Birley Health 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 💚

11/11/2025

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 💪

07/11/2025

🌫️ Lung Cancer Awareness Month is here - and this year, we’re shining a light on the connections between lung health, coughs, and family cancer history.

A persistent cough might be dismissed as a cold or heart issue — but sometimes, it’s more than that. If it lingers, gets worse, or you have other symptoms, get it checked.

Key point: family history of cancer doesn’t only mean the same cancer you have. When your doctor asks, they mean any cancer your relatives have had. This information can help assess your risk and guide decisions.

📚 Learn more about cancer risk and genetics:
👉 https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer/causes-and-risk-factors/family-history-genetics-and-cancer-risk
👉 https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/inherited-cancer-genes-and-increased-cancer-risk/family-history-and-inherited-cancer-genes

Stay alert to changes, know your family history, and speak up for your lung health 💨

07/11/2025

⭐️A question to anyone who has the NHS app and has been referred anywhere by us in the last year!⭐️
When you are referred to a speciality, we used a system called 'Electronic Referral System'. Below is what we see (With dates blanked out).
At the hospital end, when you are successfully transferred to their clinical system, it changes to 'Cancelled referral'. We know this is good news. But now patients can see their referral status, we think it may look like your referral has been cancelled! We have had patients call us worried, understandably.
So, we want to be sure what it looks like at your end. We are working with NHS England to get this looked at and changed.

However it would be most helpful to be sure what it looks like on the NHS app! If you can screen shot non sensitive information, pop it on here, on AccuRx, or bob up to show me on a Tuesday or Friday, that would be great. We can make things better for everyone. Thanks! Dr Ben Allen

05/11/2025

Make sure your aware of what Medication you should and shouldn't be taking for your symptoms.

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/84kT50Xmywe
https://ow.ly/TUSx50Xmywh
https://ow.ly/CiQP50Xmyw9

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

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! 🎆

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.

29/10/2025

Use our pharmacy first scheme, if you have any of the symptoms described pop into your local pharmacy and they will be able to triage and get you the correct treatment.

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.

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 🖤✨