Dovercourt Group Practice

04/11/2025

04/11/2025

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

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.

28/10/2025

🌿 Join Us in the Garden! 🌿

Our next garden session is this week- Friday 31st October, and we’d love for patients to join us for a morning of fresh air, light activity, and good company.

We’ll be:
🌱 Planting new lettuces
🍎 Displaying our homegrown apples in reception
🌾 Harvesting the last of the chard and cabbages
🌸 Tidying and caring for the currant and lavender beds
🌿 Preparing the soil for winter with a leaf mulch

No experience needed — just bring your enthusiasm (and maybe some gloves if you have them)! It’s a lovely way to relax, meet others, and help our little garden thrive. 🌼

We’ll be meeting in the garden area by the building from 10am to around 12pm.

If you’re interested in joining or learning more, just let reception know or send us a message to Joe.thompson@greenestate.org.

See you among the veggies! 🥕

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 🖤✨

26/10/2025

Your Mental Health Matters

Caring for someone with dementia can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also take a toll on your mental health. Small steps can make a big difference. Here are some tips for looking after yourself:

✨ Take short breaks – even 10 minutes can help you recharge.
✨ Talk to someone you trust – share how you feel with a friend, family member, or support group.
✨ Stay active – a short walk, stretch, or gentle exercise can boost mood.
✨ Practice mindfulness – breathing exercises or meditation can reduce stress.
✨ Seek support – Dementia Carers Count offers advice, online groups, and courses to help you cope.

💬 Your turn: What’s your favourite way to look after your mental health while caring? Share in the comments and inspire others!

💜

26/10/2025

People aged 75 to 79 can be vaccinated for RSV - an infectious disease of the airways and lungs which can lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.

Contact your GP to book the RSV vaccine.

26/10/2025