Heilendi Practice

13/03/2026

💤 World Sleep Day

Not sleeping well? You’re definitely not the only one.

Sleepio is an NHS-recommended treatment that uses CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) to help tackle poor sleep and insomnia.

It’s free to access for adults aged 18+ across Scotland and can be done online, in your own time.

If sleep has been a struggle, it might be worth a look:
https://sleepio.com/sleepio/nhs/391 #1/1

08/03/2026

💜 International Women’s Day

Today we’re celebrating the women in our community — patients, carers, colleagues, mums, daughters, friends — and the many roles you juggle every day.
So often, women put everyone else first.

This International Women’s Day, we’d like to gently remind you: your health matters too.

If it’s been a while since your smear test, if you’re navigating menopause, struggling with heavy or painful periods, or simply have a health concern you’ve been meaning to ask about — please don’t put it off.



We’re here to support you.

06/03/2026

Important Notice – Monday 9 March 2026

On Monday 9 March, between 09:30 and 12:00, NHS Orkney will be carrying out a planned IT upgrade. During this time, our phone lines/computers systems may be affected.

☎️ If you’re calling the surgery on Monday morning, please be aware there may be some disruption to our normal service.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

03/03/2026

📚 World Book Day is this Thursday!

Here are some of our favourite books to hopefully give you a bit of costume inspiration!

🐷 Peppa Pig Loves Doctors and Nurses
🐶 Find Spot at the Hospital
👫 Topsy and Tim Go to the Doctor
🐭Doctor Maisy
🐲Zog and the Flying Doctors
🩺Usborne First Experiences: Going to The Doctor

And as a bonus — these stories might help make your child’s next visit to the doctor feel a little more familiar and a little less daunting.

Wishing all our families a Happy World Book Day!

26/02/2026

🌟 HENRY: Healthy Families Right from the Start

A FREE 8-week programme for parents and carers in Orkney starts next week.
Looking for friendly support to build healthier habits and positive routines at home?

Join on Tuesdays at The Balfour, 10am–12pm, from 3 March to 5 May.

The programme covers healthy routines, mealtimes, emotional wellbeing and active play — all in a supportive, relaxed setting.

Sign up:
📧 ork.henry@nhs.scot
🔗 https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=veDvEDCgykuAnLXmdF5JmmlLhqPmy0hMgimAkcypuaRUMkVQWkNVWEkxTThZQUVVMDhGVkdCQjRBUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawQEKeNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJxakNEMVh0UkJVZ3hEMjF1c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjdFdmOZwGTNDSk7TPR93jObFSwGQ8SF_4YSuFfClA2K4Pfpe_CG6BaZwubi_aem_7Nizi-acrJGbNwOIVR09uA

Everyone is welcome.

24/02/2026

🤧 Feeling under the weather after half term?

All that excitement (not to mention the wet weather) can sometimes catch up with us.

If you need a sick note for work, you don’t need to phone the practice — you can request one quickly and easily via our website: https://heilendipractice.co.uk/appointments/been-off-work/

It helps our team process requests more efficiently and saves you waiting on the phone.

We hope everyone had a lovely half term — and if you’re feeling a bit run down, take it easy 🌿

19/02/2026

Pharmacy First: quicker help for common conditions

Did you know your local pharmacy can help with many everyday health problems — no GP appointment needed?

Pharmacists can advise on and treat things like:
🤧 Coughs & colds
👂 Earache
🦠 UTIs
🌸 Hay fever
🧴 Skin conditions

Using Pharmacy First Scotland means faster care for you — and helps keep GP appointments free for those who need them most.

👉 Find out more:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/pharmacy/nhs-pharmacy-first-scotland/

Not sure where to go? Your local pharmacy is often a great first stop

16/02/2026

It’s Cancer Prevention Week 🎗️
Here’s the hopeful bit: many cases of cancer don’t need to happen.

Research suggests that around 40% of cancers could be prevented by making changes to everyday things we can influence – what experts call modifiable risks.

Small changes can make a real difference, like:
🏃‍♀️ Moving more
🥦 Eating more veg, fruit, wholegrains and beans
🍔 Cutting back on fast food
🥩 Limiting red & processed meat
🥤 Reducing sugary drinks
🍷 Drinking less alcohol
🚭 Not smoking
☀️ Staying safe in the sun
🤱 Breastfeeding if you can
💙 Following healthy lifestyle advice after a cancer diagnosis, where possible

You’ll find practical tips and guidance here from the World Cancer Research Fund: https://www.wcrf.org/preventing-cancer/cancer-prevention/our-cancer-prevention-recommendations/

Our website also links to trusted local cancer support including CLAN and ICJ, and national guidance via NHS Inform: https://heilendipractice.co.uk/health-information/

It’s not about doing everything – it’s about doing something. And knowing help is there when you need it

14/02/2026

This Valentine’s Day, love includes looking after your health

Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, dating, or just focusing on yourself, sexual health is an important part of overall wellbeing.

Regular STI screening helps:
• Protect your health
• Prevent infections being passed on
• Give peace of mind — even if you feel well

Many STIs don’t cause symptoms, so testing can be important even when everything feels fine.

Support and information
Our website shares trusted sexual health information and links to services, so you can get the right advice, testing and support when you need it — confidentially and without judgement: https://heilendipractice.co.uk/patient-resources/

Looking after your health is an act of care — for yourself and for others

11/02/2026

This FREE in person programme for parents & carers in Orkney starts next month! More details on the programme and how to sign up below...

🌟 HENRY: Healthy Families Right from the Start
FREE in person programme for parents & carers in Orkney

Are you a parent or carer looking for trusted, friendly support to help your family build healthy habits, boost wellbeing, and enjoy more positive routines at home?

Join us for a friendly, supportive eight week programme designed to help your family build healthier habits together.

🗓 Tuesdays:
3rd March • 10th March • 17th March • 24th March • 31st March • 21st April • 28th April • 5th May

⏰ Time: 10am – 12pm
📍 Location: The Balfour (In person)

Discover practical tips on:
✔ Building healthy routines
✔ Positive mealtime habits
✔ Emotional wellbeing
✔ Physical activity and play
✔ Understanding your child’s needs

💬 How to sign up:
Email ork.henry@nhs.scot
or complete the online form: 🔗forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=veDvEDCgykuAnLXmdF5JmmlLhqPmy0hMgimAkcypuaRUMkVQWkNVWEkxTThZQUVVMDhGVkdCQjRBUS4u&route=shorturl

✨ Everyone is welcome – come along, learn, share and have fun!

09/02/2026

Spring is on the way 🌱

The days are slowly getting lighter — and in Orkney, where winter daylight can feel especially short, that small change really matters.

For many people, the tail end of winter can still feel heavy.
Low light levels, tiredness and long dark spells can take their toll, even as we edge closer to spring.

Did you know?
Kirkwall library offers Winter Wellness Kits, designed to help people through the darker months with simple comforts and practical wellbeing support: https://orkneylibrary.org.uk/wintering-well-kits/

You’ll also find trusted mental health and wellbeing resources on our website if you need a bit of extra help — whether that’s self-care advice, local support, or knowing when to reach out: https://heilendipractice.co.uk/health-information/

Spring doesn’t arrive all at once — and neither does feeling better.
Be kind to yourself, take things gently, and remember support is there 🌼

04/02/2026

When it’s blowing a hoolie and the winter weather feels relentless, it can really wear you down — especially with short days and ongoing disruption.

If you’re feeling anxious or low, you’re not alone. Our website shares trusted mental health and wellbeing support, including local and national helplines if you need someone to talk to: https://heilendipractice.co.uk/health-information/

It’s okay to ask for help. Support is there