Riverside Surgery

01/04/2026

🌼 March at Riverside Surgery 🌼

As we wrap up a very busy March, we wanted to share a snapshot of the incredible work delivered by our team:

📊 Thousands of patient contacts managed across the month
📞 High volumes of calls answered and navigated safely by our care navigation team
👩‍⚕️ Hundreds of GP and nurse appointments provided, both same day and pre booked
💊 Ongoing reviews, blood tests, and chronic disease management completed to support patient care

This reflects a huge team effort to ensure patients receive safe, timely, and appropriate care, especially during continued high demand. Thank you for your patience and support, it truly makes a difference 💙

🐣 Easter Bank Holiday Reminder 🐣

With the Easter bank holiday approaching, please remember:

✔️ Order and collect your medications in advance to avoid running out
✔️ Plan ahead for any routine health needs
✔️ Be aware that the surgery will be closed on bank holiday days

For urgent medical care when we are closed, please use:
☎️ NHS 111
🚑 999 in a medical emergency

We hope you all have a safe and peaceful Easter 🌷

24/03/2026

🚨 Important Notice – Social Media Conduct 🚨

Riverside Surgery operates a zero tolerance approach to abuse, including on social media platforms.

We understand that patients may at times feel frustrated, however posting defamatory, offensive or abusive comments about our GPs or staff on social media is not acceptable and will be taken seriously.

NHS guidance is clear that social media must not be used in a way that is defamatory, abusive or brings individuals or services into disrepute, and such behaviour may have consequences 

Our GPs and staff are dedicated professionals who work extremely hard to care for our community. They are also people, with families, and deserve to be treated with respect both in person and online.

💬 If you have concerns about your care or experience, we strongly encourage you to use the appropriate channels:
• Speak directly with the practice
• Submit a complaint via our formal complaints procedure (Putting Things Right, NHS Wales)

This ensures your concerns are properly reviewed, responded to, and resolved.

We reserve the right to take appropriate action where social media use becomes abusive, including escalation in line with NHS policies.

Thank you for your understanding and for treating our team with the respect they deserve 👍🏼

18/03/2026

⚠️ It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia as serious illness can take place quickly.

If you, your child, or a loved one, become unwell please contact your GP or 111 ☎️

18/03/2026

🚨 Important Update: Meningitis (MenB)

We are aware of increased concern regarding Meningitis (MenB) and would like to provide reassurance and clear guidance for our patients.

⚠️ Please do NOT contact the GP surgery unless advised
There is no need to contact the practice about meningitis concerns unless you have been directly contacted by Public Health Wales.

Contacting the surgery unnecessarily may prevent patients with urgent medical needs from getting through.

💉 Key Information
• The MenB vaccine is part of the routine UK childhood immunisation schedule
• It is not available outside of this programme unless clinically indicated
• Preventative antibiotics are only given to close contacts of confirmed cases
• If required, Public Health will contact individuals directly

🚑 When to seek urgent medical help
If you or your child develop symptoms of meningitis, seek urgent medical advice immediately.

You can also check symptoms via NHS 111 Wales

💙 Thank you for your support
We appreciate your understanding in helping us keep our phone lines available for those who need urgent care.

We will continue to update our website as further guidance is received from Public Health Wales.

12/03/2026

Don’t ignore your smar invites ladies!! 💕🩷💕

06/03/2026

🌼 Spring is on its way… but Riverside Surgery is still as busy as ever! 🌼

As the days start getting a little longer and the first signs of spring appear, the team here at Riverside Surgery continues to work incredibly hard behind the scenes. While the seasons change, the demand for appointments, advice, and care remains very high, and our team is here every day doing their very best to support our community.

We’re so grateful to our patients for their patience, kindness, and understanding during these busy times. Your support means a lot to our whole team. 💙

Thank you for continuing to work with us and for being part of the community.

04/03/2026

🚨 Important Update from Riverside Surgery 🚨

Due to staff shortages today, we are unfortunately only able to offer emergency appointments. This means appointments will be prioritised for urgent medical problems that cannot safely wait.

If your problem is routine or non-urgent, please consider using the other healthcare services available locally:

💊 Community Pharmacists (Choose Pharmacy)
Your pharmacist can help with many common conditions such as sore throats, ear infections, UTIs, skin conditions, coughs and colds, and provide advice and treatment without needing a GP appointment.

📞 NHS 111 Wales
If you are unsure what to do, you can call 111 for free or visit 111.wales.nhs.uk for advice and guidance. They can direct you to the most appropriate service.

🏥 Urgent Primary Care Centres / Minor Injury Units
For urgent problems that are not life-threatening, you may be directed to a local urgent care service. NHS 111 can advise where the most appropriate centre is.

🚑 Emergency Care
For serious or life-threatening emergencies, please dial 999 or attend A&E.

We truly appreciate your patience, kindness and understanding during very challenging days like this. Your support means a lot to our team who are working extremely hard to keep services running safely.

Thank you for bearing with us 💙

24/02/2026

📢 Surgery Closure for Staff Training 📢

Please be aware that the surgery will be closed from 1.30pm tomorrow afternoon to allow our team to take part in essential staff training.

During this time, alternative healthcare services remain available if you need support:

🏥 NHS 111
For urgent medical advice and guidance, available 24/7, online or by phone.

💊 Community Pharmacies
Your local pharmacist can help with minor illnesses, medication advice and urgent supplies.

🚑 Urgent Primary Care Centres / Minor Injury Units
For urgent but non life threatening conditions.

🚨 Emergency Services
If it is a medical emergency, please call 999 or attend A&E.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Staff training is vital to ensure we can keep providing safe, high quality care for our patients 💙

24/02/2026

The month of January was incredibly busy at the surgery and it really reflects just how high demand has been throughout this month. Our team has been working flat out to support patients and keep things running as smoothly as possible.

A huge thank you to our patients for your patience, understanding and kindness during what has been an exceptionally busy period. We truly appreciate your support while we continue to do our very best for everyone 💙

17/02/2026

🦵🏼 Adult Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy – Self Referral Now Available

Did you know you can self refer directly to Adult Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy if you are aged 16 and over?

The Physiotherapy Access Clinic (PAC) allows you to book an appointment without needing a GP referral.

🔗 Self referral and booking information:
https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/hospitals/a-z-services/physiotherapy/

📅 Appointments available:
Monday to Friday
Various locations across Swansea Bay

⏰ Important to note:
Appointments are released 72 hours (3 days) before the appointment date, so please check the website regularly for availability.

📞 Need help using the digital service?
PAC Digital Support Team: 01639 862574

📱 You can also scan the QR code in the image below, which will take you straight to the PAC webpage.

Please share to help others access physiotherapy support quickly and easily 🩵

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy services are provided on the following sites within Swansea Bay University Health Board:

12/02/2026

📢 Important Information – National Shortage of Co-codamol

We would like to make patients aware that there is currently a national shortage of co-codamol affecting pharmacies across the UK.

This means some strengths of co-codamol may not be readily available at your usual pharmacy. This issue is outside of the control of Riverside Surgery and local pharmacies.

💊 What this means for you:
• You may be asked to visit more than one pharmacy
• Your pharmacist may offer an equivalent alternative
• In some cases, we may need to review your medication and prescribe a suitable substitute

Please be assured that we will work with local pharmacies to support safe alternatives where required. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this time.

If you are unable to obtain your medication, please speak directly to your pharmacist first. If further advice is needed, contact the surgery and our clinical team will review your request.

Thank you for your continued cooperation 💙
Team Riverside

27/01/2026

💜 Let’s Talk Vaginal & Gynaecological Cancers 💜

Gynaecological cancers include cancers of the womb (uterus), cervix, ovaries, va**na and v***a. They can affect women of all ages — and knowing the symptoms can genuinely save lives.

Most symptoms are not caused by cancer, but they should always be checked.

🚩 Symptoms to look out for:
• Unusual va**nal bleeding (after menopause, after s*x, or between periods)
• Persistent pelvic or lower tummy pain
• Bloating that doesn’t go away
• Pain during s*x
• Changes in va**nal discharge
• Itching, lumps, or sores around the v***a
• Needing to wee more often without infection

If something feels different, unusual, or persistent for more than 2–3 weeks, please don’t ignore it.

✔️ Cervical screening (smear tests) saves lives.
✔️ HPV vaccination helps prevent cervical cancer.
✔️ Early diagnosis greatly improves outcomes.

We understand these symptoms can feel embarrassing to talk about — but to us, this is healthcare. Nothing is awkward, and everything is confidential.

If you’re worried, book an appointment and let’s check things properly. 💙