Chet Valley Medical Practice

13/03/2026

⚠️ TEMPORARY PAYMENT ISSUE ⚠️
Our card machine isn’t working at the moment.
Please bring the exact money with you if you need to pay for prescriptions or document fees.
Thanks so much for your patience! 💛

🚨 We will let you know once we have fixed the issue🚨

12/03/2026

Symptoms such as ongoing tiredness, swelling, changes in urination or persistent kidney pain should never be ignored. Lifestyle choices, hydration and underlying health conditions all play a role in kidney health.

There is also growing concern about ketamine use in young people, as it can cause serious damage to the bladder and kidneys, sometimes leading to long-term complications. Knowing the risks and acting early can help protect kidney function and overall wellbeing. 🩺💧💙✨

Learn more about kidney health and support:
https://kidneycareuk.org

Take a kidney health check:
https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/kidney-health-information/kidneyhealthcheck/

Read about ketamine risks and organ damage:
https://www.ukat.co.uk/addiction/drug/ketamine/

11/03/2026

Young Carers Action Day shines a light on the incredible young people who help care for family members, often balancing responsibilities at home with school and friendships.

The 2026 theme focuses on Action for Equality, calling for better recognition, improved support in schools, access to training and employment opportunities, and meaningful breaks so young carers can thrive just like their peers.

Some young carers may miss school activities or struggle with their mental health due to caring responsibilities, which is why awareness and understanding matter. Schools, organisations and communities can access resources and posters to help raise awareness and ensure young carers are not held back. 💙🌟✨

Learn more about Young Carers Action Day 2026:
https://carers.org/young-carers-action-day/young-carers-action-day

Access awareness resources:
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/event/young-carers-awareness-day-2026

10/03/2026

Tomorrow is No Smoking Day, a great opportunity to take the first step towards a smoke free future.

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and increases the risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke. Some people turn to va**ng to help them quit smoking, but it’s important to understand the facts, including concerns often raised about “popcorn lung” and other myths.

Getting the right information and support can help you make an informed decision and move towards better health. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your body. 🚭💙✨

Learn what you need to know about va**ng:
https://ash.org.uk/key-topics/va**ng-what-you-need-to-know

Read va**ng myths and the facts:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/va**ng-to-quit-smoking/va**ng-myths-and-the-facts/

Get free NHS quit smoking support:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

08/03/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 is a time to celebrate women’s strength and resilience, and also a reminder to prioritise your health. Attending cervical screening and breast screening when invited can help detect changes early, often before symptoms appear, improving outcomes and saving lives. 💐💗🩺✨

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 : https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗺𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺) : https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/breast-screening-mammogram/

Looking after your mental health is just as important, especially if current media stories feel overwhelming or triggering.

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗡𝗛𝗦 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 : https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 : https://patient.info/features/healthy-living/how-to-look-after-your-mental-health-on-social-media

With Mother’s Day approaching, this time of year can also bring up feelings of grief and bereavement for many people, and support is available if you need it. Taking care of your physical and emotional wellbeing matters.

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 : https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/managing-grief/grieving-on-mothers-day/

05/03/2026

📢🩺 Staff Training
At Chet Valley Medical Practice, our team will be attending essential staff training on:
📅 Thursday 19th March 2026
⏰ The surgery will be closed from 12:00 pm (noon)
💊 Please note: You will not be able to collect prescriptions after 12:00 pm. Prescription collection will resume the following day from 8:30 am.
🚑 If you need medical help during this time:
📞 Calls will be redirected to the out-of-hours service
💬 Contact NHS 111 for non-urgent medical advice
🚨 In an emergency, please call 999
❤️ Thank you for your patience and understanding.

04/03/2026

Ovarian Cancer Awareness is a reminder to know the symptoms and act early.

Symptoms can be vague and may include:

- persistent bloating
- tummy pain
- feeling full quickly
- needing to wee more often
- unexplained changes in appetite

If you notice ongoing symptoms that are unusual for you, it’s important to speak to your GP. When discussing symptoms, let your doctor know about any family history of cancer, not just ovarian cancer and not only in parents or siblings, as this can help assess your overall risk.

Keeping up to date with cervical screening when invited is also an important part of protecting your gynaecological health. Early action can make a real difference. 🎗️💙🩺✨

Learn more about ovarian cancer: https://ow.ly/ES3E50YlTrX

Read about spotting the signs and acting early: https://ow.ly/NOE750YlTrZ

03/03/2026

View your GP record in record time, when it suits you.

You can do more with the NHS App than you realise. Discover what else you can do today.

📱Tap the NHS App

02/03/2026

01/03/2026

Zero Discrimination Day is a reminder that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

The NHS is committed to being an inclusive employer and service provider, welcoming people from all backgrounds and communities. We recognise the importance of multi-language communication so we can work effectively with everyone and ensure care is accessible to all. We have a zero tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and racism, and we stand firmly against discrimination in any form. Creating safe, supportive environments for staff and patients is everyone’s responsibility. 🤝🌍💙✨
Find support and advice about hate crime: https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/hate-crime/

27/02/2026

Scarlet fever is a contagious infection that mainly affects children and can cause a sore throat, fever and a distinctive rash.

Early recognition and treatment are important to help reduce the risk of complications and limit spread. Community pharmacies can also offer advice on managing symptoms and when further medical care is needed, making them a helpful first point of contact for many minor illnesses. Knowing the signs and where to get help can support quicker recovery. 🌡️👶🩺✨

Read NHS guidance on scarlet fever: https://ow.ly/cyi050YhxH9
Read Patient Info advice on scarlet fever in children: https://ow.ly/gefO50YhxHk
Learn how pharmacies can help (Pharmacy First): https://ow.ly/FJKy50YhxHo