Benchill Medical Practice

22/01/2026

🌬️ Clean Air Night – Let’s Breathe Better Together 🌬️

Air pollution can worsen conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease and allergies, and it can affect children, older adults and those with long-term health conditions most.

Did you know that wood burning is the most polluting way to heat your home?

Wood burning produces fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), which enters your bloodstream when inhaled and can cause heart and lung disease, as well as increasing your risk of diabetes and dementia.

If people in the UK only burned wood when no other heat source is available, we could avoid more than 1,500 deaths in the UK every year and save the NHS over £54 million in healthcare costs (that’s nearly 1.5 million GP appointments each year).

Even homes with newer “Ecodesign” wood burners are three times more polluted than those without, putting the health of you and your family at risk. And burning wood doesn’t just pollute your home – it pollutes your local community and harms the health of your neighbours.

Visit cleanairhub.org.uk to find out more and join the conversation on

16/01/2026

Love Your Liver Month

Did you know, your liver performs over 500 jobs to keep you alive? So, it’s important to show it some love! When it’s damaged, the liver can repair itself, but only up to a point.

Sadly, people with liver disease often don’t have any symptoms until the disease has progressed and it’s far too late for treatment. So, look after your liver with these top tips:

🔹Focus on a balanced diet
🔹Stay hydrated
🔹Minimise alcohol
🔹Take the correct dosage of medications
🔹Ensure safe hygiene to reduce the risk of hepatitis

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/love-your-liver/

Did you know that nine out of ten cases of liver disease could have been prevented? During Love You Liver Month, it’s the ideal time to make some lifestyle changes to protect your hepatic health. Cutting down on alcohol and making changes to what you eat could make a big difference.

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/love-your-liver-month/factsheets/

9 in 10 cases of liver disease could be prevented. Love Your Liver is our national awareness campaign devoted to liver health.

15/01/2026

🥶 WINTER VACCINATION WALK IN CLINICS 🥶

There are some things you can do to help yourself keep protected this autumn and winter. This includes getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccine if you’re eligible.

The NHS is offering free vaccines to those most at risk of being unwell if they catch flu and COVID-19. You can pop along to a walk-in clinic (for people aged 18 and above unless stated) – no appointment needed! Most are both offering flu and Covid vaccinations.

📅 Saturday 18th January
🏬 Tesco Baguley, Altrincham Road, M23 9TJ
⌚ 10am - 4pm

📅 Tuesday 20th January
🏬 Northenden Social Club, Palatine Road, M22 4JT
⌚ 10am- 4pm

📅 Thursday 22nd & Saturday 24th January
🏬 Wythenshawe Civic Center, M22 5HZ
⌚ 10am- 4pm

If you’re eligible for both a Covid and a flu jab, you can safely have these together at the same visit. If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for a flu jab, just ask the pharmacist when you arrive.

13/01/2026

Dry January

Whether you’ve overindulged during the festive season or you’re simply ready to make a change for your health, January is a great time to reset your relationship with alcohol. To keep you motivated, the free Try Dry® app will keep you on track. Download it today: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/dry-january

Trying Dry January can have many more benefits that you’d expect; not only will your bank balance see a positive change but your health will thank you! In just 30 days, you’ll find you sleep better, your energy levels and concentration will increase, and by the end of the month, you’ll have reduced your risk of developing cancer. Why not give it a try?

https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/benefits-of-dry-january-and-when-you-can-expect-to-see-them

If you are experiencing difficulties with your drinking and require some help or information, you can self refer to CGL (Change Live Grow) based in Wythenshawe.

https://www.changegrowlive.org/service/manchester-drug-alcohol/referrals

The official website for the Dry January® challenge: one month alcohol-free. Take part and reset your relationship with alcohol in January and beyond.

12/01/2026

🎉 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀! 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻!🎉
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our Friends and Family Test! Your valuable feedback is so important to us at BENCHILL MEDICAL PRACTICE.
We're delighted to share the fantastic responses we've received from our latest test results. It's wonderful to see your kind words about our dedicated team and the care you receive. Your positive comments truly motivate us!
We also carefully review all suggestions for improvement and are continuously working to enhance your experience and the services we provide. Your voice helps us grow and evolve.
Thank you for continuing to share your thoughts – it genuinely helps us understand what we're doing well and where we can improve. If you haven't already, please do complete the Friends and Family Test after your next visit!
From the team at BENCHILL MEDICAL PRACTICE.

03/01/2026

Starting 5 January at - Stride & Savour is a new group for the over 50s...

The group is also looking for Wellbeing Champion Volunteers to support the group's activities. Walking is a key part of the programme. Volunteers will help:

👣 Support gentle group walks
💬 Walk back to the library together for a cuppa and chat
📱 Encourage simple weekly habits (run online – no prep needed)

Stride & Savour offers:
✅ Volunteer reimbursement
✅ Training & guidance
✅ Starter kit
✅ Friendly, supportive team

👉 Join the Wellbeing Champion WhatsApp group here:
chat.whatsapp.com/IjLeKqgzjP82K68nie15RK

No experience needed — just a friendly face and willingness to help.

03/01/2026

Temperatures are falling this weekend and the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings across the country ❄️

Winter can be a difficult time for everyone, but it can be especially tough as we get older. Check in on your older family, friends, and neighbours to help keep them safe this winter, and share our Winter Wrapped Up guide for top tips on staying warm and well: https://bit.ly/4iWYuLP

02/01/2026

MMRV is now part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme, replacing the MMR vaccine.

It protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

Chickenpox is very common and can sometimes lead to serious complications, so vaccination helps reduce the risk of serious illness as children grow.

You don’t need to do anything — your GP will be in touch when your child is due.

More advice ➡️ https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmrv-vaccine/

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year from all of us at the Practice! 🎉
We’d like to wish all our patients a happy, healthy start to the year ahead.

The New Year is a great time to reflect and set goals — and many resolutions focus on health and wellbeing. Whether you’re thinking about:
✔️ Stopping smoking
✔️ Cutting down on alcohol
✔️ Losing weight or improving nutrition
✔️ Becoming more active
✔️ Managing a long-term condition
✔️ Supporting your mental wellbeing

Our GP practice is here to help. We offer advice, support, and access to services that can help you make positive, realistic changes at your own pace.

💬 Do you have a health-related New Year’s resolution for this year? Let us know in the comments, or speak to a member of our team to find out how we can support you.

Here’s to a healthier year ahead for everyone 💙

31/12/2025

🍷⏸️ Thinking about drinking less? Taking regular breaks from alcohol and even stopping for a period can lead to real benefits.

👉 https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/should-you-take-regular-breaks-from-drinking-alcohol-throughout-the-year
👉 https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-stop-drinking
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less/

Even a few drink-free days each week can make a difference — better sleep, more energy, improved mood and long-term health gains. Make a plan, choose your days, and notice how your body thanks you. 💪

30/12/2025

Christmas knocked your routine off track? Check in with the NHS Healthy Choices Quiz.

The quiz asks a few quick questions about your lifestyle and gives you a score out of 10, plus a clear summary of how you’re doing.

You’ll also get personalised NHS apps and advice to help you make small, realistic changes – when you’re ready.

Take the quiz now: www.nhs.uk/better-health/healthy-choices-quiz/

30/12/2025

Reminder: some local pharmacies may have different opening hours on New Year’s Day.

If you need a pharmacy, search “NHS GM pharmacy opening times” to find one open near you.