reminder with the word CANCEL
Call the surgery
Through the NHS App

Please help us to stop these appointments being wasted.

14/10/2025

📞Have you changed your phone number, moved house🏠 or got a new email address ✉️?

Sometimes we need to get in touch with you about test results, appointments or important health updates.

If any of your contact details have changed, please contact the surgery to update your records.

09/10/2025

08/10/2025

🎃Check your pumpkins for lumpkins! 🎃

06/10/2025

🌟 Optimistic October 🌟

Being optimistic doesn’t mean pretending everything’s perfect. It’s about focusing on the positives, finding hope, and believing things can get better!

Here are a few simple ways to bring more optimism into your day:
💛 Think of three things you’re grateful for
💛 Notice the good in people and situations
💛 Celebrate even the small wins

Optimism is really powerful! It can lift your mood, boost wellbeing, resilience, and a healthier mindset.

Let’s all spread some positivity this month and see how it brightens our days (and those around us too!)

📅 You can view or download the Optimistic October calendar here: https://actionforhappiness.org/calendar