Collingham Medical Centre

16/02/2026

Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness of risk factors, symptoms and the importance of looking after your long-term health.

A family history of cancer, smoking, va**ng, poor diet and long-term acid reflux can all increase risk. Making positive lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking or va**ng, can help reduce the risk of many cancers and improve overall health.

Knowing the signs and understanding risk factors can support earlier diagnosis and better outcomes. 🎗️🩺💙✨

Read about oesophageal cancer symptoms and treatment: https://ow.ly/fqsl50Yf76G
Learn the truth about va**ng: https://ow.ly/kigj50Yf76O
Read about what smoking does to your heart and health: https://ow.ly/zKHM50Yf76X

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/wWIn50YcOI2
Check your blood pressure reading: https://ow.ly/o9o150YcOIS
Read about smoking and your blood pressure: https://ow.ly/aYG850YcOHP

11/02/2026

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/cvzs50YcfFV

Explore Parentkind’s online safety toolkit: 🔗https://ow.ly/htpE50YcfFW

Get NSPCC online safety advice for parents and carers: 🔗https://ow.ly/kyQ050YcfFY

Find out more about Children’s Mental Health Week: 🔗https://ow.ly/ExUn50YcfFT

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/eoca50Y85EA

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/eGbx50Y82u2
Learn about NHS screening and early diagnosis: https://ow.ly/pLeq50Y82tY
Read about causes and risk factors for cancer: https://ow.ly/7OPj50Y82u8

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/pMvl50Y5XB0

🔗 Read about sexual violence against men: https://ow.ly/cgyL50Y5XAv

🔗 NHS help after r**e and sexual assault (including SARC services): https://ow.ly/Alj150Y5XAZ

🔗 How to opt out of emergency phone alerts: https://ow.ly/RrAE50Y5XB2

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

As previously shared, Dr Edda Schuerch has now left Collingham Medical Centre, with today being her final day. We would like to thank Dr Schuerch for her dedication and the care she has given to our patients, and we wish her and her family all the very best as they return to Germany.

We are also pleased to confirm that Dr Pollie Harrison, who has been with us for the past few months, has now joined the practice. Many of you will already know her, and we are delighted to formally welcome her to the team.

Thank you for your continued support.

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

We are currently experiencing high levels of unplanned absence in our team. Please bear with us as we work to answer your calls as quickly as possible.

For routine matters, we encourage you to use our online triage service, which may be faster and more convenient. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

https://accurx.nhs.uk/patient-initiated/c84045