Nightingale Medical Centre

12/11/2025

🥂✨ Not drinking? That’s a valid choice - and one worth celebrating.

is about creating a space where everyone feels comfortable with their own decisions, whether they drink or not.
Some people are cutting back for health, others are taking a break, and some simply don’t enjoy it - and that’s okay 💬🧃

👂 How can we be more supportive?
✔️ Respect someone’s choice without questioning it
✔️ Offer non-alcoholic options
✔️ Keep social events welcoming for everyone

Learn more from:
👉 https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stopsobershaming
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-not-to-say-to-someone-who-doesnt-drink-alcohol
👉 https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-sobriety-becoming-trendy

Let’s help make every setting inclusive, whatever’s in your glass 💚

Even though Dry January can feel like a struggle, for some it offers a much-needed socially acceptable reason to take a break from drinking and reassess their relationship with alcohol. Is it just a temporary trend, or are more people staying sober for good?

10/11/2025

💙 It’s Anti‑Bullying Week 2025: Power for Good! Time to stand up, speak out, and build kinder communities 🌟

Bullying can happen anywhere: in schools, workplaces, online, even in organisations up and down the ladder. It affects everyone.

Here’s how we can make a difference together:
👫 Be an ally, not a bystander - if you see something, say something
🏫 In schools: encourage safe spaces, peer support, and open dialogue
💼 In workplaces & organisations: promote respect, zero tolerance, and clear reporting structures
🗣️ Share stories, challenge harmful behaviour, and support those who feel alone

Learn more and access resources:
👉 https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
👉 https://www.acas.org.uk/discrimination-and-bullying

Let’s work together for environments where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued 💪

05/11/2025

🧠🌀 Feeling overwhelmed? Stress isn’t just “part of life” — it can affect your body, mind and behaviour in real ways.

Here’s what you might experience:
✔️ Physical: headaches, muscle tension, stomach issues, chest‑racing heartbeats
✔️ Mental: trouble concentrating, making decisions, constant worrying
✔️ Behavioural: irritability, sleep too much or too little, eating changes, pulling away from others

When stress becomes long‑term, it can lead to burnout — extreme exhaustion, cynicism, reduced performance.

You don’t have to cope with it alone.

👉 Learn more and find help:
https://ow.ly/1ImJ50XmxkW
https://ow.ly/75LF50Xmxle
https://ow.ly/M5TV50XmxkU

Take a pause. Talk it out. You matter. 💚

Stress is our body's response to pressure that manifests itself in many different ways. It's the feeling of being overwhelmed and finding it hard to cope emotionally or mentally. Taking time to identify the emotional and mental pressures in our lives and addressing them is a good way to understand a...

03/11/2025

🎇 Bonfire Night is here - and it’s a time for fun, but also for staying safe! 🔥 Before you light those fireworks and dig into all the good food, here’s what to watch out for:

🍗 Food Safety / Food Poisoning
• Don’t let food sit out too long - especially meats or salads
• Keep raw and cooked foods separate
• Store leftovers promptly at safe temperatures

🔥 Fire & Fireworks Safety
• Always follow firework instructions carefully
• Keep a safe distance
• Never relight a dud firework
• Always supervise children
• Have a bucket of water or hose nearby in case of fire
👉 Safety info:
https://ow.ly/b3YI50XjLhX
https://bonfire-night-safety.co.uk
https://www.firstaid.co.uk/fireworks-safety--first-aid/

🚑 First Aid for Firework Injuries
• Minor burns: cool under running water for 10+ minutes
• Seek medical help for deeper burns, wounds, or if you see smoke inhalation symptoms
• Use sterile dressings, don’t apply creams or adhesives until checked

Have a safe and happy Bonfire Night! 🎆

Top tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during fireworks displays. What to do if things go wrong and first aid advice for burns.

31/10/2025

🎃🔪 Thinking of carving up a spooky pumpkin this Halloween? Before you do, here’s how to stay safe - and how to keep your sugar intake in check 👻🍬

How to carve a pumpkin safely:
🛠️ Use a clean, dry, well-lit area with a sturdy surface.
🧼 Wash and thoroughly dry your hands and tools to avoid slips.
🛡️ Use a proper pumpkin carving kit (small serrated saws) instead of large kitchen knives.
🔄 Always cut away from your body and use small, controlled motions.
👨‍👩‍👧 Leave the carving to adults; kids can draw the design or scoop out pulp.
⚠️ If you get cut and heavy bleeding continues for more than 15 minutes, seek medical care.

Too many sweets can impact your health in more ways than one.
Read how sugar affects your body and tips for moderating consumption:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/how-does-sugar-in-our-diet-affect-our-health/

Balance is everything - carve safely, enjoy treats mindfully, and take care.

Most adults and children in the UK eat too much sugar. Cut down by eating fewer sugary foods, such as sweets, cakes and biscuits, and drinking fewer sugary fizzy drinks.

29/10/2025

Movember is coming up - and we’re calling on everyone who cares about men’s mental health.

Globally, 3 out of 4 suicides are men. That’s 1 man every 60 seconds.
This isn’t just a statistic - it’s someone’s brother, father, partner, or friend 💔🕯️

It’s time to stop the silence. It’s time to unite.

Together, we can:
🧪 Fund life-saving mental health research
📚 Support training and education
🫂 Provide real help for those in crisis

💥 Ready to take action?
👉 Register, grow a Mo, fundraise or simply spread the word:
https://movember.com/register

✊🏽 Let’s change the face of men’s health together.

Movember, the month formerly known as November, is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.

27/10/2025

Black History Month is a time to honour culture, celebrate resilience, and spotlight important health conversations 🧠💬

🎯 Did you know? People of Black African & Caribbean heritage in the UK are more likely to develop:
🩺 Type 2 diabetes
💢 High blood pressure (hypertension)
❤️‍🩹 And face a higher risk of heart disease, kidney issues & stroke

But knowledge = power 💡💪
Let’s take action together:
🍽️ Eat for your heart & blood sugar (think more veggies, less salt!)
🏃🏽‍♂️ Move that body daily
🧪 Get regular checks - blood pressure & diabetes screenings can be life-saving
🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 Talk to your family - sharing this info could change lives

🧭 Start here:
👉 https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/type-2-diabetes/diabetes-ethnicity

This month, let’s rise together in strength, in knowledge, and in health 🖤✨

People from Black African, African Caribbean and South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) backgrounds are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes from a younger age. Research has shown that there are several risk factors linked to this, some that you can manage and others that you can’t...

22/10/2025

🎀 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - a time to learn, support, and advocate for everyone affected 💖

Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women. Men can get it too. It can also impact transgender people, who may face extra barriers to awareness, diagnosis, and care.

Here’s what to keep in mind:
🩺 Know the signs in everyone - lumps, changes in shape, ni**le changes, skin dimpling
🔍 Men, don’t ignore changes in your chest or ni**le - although less common, breast cancer can still occur in men
🏳️‍⚧️ Trans and nonbinary people: your risks and body may change with hormone therapy or surgeries - always feel empowered to ask for care and checkups

📚 Learn more and find inclusive support:
👉 https://breastcancernow.org
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-men/
👉 https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/resource-for-transgender-people/

Let’s make awareness inclusive, supportive, and life-saving 💪

Breast Cancer UK has created a helpful resource for transgender people to help understand breast cancer risk.

18/10/2025

🌡️💬 Menopause brings change — from hot flushes and mood swings to sleep shifts and brain fog. But with the right information and support, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming 💪🌸

This is your reminder: you’re not alone - and help is just a click away 💻💙

📚 Learn more about symptoms, treatment and support from trusted sources:
👉 NHS: https://ow.ly/h3Yh50XcTXE
👉 How to support someone: https://ow.ly/CIK650XcTXB
👉 Looking after your health: https://ow.ly/pM6m50XcTXx
👉 How long do symptoms last?: https://ow.ly/V92w50XcTXO

Let’s talk, share, and support each other - here's to better understanding and better health 💚

Hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, weight gain - they've all been linked to the menopause. But how do you know what's in store?

13/10/2025

🌐✨ Get Online Week 2025 is coming - 20 - 26 October!
The UK’s biggest digital inclusion campaign is BACK 🙌💻

Whether you’re brand new to the internet or want to level up your skills, this week is all about helping people feel safer, smarter, and more confident online 🧠💪

💡 Why it matters:
✅ Book GP appointments
✅ Manage your money online
✅ Apply for work or access training
✅ Stay connected with family & friends
✅ 97% of attendees say they learn something new! 📈

👥 Who’s being left behind?
• Older people
• Low-income households
• Job seekers
• People without access to devices or data
• Anyone unsure where to begin

🎁 Good Things Foundation can help with:
📱 National Device Bank (free refurbished tech): https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-device-bank
📶 National Databank (free mobile data): https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank
🖥️ Learn My Way (free beginner courses): https://www.learnmyway.com/

🎉 How to get involved:
📢 Spread the word in your community
👨‍💻 Help someone get started
📍 Find your local centre or digital hub: https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org

We're the UK's leading digital inclusion charity. Our mission is to fix the digital divide - for good. Join us in helping everyone become digitally equal, able & safe.

12/10/2025

🧠💥 What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Professor David Scott, Consultant Rheumatologist, explains it clearly:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition that primarily affects the joints - especially in the hands and feet 🙌🦶. It can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue, and it can deeply impact daily life 😓

But here’s the good news - with the right treatment and support, RA doesn’t have to define you. You can still work, stay active, and live well 💪🌈

📚 Learn more and find support:
👉 https://ow.ly/cfKA50X9GW3
👉 https://ow.ly/yLSO50X9GVX

👉 https://ow.ly/P0Yq50X9GWa

You are not alone 💙

A to Z list of gastrointestinal treatments used to treat conditions such as IBS, Crohn's disease and indigestion. Look after your gut health with Patient.

10/10/2025

🧠💬 This World Mental Health Day, let’s take a moment to check in on each other - a simple conversation can make a world of difference 🌍❤️

Here’s how to support someone who might be struggling:
1️⃣ Find a quiet space with no distractions - be fully present 🤝
2️⃣ Listen without interrupting and ask thoughtful questions 👂❓
3️⃣ Ask how you can help - it might be booking a GP appointment, helping with chores, or just being there 🫶

📱 Remember: social media isn’t always real.
Feeling low? It’s OK to log off. It’s OK to not be OK all the time.
Less screen time = more time to breathe, reflect, and reset 🌿💚

💡 Mental health matters every day.
Small actions = BIG impact.

📖 Learn more and find support here:
👉 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Banish harmful habits such as smoking, drugs and drinking to feel better: https://patient.info/features/healthy-living

Explore trusted health features on Patient.info with expert insights, research updates and real-life stories to support your wellbeing.